Amy Pete is a physical therapist at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) who specializes in working with children and their families. She earned her bachelor and master of science from Ithaca College and currently works in URMC’s Department of Rehabilitation, Kirch Developmental Services Center and the Infant and Toddler Developmental Program. Amy helps children with a variety of neurological, orthopedic and developmental issues including torticollis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, scoliosis, developmental delay and orthopaedic injuries, among other medical issues that can impact children.
Through Amy’s work in the Kirch Center, she learned about Special Olympics’ Healthy Athletes program. She was trained as a Clinical Director in the Healthy Athlete’s program called FUNfitness, which assesses athletes’ flexibility, strength, balance and aerobic fitness as well as teaches exercises to help athletes improve in their identified areas of need. She has subsequently organized and led screenings at the 2012 Special Olympics Winter Games in Rochester, arranging everything from volunteer recruitment and training to equipment ordering.
“The Special Olympics events are something everyone could benefit from attending,” Amy said. “It’s a place where the athletes are able to participate as part of a team and be respected as a part of that team. And they all have so much fun.”
