Instructors/Therapists:
Studio Director: Diane Fidler, Physical Therapist
Diane has a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Mt. St. Mary's College in Los Angeles and a BS in Exercise Physiology from Purdue University. She has been treating patients with orthopedic conditions, pre/post natal and chronic pain since 1993 and teaching group fitness classes since 1986. She has certifications in Mat and Reformer Pilates which she uses extensively in patient rehabilitation and personal training. She is a consultant at Rush University Medical Center/Midwest Orthopedics as well as the Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic of Chicago.
Diane teaches continuing education seminars and lectures nationally to other therapists on the Principles of Pilates and its effectiveness in rehabilitation. As a marathon runner, triathlete and mother of five, she is able to offer an integrated approach to rehabilitation, performance enhancement and wellness.
Instructor: Patricia (Tricia) Padgurskis, Physical Therapist
Tricia has a Clinical Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University and a BS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over the years, she has treated pediatric, adolescent and adult patients with a variety of diverse conditions including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, neurological and orthopedic conditions at LaRabida Children's Hospital, Hinsdale Hospital and Misericordia Home. Since being a new mom of one, Tricia currently spends her time working and consulting at Core Fitness and Physical Therapy, LaRabida Children's Hospital, Mercy Hospital Special Care Nursery and private home-based early invention practice.
Tricia has received certificates of completion for Pilates Mat. After taking course work through Rehab Connections with Diane, Tricia went on to complete a 200 plus hour certification in mat and apparatus through Core in Training. Tricia is also trained in Thai Yoga Massage through Core in Training. She has been a group fitness instructor for 12 years.
With a solid background in pediatric/adolescent rehabilitation as well as group fitness instruction, Tricia is able to offer a well rounded training approach to all of her clients.
Instructor: Sharon Grant, Physical Therapist
Sharon has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago as well as a BA from the University of Iowa in Communication Studies. She currently works at Brentwood sub-acute Rehabilitation Center treating patients with a variety of conditions including orthopedic, neuological and cardiopulmonary diseases. She has been a licensed Physical Therapist for over eight years and has worked at several major medical centers including Christ Community Hospital and The Paulson Rehabilitation Center.
Sharon has received certificates of completion for Pilates Mat training from Rehabconnection courses taught by Diane Fidler. She has completed an extensive training program at Core Fitness and Physical Therapy on the individual pieces of Pilates apparatus. Sharon has also been active in the community teaching back education classes for many years.
Sharon is able to offer a well rounded approach to her clients due to her extensive clinical experience as a Physical Therapist in rehab for adults and geriatrics as well as her practical experience as a mother of three.
Instructor: Karen Alanis
Karen has been a fully certified Authentic Pilates instructor since November 2002. After a rigorous 600 hour apprenticeship under the tutelage of Juanita Lopez, she received a full certification from Roman Kryzanowska and Sari Mehia-Santos, proteges of Joseph Pilates. Karen maintains her Level 5 status with Romana's Pilates by attending annual Continuing Professional Education seminars. She has experience teaching all different body types, regardless of health or injury. Prior to teaching Pilates, she attended Arizona State University for three years as a major in dance, then moved to Chicago to complete her BFA in Dance Performance at Columbia College.
Instructor: Karen Costello, Physical Therapist
Karen had a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois-Health Sciences Center in Chicago. She currently works not only at Core but also at Brentwood Sub-acute Rehabilitation Center in Burbank, Illinois. At Brentwood, Karen treats a variety of Orthopedic, Neurological and Medically Compromised patients. She has been a Physical Therapist since 1986 and has worked in various settings such as; inpatient acute and sub-acute rehab, hospital acute care, outpatient orthopedics and home health care.
After taking course work through Rehab Connections with Diane, Karen went on to complete a 200 plus hour certification in mat and apparatus with Diane through Core in Training. She was an attendee of the Pilates Style Conference in New York City in 2006 and has been teaching at Core since the fall of 2006.
Karen has always had an interest in wellness and she has a special affection for working with the geriatric population. Karen believes it is never too late to get fit and she enjoys helping people of all ages achieve their wellness goals. Besides doing Pilates, she enjoys running and she finished her first marathon at the age of 41. Karen has also been active in her community serving as school board member, youth coach and Girl Scout leader. She has been married to Tom for 20 years and is the mother of two.
Instructor: Barb Higgins, Physical Therapist
Barb has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She not only works at Core but is also the Director of Rehab Services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy programs at at Brentwood Sub-acute Healthcare facility. Her work experience includes inpatient rehabilitation as well as inpatient and outpatient orthopedic care. Barb is also a certified aerobic and fitness instructor for Women's Workout World.
After taking course work through Rehab Connections with Diane, Barb went on to complete a 200 plus certification in mat and apparatus through Core in Training.
Instructor: Melissa Burke
Melissa has her MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Notre Dame. She not only works for Core teaching Pilates mat classes, springboard classes and private instruction but only has worked as a Spinning Instructor for Beverly Ride On for over 10 years.
After taking course work through Rehab Connections with Diane, Melissa went on to complete a 200 plus certification in mat and apparatus through Core in Training. She is also trained in Thai Yoga massage through Core in Training.
Melissa is married and the mother of two.
Instructor: Terri McCabe
Terri has her Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Eastern Illinois University, where she was also a four-year member of the women's soccer team. After graduating in 2003, she went on to manage an all-women's health club in St. Louis, Missouri. Not only does she teach Pilates, Springboard and Circuit classes at Core, but she also teaches prekindergarten at the Farm and Nature Discovery Preschool in Palos Heights and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Education at St Xavier University.
After taking course work through Rehab Connections with Diane, Terri went on to complete a 200 plus hour certification in mat and apparatus with Diane through Core in Training. She has coupled her training in Pilates with her interest in education by teaching Pilates classes to young athletes, as well as to children with special needs.
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