About Empower
Provider: Dr. Alexis Elias, DPT
Alexis Elias is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Owner of Empower Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Kent State, a Masters of Physical Therapy from Youngstown State University, and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Chatham University.
Dr. Elias started her career in 2007 working in orthopedics in Ohio, with a variety of patient clientele. She relocated to the Triangle in 2018 with her family. It was then that she began to focus her career on pelvic floor rehabilitation because she found it fascinating and underutilized.
She is also trained as a birth doula.
Alexis has had an interest in pelvic floor PT since she personally struggled with her own pelvic pain and dysfunction after her second pregnancy. It was these struggles that ignited her passion for pelvic floor health. Today, she is excited to help others the way she was helped, and focus on combating the lack of education given to people surrounding pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and their bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Her passion is listening to and educating people about their bodies and how they function and assisting in empowering them to reach their goals and function at their best. Whether it be with pregnancy, postpartum care, diastasis recti, prolapse, painful sex, incontinence, scar management, constipation, pelvic health concerns in the male population, transgender pelvic health, pelvic floor dysfunction in teens and pediatrics, or anything else going on in the pelvis - or body for that matter - she wants to listen, offer solutions, and together come up with a treatment program to optimize your function.
Would love to hear from you! Alexis@empowerpelvicfloor.com
Provider: Lisa Keskitalo PT, DPT
With over 10 years of experience in orthopedic, performing arts and pelvic health physical therapy, Lisa’s practice is grounded in her holistic approach to patient care. She has developed advanced manual therapy skills through coursework with the Institute of Physical Art, the Barral Institute, and Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation. Lisa holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Long Island University – Brooklyn, a Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from Tulane University and is trained in dry needling.
Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Lisa was a professional dancer with BalletMet, Hubbard Street 2 and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, among others. She has also taught ballet, modern and jazz throughout her dance career to all age levels. Lisa’s practice draws from all of her professional and educational experiences to assist her patients in recovering from injury and returning to the activities they love.
Would love to hear from you! Lisa@empowerpelvicfloor.com
Certified Nurse Midwife: Kate Layman, ARNP, CNM
Kate Layman, ARNP, CNM, is the founder of Mother Love Wellness and a Certified Nurse Midwife with over two decades of experience supporting women on their journey into motherhood.
Kate has dedicated her career to supporting women through life’s biggest transitions.
Inspired by her Aunt Cathy, a midwife and world traveler, she followed in her footsteps—
training in Eastern Kentucky, the birthplace of U.S. midwifery, and working in settings from
Panama to the Tex-Mex border.
Her experience spans home, birth center, and hospital births, but it was her own
postpartum and perimenopause journey that reshaped her focus. Today, Kate helps women
navigate the challenges of new motherhood and midlife with compassion, clarity, and
practical guidance—holding space, asking the right questions, and helping them feel better,
faster.
Personalized 1:1 appointments are available in North Carolina.
Contact Kate at www.motherlovewellness.com
Office Manager
Birth and Postpartum Doula
Jennifer Sams
Jennifer brings a unique blend of clinical experience, holistic training, and personal insight to the world of healing and wellness. She has an extensive healthcare background, spending 12+ years working as a paramedic and as a medical assistant in pediatric primary and urgent care.
After being diagnosed with a chronic illness, Jennifer needed to step away from emergency and primary care medicine. While that transition changed her career direction, it deepened her understanding of the healing process and strengthened her commitment to supporting others on their own health journeys.
In addition to her traditional medical background, Jennifer is a trained doula, herbalist, aromatherapist, and meditation teacher. She believes strongly in a holistic approach to care—one that honors the connection between body, mind, and community. She is passionate about helping people reconnect with their bodies, find balance, and move forward with confidence on their journey toward healing and well-being. Jennifer is excited to bring that passion and perspective to her work at Empower.
Would love to hear from you! info@empowerpelvicfloor.com