Leadership

Dr. Michelle Collie PT, DPT, MS, Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, is the Chief Executive Officer of Highbar. Born and raised on a sheep farm in New Zealand, she was drawn to physical therapy after her life-changing experience as a 15-year-old basketball player with a devastating injury. Her experience as a patient of an inspirational physical therapist became the catalyst to a career in physical therapy. As owner and CEO, she has led Highbar for more than 20 years.

Her passion for helping people is matched only by her drive for igniting industry-wide changes. As President of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Rhode Island chapter, she regularly advocates for alternative payment models focused on clinical outcomes and higher standards of care. Michelle leads with passion, courage and authenticity. She believes in embracing change every day to ensure the team at Highbar is continually evolving to provide the very best care.

​In her spare time, you will find Michelle participating in just about any activity that involves water, snow or running. She lives in Providence with her husband and two teenagers, as well as their two dogs and two cats!

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Physical Therapy Degree:
University of Otago, New Zealand

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Post Graduate Education:
Advanced Masters, MGH-IHP, Boston, Massachusetts
Doctorate in Physical Therapy, MGH-IHP, Boston, Massachusetts

Certifications:
Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Dry Needling Certified

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Professional Affiliations:
President American Physical Therapy Association, Rhode Island
PR and Marketing Committee Chair for APTA, Private Practice Section
President Emeritus Rhode Island Reach Out and Read
Board of Governors for the RI Hospital
In the past Michelle has served on the Brown/Guachipilincito, Shoulder to Shoulder Board, Providence Children’s Museum Board of Trustees and the Multiple Sclerosis Board of Trustees.

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Awards and Achievements:
2019: APTA Board of Directors Service Award
2019: Providence After School Alliance (PASA) Loyalty Award.
2014: Jane L. Snyder National Private Practice of the Year award by the American Physical Therapy Association.
2014: Entrepreneurial Women to Watch Awardee by the Rhode Island Small Business Journal
2012: Rhode Island Outstanding Philanthropic Business Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals
2012: Corporate Heroes Award from Reach Out and Read in Rhode Island
2010: 40 under 40 honorees by Providence Business News
2006: Distinguished Service Award and Private Practice Service Award from the Rhode Island APTA
2004: MGH-IHP Ionta Award for Clinical Excellence

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Jeff Hay is a seasoned healthcare professional currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Highbar.  With over 30 years of experience in the physical therapy industry, Jeff is known for his expertise in building teams, cultivating relationships and focusing on the delivery of exceptional patient care.

Throughout his career, Jeff has held senior management positions where he has consistently improved operational efficiency and enhanced employee and patient experiences. He is a collaborative leader who fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers his teams to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas.

Jeff holds a Master’s degree from Illinois State University in Health & Physical Education, specializing in Athletic Training.  He and his wife, Pam enjoy reading, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with their three children; Samantha, Kevin and Audrey.

Dr. David Pavao PT, DPT, Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy serves as Highbar's Clinical Officer. Dr. Pavao specializes in manual therapy, acute and chronic spine pain, headaches, sports injuries, TMJ, and vertigo. In his role as Clinical Officer, Dave oversees the professional development of clinical staff, which includes the Highbar Student Curriculum, the Mentoring for Highbar onboarding program, and the Highbar Orthopedic Residency, as well as in-house continuing education to ensure our clinical team and patients have an exceptional experience at Highbar.

He is currently an adjunct professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at his alma mater, where he earned the Academic Excellence Award as a student and the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2013. Dave also serves on the Legislative Committee of the Rhode Island American Physical Therapy Association.

When Dave isn’t treating patients or ensuring that all clinical staff at Highbar are staying up to date on current clinical standards, he loves spending time with his wife Michelle and his two children, Aiden and Grace. He likes to stay active by playing soccer and tennis and coaching Aidan's soccer team.

Undergraduate Degree and Physical Therapy Degree:

University of Rhode Island – B.S. Exercise Science

University of Rhode Island – Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2009

Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions - Orthopedic Residency, 2012

Certifications:

Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Professional Affiliations:

American Physical Therapy Association

American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy

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Dr. Yvonne Swanson PT, DPT, Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, serves as Highbar's Compliance Officer. She specializes in orthopedics, sports injuries, back and neck pain, manual therapy, headaches, TMJ, foot and ankle biomechanics, and trigger point dry needling.

Yvonne serves as a clinical instructor to physical therapy students and is an advisor and educator to local athletes and coaches. She has presented on professionalism for the University of Rhode Island doctoral program and has been a guest lecturer for the RI National Guard Retiree Association. Dr. Swanson serves as the Chair of the Payment Committee for the RI Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and also serves as a member of APTA's National Private Practice Sections Policy and Payment Committee.

When Yvonne isn't treating patients or troubleshooting clinical and compliance challenges, she enjoys spending time with her three boys, gardening, jogging, snowboarding, and basically anything outdoors!

Undergraduate Degree and Physical Therapy Degree:

University of Rhode Island – B.S. Human Science and Services, Minor in Psychology, 1994

University of Rhode Island – Master of Science for Physical Therapy, 1999

Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions – Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2016

Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions – Executive Program in Private Practice Management

Certifications:

Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Professional Affiliations:

American Physical Therapy Association

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Dr. Lisa DeCoste PT, DPT, Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, serves as the Vice President, Operations, at Highbar. She specializes in women’s health, dry needling, orthopedics, spinal rehabilitation, manual therapy, and TMJ.

Lisa traveled to Croatia with the USA Women’s Sailing team as the team's physical therapist in 2004. She has published in the New England Senior Tennis Foundation magazine. She has received the Humanics Award for leadership from Springfield College and was named one of Providence Business News’ 40 Under Forty Award winners in 2016.

As a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Lisa has served the Rhode Island chapter as the secretary and currently serves on the Nominating Committee. Her knowledge and experience bring a wealth of information as a clinical instructor for students.

When she’s not working, she loves to spend her free time on her boat with her daughter, traveling all over the Narragansett Bay.

Specialties:

Women’s Health

Dry Needling

Orthopedics

Spinal rehabilitation

Manual Therapy

TMJ

Undergraduate Degree and Physical Therapy Degree:

Springfield College – M.S. Physical Therapy, 2001

The Sage Colleges – Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2007

Certifications:

Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, 2007

Professional Affiliations:

American Physical Therapy Association

Rhode Island American Physical Therapy Association

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Dr. Brian Hay PT, DPT, MS, Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy is a Regional Director at Highbar, and specializes in manual therapy, dry needling, running and gait analysis, sports rehabilitation, youth athlete injury prevention, orthopedics, injury prevention/rehabilitation in runners, and biomechanical analysis.

An avid runner himself, Brian developed the Highbar Running Academy to help fellow therapists learn to best treat the needs of the running athlete. He is also a Certified Executive Coach and uses his experience to help develop emerging leaders at Highbar through the Lead the Way program and as a Clinical Instructor for Brown University medical students. He's also traveled to Honduras to provide physical therapy services to communities in rural Honduras with the Brown University Branch of Shoulder-to-Shoulder, Inc., an organization that works collaboratively to create and operate sustainable and accessible health, nutrition, and education services in that region.

In his free time, Brian loves spending time with his wife and two boys. He likes to keep active by running long distance, playing golf, hiking, and traveling.

Undergraduate Degree and Physical Therapy Degree:

University of New England – B.S. in Physical Therapy, 2004

Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health – Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2009

Certifications:

Board‑Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Dry Needling

Executive Coach – International Coaching Federation

Professional Affiliations:

American Physical Therapy Association

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Dr. Kara Chace PT, DPT is a Regional Director at Highbar and specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, women’s health, concussions, dry needling, and balance and falls. She loves meeting new people and helping them to reach their goals, whether that be to get back to work or enjoy life pain-free. Throughout her career, she has gained certifications in functional dry needling and hippotherapy, which is the use of horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, especially as a means of improving coordination, balance, and strength.

She has previously volunteered at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding and is actively involved in community programs that support our youth including K-Rob and the RI Special Olympics.  Dr. Chace also volunteers as a project advisor at Barrington High School and North Smithfield High School.

When she’s not in the clinic, Kara likes to spend time with her family and go to sporting and concert events. She keeps active by hiking, skiing, swimming, playing soccer, and biking.
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Certifications:

Dry Needling
Hippotherapy

Undergraduate Degree and Physical Therapy Degree:
University of New England – Athletic Training, 2003
University of Rhode Island, - Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2009

Professional Affiliations:

American Physical Therapy Association

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