Serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties
OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
KARA BENZ, OTR/L
Kara received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from The University of Findlay. She was born and raised in Ohio. While she is proud of her Midwest roots, she felt called to move to paradise 5 years ago making Sarasota, Florida home! Kara has 10 years of experience working mainly in an inpatient rehabilitation setting with a passion for spinal cord and stroke rehab. “The most exciting part about this occupation is getting people back to what they love whether that is golfing, going to the beach, sewing, cooking, playing with children/grandchildren on the floor, etc.- Therapy can and should be FUN!”
Happily married and mother to 2 beautiful girls, she spends most of her time enjoying her family, cooking/baking, and being outdoors.
Fun fact: She knew she wanted to be an occupational therapist since she was in 4th grade (feel free to reach out and ask her how!)
OUR DOCTORS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
JERILYN GANTT PT, DPT, LSVT-BIG
Jerilyn received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Central Florida. She was born and raised on the East Coast of Florida, in a small town called DeLand. Jerilyn and her now husband moved to paradise over 10 years ago for her husband’s work, and quickly grew to love the area and call it home. Jerilyn has 6 years of experience as a physical therapist, mainly in the inpatient rehabilitation setting, working with diagnoses varying from chronic cardiac conditions to post-operative orthopedic surgeries. Jerilyn’s true passion is working with patients with Parkinson’s Disease, and has been LSVT-BIG certified since 2018. She also has a Master’s in Sport Exercise Psychology (2012), and is a firm believer that one’s physical wellbeing and success heavily involves their mental game. Jerilyn says, “The most rewarding part of being a physical therapist is seeing a patient’s progression throughout therapy, and the confidence they build along the way. Jerilyn finds true enjoyment in pushing patients to their fullest potential, all while being their biggest fan. Happily married and mother to a full-of-life daughter, she spends most of her time enjoying her family, going kayaking, and reading a good book on the beach.
Fun Fact: Jerilyn was the captain of her high school swim team, and has competed in sprint triathlons and half marathons since graduate school.
AMANDA MODERY PT, DPT, CSRS
Amanda received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of South Florida. She was born in New Jersey and is a huge New Jersey Devils hockey fan. Amanda’s family relocated to paradise and has called southwest Florida home for over 20 years. Amanda has over 10 years of experience as a physical therapist, working with complex critically ill patients and in inpatient rehabilitation working with neurologic patients. Amanda is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist. Amanda says, “The most rewarding part of being a physical therapist is encouraging and helping clients meet their goals, even if they didn’t think they could themselves.” Despite being in a marching band growing up, Amanda is her clients biggest cheerleader! Happily married and a mom to two, Amanda spends most of her time enjoying family, camping in the family camper, and going to Disney.
Fun Fact: Amanda used to play hockey and compete in rollerblading marathons, placing as high as second place in the women's recreational division of the New York City Inline Marathon.