Meet Our Founder
DENA O. TADROS, PT, DPT, CHN
Before founding THEORY Physical Therapy, Dena amassed nearly two decades of experience working with one of the country's largest outpatient physical therapy providers. During her tenure, she held various leadership positions, including clinic manager and co-manager of the Women's Health Program. In her most recent role, Dena worked within an orthopedic surgeon's facility, specializing in the treatment of patients both before and after surgical procedures.
The idea for THEORY Physical Therapy emerged when Dena's patients recommended that she establish her own clinic. It was during these conversations that Dena realized the potential for even more exceptional results by providing increased one-on-one time with patients. This realization motivated her to create THEORY Physical Therapy.
Dena's passion for physical therapy ignited at a young age. Her introduction to the profession occurred at 14, inspired by a biography detailing how physical therapy played a crucial role in Christopher Reeve's recovery following a life-threatening accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. She began shadowing physical therapists at a small outpatient clinic, eventually securing a role as a physical therapy aide while in high school and throughout her undergraduate studies.
Dena earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois - Chicago and completed internships in various specialties, including orthopedics, acute care, and neuro-rehabilitation at institutions like Rush University and other outpatient clinics. She also pursued additional training in methods such as the McKenzie Method, Women's Health, Vestibular and Manual Therapy techniques. Her commitment to ongoing education and her belief in the body's innate ability to heal itself, given the right training, led her to obtain a Holistic Nutrition Certification. Dena incorporates functional exercises and nutrition into her practice to improve her patients' health and overall quality of life. She has also shared her professional experience as an instructor of Kinesiology at a local college, preparing future medical professionals for their careers. Dena is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and takes part in events supporting organizations like St. Jude Hospital and Feed My Starving Children.
Outside of her professional life, when Dena is not treating patients, she enjoys movie and game nights with her husband and three sons. She has a passion for travel, leisurely walks, and savoring Italian cuisine
