Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Kaylee Simmerman,PT,DPT. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dr. Kaylee, thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment that really gave me the passion to become a Pelvic Floor Specialist was when I was 22 years old, fresh out of Undergraduate. I had been suffering with urine leakage since I was 15, and pain with intimacy since I was 17. I went to a new Gynecologist and sat in her office, was needing a Pap smear, and was wondering if there was any advice about my pain with intimacy. I will never forget when she came in, sat down, asked me if I had any concerns and I said yes. She looked annoyed. But I proceeded to tell her that I believe I’ve found the one but sex was so uncomfortable and I knew it had something to do with my trauma (sexual trauma as a teenager) but I could not seem to get the pain to go away. She wrote something on a piece of paper and said to me, “Well, that’s just being a woman. Here is a psychologist in the area, I’m sure the pain isn’t as bad as you think it is, and drink some wine to loosen up before having sex and you’ll get used to it.” It took another 3 years to seek help again. I didn’t realize until then how our society makes these “taboo” and uncomfortable topics seem less than they really are. One of my biggest missions is to eliminate shame and guilt around these topics so we can find the right help.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Dr. Kaylee and I’m the CEO of The HOPE Doctors in Tampa Bay! HOPE in HOPE Doctors stands for: Holistic Ortho + Pelvic Experience.
Working with us is an experience to truly take a look at the whole body and get to the root cause of the symptoms you are experiencing.

We are Specialists in Pelvic Healthcare and work with clients who suffer from urine leakage, constipation, pelvic pain, pain with sex, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti, and so much more.
We also treat clients whom are trying to conceive, are currently pregnant, and even men who suffer with erectile dysfunction, or prostate issues!

The wonderful thing about what we do is that if you have low back pain or hip pain that has been unresolved, it is possible we are the missing link.

We offer one on one sessions either in your home, in one of our clinic spaces, or virtually. It it tailored towards you and the WHOLE body because it is all connected.

Your first session is 90 minutes and we treat on day one and begin with providing your exercises to start with that we incorporate into your current routine (so no extra 3 hours of PT exercise!) We WANT you to continue doing what you’re doing, and our job is to eliminate any symptoms.
Your follow up sessions are 75 minutes and you do have access to your Doctor between sessions along with an app to assist with accountability to help you remember which exercises to do and when.

We are all well versed and trained in Manual Therapy as well as Active Cupping.

We work to eliminate shame and guilt around pelvic floor dysfunction while also making pelvic healthcare standard of care.

This is such a taboo thing to discuss, all of the issues “down there” but they do not have to be your normal or your little secret. There are so many things we can do to help you improve your quality of life.

Every BODY deserves pelvic floor therapy and would benefit. Even if you have not or do not plan to have babies.

We are different from other practices because we are a very specific HOPE way, in which we are all very strong with Ortho backgrounds and are fully able to take a look at the WHOLE body. We do NOT rely on machines or kegels, or even only manual therapy.
Our goal is to teach you what is happening, how to correct it, and for you not to have to see us because you are living your life symptom free!

We are most proud of the community we built within the company, and if you check us out on Google, you can read those reviews and hear about how we are impacting those we serve.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think most business owners can agree that 2020 was a really tough year. Not only was I only 2 years into being a business owner, but I had to halt all in person sessions due to the pandemic.
I had just made my first hire.
We had to utilize the financial reserve we had at that time to keep the company going, invest in learning how to pivot, and continue to pay bills and salaries.
This was just the beginning of a long journey of “knock downs” for me.
Following that year, we had our first “hit” in someone leaving the company, and I became pregnant (which is a blessing but kind of happened at the wrong time!)
Resiliency was built with continuing to invest in my team, continuing to pivot, learn about myself, let things go and recognizing better hiring processes, as well as how to have a baby while my practice was growing.
I was able to take 8 weeks maternity leave, and come back slowly without needing to be IN the business but that is because I made the investments, I allowed myself to be knocked down, I learned how to be resilient.
No matter how hard it may seem right now, just know that if you learn to become resilient nothing can break you.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

INVEST IN YOUR TEAM!

I find so often, and have been told so much, that owning and running a business is lonely. Honestly, it used to be.
But my team is the BEST and I take pride in that.

I’ve really learned that being selfless instead of selfish as an owner is such a blessing.

Yes, it may be hard when you have to sacrifice something for yourself.. like you can’t buy the new car or take the vacation yet, or give yourself a raise because everyone else gets one.

But if you pay your team well, if you invest in their learning, if you really truly care about making them feel valued and a part of the greater mission – you will ALL win.

One of my Doctors has been with me for 3 years and every single survey and conversation she is highly satisfied. Why? Because I talk to her.
I get to know my people. I love them, and I care for them.

Advice?
Don’t make it about you.
Make it about all of you.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thehopedocs.org
• Instagram: The.hopedoctors
• Facebook: The Hope Doctors – Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Image Credits
Kimberly Romano Photography