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Meet Our Therapists

  201-833-3085    |      physicalrehab@holyname.org

Meet Our Therapists - Teaneck
Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Juliann Artesona
Juliann Artesona, PT, DPT

Jules received her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Rutgers. She has worked in the outpatient setting since graduating PT school and specializes in pediatrics and women's health/pelvic floor. Jules is dedicated to merging her passions for pediatrics and women's health, striving to enhance her patients' quality of life at all stages.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Diana Bazzarelli
Diana Bazzarelli

Diana graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences in 2005 and Master's degree in Physical Therapy (MSPT) in 2007 from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Diana received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Scranton in 2012. Diana has been working in the Holy Name Medical Center Outpatient Rehabilitation department as a Physical Therapist since 2008. She teaches a general health and fitness class for patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Diana has furthered her education by participating in several continuing education courses focused on vestibular rehabilitation and balance training.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Vera Bunkonja
Vera Bunkonja

Vera graduated from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2002 with a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. Vera joined the Holy Name Medical Center Rehabilitation team in 2007. Vera works with a wide variety of patient populations including orthopedic and joint replacement, neurologic and geriatric. She began to show a special interest in patient's with multiple sclerosis and has achieved a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist designation in 2008. In addition, Vera instructs and supervises an overall wellness/fitness class for patients with multiple sclerosis. She will be pursuing her doctorate degree in physical therapy in the near future.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Daisy C. Burgos
Daisy C. Burgos

Daisy graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy in April, 1999 and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at Utica College. Daisy has 10 years of professional and clinical experience in the field of Physical Therapy. She has worked in a wide variety of settings including: acute care, skilled nursing, sub-acute care, and outpatient rehabilitation. Daisy specializes in orthopedic and geriatric rehabilitation. She has been a part of Holy Name Medical Center family for 2 years.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Agnes Cariaga
Agnes "Aggie" Cariaga

Aggie has been a practicing physical therapist for 16 years 10 of which have been here in Holy Name Medical Center. Currently, Aggie is a senior physical therapist assigned to the neurological and stroke inpatient unit. Her areas of interest are in pediatrics, neurology, wound care and outpatient rehabilitation. Aggie received her Bachelors in Physical Therapy from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and is pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Aggie enjoys taking educational courses to improve her clinical skills and knowledge in physical therapy and also to network with her peers.

Aggie is an avid reader, an interest that has taken a back seat with her two young kids. She also enjoys singing, watching Broadway shows and taking day trips with my family. Snowboarding is a sport that she would like to pursue this winter.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Thea Omega Dela Cuest
Thea Omega Dela Cuesta, PT

Thea became part of the Holy Name rehabilitation team in March of 2024, but she has been a practicing clinician for more than 25 years in various settings, including subacute facilities and outpatient clinics. She graduated from De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and was a senior instructor there for three years before becoming a practicing clinician. She is a well-rounded physical therapist who specializes in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation and has extensive experience in pediatrics and geriatrics. Thea provides evidence-based, personalized treatment to establish a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust and communication. She ensures her patients feel comfortable and supported and empowers them to take an active role in their recovery. She is committed to continuous learning and adapts to new research to provide her patients the best possible care. She is working to become a Certified Geriatric Specialist and help the elderly navigate the effects of aging and maximize their potential.

Thea finds great joy in offering care that maximizes patients’ functional capacity and independence.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Erin Davis
Erin Davis

Erin received her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware. After graduating from the University of Delaware, Erin went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Dominican University New York in Orangeburg NY. During Erin’s time in PT school, she completed her clinical affiliations in a variety of settings. Erin had affiliations in outpatient orthopedics, in-patient, and pediatrics. Erin has always loved working with orthopedic injuries as well as pediatrics. Erin enjoys connecting with her patients and using her manual skills and patient centered approach to provide the highest quality of care to help patients achieve their personalized goals.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Danielle Christine Delgiodice
Danielle Christine Delgiodice

Danielle graduated from Seton Hall University's Dual Degree Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2011. She began working at Kessler Rehabilitation Center for 2 years before joining the Holy Name Medical Center Outpatient department in September of 2013. In her graduate affiliations, she was trained in several different settings with a primary focus on neurological conditions in the adult and pediatric populations. She continues to specialize in these areas and is looking to complete her Neuro Clinical Specialty by the Spring of 2016. In addition to her areas of specialty, Danielle also treats patients with varied orthopedic conditions using a hands on approach. She incorporates her training and manual techniques for a comprehensive and functionally based treatment program.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Marie Karen Ferrer, PT
Marie Karen Ferrer, PT

Karen has been a practicing physical therapist since graduating from Cebu Doctors’ College in 1998. For 19 years, she focused on treating pre- and post-operative orthopedic patients. She also worked in skilled nursing facilities treating geriatric patients. Her philosophy of care is to see each patient as a whole person to help them enhance their quality of life. Karen believes that medicine adds years to life while physical therapy adds life to years. It's a powerful reminder that both aspects are essential for a fulfilling and healthy human existence. She says the most rewarding part of being a physical therapist is building strong relationships that allow her to teach her patients and learn from them too.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Ingrid Garner
Ingrid Garner

Ingrid has been practicing physical therapy for more than 25 years, having received her PT degree from SUNY Downstate and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stockton University. She has experience in a variety of settings, including acute care, subacute care, outpatient, long-term care, and homecare, as well as with different patient populations. She has a special interest in treating patients with orthopedic, neurological, and general deconditioning concerns. Her treatment is evidence-based and patient-focused with an emphasis on compassionate and individualized care. Ingrid incorporates Tai Chi in her practice and, as a long-term Teaneck resident, participates in community outreach. She believes the most rewarding part of her job is partnering with her patients to realize their vision of improved daily living.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Heather Harris, PT, DPT, CLT
Heather Harris, PT, DPT, CLT

Heather joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name in September 2019 after receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Hunter College. Prior to becoming a physical therapist, she graduated from Montclair State University with her B.S. in Biology and was a two-time NCAA Division III national champion hurdler in track and field. In February 2022, she completed her certification to become a Certified Lymphedema Therapist from the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and is currently treating patients with both upper and lower extremity lymphedema. Heather continues to pursue specialized continuing education classes in oncology rehabilitation to help patients who are undergoing cancer treatment or have a history of cancer address lingering side effects such as weakness, deconditioning, balance issues, and fatigue.

Heather's approach to care prioritizes individual patient needs and includes the patient in decision-making. She feels the most rewarding part of her job is guiding patients to accomplish personal goals by providing encouragement and education. She is committed to building a successful oncology rehabilitation program at Holy Name.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Gemma Hetalia
Gemma Hetalia

Originally from the Philippines, Gemma received her bachelor's degree in physical therapy at Our Lady of Fatima University in 1996. For several years, she worked as a clinical supervisor for students from different colleges and universities before coming to the U.S. in 2004.

As a practicing physical therapist, Gemma believes that each patient deserves the best care and individualized, evidence-based treatment. She specializes in orthopedic physical therapy, treating pre- and post-operative cases, sports injuries, and more. She also invests her time taking PT-related courses to expand her knowledge. Gemma is grateful to be part of the amazing HNMC Rehab group.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Justin Jacob PT, DPT
Justin Jacob PT, DPT

Justin received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Seton Hall University. Prior to joining Holy Name, he worked at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center for 2.5 years in Outpatient Rehab. Before his career in physical therapy, Justin graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor's in Marketing. His career change was sparked by his motivation to serve people. His focus and continuing education is outpatient orthopedics, with a passion for manual therapy.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Maryam Kalu
Maryam Kalu

Maryam completed her doctorate in physical therapy at New York Medical College. She became part of the Holy Name rehab team in 2023 and works with a variety of patient populations with various diagnoses. Maryam particularly enjoys working with post-operative patients and the athletic population to help them return to their prior level of function. She tailors her treatments to each individual to help them regain as much independence as possible. Maryam is furthering her education in women's health through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute to help pre- and post-natal women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Jason Kavountzis MPT, OCS
Jason Kavountzis MPT, OCS

Jason received his Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology in 1996 from The State University of New York at Albany and his Master of Physical Therapy degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2000. He joined the Holy Name Medical Center Rehabilitation team in June of 2000 as a physical therapist and was promoted to Clinical Coordinator of Program Development in 2003. In 2007 he became the Site Supervisor of Physical Therapy and Personal Training at our Oradell facility. Jason now serves as the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Holy Name Medical Center. Jason's clinical expertise includes orthopedics, sports medicine, industrial rehabilitation, injury prevention and fitness. Jason is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and is a member of the APTA's Orthopedic Section. Jason's clinical and professional education has focused on manual physical therapy, spine rehabilitation, orthopedic physical therapy, and prevention of injuries in the athlete. He believes that taking a patient focused, hands on approach to rehabilitation will lead to excellent patient outcomes.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Anne Michelle Mangali
Anne Michelle Mangali

Michelle joined the Holy Name Medical Center Rehabilitation team in October 2011. Graduating Cum Laude from Kean University, where she received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, 2003. Following her undergraduate studies, Michelle attained a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2006 from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Michelle has worked predominately in outpatient settings where she has gained experience in orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological, and sports medicine. She was also a Center Coordinator for Clinical Education for 2 years at an outpatient clinic in NJ. One of Michelle's career goals is to become an Orthopedic Certified Specialist. Michelle believes it is important to incorporate manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education in all patient populations to achieve optimal functional outcomes.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Albert Marcelo
Albert Marcelo

Albert is a Physical Therapy Assistant at Holy Name Medical Center. Albert graduated from Bergen Community College with an Associated Degree in Applied Science and is pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Fitness and Wellness/Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania. Albert has been a practicing PTA for 11 years. He joined Holy Name Medical Center in 2003 working in the outpatient department. To advance his knowledge and clinical skills he participates in continuing education courses in manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, Osteoporosis and Geriatric Rehabilitation. .Albert also teaches the Osteoporosis Exercise program here at Holy Name Medical Center. Albert serves as a clinical instructor for physical therapy assistant students rotating through Holy Name. In 2008, Albert was nominated and received the SPIRIT Award He believes that exercise is an essential part of a healthy life. Albert participated in the NYC Marathon, NYC Urbanathlon, NYC MS bike ride and is currently a member of the NY Roadrunnes club. As a clinician, he believes that spending quality time with the patient is the key to successful recovery.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Michael Marcano
Michael Marcano

Michael earned his doctorate in physical therapy from Mary Baldwin University. With a clinical background encompassing outpatient orthopedics, acute care, and sub-acute care, he has garnered extensive experience across diverse patient populations. Prior to joining Holy Name, he was a clinical director in an outpatient setting for one year.

Michael uses manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and patient education to tailor each treatment plan to the unique needs of his patients. He prioritizes addressing his patients' specific impairments, goals, and lifestyles to create personalized programs for his patients to return to their daily activities.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Hope Manuel, PT, DPT
Hope Manuel, PT, DPT

Hope graduated from SUNY Downstate with a degree in physical therapy and completed her doctorate at UMDNJ in 2012. She treats people with cardio-pulmonary, orthopedic, and neurologic conditions. Her treatment philosophy is to give patients individualized care and truly listen to them. She has worked in acute care, skilled nursing, homecare, and outpatient settings, and has a special interest in treating women with pelvic floor dysfunction. The most rewarding part of her work, she says, is being able to make a difference in people’s quality of life.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Juliann O'Hagan, PT, DPT
Juliann O'Hagan, PT, DPT

Jules received her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton in 2016. After finishing at Scranton, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Rutgers University in 2019. Jules was very excited to begin her professional career as a physical therapist at Holy Name Medical Center and has interests in pediatric, neurological, geriatric and sport rehabilitation. As a student, Jules completed four clinical affiliations in outpatient, pediatric and inpatient settings.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Susan Philip
Susan Philip, PT

Susan Philip has over 17 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist. She graduated in 1996 from New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy and earned her Doctorate degree in physical therapy from University of Scranton in December 2012. She has been at Holy Name Medical Center for the past 15 years and treats patients with various diagnoses in the outpatient setting. Her expertise is in the field of Vestibular Rehabilitation. She enjoys working with patients that have vertigo, dizziness and imbalance. Her passion for this field has enabled her to obtain Certificate in Vestibular Competency in 2005. She was promoted to outpatient physical therapy coordinator in 2002 and has well over 11 years of supervisory experience. She also has home care experience and has done multiple community outreach programs on balance and falls. In addition, Susan has been a clinical instructor to multiple affiliating physical therapy students throughout the years and has enhanced her knowledge and clinical skills through various continuing education courses. In 2012, she was nominated for the Spirit Award by her peers. Susan takes great pride working with an amazing team of individuals and her commitment and dedication to her patients is very visible. Her goal is to continue to expand the vestibular program with the use of the latest technology and optimize functional outcome.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Gina Plata
Gina Plata

Gina has been practicing as a physical therapist since 1997. She graduated from University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Currently, Gina is pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Gina has been a member of Holy Name Medical Center family since 2007. Gina specializes in pediatric physical therapy and also treats the adult and geriatric population. Making a difference in her patients' lives, no matter how big or small, is the heart of what she does.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Amy Shames, PT
Amy Shames, PT

Amy has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years. She enjoys helping patients achieve their personal goals and highest functional levels. She attended Florida International University and graduated with degrees in both psychology and physical therapy. Amy has worked as a clinician and administrator in skilled nursing, assisted living, and home care settings. Her clinical special interest is working with patients who have neurological impairments. She holds Certifications in both LSVT Big and Rock Steady Boxing programs for people with Parkinson’s disease and is working towards becoming a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist. She joined Holy Name in 2021.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Jessica Sigal, PT, DPT, CLT
Jessica Sigal, PT, DPT, CLT

Jessica graduated from Hunter College with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2016. At Hunter, she received the Scott Eldred Scholarship for Passion for the Future of PT. In 2017, she became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist through the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, which sparked her passion for helping patients with lymphedema and other cancer-related issues. Jessica uses a holistic approach to helping people recover from their injuries or functional impairments, especially those related to cancer treatment. In addition to manual therapy and complete decongestive therapy, she incorporates therapeutic exercises and elements of yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness into her treatments.

Jessica is a faculty member of the National Lymphedema Network, a PORi-certified oncology rehabilitation therapist, and is working towards her oncology specialization from the American Physical Therapy Association. She also regularly participates in educational webinars for Holy Name’s Cancer Support Community. The most rewarding part of her job is seeing her patients improve how they interact with the world around them in a meaningful way. She joined Holy Name in 2022.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Diana Singer
Diana Singer

Diana Singer has been a physical therapist since 2000 graduating from the College of Staten Island with her masters in PT. Before joining Holy Name Hospital in 2016 she worked as a PT in Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, Subacute settings and managed her own private outpatient facility for 10 years with her specialty treating Neuropathy.

Diana continues to educate herself with continuing education classes to meet the needs of her patients. She is currently pursuing her certification as a mindset coach to help clients overcome negative thinking patterns and develop a more positive outlook on life.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Kristen Sullivan
Kristen Sullivan

Kristen earned her doctorate in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University. She strives to provide high-quality care by treating each patient as a whole and focusing on their individual goals.

Kristen enjoys working with patients throughout the continuum of care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has furthered her knowledge through continuing education courses focused on vestibular rehabilitation and works with patients who have vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance to improve their function and quality of life.

Kristen also pursued additional training in pelvic floor physical therapy through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. She uses evidence-based knowledge and compassion to treat women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction. Kristen joined the Holy Name rehabilitation team in 2020.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Lisa Thampan, PT, DPT
Lisa Thampan, PT, DPT

Lisa joined Holy Name's rehabilitation team in October of 2019 and has been practicing for close to five years. She graduated from Drexel University with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2019. Lisa has expertise across a wide variety of clinical settings, including outpatient orthopedic and pediatrics and neonatal and neurological ICUs. She has experience in acute care and acute rehabilitation but especially enjoys working with critically ill patients in the ICU. She has advanced her clinical skills through continuing education courses in neurological, geriatric, vestibular, and critical care.

Lisa is a clinical instructor within the hospital for aspiring DPT students and is creating an early mobility protocol for ventilated patients in the ICU. She is dedicated to promoting independence and quality of life for all her patients, working within multidisciplinary teams to prevent deconditioning.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Meg Tsai, PT, DPT, OCS
Meg Tsai, PT, DPT, OCS

Meg attended Rutgers University for both her undergraduate and graduate studies. After receiving her doctorate in physical therapy, she pursued and completed a clinical residency in orthopedic physical therapy at Columbia University. She received her board certification as an orthopedic specialist in 2024. Meg is a strong believer in education and improving health literacy so that her patients can better understand their condition and make informed decisions. She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about clinical research and has presented at both local and national physical therapy conferences. She is excited to be expanding her clinical skills to include pelvic rehabilitation for all genders.

Outside of Holy Name, Meg teaches as an adjunct instructor in the Rutgers DPT program and treats Broadway performers. In her free time, she enjoys embroidery, rock climbing, hiking, and strength training. Meg is also fluent in Mandarin.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Katherine Venanzi PT , DPT
Katherine Venanzi PT , DPT

Katie received her Bachelor of Arts in Health Science from Gettysburg College in 2008. After completion of her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College in 2012, Katie was thrilled to join the Holy Name Rehabilitation team. As a student, Katie completed two clinical affiliations at Holy Name in both the inpatient and outpatient departments.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Bob Walsh
Bob Walsh

Bob's career at Holy Name Medical Center began in 2000 as a student affiliate from Mercy College. After completing his dual Masters in Science and Physical Therapy he joined the Holy Name team as an inpatient physical therapist in 2001 working primarily in the Orthopedic Unit. Bob was promoted to Coordinator of Inpatient Physical Therapy four years ago and also serves as the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education for the PT student program. Bob has frequently served as a clinical instructor to other affiliating students over the past eight years.

Bob's continuing education courses have been geared toward acute care orthopedics, the geriatric population, and the homebound patient. His areas of interest include total joint replacement, spine surgery, fractures, and home therapy.

Bob has provided multiple educational in-services to staff and students regarding spine health, posture, proper body mechanics, and the appropriate use of assistive devices. Bob also helped develop a pre-operative educational information program for patients undergoing total joint replacements to make their operative experience a positive one.

Bob looks forward to coming to work each and every day and his positive outlook is apparent in everything he does. He believes that Holy Name is a special place and enjoys being a leader of the rehabilitation team.

Meet Our Therapists - Oradell
Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Christopher J. Cordero
Christopher J. Cordero PT, DPT

Chris is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, graduating from the dual-degree program at Seton Hall University, receiving both his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) and Bachelor of Science in Biology. Chris began his career at Holy Name Medical Center in the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center of Teaneck, NJ. Working in a hospital-based outpatient setting gave Chris the opportunity to work with patients of all ages and abilities including pediatrics to geriatrics, neurological to sports/orthopedics, pre and post-operative conditions, and overuse injuries. This diverse patient population has helped Chris specialize across many platforms, and utilize a wide variety of skills and techniques to achieve ultimate patient satisfaction.

Chris now works at HNH Fitness of Oradell, NJ, where he continues to treat a variety of disorders with an increased focus in athletes and weekend warriors. Chris believes in always providing quality care and creating memorable moments for his patients. He does this by listening to his patient's goals and developing a highly-specific program to accomplish their needs.

Finally, Chris has a passion in Sports Performance Training and has received certifications as a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM-PES) and is an Impact Trained Physical Therapist (ITPT) in the prevention and treatment of concussions. Chris believes in applying the principles of both Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Training to enhance athletic performance while stressing injury prevention and proper body mechanics.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Ronald Drenth PT, DPT
Ronald Drenth PT, DPT

Ron received his Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science from Keene State College in New Hampshire, where he went on to work at Montefiore Medical Center as a Clinical Physiologist. While at Montefiore, Ron performed research investigating the benefits of exercise during hemodialysis treatment. Upon completing the study, Ron pursued employment at the South Bronx Medical Center in the Cardiac Rehabilitation unit with a Physiatrist from Montefiore. In an effort to further his career, Ron joined Holy Name Medical Center and worked at HNH Fitness, both as a fitness instructor and manager while pursuing his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Mercy College. While Ron’s main interest lies in orthopedics, he performed two of his clinical affiliations on the spinal cord unit at Kessler and on the telemetry and cancer floors at St. Josephs Regional Medical Center to obtain a well diverse background.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Brianne Etter, PT, DPT, CSCS
Brianne Etter, PT, DPT, CSCS

Brianne Etter received her Bachelors of Science and Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2005. After several years of experiencing physical therapy as a patient, her passion for the field grew, and she went on to get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York University. Throughout her studies she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist furthering her education in conditioning and weight training. Brianne completed a student affiliation with Holy Name Medical Center and was excited to come on board fulltime after her graduation. Brianne is continuing her education by taking classes in vestibular rehabilitation.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Beth Finale
Beth Finale

Beth graduated with a BA in psychology from Villanova University in 1991 and went on to achieve her Masters in Physical Therapy from Rutgers/UMDNJ in 1997. She began her career at Hackensack University Medical Center where she treated orthopedic injuries including total joints and athletic injuries.

Beth continued her career as supervisor of physical therapy at North Jersey Brain and Spine Center. She spent 18 years at that facility treating neck and back pain, in order to help patients avoid surgery and rehabilitate post surgery. Beth is both McKenzie and LSVT Big certified. With over 20 years of physical therapy experience she has develped treatment plans and cared for patients of all ages and injuries.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Melissa Russo-Franco
Melissa Russo-Franco

Melissa Russo-Franco graduated from the University at Buffalo with a BS in Physical Therapy in 2001. She then went on to work with the performing arts community on Broadway while at the same time earning her doctorate in physical therapy at Temple University. After receiving her DPT, she continued to specialize in the performing arts working with Broadway shows and dance companies such as The Lion King, Hairspray, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia, and Paul Taylor Dance Company.

In 2005 she moved to New Jersey and continued her career working in an outpatient orthopedic setting. In 2007 she returned to her passion of working with the performing arts at Papermill Playhouse and the New Jersey Ballet. In 2009 she had her first child and decided to work closer to home continuing her work in the field of orthopedics specializing with athletes such as runners, tri-athletes, and iron man competitors. In 2013 she returned to NYC to work at Corinthian Physical Therapy specializing in manual therapy and chronic pain. All during this time Melissa continued to work backstage as a per diem physical therapist on Broadway shows such as Spiderman after Dark, An American in Paris, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, and Hamilton.

When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, Broadway went dark and NYC became a ghost town. She no longer had a place to practice and stayed at home with her two sons for 6 months. Then in August of 2020 she decided she missed practicing her passion of physical therapy and obtained a position as a per diem physical therapist at HNH Rehabilitation Center. Melissa has been practicing as a physical therapist at HNH Fitness since October 2020, where she continues to bring her expertise and knowledge in treating the performing arts community and orthopedic patients. Melissa has attended many continuing education courses in manual therapy to allow for professional development, lifelong learning, and excellence to her patients.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Stephanie Garzia PT, DPT, ATC
Stephanie Garzia PT, DPT, ATC

Stephanie Garzia PT, DPT, ATC, received her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from Dominican College and became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2010. Stephanie immediately went on to complete her dual-degree of Bachelors of Science in Health Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Mercy College in 2014. Stephanie completed a clinical affiliation in Holy Name Medical Center's Outpatient Center for Physical Rehabilitation, and is now a member of the Holy Name team as a physical therapist. Stephanie plans to pursue her professional interests in Kinesio Taping and evidence-based, manual techniques.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Kyu Chul Lee, OTR/L, CHT
Kyu Chul Lee, OTR/L, CHT

Kyu Chul is a licensed occupational therapist and certified hand therapist. Kyu Chul graduated with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Yonsei University, South Korea in 2014. He began his carrier as a Staff Occupational Therapist at Asan Medical Center, South Korea's top hospital. Kyu Chul routinely assessed and treated various acute and post-operative conditions, including orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders, and a high percentage of severe trauma.

Kyu Chul moved to New York City and graduated with a master’s degree in advanced occupational therapy from New York University in 2017. When he was a graduate student, he fell in love with hand therapy during his volunteer work at Bellevue Hospital's occupational therapy department. Kyu Chul decided to pursue his career as a hand therapy specialist and obtained his CHT (Certified Hand Therapist) certification from HTCC in 2020.

Kyu Chul has been a part of the Holy Name Medical Center since 2022 with a strong background in both orthopedic and neurologic treatments. Kyu Chul is highly specialized in upper extremity treatments including post-operative rehabilitation of the upper extremity, trauma, tendon and nerve injury, fractures, and fabricating custom orthosis. He is passionate about learning the latest trend in therapy to provide the best possible treatment for all patients.

Kyu Chul speaks both English and Korean and he strives to serve the Korean community to improve their awareness and understanding of hand therapy.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Andrea Recinos M.S., CCC-SLP
Andrea Recinos M.S., CCC-SLP

Andrea is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Speech-Language Pathologist. She joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name Medical Center in 2017. She has a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from William Paterson University. She completed her graduate internship at Holy Name Hospital.

In 2016, Andrea fulfilled the requirements of her clinical fellowship at Holy Name Medical Center. She works with both children and adults in rehabilitative and acute settings. She has experience working with a wide range of communication, cognitive and swallowing disorders.

As a clinician, she has experience in treating and evaluating the pediatric population with a variety of developmental delays and congenital disorders including but not limited to Autism, Articulation & Phonological Disorders, Apraxia, Cerebral Palsy, Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, and Huntington's disease.

Andrea is trained in PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), a multidimensional approach to speech production disorders. She is also certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD), an innovative and clinically-proven method for improving voice and speech in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Andrea holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Occupational Therapists
Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Aliza Apfelbaum
Aliza Apfelbaum

Aliza joined the Holy Name Medical Center family in early 2008 after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yeshiva University and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University. Her initial background includes treating both orthopedic and neurologic patients in an inpatient setting, while Aliza's outpatient treatment expertise spans close to 15 years. Her experience ranges from rehabilitating physical limitations to treating cognitive changes which occur from the result of illness or injury.

Having achieved her Hand Therapy Certification in 2013, Aliza is highly specialized in the treatment of hand and upper extremity dysfunction. Aliza currently spearheads our hand therapy program where frequently treated diagnoses include: arthritis, fractures, repetitive strain injuries, tendon injuries, post-op recovery, and trauma. Aliza thoroughly enjoys creating customized splints and orthotics for both orthopedic and neurologic populations in order to maximize recovery.

Aliza's continued education focuses on the areas of the hand an upper extremity, stroke and cognition, wheelchair seating and positioning, KinesioTaping and the use of physical agent modalities.

Aliza brings to Holy Name a strong background in both orthopedic and neurologic treatments. Her friendly and caring demeanor helps patients feel comfortable. She looks forward to continuing her education in hand and upper extremity treatment methods for further advancement of her skills.

Holy Name Medical Center - Occupational Therapy - Kimberly Dykhouse
Kimberly Dykhouse

Kim joined the Holy Name Medical Center family in the Spring of 2019. She graduated from Eastern University in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, and from Springfield College in May 2018 with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Throughout most of her life, Kim has had many opportunities to work for and serve individuals across the lifespan and in numerous areas. During graduate school, Kim completed one of her clinical fieldworks at Holy Name, gaining experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Although Kim loves working with anyone of any age, she especially enjoys treating adult or geriatric clients who have acute orthopedic and/or neurological conditions. Kim's main goals are to help her patients maximize their potential to live healthy and independent lifestyles, in order to participate in the daily activities that they would like to or need to complete each day.

Holy Name Medical Center - Occupational Therapy - Lisa McConville
Lisa McConville

Lisa graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1993 from Quinnipiac College. Lisa has 28 years of professional and clinical experience. She has worked in a wide variety of settings including: acute care, sub-acute care, home care and outpatient rehabilitation. Lisa specializes in both neurologic and orthopedic rehabilitation with advanced training in post stroke care. She has been a part of the Holy Name Medical Center family since 2015.

Holy Name Medical Center - Occupational Therapy - Alyssa Scala
Alyssa Scala

Alyssa graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in August 2014 with A Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Human Services, and from Columbia University in October 2017 with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Alyssa first joined the Holy Name Medical Center rehabilitation team in May 2014 as an intern and subsequently, as a rehab aide from August 2014 until August 2015. She then returned to practice as an Occupational Therapist once completing her studies. Alyssa enjoys working with patients of all ages, treating both adult and pediatric patients.

Speech Therapists
Holy Name Medical Center - Speech Therapy Coordinator - Colleen Deshayes
Colleen Deshayes, Coordinator of Speech Therapy

Colleen is the Senior Speech Language Pathologist and Coordinator of Speech Therapy at Holy Name. She joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name Medical Center in 2007 as a Clinical Fellow. She has a Master of Art in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology from Montclair State University.

Colleen works with both children and adults in rehabilitative, acute, sub-acute and private settings. She has experience working with a wide range of communication, cognitive and swallowing disorders. At Holy Name, her focus in both inpatient and outpatient services.

As a pediatric clinician, she has experience with early intervention, preschool and school-age populations with a variety of developmental delays and congenital disorders including but not limited to Autism, Articulation & Phonological Disorders, Down Syndrome, Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, Huntington's Disease and fluency disorders. She is also trained in Prompt-a speech program designed for people with severe speech deficits. She has completed course work in the treatment of feeding, orofacial myology, autism and executive function deficits in pediatrics.

Colleen specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with cognitive, language, speech, voice and swallowing disorders. She is an active participant in videofluoroscopic swallow studies at the hospital, allowing her to objectively assess and treat swallow disorders. She holds special certification in MBS-Imp and the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP). A special interest of Colleen is patients with Parkinson’s Disease. She holds certification for Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) for over 12 years. LSVT is an innovative and clinically-proven method for improving voice and speech in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Colleen holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Holy Name Medical Center - Speech Therapy - Allison Guiliano
Allison Guiliano, Speech Language Therapist

Allison Guiliano is a speech language therapist who delivers personalized, compassionate, and evidence-based care. She joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name in 2020 and finished her clinical fellowship in 2022. She completed her Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale.

While completing her master’s at SIU Carbondale, Ms. Guiliano fulfilled her graduate externships at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois as well as the Ridgewood Public Schools in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She also completed an off-campus rotation in the outpatient and early intervention settings at Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin, IL.

Ms. Guiliano works with both adults and children in the outpatient setting and also has experience in the adult inpatient setting. She has provided evaluation and/or treatment services to children with expressive/receptive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, stuttering, childhood apraxia of speech, auditory processing disorder, autism, and Down syndrome. In addition, she has evaluated and treated adults with dysarthria, aphasia, cognitive-communication disorders, and accent modification. Ms. Guiliano has also conducted and analyzed modified barium swallow studies to evaluate and diagnose dysphagia. The most rewarding part of her work, she says, is seeing patients progress toward their goals.

Ms. Guiliano holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD), a treatment program for improving the voice and speech in people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

Holy Name Medical Center - Physical Therapy - Melissa Isaza
Melissa Isaza, Speech Language Pathologist

Melissa Isaza is a pediatric speech language pathologist with extensive experience providing therapy in school, daycare, and early intervention settings. She specializes in communication and feeding disorders and takes a family-centered approach to providing care. Seeing her patients thrive is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her work.

Ms. Isaza earned her Master’s of Speech-Language Pathology from East Stroudsburg University and completed her graduate internship at Holy Name, where she worked in the hospital with children and adults. She was motivated to join the team after observing the quality of care delivered to her own family members at Holy Name.

Ms. Isaza has experience working with a variety of communication disorders secondary to a variety of developmental and congenital disorders including expressive/receptive language disorders, pediatric feeding disorders, auditory processing disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, selective mutism, autism, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy, in addition to other cognitive-linguistic deficits and language and learning disabilities.

Ms. Isaza is trained in PROMPT (PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). She has a passion for working with patients who require AAC (augmentative alternative communication) devices as she is determined to provide non-verbal and highly unintelligible patients with a voice.

Ms. Isaza joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name Medical Center in 2021. She has been awarded the ACE (Award for Continuing Education) award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association twice for her dedication to and excellence in obtaining continuing education to best serve her patients. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Holy Name Medical Center - Speech Therapy - Erin LaVielle
Erin LaVielle, Speech-Language Pathologist

Erin LaVielle is a speech-language pathologist who uses empathy, compassion, and empowerment to help patients reach their goals. She joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name Medical Center as a speech-language pathologist clinical fellow in 2023. Ms. LaVielle received her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from William Paterson University in 2023 and completed her graduate internship at Riverview Medical Center, working with adult and pediatric patients with a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders, in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She loves building strong relationships with her patients and seeing their progress.

At Holy Name, Ms. LaVielle works with children and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her clinical areas of interest include treating children in the early intervention, preschool, and school-aged populations with expressive/receptive language disorders, fluency disorders, social-pragmatic language difficulties, articulation disorders, and other communication disorders.

Holy Name Medical Center - Speech Therapy - Alisha Mathew M.S. CCC-SLP
Alisha Mathew M.S. CCC-SLP

Alisha Mathew is a speech language pathologist who treats adults and children with speech/language challenges, as well as adults with voice impairments and swallowing disorders. Her approach to care is to give her best to every patient, treating each person how she would want to be treated.

Ms. Mathew works both in the hospital and in outpatient settings. The most rewarding part of her work, she says, is helping patients reach their goals.

Her clinical interests include dysphagia, aphasia, and pediatric articulation and language difficulties, and she also participates in videoflouoroscopic research for swallowing communication disorders.

Ms. Mathew graduated from William Paterson University and completed her graduate internship at Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. She then completed her clinical fellowship at Prospect Heights Care Center in Hackensack, NJ, where she worked with adults with a variety of communication and swallowing difficulties. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She joined Holy Name in 2023.

Holy Name Medical Center - Speech Therapy - Joan Paik
Joan Paik, Speech Pathology Therapist

Joan Paik joined the rehabilitation team at Holy Name Medical Center as a speech-language pathologist in early 2023. She also completed her clinical fellowship at Holy Name. Ms. Paik works with both children and adults with a variety of communication, cognitive-linguistic, swallowing, feeding, language, and articulation disorders. She believes in meeting each patient where they are and providing support and care tailored to them.

Ms. Paik’s clinical areas of interest include articulation and language disorders, feeding therapy, modified barium swallow studies, swallowing disorders, voice disorders, and cognitive-linguistic disorders. She has experience using the SOS approach to feeding, a play-based program to treat children with feeding, weight, and/or growth difficulties.

Ms. Paik completed a post-baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Longwood University and graduated from Emerson College with a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Ms. Paik is proud to be at Holy Name because of its family-centered, welcoming approach to care. She finds fulfillment in seeing patients improve and recognize their progress.

Holy Name Medical Center - Speech Therapy - Jaclyn Rance
Jaclyn Rance, Speech Language Pathologist

Jaclyn joined Holy Name Medical Center in 2023 as a speech language pathologist, providing evidence-based care that takes into account patient preferences and quality of life. She has a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY, and completed an externship at Holy Name in 2010. She worked at Holy Name from 2010-2016 and has also been a speech language pathologist at JFK University Medical Center, Helen Hayes Hospital, and NYU Langone Rusk Rehabilitation. The most rewarding part of her work, she says, is sharing progress with patients and their families.

Ms. Rance works both in inpatient and outpatient settings with adults and children. She has extensive experience in Adult Neurorehabilitation, Dysphagia, Dysarthria, Adult Tracheostomies, Modified Barium Swallow Studies, and Respiratory Muscle Strength Training. She also evaluates and treats early intervention, preschool, and school-age children with a variety of disorders, including Autism, Apraxia of Speech, Articulation Disorders, Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, and more. Jaclyn holds a license in Speech Language Pathology in New Jersey and New York, as well as Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.