Meet Jennifer Carroll-Sass of Ann Arbor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Carroll-Sass

Hi Jennifer, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I went to the University of Michigan and majored in Movement Science in the Division of Kinesiology. I took a year off after undergrad and did research in the Division of Kinesiology which used a treadmill training protocol with infants with Down Syndrome and infants at risk with Cerebral Palsy. I realized that learning about infants walking was really interesting and applied to Physical Therapy (PT) School. I went to the University of Illinois at Chicago with the intent of working with children. In PT school I realized that adults are cool too. When I first graduated I did work with both children and adults and as my career went on I ended up specializing in Adult Outpatient Orthopedics. I have been practicing for 19 years and the last 5 years I have been with Michigan Medicine in the Burlington Lower Level Specialty clinic working with patients with orthopedic issues and cancer rehabilitation.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, my very first job out of Physical Therapy school I was at for 6 months and should have left after 6 weeks. The horror stories I had heard about in unethical practice occurred at this location. I have had faced working environments that were not supportive, which makes me more grateful for my current work environment with supportive coworkers and supervisor. Also, working as a physical therapist during the COVID-19 pandemic and treating patients face to face was also challenging especially when we did not know much about the virus in the beginning.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a physical therapist who specializes in adult outpatient physical therapy. I am most proud of listening to my patients. People will tell you what they need, you just need to listen.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is when my patients get better and accomplish their goals. Also, spending time with my husband and two cats brings me joy and helps me to recharge.