Melanie Lamerato
PTA, CPT
Auburn Hills

My interest in physical therapy started when I was a teenager. Being a very active and athletic person, I had my fair share of injuries growing up and knew I wanted to work with that population when I got older. In high school, I tore my meniscus but continued playing basketball year-round until it came to the point where surgery was necessary my freshman year in college. Seeing firsthand the impact that physical therapy had on my life, and working with a passionate therapist to get me back to play basketball as soon as possible solidified that this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life. The ability to help others on their fitness and wellness journey is something I am truly passionate about. In addition to my experiences, having 2 older sisters that are also physical therapist help influence me in pursuing this career

I started playing sports at a very young age (primarily basketball, softball, soccer, and track) and to this day still participate in basketball and softball leagues and running marathons. After graduating from Central, my passion for fitness and helping people achieve their goals led me to begin my career as a personal trainer. I have done everything from individual training to small groups, to boot camp, to SilverSneakers. Shortly after becoming a personal trainer, I began working as a physical therapy technician at HealthQuest in Lake Orion. Through my experience as a technician, I gained a full appreciation for the profession and a deeper understanding of patient care. Throughout my PTA program, I continued to work for HealthQuest and was able to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to treatment and patient recovery. I am excited to continue my professional growth as a Physical Therapist Assistant at HealthQuest.

In my spare time, I enjoy working out/playing sports, going up north, being on the lake, and most importantly, spending time with family and dog.