A career as a physical therapist has taught Cathy to define success in very specific terms.

From helping someone walk after he or she suffered a stroke to resolving a patient’s vertigo to helping a recent amputee learn to walk up stairs, Cathy says it’s easy to stay motivated.

“I love my career as a physical therapist,” she says. “I love working with people and helping them recover and regain quality of life. I have enjoyed figuring out what treatment approach will best help someone recover.”

Cathy has worked for Aurora Healthcare since 1995, including the past three years at the Aurora Medical Center Summit. She also works as a physical therapist at Pewaukee Veterinary Service, serving dogs with rehabilitation needs.

And she combines her love for animals with serving patients through a certified therapy dog named Lilly — a rescued yellow Labrador retriever who loves visiting patients.

Cathy also started an exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease and a support group for amputees and ran a support group for survivors of stroke and their care partners. As part of her volunteer work, she has served on the board of directors for the Delphi House, a group foster home for abused children.

Cathy served on the Physical Therapy Alumni Board from 1997–2000 and was a lab instructor at Marquette from 1999–2001.

“Marquette taught me the clinical skills needed to be an excellent physical therapist,” she says. “But more important, I was taught how to treat people compassionately, how to use critical thinking skills to problem solve and I was inspired to have a passion for helping people recover.”

Get to Know Catherine Crowe Cauley

Hometown:  South Bend, Ind. 

Favorite quote: “People don’t remember what you do or what you say, they remember how you make them feel.” 

Someone past or present she’d like to have dinner with: Ellen DeGeneres or Dr. Oz

Favorite Marquette memory: Getting an elusive 100% on Dr. Neumann’s last kinesiology exam.

In grade school Cathy wanted to be a nurse or pediatrician.  

Most influential in Catherine's life:  Her mom.