Carolyn m. lawrence, cid, asid
Carolyn Lawrence is an interior designer by profession, runs our physical therapy practice out of love, and is a dancer at heart. Originally from Maryland, Carolyn came to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University’s top rated School of the Arts, where she graduated with a BFA in Interior Design. She is a Certified Interior Designer and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, where she has served in a variety of positions on their board, including President of the Virginia Chapter. Carolyn’s 20+ years of experience in commercial design, with a focus on corporate, facility, and move management, includes: working at SMBW Architects, Baskervill, and Reynolds Metals Company/Alcoa as their in-house interior designer and facility manager at their international headquarters. In 2004, Carolyn started her own design business, continuing to use her skills for Alcoa….while also providing design, construction management, marketing, and event planning services to other clients.
In 2006 Carolyn and her husband, David, opened Lawrence Rehabilitation - The Gait Center so they could fulfill a need they saw in how healthcare was provided to patients with complex medical needs. This gave her the unique opportunity to work alongside her husband, and help make a difference in patients’ lives. She has served as the Director of Human Resources for the past 14 years; designed our facility, with multiple expansions and a major renovation/relocation; designs marketing materials; manages the front office, electronic medical records system, and patient/insurance coordination of benefits. She has found that her years in design and project management instilled in her the precise attention to detail needed to quickly and effectively manage all aspects of a medical practice. Who knew!
Carolyn was delighted that these same design and management skills helped in the formation of the Mission Gait Foundation, a public charity 501(c)(3) which she and her husband founded in 2016! She considers it a privilege to volunteer as the Director of HR for Mission Gait, while also lending her expertise in design, patient coordination, assisting with marketing and development, and serving in any other capacity needed.
Click Here to learn how & why David and Carolyn started the Mission Gait Foundation.
Carolyn’s faith in God and love of dancing have remained constants throughout her life. You will find her at the dance studio 3 nights a week, at church on Sunday, and taking in the theatre whenever possible! David and Carolyn live in a 100+ year old home in a historic district of RVA, which provides endless possibilities and inspiration for renovations. She is charmed by historic architecture, good manners, and stationary. She is a smitten wife and proud parent of their two young adult children! With a true love of travel, history, and design, Carolyn and David enjoy traveling the world and stepping back in time!