Jenna Heffernan, PT, DPT

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I specialize in orthopedic / sports injuries and rehabilitation in pediatric patients. I also have previous experience treating adults with various orthopedic injuries.

I have always wanted to work with children due to their diverse medical conditions and their desire to get back to an active lifestyle. When deciding my career path, I was torn between attending medical school or physical therapy (PT) school, so I shadowed a physical therapist at Cincinnati Children's while completing my undergraduate work. This experience helped influence my decision to go to PT school. I was also drawn to the field because, as physical therapists, we are able to see our patients more frequently than most medical doctors, allowing us to build a stronger relationship with each patient.

I like involving the patient and the family to maximize their outcomes. I have found that the more involved a patient and family are in their care, the better the results. I view the patient as an individual, and based on their impairments, provide a program unique to them so they can get back to doing what they want. I teach and give my patients the resources to self-manage their condition so they can eventually manage it independently.

When I’m not working, I enjoy watching UC Bearcats football, hiking with my dogs, playing tennis and traveling.