Our Core Values

Brooke Wallace, MOT, OTR/L

I’m Brooke! Founding Owner and Occupational Therapist, I have 10 years of experience as an OT practitioner, involving a wide range of settings and skill-sets. This experience includes working in pediatric clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and providing in-home services through my own mobile practice. I am a wife and also a mother to two sweet and adventurous daughters, and we have two fur-babies. Spending time outdoors is a favorite pastime. You can find me in my garden, at the beach, boating, fishing, or exploring new areas, when not working.
I love helping people feel their best! I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving, which helps me find the “why” behind problems and creatively modify tasks/environments to increase independence and quality of life. I knew I would be an OT after my grandmother experienced a traumatic brain injury, which left her in need of occupational, physical, and speech therapy services. Though she is no longer with me, I desire to continue serving others in her honor.

Owning a private practice has been a long-term goal since I entered this profession. I’m here to serve my community with a multidisciplinary clinic, which allows an individual to receive any or all services under the same roof, with a team of therapists that they have grown to trust. I also deeply value the professionals that work alongside me. Starting my own practice allows me to pour into other professionals, and learn collaboratively, so that I may serve my community both through direct patient care and by fostering a fun, healthy, and professional working environment for local professionals.

Erin Soracco, M.A. CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Erin Soracco graduated in 2018 from St. John’s University in Queens, NY with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She has worked in a variety of settings including preschools, outpatient private practices servicing children ages 1-15, and assisted living facilities.

She enjoys working with clients with a variety of difficulties and disorders and has a special interest in the area of articulation and phonology. Erin moved to Wilmington about a year and a half ago with her fiance to be closer to her family and explore this wonderful area! She enjoys biking, going to the beach, and exploring downtown Wilmington.

Caitlin Nato, PTA

Caitlin (Cait) earned her Associates degree in Physical Therapy from Herkimer County Community College in Upstate NY and graduated in 2015. She was a student-athlete there and became a National Champion of softball her freshman year. Prior to joining our team, Cait has had experience working in outpatient rehab, skilled nursing facilities, and even school-based therapy.

Clinically, Cait has a high interest in gross motor development, orthopedic conditions, and neuromuscular disorders. She likes to see the progression of developmental milestones as well as strength and balance training. She believes patient/caregiver education plays a significant role in physical therapy outcomes and helps her patients understand why they are doing specific activities within each session.

Since joining Eastern Therapy, Cait has become an Introductory (Level A) Registered Practitioner in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI). DMI is a very exciting and new therapy technique that helps children with gross motor delays engage their muscles against gravity to promote postural responses and help integrate primitive reflexes with functional movements. This technique is unique and individualized which then helps each child progress towards their developmental milestones.

Cait wears many different hats for our company. She assists with community engagement events, marketing and collaboration between local businesses and physician offices. In her role as Clinical Team Lead, she assists in clinical operations to create the best outcomes for our patients and staff!

She moved to the Wilmington area in 2020 with her husband to be closer to family and the ocean, and is now a mother to a very happy and beautiful baby boy. When not working, she enjoys being active outdoors, going to the beach, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Kaitlin Bailey, PT, DPT, FMS, Cert. DN

Kaitlin is Eastern Therapy’s Clinical Director and a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has been practicing in outpatient orthopedics for seven years. She graduated with a degree in Exercise Science from UNCW and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Old Dominion University. Kaitlin has received additional certifications in dry needling, functional movement screening (FMS)/selective functional movement assessment (SFMA-1), and is a certified clinical instructor for PT students through the APTA.

As a PT, Kaitlin enjoys working with adult and pediatric orthopedic, return to sport, post-surgical, and neuromuscular/vestibular conditions to help patients improve their mobility, return to the activities they love, and enhance their overall quality of life.

In addition to treating patients, Kaitlin serves as Eastern Therapy’s Clinical Director. She helps oversee daily operations, provides support for staff and patients, and ensures everyone has a great experience at Eastern Therapy!

Outside of the clinic, Kaitlin enjoys playing tennis and is a member of the United States Tennis Association. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, Frankie.

Jacey Harding, PTA

Hi, I’m Jacey! I graduated from Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana in 2022 with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree. After moving to Wilmington, I began my career in outpatient orthopedics, which allows me to help people recover/train to resume all of the activities they enjoy doing. I love getting to know each of my patients and finding ways to personalize their care so they have the best experience and get the most out of therapy. I had my daughter in February 2023! Since having my daughter, I’ve grown an interest in, and have enjoyed working in outpatient pediatrics. I have also enjoyed working with pre/postnatal clients and being a resource for women. I am a certified personal trainer with a women’s fitness specialization.

My husband and I have been in the Wilmington area for a year and a half now and in our spare time you can catch us with our daughter at the beach or trying new restaurants! I love being a mom and am a sucker for a mocha fudge milkshake from cookout.

Lilly Higgs, MS, OTR/L

Nick Wallace

I have had the privilege of being part of the founding journey of Eastern Therapy, alongside Brooke. I stepped away from construction in 2023 to pursue a full-time role with Eastern Therapy. My primary role is to provide support wherever possible, with a particular focus on insurance and billing matters. I am responsible for all insurance billing as well as managing and balancing all patient accounts.

In 2012, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from East Carolina University and have managed numerous projects throughout the country over the past decade. I am also a licensed general contractor. Leveraging my license, Brooke and I designed and executed the renovation of our clinic, transforming it from concrete floors into a fully operational facility.

Outside of my professional life, I am a devoted husband and father to two wonderful little girls. During my leisure time, I cherish spending moments with my family, wherever we may be. I also have a passion for woodworking, and you can often find me immersed in various projects, crafting everything from custom furniture to home projects.

Sue Benson, COTA/L

Lauren Sandy, M.S. CF-SLP

Dr. Sarah Howell, PT, DPT

Sarah earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Radford University. Prior to obtaining her doctorate degree, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Tech. Originally from Virginia, Sarah has recently moved to the Wilmington area. Her experience includes children in the outpatient, early intervention, and school-based settings, adults in the outpatient orthopedics setting, and adults in the skilled nursing facility setting. During her time in school, Sarah had the opportunity to participate in pediatric screenings for underserved populations at a local free clinic and provided assistance during several adaptive sporting events including wakeboarding, bowling, and wheelchair basketball. Sarah is excited to begin working with patients of all ages to help them achieve their functional goals. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for walks on the beach, playing guitar, and traveling.