Richmond, RI
Highbar - Richmond is located on Stilson Road near the Richmond Country Club, Wood River Golf Course, and the Preserve in Richmond, Rhode Island. This clinic features a large open gym and a private treatment room. We have Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists and offer specialties in hand splinting, pelvic health physical therapy, pregnancy and postpartum, and trigger point dry needling. Our clinicians are ready to help patients reduce their movement pain and limitations. With the sound of laughter always ringing through the air, our warm and welcoming staff members will make your treatment process as enjoyable as possible.
This clinic offers physical therapy treatment for many conditions and movement issues, plus offers the following specialties
Pediatrics
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (Women)
Pregnancy & Postpartum Treatment
Orthopedics
Our Values
What is The Highbar Experience?
When you visit a Highbar clinic, you’re taking the next step in reaching your health, wellness, and fitness goals. Our proactive and personalized approach to physical therapy is designed so you can get the same high quality care, no matter what Highbar practice you visit. We continue to raise the standard for physical therapy care by creating innovative, customized treatment plans using state-of-the-art technology and equipment so all of our patients can feel confident in their recovery. Highbar believes that life is to be lived at the fullest, so it’s our goal to ensure that every patient can move freely without pain or limitation.
Meet the Team
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Dr. Leanne Monteiro PT, DPT, OCS has been the Clinic Director in Richmond since 2018. She is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, post-surgical rehabilitation, and women’s pelvic health. She became a physical therapist because she wanted to help people return to their favorite activities, whether that be competitive sports, recreational activities, or getting back to work. She is fluent in Portuguese and has earned certifications in trigger point dry needling, pelvic health physical therapy, and the Graston Technique. In her free time, you can catch Leanne cooking, going for walks with her dog, and spending time with her family and friends.
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Kyle Washburn is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in orthopedics. He is passionate about helping his patients take control of their health and wellness so they can participate in the activities they love.
In his free time, Kyle likes going to the beach, surfing, and working out. If there’s a New England Patriots game on, you can usually find him watching it.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
Kyle Washburn is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in orthopedics. He is passionate about helping his patients take control of their health and wellness so they can participate in the activities they love.
In his free time, Kyle likes going to the beach, surfing, and working out. If there’s a New England Patriots game on, you can usually find him watching it.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
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Dr. Kathleen Rafanelli is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. She loves being a clinician because it allows her to promote and encourage her patients to live a healthier lifestyle so they can experience the positive effects of exercise on their mental, physical, and social health. She also enjoys helping her patients regain function in their daily activities by reducing their pain and increasing their range of motion.
She loves traveling and has been to many places around the world, including Vellore India where she worked with physical therapists at the Christian Medical College to learn about cultural norms and observe similarities and differences across the profession. Her first clinical rotation was at the VA in Providence and a unique, 5-month clinical rotation at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. While working on the base, she practiced in an environment where she was able to rehabilitate active duty military members as they train at their duty stations and prepare for their deployment.
While she’s not in the clinic, she loves to stay active by hiking, playing pickup basketball with friends, and going to the gym. She loves spending time with her dog, Nelli, and watching the Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
Dr. Kathleen Rafanelli is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. She loves being a clinician because it allows her to promote and encourage her patients to live a healthier lifestyle so they can experience the positive effects of exercise on their mental, physical, and social health. She also enjoys helping her patients regain function in their daily activities by reducing their pain and increasing their range of motion.
She loves traveling and has been to many places around the world, including Vellore India where she worked with physical therapists at the Christian Medical College to learn about cultural norms and observe similarities and differences across the profession. Her first clinical rotation was at the VA in Providence and a unique, 5-month clinical rotation at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. While working on the base, she practiced in an environment where she was able to rehabilitate active duty military members as they train at their duty stations and prepare for their deployment.
While she’s not in the clinic, she loves to stay active by hiking, playing pickup basketball with friends, and going to the gym. She loves spending time with her dog, Nelli, and watching the Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
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Dr. Kayleigh Melroy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, and dance. When she was younger, she sustained a dance-related injury and was able to return to dance after her physical therapy treatment. She loves helping people get back to their hobbies and sports and motivating them to pursue an active lifestyle. She currently serves as a Faculty Member for the Highbar Orthopedic Residency.
Kayleigh is the company physical therapist for Newport’s professional contemporary ballet company, the Island Moving Company. When she’s not helping her patients return to what they love to do, she enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and taking walks with their dog, Tucker.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
Spine
Dance
Dr. Kayleigh Melroy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, and dance. When she was younger, she sustained a dance-related injury and was able to return to dance after her physical therapy treatment. She loves helping people get back to their hobbies and sports and motivating them to pursue an active lifestyle. She currently serves as a Faculty Member for the Highbar Orthopedic Residency.
Kayleigh is the company physical therapist for Newport’s professional contemporary ballet company, the Island Moving Company. When she’s not helping her patients return to what they love to do, she enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and taking walks with their dog, Tucker.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
Spine
Dance
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Dr. Nicole Coogan is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, spine, balance & falls, and pregnancy-related pain and dysfunction. She also has expertise in treating geriatrics and Parkinson’s Disease. Her passion for physical therapy is fueled by building relationships with patients while helping them achieve their goals.
After getting her DPT, Nicole traveled for two years, working as a physical therapist in a wide variety of settings. During that time, she also earned a certification in functional dry needling.
Nicole likes to stay active by hiking, kayaking, yoga, and going on outdoor adventures. She also loves spending time with family and friends, trying new foods and wines, and relaxing at the beach.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
Spine
Balance & Falls
Pregnancy-Related Pain and Dysfunction
Dr. Nicole Coogan is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, spine, balance & falls, and pregnancy-related pain and dysfunction. She also has expertise in treating geriatrics and Parkinson’s Disease. Her passion for physical therapy is fueled by building relationships with patients while helping them achieve their goals.
After getting her DPT, Nicole traveled for two years, working as a physical therapist in a wide variety of settings. During that time, she also earned a certification in functional dry needling.
Nicole likes to stay active by hiking, kayaking, yoga, and going on outdoor adventures. She also loves spending time with family and friends, trying new foods and wines, and relaxing at the beach.
Specialties:
Orthopedics
Spine
Balance & Falls
Pregnancy-Related Pain and Dysfunction
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Dr. Kelly Matisi is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, pelvic health, and sports. She loves being a clinician because it allows her to connect with her patients and help them get back to doing what they love. She also enjoys helping her patients return to sport.
Dr. Matisi spent almost ten years in the United StatesMarine Corps with three combat tours. She received her Bachelor of Science inExercise Science from Texas Woman’s University and her Doctorate pf PhysicalTherapy from Northwestern University (Chicago). She has her Level 1certification in dry needling and will be getting her Level 1 Pelvic Health Certification this coming September.
While she’s not in the clinic, she loves playing and watching sports (especially the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars),reading, and watching crime shows.
Dr. Kelly Matisi is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, pelvic health, and sports. She loves being a clinician because it allows her to connect with her patients and help them get back to doing what they love. She also enjoys helping her patients return to sport.
Dr. Matisi spent almost ten years in the United StatesMarine Corps with three combat tours. She received her Bachelor of Science inExercise Science from Texas Woman’s University and her Doctorate pf PhysicalTherapy from Northwestern University (Chicago). She has her Level 1certification in dry needling and will be getting her Level 1 Pelvic Health Certification this coming September.
While she’s not in the clinic, she loves playing and watching sports (especially the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars),reading, and watching crime shows.

health & came back stronger.