Sheina Hollander, 30, never thought she would run her own business. After being introduced to the field of women’s health physical therapy in graduate school, Hollander realized the need for more specialists in her own community.
While she was born in California, Hollander’s family moved to Baltimore when she was 9 years old. She then attended Bais Yaakov of Baltimore and went to Israel for seminary after high school. Following her return to Baltimore, Hollander received an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Hollander then furthered her education at the University of Maryland to complete her doctor of physical therapy.
She now owns Silhouette Physical Therapy Women’s Health and Wellness, where she specializes in women’s health, pregnancy and postpartum pelvic flora care.
Sheina and Naftali Hollander live in Pikesville with their three children. The Hollanders belong to Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion.
When did you realize that you wanted to go into women’s health?
I’ve always wanted to do women’s health. I started out in general orthopedics, which was amazing, but women’s health has always been a passion of mine since grad school. I was pregnant in grad school, and we had a women’s health physical therapist come and give a guest lecture. I explored it more post-graduation, then had children of my own and rehabbed my body after. I realized there was a niche that wasn’t filled in the
community. There aren’t many therapists who do what I do. It’s been quite a journey and very, very fulfilling.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I have a lot of favorite parts. One of them is definitely helping the women in the community. It’s been a very empowering experience. Also, as a mom of three, running a business and having power over my own schedule is extremely freeing.
How is it balancing being a mom and having your own practice?
It can be tough at times. They both pull me in different directions. I think that something that has been a good learning experience for me is being able to compartmentalize so I can be a really great mom and put business and work off to the side. Then, when my kids are in school, I am able to go to the office and be fully present with the moms that take time out of their busy schedules to come for treatment.
How would you describe your relationship with Judaism?
I have a strong relationship with Judaism. I am Orthodox and I find that in my regular day-to-day taking care of my family as well as treating the women of the community, it strengthens my connection with God and Judaism because of the work that I do. Women are starting families. Women are recovering from having children. Women are working on themselves to be stronger and have fewer discomforts in their physical being in order to provide for their family. That has only strengthened my relationship with Judaism and God because I can help be a part of their healing process and help rehab those challenges in order for them to do more for their family and themselves.
Why do you feel it’s important to work with women?
Women are incredible. Women are amazing. Women are so strong, and they do so much. Women do so much for others that it is so incredible when they show up to my door and they give themselves an hour for me to help them heal. That’s why I feel it is so important to work with women because they are superheroes.
What advice do you have for women who are struggling with the idea of balancing motherhood and their careers?
Women can get degrees, and they can go to school for long periods of time. There is so much opportunity as a physical therapist for women in the grad school scene. They are very accommodating. I never dreamed of owning a business. I think it’s so important for women to know that you can run a business and have it all and balance all the schedules and still have a family. I feel empowered that I’m working on that work/life balance that feels kind of elusive, but you can really have it.
Anyone in high school and college reading this, there’s so much opportunity in this generation that you can really do more than what you anticipate or what you expect from the job that you’re going for.
Shira Kramer is a freelance writer.
