Staff Physical Therapist

Gillian “Gill” Kania has been a Physical Therapist for 15 years with over 10 years of experience in an outpatient setting. She has been living and working in Southern Maryland for the last 10 years. She joined CAO in early 2021 and enjoys being a part of the PT and sports performance team in the California clinic.

Education

Gill completed her undergraduate degree with a Bachelors in Rehabilitation Science in 2007 from the University of Pittsburgh; in you guessed it, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She then went on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010 from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has completed additional training in instrument assisted soft tissue massage, manual therapy, functional based assessment and treatment techniques, fitness athlete management, and exercise prescription. She has her Maryland state certification in Dry Needling and has been utilizing this in practice since 2016.

Experience

Gill has worked in a variety of settings over her career including at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in the home health setting, a skilled nursing facility, and for the past 10+ years in the outpatient setting including previously holding a clinic management position. As a Physical Therapist, Gill has worked with patients with conditions ranging from Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, and other neurologic conditions as well as a wide range of post-surgical, sports, and orthopedic conditions. Gill also is able to offer her expertise in wheelchair assessments to help patients be custom fitted for the appropriate seating and positioning system.

Philosophy

Gill’s treatment approach as a physical therapist centers on empowering each patient to take an active role in their recovery through patient-first, strength-based care. With a background in sports-related injuries and performance rehabilitation, she focuses on helping patients and athletes of all levels safely return to the activities they love through evidence-based treatment, movement analysis, and individualized exercise programs.

Personal life

Gill and her family landed here in Southern Maryland via her husband Matt’s career in the U.S. Navy. Her family has now made the county their home! She lives with her husband Matt and two sons, Mason and Gavin. She genuinely enjoys working as a PT in a field that allows her to help others. When she isn’t at work you can find her on a baseball or soccer field with one of her boys, running and training for ½ marathon races, hiking, and skiing.