She received her Physical Therapy degree from Albert-Ludwig's University of Freiburg, Germany and her post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. She has worked as a physical therapist for 30 years. Her practice focuses on the assessment and treatment of individuals with pediatric and neurological conditions. She has completed neurological residency training in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment. Dr. Mattern-Baxter is an American Physical Therapy Association Board Certified Pediatric Specialist. She currently teaches the pediatric and neurological curriculum in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Sacramento State. Her research activities mainly focus on treadmill training in young children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders.