Kate McDonald, BScPT, OCS, COMT
Director of Sports Rehabilitation
Kate McDonald is a licensed physical therapist with 16 years of experience in a wide variety of manual therapy techniques, primarily in the orthopedic, sports and neurological fields. She serves as the Director of Sports Rehabilitation for Atlanta Sports Physical Therapy.
Kate is a Certified Clinical Board Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (2011). Kate is also certified in Manual Therapy by Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (2010).
Kate McDonald graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) degree in 1995 from the University of Cape Town, in South Africa. Her physiotherapy degree focused predominantly on manual therapy – a clinical approach utilizing specific hands-on techniques, which are based on internationally renowned physiotherapy techniques
Prior to immigrating to U.S., Kate’s focus was on Pediatric Neurology and she served on the executive committee of Neuro-developmental Therapy in Gauteng, South Africa.
After arriving in the US 14 years ago, Kate was the Lead Physical Therapist for 6 years at Hand-On Physiotherapy, in Atlanta, GA. Here she combined her manual therapy skills with her background in neurology. She continued to expand her clinical expertise in Physical Therapy through a number of specialized educational courses and by developing a consultation network with clinicians in the medical and physical therapy fields.
It was through this network that Kate met Dr Scott Gillogly, and in February 2004 she became the first physical therapist at the Atlanta Sports Physical Therapy clinic. Kate has been instrumental in the rapid expansion of the Atlanta Sports Physical Therapy clinic. The clinic focuses on providing excellent collaboration and communication amongst the therapists and the clinic’s medical team from the Atlanta Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Clinic, headed by Dr Scott Gillogly. This allows the physical therapists and doctors to work closely together, tailoring physical therapy treatments and surgical rehabilitation to best address the patient’s needs and recovery. It is clearly a successful strategy – Kate prides herself on her patients referring friends and family – a wonderful compliment to any clinician.
Throughout her career Kate has developed a robust technical knowledge and hands-on expertise in a wide variety of techniques, and she offers her patients the best treatment available. In particular, she is extensively trained in manual therapy techniques, including Maitland, Mulligan, Paris, HVLA joint manipulation and the Institute of Physical Art.
In addition, Kate has trained in a number of different Physical Therapy fields including McConnell Taping, Kinesio-taping, Pilates, PNF, Functional Movement Screening, to name a few.
In 2008/9, she became specialized in the Dry Needling Technique through GEMt.
Kate co-authored an APTA Home Study Course in 2008 on Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation.
Kate has been featured in 3 journal articles as a result of her work with Scott Rigsby, the first bilateral amputee to complete an Ironman. One of Kate’s personal career highlights was being part of “Team Scott Rigsby” and witnessing Scott cross the finish line in Kona, Hawaii.
Additionally due to Kate’s work with professional hockey players, she was featured in the PT Magazine in May 2009, in an article titled “Rink Ready”, written by Keith Loria.
Kate strives to provide the highest level of care to her patients by providing the latest international physical therapy rehabilitation techniques. Her commitment to continuing education includes leading the Continuing Education program for the PT department.
Kate is passionate about her career which allows her to combine her interest in health and fitness with her skills as a Physical Therapist. Kate lives in Atlanta with her husband and two young boys.
