We are WOMEN IN MOTION proudly serving all genders through all phases of life.
Dr. Michelle Little, PT, DPT, OCS
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Post Doctorate Specialties: Obstetrics & Pelvic Health & Dry Needling
Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Exercise Science from the College of Charleston in SC. She then received an academic scholarship to the University of St. Augustine, FL where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2015. Michelle started her career at the University of Virginia at the sports medicine clinic where she worked with high level athletes and runners. After becoming a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, she pursued her postdoctoral studies in Obstetrics and Pelvic Health with the mission of filling a void and being able to provide all encompassing women’s health care. In July 2020 the Littles founded Women in Motion Physical Therapy and Wellness becoming one of the first clinics in the state to have a team of National Board-Certified specialists in orthopedics, obstetrics and pelvic health. Michelle is also a lead instructor for a post doctorate continuing education course for physical and occupational therapists around the world, and in collaboration with UVA and global expeditions is the lead of the pelvic health medical mission trip project in Belize. Michelle is a passionate pelvic health advocate and has dedicated her life to improving access to the highest quality care in Charlottesville VA through recruiting and mentoring our specialty team, constantly working with medical professionals locally and at a national level and improving global access through medical mission trips and global outreach through our various social media channels.
Dr. Emma Elton PT, DPT
Post Doctorate Specialties: Pelvic Health (all genders) , Dry Needling
Emma attended undergraduate at James Madison University and then went on to pursue her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University. During this time many of her clinicals had a pelvic health focus which quickly became her passion and led her to complete a post doctorate certification in pelvic health for all genders. She has since been mentored extensively and continues her knowledge and clinical growth in men's pelvic health, obstetrics, and dry needling. Emma is eagerly invested in helping both men and women establish positive exercise habits with pain and leak free movement. When not working you will find her running the hills of Crozet and cooking up a storm with her husband!
Dr. Erica Stowe PT, DPT
Post Doctorate Specialities: Orthopedics and Pelvic Health (all genders)
Erica earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology: Exercise Science from James Madison University, and went on to complete her doctoral training in Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University. Through her own extensive experience as both a physical therapist and a patient, Erica has discovered the power in rehabilitating oneself through the thorough and integrated specialty of pelvic health. Passionate about empowering other women, Erica has pursued further post-doctoral education in both orthopedics and pelvic health through the Virginia Orthopedic Manual Therapy Institute and the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy for Pelvic Health. She enjoys the education, problem solving and collaboration involved in working with individuals to help them become their strongest, most confident selves. When not in the clinic, Erica can be found hiking, biking, quilting or working with her husband on their property.
Dr. Rachel Gunnell PT, DPT
Post Doctorate Specialties: Orthopedics, Pelvic Health & Dry Needling
Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration on Kinesiology from the University of Virginia in 2015 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida in December 2017. Rachel has post-doctorate specialties in pelvic health through Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and dry needling through the Spinal Manipulation Institute - American Academy of Manipulative Therapy and. Rachel enjoys empowering those with pelvic health conditions to return to the activities they once enjoyed. When not in the clinic, she enjoys spending time in the kitchen making anything she can from scratch and being outdoors with her husband and daughter.
Dr. Sarah Gillispie, PT, DPT
Post Doctorate Specialties: Orthopedics, Pelvic Health & Dry Needling
Sarah graduated from James Madison University with her Bachelors of Science in 2012, majoring in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science. In 2015, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. With an extensive background and continuing education courses for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, she is also certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling as well as Blood Flow Restriction Training. Her own journey with pelvic health PT led her to pursue additional education through Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute for her specialty training. Sarah also works with Murphy Deming’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program as a guest lecturer and is a member of the Advisory Board. She has been an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor since 2017, and enjoys inspiring new clinicians both in the clinic and classroom.
Sarah’s passion for living a healthy life translates well into patient care as she truly believes that movement is medicine, and strives to keep her patients active while addressing any orthopedic or pelvic health concerns. She takes a whole body approach to patient care in order to best meet her patient’s needs. When not in the clinic, you can find her cooking, exercising, gardening, or spending time with her two daughters, chocolate lab, and husband.
Jennifer Shetler, PTA, PCES
Clinical Specialities: Pelvic Health (all genders), Prenatal, postpartum and orthopedics
Jenny earned her physical therapist assistant degree from Spokane Falls College in Washington state before moving out to Virginia to join the Women In Motion team. Jenny found a love of serving patients overcoming pelvic floor dysfunction and pursued specialty training through the American Physical Therapy Association for pelvic health. She has specialty training in orthopedics, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and pelvic pain as well as her postpartum corrective exercise specialist certificate. Jenny is an advocate for patients regaining the quality of life they are striving for whether that be running, lifting weights, riding horses, gardening, or participating in a specific sport. She loves being outdoors and in her free time you may catch her on a trail run with her husband and dog.
Dr. Sarah Contrada, PT, DPT
Post-doctorate specialties: Obstetrics and Pelvic Health, Prenatal & postpartum fitness
Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Health & Society and Master's of Education degree in Community Development focused on Public Health from Vanderbilt University. She worked in clinical research in dialysis while being a yoga and fitness instructor before finding her true passion and returning to school to pursue physical therapy. Sarah graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Texas State University with clinical mentorship focused in pelvic floor and oncology rehab and has completed postdoctoral specialty training for obstetric/prenatal/postpartum rehabilitation and pelvic floor physical therapy for all genders including complex pelvic pain and gynecological visceral manipulation and has served as a teaching assistant for continuing education courses for Alcove Education in male and female pelvic pain. Sarah is passionate about helping her clients wherever they are in their wellness journeys to address their specific goals and improve overall health. She is a military spouse, an avid hiker and trail runner who enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and friends.
Khymi Russel
Patient Care Coordinator
Raised by a midwife and having personal experience with chronic pelvic pain and pregnancy, Khymi joined the Women in Motion administrative team to help the Charlottesville community access pelvic physical therapy. She has experience with both administrative and clinical work at a reproductive health nonprofit and a mental health nonprofit, as well as experience in early childhood education and swimming education, where at the latter she focused on both fitness and rehabilitation with all ages. She is most passionate about the intersections of movement, pelvic health, and mental wellbeing. Outside the clinic you can find her gardening, hiking with her husband and toddler, cooking, and knitting while listening to as many audiobooks as she can get her hands on.
Emily Brossard
Patient Care Coordinator
Emily is the first person you will meet when you come to Women In Motion to see one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy. She greets our patients with a warm welcome and makes them feel cared for, comfortable and at home. Emily keeps our clinic running smoothly and really enjoys interacting with our patients. She is passionate about pelvic health and has received extensive training on pelvic health conditions for men and women. Emily will always make sure you feel supported through your entire journey.
Outside of the clinic, you will find her baking, hiking or surfing with her husband and dog.
Emily is the heart of our clinic, and truly cares so much for each patient! We can't wait for you to meet her!
