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The Core Team

Diane Fidler,

MPT – Studio Owner

Diane opened Core Fitness and Physical Therapy in Evergreen Park, IL in 2005. She has lectured nationally about the benefits of utilizing the Pilates Method as part of the rehabilitation process. Diane has combined her experiences as a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Teacher, with her years of treating Physical Therapy patients, to create a system of wellness and rehabilitation that benefits all bodies, injuries, and ailments. Diane received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, and is a former collegiate athlete, marathon runner, and triathlete.

Courtney Broderick,

DPT – Physical Therapy Director

In addition to being the director of Physical Therapy at CORE, Courtney is one of our Pelvic Health specialists. She is trained in pelvic floor rehabilitation through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and is a certified master level dry needler. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Marquette University. Additionally, Courtney has extensive training in the Pilates Method and is also a group fitness instructor.

Terri McCabe,

NCPT – Vice President

Terri is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and Vice President of CORE. She worked closely with Diane Fidler to create the Core Pilates Teacher Training + Apprentice Program. Additionally, she received her aerial fitness certification through AIR, and is a former collegiate athlete.

Katie Nolan,

Office Manager

Katie earned a business degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2005. She started her career in the Merchandise Mart, working at a high-end interior design company. Once she started her family, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom for a few years, until she joined the team at Core in 2017. As the office manager, Katie handles the daily operations at CORE and specializes in benefits and insurance claims.

Carolyn Taylor,

PT

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont. With over 20 years of experience, she has enjoyed working with patients of all ages in various settings including rehab, acute care, outpatient orthopedics, and skilled nursing. She has gained extensive experience in geriatric rehab and more recently has worked in home health and school practice with kindergarten-3rd grade children. Carolyn was introduced to the Pilates method through the Rehab Connections course, Principles of Pilates, taught by Diane Fidler. She also completed the intensive Core in Training program for mat and apparatus taught by Terri McCabe. She has a special interest in nutrition and the role of proper nutrition, exercise and other natural approaches in achieving optimal health in aging adults.

Carrie O’Donnell,

Instructor

Carrie, along with Molly McAlinden, was the original owner of Beverly Barre, who merged with Core Fitness in Physical Therapy in 2020. Carrie received her Barre training through Exhale.

Carole Grant,

LMT

Carole is our senior massage therapist, and has been at Core Fitness and Physical Therapy since 2006. She specializes in deep tissue and hot stone massage. She is also prenatal certified.

Cathriona Fey,

Instructor, Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist

Cathriona is a certified Barre instructor through Barre Intensity. She completed her Pre/Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist training and certification through Fit for Birth and is a certified Diastasis Core Consultant through Fit for Birth and The Bloom Method.

Cathy Conjar,

Instructor

Cathy is a Pilates instructor with extensive education through CORE. Her coursework included Anatomy & Physiology, as well as the Reformer, Split Pedal Chair, and Mat work. She teaches both private and group sessions at CORE and is also a Spin Instructor. She completed her certification in Aerial Yoga through Revival Yoga Studios.

Cathy OGrady,

Instructor

Cathy completed 450+ hours of Pilates Teacher Training through Core in 2021. She is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and group instructor. She has taught fitness for over 25 years including Yoga, cardio boxing, cycling, and strength training. She teaches group Pilates classes as well as private lessons.

Colleen Canna,

Instructor

Colleen is a Pilates, Aerial, and Spin instructor. She completed her original Pilates training through CORE and has since completed additional training in the beginner and intermediate “Syllabus Program” with Mejo Wiggins. She received her Aerial training through Air.

Colleen McWalter,

Instructor

Colleen found the benefits of barre fitness after running the Chicago Marathon in 2012 when she was searching for an exercise class that would strengthen hips and deep stabilizing muscles. She is certified through Barre Intensity.

Colleen Suglich,

PT

Colleens holds degrees from Illinois Benedictine College (B.S.1982) and the University of Illinois Med Center (Physical Therapy 1984). She holds numerous additional certifications, including: Rock Tape Practitioner; IASTM Practitioner; Certified Movement Specialist; and Levels 1 + 2 Be Activated Technique. She is also trained in Visual Integration Be Activated Technique, and completed Pilates training for mat and apparatus through Diane Fidler/Terri McCabe at CORE.

Daniela DiBennardi,

Instructor

Daniela is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher. She completed her studies with Suddha Weixler, founder of The Chicago Yoga Center, in 2007. Additionally, Daniela holds certifications in AerialYoga, Yoga 4 Cancer, and Yoga for Seniors.

Heidi R. Klekamp,

Instructor

Heidi studied the Pilates Method and Anatomy through several Balanced Body teacher modules, and continued her teacher training through CORE. Additionally, she studied Cranial Sacral at Sacred Journey Institute.

Julie Perfetti,

Office Staff

Julie graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Psychology, and worked for 15 years as a juvenile probation officer. She has three awesome boys, and a husband who is a candy and snack broker! Julie is loving the change of atmosphere working at CORE and getting to interact with so many great people.

Karen Costello,

PT, NCPT

Karen has been a Physical Therapist since 1986 when she graduated from The University of Illinois in Chicago. Since then, she has completed Pelvic Floor 1 training through the Wallace and Herman Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and is part of our Women’s Health & Rehab team at CORE. She is also a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and certified in Pfilates (Pelvic Floor Pilates).

Kathy Colander,

DPT, MCMT

Kathy completed her undergraduate work at UIUC, and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Midwestern University. She holds a Mastery Certification in Manual Therapy (MCMT) and is trained in the Pilates Method. She also has a background in Athletic Training.

Kelly McKimson-Rhodes,

Instructor

Kelly completed a 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher training in 2013. Her focus is creative and effective vinyasa (flow) sequencing, and her classes draw from her work as an educator and are student-centered, reflective, and fun. Kelly is also certified in prenatal yoga and in Transformative Life Skills (TLS), a mindfulness practice for wellness and recovery, through the Niroga Institute. More recently, after the births of her two children, Kelly is completing her Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist certification in order to bring these healing methods to women through yoga.

Lisa Daigler,

MPT

Lisa received her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Marquette University. She is also a Certified Rocktape Practitioner, and Certified IASTM Practitioner. Lisa completed Pilates training through CORE, has been trained in levels 1 + 2 of the Be Activated Technique, and is a Certified Movement Specialist.

Lisa Lambiase,

LMT

Lisa is a graduate of The New School for Massage and Bodywork in Chicago. She has experience in Swedish and deep tissue massage, trigger point work, and myofascial release. She is certified in pregnancy massage and is also a certified yoga teacher.

Maggie Berry,

Office Staff

Maggie is a mother of three and was a stay-at-home mom for the last several years before joining the CORE team. She has a marketing degree from Columbia College Chicago. Health and fitness are a top priority in her everyday life. She loves pizza and her hometown Evergreen Park.

Margaret “Margie” Kuchan PTA,

Massage Therapist

Margie is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Physical Therapy Assistant. She attended both the Chicago School Of Massage Therapy (class of 1987), and Morton College (class Of 2010). Additionally, Margie completed her Pilates training through CORE in 2011, and has been working at CORE since. Margie has continued her studies and skills, branching out to many types of manual techniques and fitness skills such as: IASTM, Kinesio Tape, Myofascial Release, Soft Tissue Massage, Total Control, Be Activated, and McKenzie.

Mary Pat Reilly,

PTA

Mary Pat graduated from Morton College in Cicero, Illinois in 1990 with an Associate in Applied Science Degree and has been working as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant for over 20 years. During her career, she has worked in trauma, acute, subacute, and long-term care settings, inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedic clinics, home health, and geriatric rehabilitation settings, and has served as adjunct faculty in the Physical Therapy program at Northern Illinois University. Mary Pat received her certificate of completion in Principles of Pilates for Rehab Professionals taught by Diane Fidler at Rehab Connections, as well as the comprehensive Core in Training program, and Douglas Heel’s Be Activated technique.

Mary Ryan,

DPT

Mary completed her undergraduate degree from University of Iowa and has a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Governors State University (2014). She has spent her career working in outpatient orthopedics. Mary completed the CORE Pilates training program. She is certified in Dry Needling as well as IASTM. She is also trained in the Mckenzie Technique and myofascial manipulation.

Melissa Burke,

Instructor

Melissa is both a certified Pilates and Spinning Instructor, with specializations in Thai Yoga Massage and the Be Activated Technique. Melissa teaches beginner and intermediate level students in group mat and equipment classes, as well as private lessons.

Melissa Kreikemeier,

DPT

Melissa graduated with a Bachelors in Exercise Science (2009) and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Marquette University (2011). She has practiced physical therapy in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedics, inpatient acute care and inpatient acute rehab. Melissa completed the CORE Pilates training program, is an LSVT BIG certified therapist for the treatment of Parkinson’s, and is also trained in the use of Tai Chi and Qigong for functional movement restoration.

Missi Brady

Office Staff

Missi is a longtime member of our office staff and billing specialist. She can also be found teaching a Zumba class every once in a while!

Molly Rusnak,

DPT

Molly graduated with a Bachelors in Exercise Science (2009) and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University (2011). She’s been a licensed Physical Therapist since 2011, working in a variety of settings including; inpatient acute care, inpatient acute rehab, and outpatient orthopedics. She is a Herman & Wallace Level 2 practitioner, and Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, making her a key therapist on our Pelvic Health Team. In addition to her 200 hours of Yoga Teacher Training, Molly completed the CORE Pilates training program and has been working at CORE since 2019.

Patty Holland,

Instructor

Patty began noticing the benefits of barre after only a month. That’s when she decided to do teacher training through Barre Intensity. After completing 2 Chicago Marathons and remaining an avid runner, she relies on barre training as it is low-impact while still tightening and toning muscles.

Peggy Meyer,

Instructor

Peg was inspired to teach and coach Pilates because her experience has shown her that conquering the fundamentals are key to top performance in both athletics and business. Peg received one of the first women’s volleyball athletic scholarships to Pepperdine University, in Malibu, CA. There she studied Physical Education and Coaching.

Rachel Ryan,

PTA

Rachel studied exercise science at Eastern Illinois University, completed the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Fox College, and is a certified spinning instructor. She is a member of our Pelvic Health team, trained through Herman and Wallace, and is a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist.

Sharon Grant,

PT

Sharon graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Communication Studies and the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BS in Physical Therapy. She holds additional certifications in the Pilates Method through Diane Fidler/CORE and The Be Activated Technique. She is also a Rock Tape Practitioner, Certified IASTM Practitioner, and a Certified Movement Specialist.

Stephanie Bartels,

NCPT

Stephanie is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher with over ten years of experience teaching at CORE. She brings her passion for Classical Pilates to her group Mat and Reformer classes and adds contemporary twists to Classical exercises to keep her classes interesting and fresh. Stephanie’s clients thrive under her motivating and energetic guidance and benefit from her dedication to continuing education in Pilates.

Tara Finn,

Instructor

Tara is a trained dancer, barre, and aerial instructor. She has certifications from Barre Intensity &  AIR® . She is also a special education teacher in Oak Lawn.

Terese Pikula,

PTA, GTS, COPTA, Instructor

Terese graduated from St. Xavier University with her Bachelors in Science and Major in Biology. She graduated from Fox College for her Physical Therapist Assistant degree. Terese is a Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist Assistant through the Association of Clinical Excellence and a Graston Technique Specialist. She is part of our Pelvic Health team, trained through Herman and Wallace. She was trained in the Be Activated technique levels 1 and 2. She completed her Pilates training with Diane and Terri and is a Certified Aerial Fitness Instructor through AIR®.