Jenny McAteer
Jenny McAteer is a dedicated physical therapist and the sole female owner of Resolve Physical Therapy in Bend, Oregon, a clinic she founded in 2018. Raised with a passion for helping others—her father, Steve Klitgaard, was also a physical therapist—Jenny was inspired early to pursue a career in rehabilitation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Idaho State University and went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2010, laying the foundation for her expertise in patient-centered care. Jenny specializes in treating runners using advanced video gait analysis with DorsaVi wearable sensors, as well as vestibular rehabilitation for vertigo, and post-operative care for joint replacements. She is certified in Focused Shockwave Therapy and emphasizes one-on-one patient visits, believing that personalized attention leads to better outcomes while reducing clinician burnout. Throughout her career, Jenny has worked with a diverse population, consistently creating an inviting, compassionate, and effective therapeutic environment. Beyond her professional achievements, Jenny is deeply rooted in the Bend community. Every year she chooses different local non-profits in her community to highlight and collect donations for, believing in community connection and always being taught to give back. She and her husband, Nick, are devoted parents to two young daughters, Natalie and Evelyn, and enjoy embracing the area’s outdoor lifestyle through hiking, camping, biking, and paddleboarding. Jenny balances family life with managing her clinic, mentoring students, and advocating for quality care, exemplifying both leadership and dedication in her field.
• DPT
• Idaho State University - DPT
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the inspiration from my father, the encouragement and support from my husband, the early guidance from my mentors, my dedication and hard work, and a genuine compassion for helping others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give young women entering this industry would be to know your worth and build on that. Believe in yourself early. Find your people. Protect your energy. Choose environments that will help you grow, never settle. Confidence is built through action-say yes to opportunities, be confident walking into a room, and know that strength and empathy can co-exist.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say one of the biggest challenges in my field right now is navigating how to improve profit margins when they are controlled by insurance reimbursements. I live in a high cost of living area and what insurance pays for our services continues to shrink every year, making it more and more difficult to give employees a livable wage. Those employees usually have school debt, have to live with roommates, and struggle to get by even after they have a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Most companies are modifying their business model to take on more patients, instead of one-on-one treatment, but that only causes burnout for employees and decreased quality of care for patients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are balance, connection, and community engagement. I prioritize being a present parent, structuring my work around school hours so I can be home with my children, and coaching youth sports. Professionally, I am committed to strong community integration—our clinic partners with a different local nonprofit each month to raise awareness and support meaningful causes.