Our team
Dr. Kim Shemer Kurtzman moved to Annapolis from New York City in 2013, where she spent the previous 9 years keeping the lights of Broadway bright. As the director of Performing Arts Physical Therapy, the pioneer clinic for performing arts medicine in Manhattan, Kim had the pleasure of treating and preventing injuries in actors, dancers and musicians at the top of their field. She opened her own dance medicine clinic in early 2012 in Manhattan and continues to stay involved in the arts community. Kim spent much of her early career with these two companies working on-site at theaters; she has been the physical therapist at nearly 50 Broadway shows, as well as for the Rockettes at The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and dancers of The Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Since 2004, Kim has been practicing her unique approach to physical therapy for dancers, after receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy with honors from the University of Delaware, ranked first in the nation by US News and World Report. Since 2013, she has broadened her skills to treat the general population and is particularly passionate about treating the spine and pelvis. She has received extensive continuing education and mentorship in manual therapies, most notably through the Institute of Physical Arts. She is advanced certified in trigger point functional dry needling, and practices Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Mobilization.
Like her performing patients, Kim loves an audience, but through teaching. She lectured to the Doctor of Physical Therapy students at SUNY Stony Brook on Long Island, and taught “Anatomy for Dancers” at The New School in NYC. She has been a clinical instructor to over a dozen PTs in their affiliation training. Kim is also certified in the authentic method of Pilates – mat and all apparatus. She teaches classical Pilates and calls upon its rehabilitation benefits in her physical therapy practice as well.
Kim is a life-long learner, avid reader, yoga and wellness enthusiast, ballet dancer, and travel junkie along with her husband. She is the devoted mother to two brilliant and adorable elementary schoolers.
Kim Shemer Kurtzman, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Julie Ridgeway Saddoris PT, DPT, CMTPT
Dr. Julie Ridgeway Saddoris joined Kim Shemer Kurtzman Physical Therapy in May 2022.
Julie is a Maryland local, born and raised in Southern Maryland. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from University of Maryland and went on to earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine, FL in 2018. She has a strong background in manual manipulation therapy including use of instrument assisted soft tissue (IASTM), Dry Needling, and decompression therapy.
Julie is certified as an LSVT BIG instructor and a PWR!Moves instructor, both of which are specialized treatment programs for Parkinson's disease. Her continuing education also includes Vestibular Therapy, Tempormandibular Joint Dysfunction, Concussion Rehabilitation, and a mentorship in manual therapy.
In her free time, Julie spending time on the water and traveling with her husband, daughter, and labs.
A note from Dr. Kim Shemer Kurtzman:
My book of patients reached capacity around 2018, and I have been unable to accept very many new patients since then. I was getting constant appointment requests and was unhappily referring them elsewhere, but the other local therapists who I trusted and respected were just as busy as I was. I became motivated to grow my practice so more patients could receive the level of care that I offer. 2022 was such a fun year for me. I found Julie (thank you Denise!), and had the most fun becoming her mentor, as I was once mentored as a younger clinician. I think I grew as a therapist as much as she did in that first year of constant mentorship! Julie came to me with several years of experience as a clinician and manager, and I was able to provide her with a new framework in the treatment style I have created and honed over the years. She took to it so well, and I love having her on board. Julie and I collaborate for consistency of our treatment approach, and she continues mentor with me regularly. The quality of care provided is of the upmost importance to me, and Dr. Julie Ridgeway Saddoris is fantastic! She is taking all the new patients for our practice. Kim is available to take new patients for Dance Medicine and Craniosacral therapy, and occasional highly complex cases.