Our Mission
After years of being confined to the limits of an insurance-based practice, we believe in helping our patients feel better faster, and then taking this to the next level with preventative care. Whether their goal is to run a marathon, or walk with a friend in the neighborhood, we educate our patients on how to do these activities long-term, and we are here to help when they need a recovery session. Our goal is to be a resource for our patients, taking them from being injured, to thriving with a healthy, active lifestyle.
​
At Prevail, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based care, utilizing a one-on-one, hands-on approach without the use of aides or assistants. We work with our patients to optimize functional movement and sports performance by determining the root cause of injury. We develop a plan of care to achieve wellness, reduce future injury risk and redefine performance.
Our team
Dr. Kari Smith, PT, DPT, Cert DN
Founder, Owner, Physical Therapist
Education:
-
Duke University, BS 2003
-
University of Miami, DPT 2008
Kari grew up in the Midwest, and then enjoyed five years in Europe during middle and high school. As a life-long athlete, Kari competed in myriad sports including gymnastics, swimming, tennis, volleyball and soccer, which allowed her to travel extensively and train with athletes from around the globe. Her experience in a wide range of sports has been a valuable component to her practice as a PT, as she understands the movement patterns, skills and techniques that are required for elite performance.
​
During her undergraduate years at Duke University, Kari pursued pre-med and also majored in French. She graduated at the top of her class at the University of Miami, earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Kari has spent her career in the Triangle, developing her practice in orthopedics.
​
At Prevail PT, Kari works with runners and athletes to help them achieve their performance goals. She thoroughly evaluates each patient to determine the cause of their pain or movement dysfunction. She incorporates dry needling and manual therapy techniques, as well as sport-specific drills and corrective exercises. Kari utilizes gait analysis to help runners become more efficient, and reduce injury risk. Throughout her career, Kari has worked with a range of clients from high school athletes to Olympians.
Specializations:
Runners and Triathletes
Sports Injuries (gymnastics, swimming, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf)
Gait Analysis
Spine and pelvis
Hip, knee, foot, ankle, shoulder
Headaches
TMD
Functional Dry Needling Certified
dr. Jenny Lennon, PT, dPT, Cert dn
Physical Therapist
Education:
-
High Point University, B.S. 2015
-
Winston-Salem State University, DPT 2018
Jenny grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and has been in the Triangle since 2018. Her love of physical therapy started early after sustaining an orthopedic injury as a child and having to work closely with a therapist herself. Having this experience as a patient enables her to empathize with the struggles her own patients face and help them achieve their individualized goals. Jenny loves being active and learning the ‘how’ behind movement. She and her husband enjoy playing tennis recreationally, and when not on the court, you will most likely find them chasing after their young toddler and Golden Retriever.
She completed her undergraduate degree at High Point University in 2015 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University in 2018. She won the Outstanding Student Researcher Award for her capstone graduate project, and she continues to place heavy emphasis on evidence-based treatments to optimize her patients’ outcomes.
Jenny possesses significant outpatient experience in evaluating and treating patients with a variety of orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions. She has pursued post-graduate studies in pelvic floor rehabilitation, pre/postpartum rehabilitation, and lumbopelvic dysfunction.
Jenny is passionate about educating her patients and equipping them with the tools and
knowledge they need to optimize their quality of life. By utilizing a holistic approach, she views each patient as a whole and helps them not only recover but prevent future injuries.
Specializations:
Women's pelvic health assessment/treatment
Pre/postpartum rehabilitation
Lumbopelvic dysfunction
Lower Quarter injuries (hip, knee, and ankle)
Fall prevention
Tennis-related injuries
Functional Dry Needling Certified
Laura Hudak, PT, mpt, cert mdt
Physical Therapist
Education:
-
Duquesne University, BS 2002
-
Duquesne University, MPT 2003
Specializations:
Connective tissue disorders, EDS
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
Spine and pelvis
McKenzie Method or MDT
Dance
Tai Chi and yoga
Sports injuries and performance (baseball/softball, tennis and other racquet sports, dance, martial arts)
Laura grew up in Ohio and has been in North Carolina since 2010. She danced in multiple disciplines through college, with tennis and softball at various times as well. She then started martial arts and Tai Chi as soon as she finished college, now with black belts in two systems. Continued practice of this is a joy along with taking dance and yoga classes, but you will mostly find her outside with her husband and three sons!
In her post graduate physical therapy explorations, Laura completed her Cert MDT for Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, dance rehab, concussion rehab, and general orthopedics. She has worked in outpatient physical therapy for her career, spending time specializing in treatment of spine as well as connective tissue disorders such as EDS.
Laura loves being able to teach people more about how their body works, and how to best take care of it in the short and long term. Treating with appreciation for the complexity of the human body is necessary for all movement, be it a dance or martial arts sequence or reaching up for a glass in the cupboard. She often uses Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (or McKenzie Method) in her practice, which emphasizes empowering people to heal themselves along with the assistance of the therapist. Tai Chi and yoga elements also show up in her exercise frequently. Treating the whole person is the cornerstone of her philosophy.