Leslie DeMelio, PT, DPT

Leslie has had her doctorate in Physical Therapy since 2011. Her passion for helping others led her to physical therapy after experiencing a sports injury of her own, where she saw firsthand the positive impact therapy can have on recovery and quality of life. Her journey into geriatrics was shaped by her family’s experiences. She helped care for her grandmother, who lived with Alzheimer's disease, which gave her a deeper understanding of the challenges older adults and their families face. When her grandmother later suffered a stroke, her desire to work with the geriatric population grew even stronger. She finds great fulfillment in helping older adults improve their mobility, regain function, and maintain their independence and quality of life. Leslie is grateful that her personal experiences ultimately led her to a career where she can make a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients and their families. What she loves most about being a therapy team leader is the opportunity to make a difference in both our patients' lives and the lives of the people she works with. Leslie truly enjoys being part of a team, supporting one another, sharing ideas, and helping each other navigate the challenges of caring for our patients. She especially loves seeing the progress her patients make and knowing that, as a team, they helped them get there. Whether it's helping someone take their first steps after an illness, regain confidence in their abilities, or become more independent with everyday activities, those moments are incredibly rewarding. Being a team leader also gives her the opportunity to mentor and support other therapists, and she finds great fulfillment in helping others grow in their careers. At the end of the day, she loves knowing that we are working together toward the same goal: providing compassionate, meaningful care and helping their patients achieve the best possible quality of life. Outside of work, Leslie loves spending time with her family and making memories together. She enjoys going on adventures, exploring new places, hiking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, and doing arts & crafts.