Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I was born in Uzbekistan and came to the US when I was 5 years old. I was raised in Brooklyn and moved to New Rochelle 3 years ago.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have 2 children; a 5 year old girl and an almost 2 year old boy.
Tell us more about being a Doctor of Physical Therapy! How did you get started?
My parents’ “American Dream” for me was to become a medical doctor, and for the longest time, my pediatrician was my mentor. I knew I wanted to work with children early on, so working for my pediatrician once a week after school was the perfect place for me to realize that I wanted more face time with the families as opposed to seeing them once a year for well-visits or for a short sick visit. I researched professions where I would be able to make a difference in the lives of children and their families, and discovered Pediatric Physical Therapy. I enrolled in NYU for graduate school knowing that I wanted to be a pediatric physical therapist, and with that knowledge, I was able to secure the best rotations in major hospitals and learn from experts in fields such as sensory integration and neuromuscular disorders. Now, I have my own business where I am able to care for each client and provide them with my undivided attention for as long as they need.
That is amazing! What services do you provide?
I provide Pediatric Physical Therapy Services specializing in newborns to school age children. I treat children with conditions such as torticollis, flat head, developmental delays, delayed milestones, and orthopedic conditions such as in-toeing or broken bones.
I also host playgroups for children of different ages where we target age-appropriate milestones and gross motor skills. Currently, I am hosting a Tummy Time and Beyond Playgroup for pre-crawling babies, and Motor and Language Explorers Playgroup for babies on the move. My playgroups are open to children of all abilities and are beloved by new and seasoned parents because of the chance to socialize, learn helpful tips and practice activities that will help their child’s development progress.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Helping a child do something they weren’t able to do before and seeing how proud they are of themselves when they do it will never get old for me. My clients work so hard to achieve new skills and milestones, so when they finally reach their goals, it is exciting for everyone around.
How do you balance work and motherhood? Any advice for other parents trying to juggle it all?
Owning my own business isn’t easy, but it allows me the freedom to set my schedule so that I can be with my children when they are at home and to participate in their school events/ volunteer. I have learned to accept help and to delegate. It is hard to juggle it all on your own, so, finding areas where you need the most help and getting that help really makes a huge difference.
Interview by Kelly Postiglione. Photos provided by Dr. Elina Skripochnik PT, DPT.