Meet The Team
Dr. Ithamar Jotkowitz, PT, DPT, CAMT
Founder and Clinical Director
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Dr. Ithamar Jotkowitz, PT, DPT, CAMT opened Outback Physical therapy with the goal of providing comprehensive and individualized physical therapy services in a supportive and professional atmosphere.
Dr. Ithamar Jotkowitz, PT, DPT, CAMT has been a licensed physical therapist for over fifteen years. After earning his bachelors degree in Physical Therapy in Melbourne, Australia, he pursued his clinical doctorate in New York and received the Certification in Advanced Manipulative Therapy, the first and currently only physical therapist in Massachusetts to have obtained this accreditation.
Ithamar has treated a wide variety of orthopedic, sports, and post-surgical conditions. His experience includes managing and supervising a number of large rehabilitation clinics and departments in Australia, New York City and Boston.
Additionally, Ithamar has lectured at national conferences; been published in peer reviewed journals; mentored PT students in clinic; and was a faculty member at Northeastern University.
Ithamar has worked with professional and amateur athletes, as well as “weekend warriors” and is committed to rehabilitating each of his patients to their specific goals, whether that be returning to work, sports or the regular activities of daily living.
The culmination of his education and experience came in 2012 when he opened the doors of Outback Physical therapy with the goal of providing comprehensive and individualized physical therapy services in a supportive and professional atmosphere.
As an avid runner, Ithamar has a special interest in running rehabilitation and to complement this he recently expanded his clinical knowledge by obtaining advanced training in exercise physiology and now provides clinical Resting Metabolic Rate and VO2 Max testing on-site at Outback Physical Therapy.
Ithamar lives in Boston with his wife, 2 sons and 2 daughters. In his free time, he can be found running along the Charles river or another local trail as he prepares for his next Marathon.
Dr. Naomi Goodman, PT, DPT, MPH
Physical Therapist
Dr. Naomi Goodman PT, DPT, MPH is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to help patients return to doing what they love.
Dr. Naomi Goodman, PT, DPT, MPH worked as an epidemiologist and healthcare researcher for over ten years.
Inspired by the research supporting physical therapy for rehabilitation, she returned to school and received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Naomi is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care to help patients return to doing what they love, be it working comfortably at the computer, taking care of a family member, competing in an athletic event, or performing in a show.
Naomi’s special interests include aerial acrobatics and circus disciplines, hiking, and rehabilitation after joint replacement surgery.
For patients interested in returning to or beginning a yoga practice, she creates individualized yoga programs for all levels.
In addition to treating patients at Outback Physical Therapy, Naomi also teaches yoga and dance to people with Parkinson’s disease; her work has been featured on npr and Channel 5 News.
In her spare time, Naomi enjoys training and performing on the aerial silks, hiking in the White Mountains, and curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Dr. Carolyn Harper, PT, DPT, OMT
Physical Therapist
Dr. Carolyn Harper, PT, DPT, OMT delivers care with kindness and compassion while ensuring that each patient achieves their goals.
Dr Carolyn Harper, PT, DPT, OMT has been treating in the outpatient orthopedic setting for the past six years. She attended a six year accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Boston University and then went on to complete a two-year manual therapy fellowship through the renowned Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy.
With a focus on manual therapy, Carolyn delivers care with kindness and compassion while ensuring that each patient achieves their goals. She enjoys treating a wide variety of orthopedic injuries and is just as delighted to treat a four year old as she is a ninety-four year old.
As an ultrarunner who competes in 50 and 100 mile races, Carolyn has developed a passion for treating runners of all levels and abilities. Along with her own personal familiarity with injuries and recovery, she has years of experience in performing gait analysis with gait retraining to provide an all-encompassing running rehabilitation program.
Carolyn also excels at working with dancers of any style and skill level as she received formal dance training throughout her childhood and into her college career. From performing on stage to lighting up the living room, Carolyn understands the importance of returning dancers to a life of pain-free movement.
When not running or dancing, Carolyn can be found lounging on her patio with a good book and some quality beer or planning her next vacation and running adventure.
Dr Kristin Tudisco, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Dr Kristin Tudisco, PT, DPT believes in forming a therapeutic alliance with her patients and providing individualized care to help each person achieve their personal goals.
Dr. Kristin Tudisco, PT, DPT has been practicing physical therapy for eleven years with a focus on orthopedics and sports medicine. Her interest in the profession stems from years of training as a competitive figure skater and all the additional training, conditioning, and ballet that went with it. She attended Boston University for her undergraduate education, working in PT clinics as a student aide. She then attended The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences – which is renowned for its training in manual therapy techniques – for her doctoral degree.
Kristin has worked in a large multidisciplinary practice treating patients of all ages, across the life span, for a wide range or orthopedic and sports injuries as well as post-surgical rehabilitation. She is a physical therapist on the medical staff for US Figure Skating for the past five years running; traveling to international and World championship events for their singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating teams.
She has continued her lifelong learning by taking extensive post-professional courses in manual therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (including Grastontechnique), and dance medicine rehabilitation training. Kristin believes in forming a therapeutic alliance with her patients and providing individualized care to help each person achieve their personal goals.
She is still an active member of The Skating Club of Boston and competes with her team, Forte of Boston,which is an international silver medalist in the Nations Cup,representing the US. When not working or gliding across the ice, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and their cat, a beautiful tuxie named Luna. She enjoys traveling, reading, and has recently developed a new found interest in recreational running.
Kristin has worked in a large multidisciplinary practice treating patients of all ages, across the life span, for a wide range or orthopedic and sports injuries as well as post-surgical rehabilitation. She is a physical therapist on the medical staff for US Figure Skating for the past five years running; traveling to international and World championship events for their singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating teams.
She has continued her lifelong learning by taking extensive post-professional courses in manual therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (including Grastontechnique), and dance medicine rehabilitation training. Kristin believes in forming a therapeutic alliance with her patients and providing individualized care to help each person achieve their personal goals.
She is still an active member of The Skating Club of Boston and competes with her team, Forte of Boston,which is an international silver medalist in the Nations Cup,representing the US. When not working or gliding across the ice, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and their cat, a beautiful tuxie named Luna. She enjoys traveling, reading, and has recently developed a new found interest in recreational running.
Cara Dewey, MSPT
Physical Therapist
Cara has extensive experience with treatment of various orthopedic diagnoses as well as pre- and post-natal care.
Cara Dewey, MSPT has been a physical therapy practitioner for nearly 2 decades. Before joining the Outback team she worked as a staff physical therapist for 12 years at a large state-wide medical facility where she earned several awards, most notably, “physical therapist of the year.” In 2011, she worked to obtain a sizable Foundation grant to implement a fall prevention program for seniors. Cara has extensive experience with treatment of various orthopedic diagnoses as well as pre- and post-natal care. She is proficient in instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and has undergone training in several manual techniques, including pre-clinical training in Australia where she was first exposed to the Australian manual therapy philosophy.
Cara is a graduate of Boston University where she received her BS in Health Studies in 2000 and MS in PT in 2002. A Massachusetts native, Cara lives in Boston with her husband and twin boys. In her spare time she enjoys running with her hound mix, Darby.
Cara is a graduate of Boston University where she received her BS in Health Studies in 2000 and MS in PT in 2002. A Massachusetts native, Cara lives in Boston with her husband and twin boys. In her spare time she enjoys running with her hound mix, Darby.
Kelleigh Halpin, CPT
Patient Care Manager
Kelleigh Halpin attended Mount Ida college, majoring in Sports Management and playing collegiate soccer. For the past 10 years Kelleigh has worked as a soccer coach and currently coaches for St. Mary’s High school and Aztec soccer club.
Kelleigh is very passionate about health and exercise and recently became a Certified Personal Trainer through the prestigious National Academy of Sports Medicince.
Kelleigh has seen many athletes go through physical therapy and come out stronger and understands how important physical therapy is in everyone’s life . As well as running front desk operations in Somerville, Kelleigh manages the administration and billing for both practices
Kelleigh enjoys spending her time with her family, going on hikes, cooking and working out.
Tim Shea
Patient Care Associate - Somerville
Tim Shea attended Westfield State University, majoring in English Education while also running for the Cross Country and Track teams.
While in school, Tim began working at his local running shop, and wound up enjoying it to the point that he spent eight years managing various running stores throughout Massachusetts, most recently at the Greater Boston Running Company in Swampscott.
Through Tim's own running experience, his time as a cross country and track coach, and his years of working with runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, he has developed a passion for assisting people achieve their goals, be they fitness or general wellness-related.
Tim is still an avid runner, focusing mainly on the Marathon while racing various distances as a part of the Greater Boston Track Club. When not running, Tim enjoys hiking, reading, and being an uncle to his newborn nieces.
While in school, Tim began working at his local running shop, and wound up enjoying it to the point that he spent eight years managing various running stores throughout Massachusetts, most recently at the Greater Boston Running Company in Swampscott.
Through Tim's own running experience, his time as a cross country and track coach, and his years of working with runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, he has developed a passion for assisting people achieve their goals, be they fitness or general wellness-related.
Tim is still an avid runner, focusing mainly on the Marathon while racing various distances as a part of the Greater Boston Track Club. When not running, Tim enjoys hiking, reading, and being an uncle to his newborn nieces.
Hillary Gomez
Patient Care Associate - Brookline
Hillary Gomez is currently attending Boston University’s six year accelerated combined BS in Health Sciences and Doctorate in Physical Therapy program. With future aspirations of becoming a physical therapist, Hillary hopes to expand her knowledge on patient care with Outback PT.
Hillary hails from Elizabeth, NJ and grew up in a big soccer family. This peaked her interest in sports medicine and she knew physical therapy will allow her to be in on the action.
In her free time, Hillary likes to work out, watch soccer, complete puzzles and spend time with her friends.
Hillary hails from Elizabeth, NJ and grew up in a big soccer family. This peaked her interest in sports medicine and she knew physical therapy will allow her to be in on the action.
In her free time, Hillary likes to work out, watch soccer, complete puzzles and spend time with her friends.