CHENEY – Hope (Gregory) Cramer began developing her interest in sports medicine while a three-sport athlete for the Cheney Cardinals, playing volleyball, basketball and track. She signed with Washburn University to play basketball.

Cramer, who has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 10 years, is now back home and running her own business. After practicing for several years in Manhattan, Cramer and her husband and two children moved to Cheney three years ago. She practiced in Wichita before softly starting her own PT practice, Cheney Physical Therapy and Sports Performance. Right now, she is operating inside Body Forge, a local gym. She has plans for significant growth.

Cramer started her new venture as a side hustle, helping with the Cheney Cardinals football team. Now she is working full time for herself, and is accepting insurance.

She has a major focus on sports, including injury prevention and sports performance. She offers youth programs that range from third graders to college athletes.

“Injuries are inevitable but there's a lot that can be done to prevent them,” Cramer said.

That includes work on speed, strength and flexibility. She sees issues with many young athletes, especially starting with those in middle school.

“Kids are so tight because they sit all day. They don't get recess anymore,” Cramer said.

Getting into physical therapy was a natural path for her.

“I wanted to stay in the medical field. One thing led to another,” she said. “I always said if I was smart enough, I would have done orthopedic surgery.”

Being a minority business owner comes with challenges. Cramer is operating as a one-person operation right now. She consults frequently with Kara Gerber, who took over her own business last year and owns Cheney Family Dental.

“We're managing them by ourselves. It's cool to see. We bounced ideas off of each other,” Cramer said.

Cramer's long-term plans include growing to have her own facility with multiple providers under one roof. Youth sports have been growing for years in the United States, and it looks like that growth will continue. She said Cheney is very supportive of its own people and is a great place to raise children. Cramer enjoys being back home and is grateful for the support she already is receiving.

Cramer is taking appointments. They can be made by calling 316-6446372 or can be made online at www.cheneyphysicaltherapy. com. Email hcramer@cheneypt.com.