As clinic director, one of Bailey Ouellette’s favorite things about the South Hillsboro location is the personable vibe. “We like to think of our clinic as Cheers, where everybody knows your name,” she says. In addition to getting to know every patient, Bailey is committed to providing personalized care designed to help people reach their individual goals. As a pediatric specialist, she finds joy in seeing the progress her youngest patients make, to keep the fun going in their lives. With two little kids of her own, Bailey stays just as busy outside the clinic as she does within, enjoying family outings and adventures whether at the local parks or during trips to the beach.
Q&A with Bailey Ouellette
Q: What inspired you to become a physical therapist?
In high school, I had an injury, and I was exposed to physical therapy and that was probably my first experience with physical therapy. And I really enjoyed it. I was a softball player in high school and then I played in college, and I played volleyball and I wanted to get back to volleyball season as quickly as possible. So, when I went to PT, I was like, well, it seems fun. You get to move your body. You get to work with people and help them. So, it kind of stuck in the back of my mind, and I was between that and teaching, actually, going through undergrad. And then it ended up I got into PT school and now I’m doing my dream job. So, it all worked out for me.
Q: What do you love about specializing in pediatric PT?
Kids are honest, and they’re true to themselves. It makes me creative and makes me empathize a little bit more maybe than I would have to in the day-to-day world. It’s fun. They’re just sponges, so every day that you’re working with them you get to see progress or change that you might not get to see as quickly or as effectively with some of the adults that we treat.
Q: What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
So, I have two little kids at home, so if I’m not with them, I think my dream day would be getting a workout in, meeting up with a friend or two to get a bite or coffee, and then probably, sadly, like cleaning and organizing my house without having toddlers around! So that would be a dream day off for me.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in your community?
I like this restaurant called Verde Cosina. It’s farm-to-table Mexican food. I’m not a vegetarian, but they have a really good tofu mole.
Q: What is your favorite sport to watch and/or play?
My favorite sport to watch and play would probably be volleyball. I love the fast-paced energy of volleyball and the nail-biting during a good volley. But slow pitch is realistically where I’m at these days for what I’m actually playing. But yeah, those are my top two.
Q: What are your favorite places to visit around your community?
These days, my favorite place to visit is probably the Brookwood Library with my kiddos. They have a duck pond, so we get our books, and check out the ducks if the weather lets us. Then I would say just parks in the area. We go to one called Magnolia Park. It’s got a splash pad. Lots of fun. Lots of fun for everybody.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Traveling to Greece and Croatia. That’s definitely something I want to do hopefully within the next decade or two. But that is on my all-time bucket list for sure.
Q: What is the most memorable vacation you have taken?
A memorable vacation would probably be my honeymoon to Italy. That was a while ago now, but it was very memorable. Hopefully we’ll go back someday.
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At Therapeutic Associates in South Hillsboro, we treat the full spectrum of patients from infants and young children to high school and college athletes to weekend warriors and adults who are simply dealing with aches and pains from their 9-to-5. We also really value the treatment we can offer for older adults who are navigating the pains and conditions that come naturally with age.
