Introducing the Team at
Get to know the Breakaway team by clicking on their photos below:
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Client Care Coordinator
Aide
Aide
Front Desk
Front Desk
Founder of Breakaway Physical Therapy.
Shaina is the founder and owner of Breakaway Physical Therapy. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland Baltimore, along with a Bachelor's degree from Towson University.
Shaina is an Ironman triathlete, with a love of all sports. Exercise is her passion, which plays an important role in both her personal and professional life. In her free time, Shaina enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children. Shaina's love of snowboarding led her to her career choice many years ago.
Shaina wakes up everyday motivated to help you recover, get stronger, become healthier and lead a more active lifestyle! She knows firsthand the emotion and reward that comes with being able to achieve one's goals and wants to help her patients experience that as well.
Alex received her undergraduate degree from Salisbury University in exercise science, and continued her education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Alex is a certified health fitness specialist (HFS) and a certified ergonomic assessment specialist (CEAS). She also specializes in vestibular rehabilitation (vertigo/BPPV) and with pediatric patients.
Alex chose the field of Physical Therapy while in high school. She knew that she wanted to work with others and was fascinated by rehabilitation after injury. Alex believes in educating patients about their injuries and the pain that they are experiencing. She feels that once patients have an understanding of what is occurring, they are empowered and can prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future.
In her spare time, Alex enjoys playing guitar, drums, singing and paddle boarding. She was an athlete all of her young life and notes that those experiences have help shape her treatments and care.
Carissa started her physical therapy journey in 2001 after graduating from Maryville University in Saint Louis, Missouri with a Bachelor's of Physical Therapy. In 2001, she completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill where her focus was in women's health studies specifically the effects of exercise during pregnancy.
Carissa's favorite area to treat is the pelvic floor, especially in the postpartum community. She says, "It is so rewarding to have the privilege to treat new mommies and help them get back to doing all of the activities they did before pregnancy as well as help them discover ways to achieve balance in their life with the added joy and stress that come with motherhood."
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their 5 children, and their new dog, Bear. She also enjoys running, reading, and traveling.
Her favorite thing about working at Breakaway is the ability to spend quality one-on-one time with her patients. "I love that I am given the opportunity to really focus on each individual patient, educate and help them understand their condition, tailor treatment to meet their specific needs and goals, and help them prevent any further injury."
Brittany graduated from University of Maryland Baltimore with an emphasis on the pelvic floor. She attended Penn State for Kinesiology before that.
I became interested in PT in college and also had a women's health course that opened my eyes to disparities in care and ultimately lead me to specializing in pelvic floor treatments.
I’m Super excited to have joined the Breakaway team. My favorite part of PT is empowering patients by giving them the tools they need to get better and remain healthy/maintain wellness for the rest of their lives.
In my free time I enjoy hiking, yoga/ Pilates, trivia, and traveling.
In July 2019, Ali joined the Breakaway team after spending the first 13 years of her career in the field of services for individuals with disabilities as well as non-profit management and development.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my partner, Sarah, and our three (soon to be four) children. I also enjoy camping and traveling.
My favorite part of working at Breakaway is the relationships that the staff have with the patients. I feel that everyday is a new adventure and particularly enjoy being a part of such a close knit, and family focused practice.
Caitie is currently a junior at the University of Maryland in College Park majoring in kinesiology and minoring in human development .
I’m interested in applying to PT school in 2 years and am super excited for the opportunity at Breakaway to learn more about Physical Therapy and gain experience in the field.
I played soccer for almost 14 years right up until I started college, but now I really only play for fun in intramural leagues at UMD.
In my free time I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, going out on the boat, playing soccer and working out whenever I get the chance.
While I have not been a part of the team for very long, I already feel as though I am a part of a family and am surrounded with amazing people who are happy to show and teach me new things. I always leave with new knowledge that I will remember forever.
Jordan graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
I enjoy dancing, hiking, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. I was a gymnast throughout my childhood and coached gymnastics during college. As a gymnast, I sustained injuries that required going to physical therapy, which is where my inspiration to someday work in the field started.
Working at Breakaway has confirmed my goals of wanting to work in physical therapy because of the wonderful atmosphere and the common goal of helping people feel their best and reach their goals. It is a great work place with extremely supportive and friendly coworkers where I feel like I am constantly learning new things!
Breakaway has been fortunate enough to have Alyx working at the front desk since March 2017. Alyx has an Associate of Art History degree from the College of Southern Maryland. She is currently applying to University of Maryland University College for a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies.
Alyx highlights how Breakaway has an incredibly fun and unique work environment saying, "It's not just coming to work...everything that gets done here is about being part of a team and making things run smoothly together". Alyx has been married to her husband, Jason, for 8 years and has two children. Some of Alyx's hobbies include quilting, riding her bike, and going to the beach with her family.
Jordan Recently graduated from South River High School in 2018. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. In my free time I love spending time with children while babysitting. I also enjoying painting and drawing as my main hobby and I enjoy walks/hikes.
In the future my goal is to be an orthodontist and start dental school. I’m very excited to be working for the Breakaway team at the front desk and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the breakaway family!