Meet Dr. Aliya Decates-Miller, PT, DPT, GCS
Dr. Aliya Decates-Miller
Aliya originally went to college as a dance major, but after a career-ending back injury, she combined her expertise of muscle performance, strength and flexibility from her dance background with her love for science, and ultimately became a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Initially, she planned to work primarily with dancers, given that she was in a unique position to understand and help them to achieve the demands that the sport places on their bodies. However, during her first clinical rotation, Aliya took a profound interest in working with older adults. She loved the diversity of diagnoses, the unique problem solving, and the opportunities to really get to know her clients and learn their stories. Being exceptionally close with, and even living with her grandmother in a senior living community for 3 summers, Aliya had the opportunity to observe and learn from older adults who were aging successfully, and those who were not. Her desire to help grew stronger.
Education and Experience
After graduating, Aliya spent a year working in pediatrics before landing a highly sought-after residency position at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, where she studied to become a Geriatric Clinical Specialist. She received her specialization in 2017. During her years at the VA Medical Center, Aliya worked in a number of specialized areas, including the general medicine unit, the post-op unit, the ICU, the Skilled Nursing Facility (nursing home), and ultimately was the lead therapist in the Geriatric Rehab Facility.
Aliya also has advanced training in other specialty areas of physical therapy, including Amputee Care, Pelvic Health (Women’s Health), and Vestibular/Dizziness treatment. Aliya also has extensive experience working with clients who have neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease or Stroke.
How Thrive Began
Over the years, Aliya began to see some of the gaps and shortcomings in our current medical system. She noticed that many clients would be cut off from therapy before reaching their functional baseline or personal goals, and this concerned her greatly. Aliya was bothered that so many people were paying top dollar to receive care from a therapist whose attention was divided between multiple patients at a time, or restricted by 15-30 minute treatment sessions. Aliya is dedicated to providing exceptional and personalized care. She founded Thrive Aging and Wellness as a way to ensure that those who need 1:1 expert care and who have nowhere else to turn, will be able to receive the services that they need so that they are not just surviving, but thriving!