Kimberly Brennan, PT

About Me

As Vice President, Outpatient/Day Rehabilitation, Kimberly Brennan, PT, oversees Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s DayRehab and Outpatient lines of care — including patient access, therapy and Vocational Rehabilitation — ensuring quality, the best patient outcomes and compliance in clinical regulations. Additionally, she oversees the Prosthetics and Orthotics services offered across Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Inpatient, DayRehab and Outpatient care. In the process, she directs long-term strategy and leads a diverse team of clinicians and staff to ensure integration of evidence-based practice and research in the clinical environment for the benefit of patients. 

A Physical Therapist by training, Kimberly has spent more than two decades serving Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in successive clinical and leadership roles. Prior to being promoted to Vice President in 2024, she oversaw operations at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s five day rehabilitation (DayRehab®) clinics as well as the organization’s Pain Management Center and Vocational Rehabilitation Department. Additionally, she serves as the operations lead on several of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s strategic national and international relationships. Her current position builds upon her experience and expertise directing strategy for diverse areas while expanding her oversight to include Outpatient. 

In addition to her leadership as a clinician and manager, Kimberly has played a key role in various clinical and research initiatives to promote evidence-based patient care and optimal outcomes. She has presented at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM) sharing best practices — including on revamping clinical professional development programs as well as integration of research in the clinical setting. When Shirley Ryan AbilityLab moved into its new research hospital in 2017, Kimberly led the Outpatient team, including all Outpatient Services, to ensure a smooth transition for patients.

Kimberly is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and of the American Physical Therapy Association. Additionally, she has served on advisory boards for research studies and partnered to integrate the first FDA-approved exoskeletons into clinical care. She led operations on a clinical research study — with Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD, Executive Director, Technology & Innovation Hub — on Honda’s Stride Management Assist device, presenting the study outcomes at a national conference. She continues to partner with research to integrate emerging best practices into clinical care.