Find your therapist

Dr. Nicole Sweet 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.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Balance & Falls

Pregnancy-Related Pain and Dysfunction

Dr. Milad Kinsey, PT, DPT (he/him) is a physical therapist at Highbar Physical Therapy’s Woonsocket clinic, specializing in orthopedics, sports injuries, and spine care. He holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from MCPHS (2023) and a Bachelor of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2020).

Dr. Kinsey is certified in Dry Needling Level 1 and is a member of the APTA. He is passionate about helping patients regain optimal function, whether returning to sports or daily activities without pain.

Currently learning Farsi, Dr. Kinsey enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an avid sports fan, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and Tottenham Hotspur.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

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Dr. Erin Sayles is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, neuro, balance & falls, aquatics, and pediatrics. Her passion is helping her patients participate in activities they were previously limited from doing due to a complicating condition, injury, or pain. She holds several positions in the Rhode Island chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association including Chair of the New Professionals Special Interest Group, Nominating Committee Member, and Legislative Committee Member.

In her free time, Erin keeps up with the Patriots and Bruins. She stays active by participating in yoga, soccer, and dance.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Neuro

Balance & Falls

Aquatics

Pediatrics

Dr. Hargun Khanna, PT, DPT is a skilled physical therapist at Highbar’s Pawtucket clinic, specializing in orthopedics and treating balance issues, as well as injuries to the low back, knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UMass Amherst in 2018 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2023. Dr. Khanna is a member of the Massachusetts APTA and was honored with the Mary Mankin Clinical Scholar Award in 2023. Her research includes co-authoring a comprehensive meta-analysis on cardiac rehabilitation in people with heart failure.

Dr. Khanna speaks Hindi and Punjabi. Outside of work, she enjoys singing karaoke, making pottery, and taking her dog to the beach.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Headaches

Vestibular

Spine

Balance

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Kevin Silvia is a Physical Therapist Assistant at our Pawtucket clinic who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, athletes, children, and adolescents. He is a clinical instructor for high school Physical Therapist Assistant students and the Community College of Rhode Island’s Physical Therapist Assistant program.

He co-founded and was previously director of the Highbar Speed School, which is a comprehensive sports training and conditioning program for athletes. He served on the volunteer committee for the 1st Annual Performance 5K Road Race. Previously, Kevin founded and directed a state-wide fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, through which he helped raise $23,000 over five years.

Kevin spends his time away from the clinic biking, hiking, shooting, and spending time outside. He also loves strength training, cross-training, and mixed martial arts.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Athletes

Children

Adolescents

Dr. Jack Dixon is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, and balance & falls. His passion is to help his patients improve their quality of life. He is the happiest when he can discharge a patient to live an independent, pain-free lifestyle.

When Jack is not in the clinic, he loves to stay active by hiking and weight training. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, his favorite sports teams are the Baltimore Ravens and Boston Celtics. He also has a passion for cooking, so he is always looking for a fun recipe to try!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Balance & Falls

Dr. Erin Gardiner is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, headaches, balance & falls, and skiing. She loves working as a physical therapist because each day is different and presents a new opportunity to make a big impact on so many patients’ lives.

She can be found either by water or in the snow as she was a ski and snowboard instructor for over 10 years and enjoys boating with her family. Erin loves to spend time with her dog Sperry, and her husband, Brad.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Balance & Falls

Skiing

Dr. Jon Ferrara is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, and soccer-related injuries and conditions. He is passionate about helping his patients improve their quality of life and return to the activities they love to do. As a former collegiate soccer player, Jon certainly understands the importance of an active recovery. He has also earned certifications in functional dry needling and the Graston technique.

In his free time, you can typically find Jon spending time with his wife and their two children. He loves staying active by playing sports like snowboarding and disc golf.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Soccer

Dr. Zebulon Shalginewicz is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, and balance & falls. He is passionate about using exercise as medicine to help his patients reach their goals, whether that be decreasing pain, increasing strength, or improving mobility.

In his free time, Zebulon enjoys walking his dog, exercising, and cheering on the Celtics and Tottenham Hotspur. He keeps active by running, playing soccer or ultimate frisbee, and going to the gym.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Balance & Falls

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Meet Nutan Yadav, a highly skilled Physical therapist with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy earned in 2010 and a Master of Physiotherapy obtained in 2013, both from Santosh Medical College in India.

Nutan finds immense fulfillment in her role as a Physical therapist, cherishing the autonomy it provides her as a clinician. The ability to witness the positive impact she can make in her patients' lives by working with them consistently is what motivates her each day.

Fluent in both English and Hindi, Nutan ensures effective communication and connection with her diverse range of patients.

Outside of her professional life, Nutan is a dedicated mother of two children. Her favorite sport is cricket, reflecting her enthusiasm for the game. In her leisure time, she enjoys the pleasures of cooking and the excitement of travel, embodying a well-rounded and passionate approach to both her personal and professional pursuits.

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Clinic Director Dr. Jordan Madigan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, and headaches. He is passionate about showing patients their true potential, whether it is recovering from an injury or illness or through technique/performance adjustments. Growing up in a small rural town, Jordan was involved in every sport and activity he could find, mostly basketball and Australian Rules Football. After attending physical therapy for multiple minor sports injuries, Jordan began to develop a good relationship with the physical therapists who treated him. His physical therapists showed such a passion for patient care. Over time, they inspired him to pursue an education in physiotherapy, shaping him into the physical therapist he is today.

Originally from Australia, Jordan loves to stay active by playing Australian Rules Football for Boston, taking his rescue dog hiking, and playing pickup basketball with his friends. He also loves visiting breweries in Rhode Island and playing golf.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Shoulders

Lynn Johnson is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, running injuries and conditions, and injuries of the knee, hip, ankle, and foot. She’s passionate about helping her patients achieve their goals and getting athletes back to playing their sport. Lynn values the relationships she’s built with patients over the 20+ years she’s been working as a physical therapist.

A seasoned runner, Lynn has been inducted into the Holy Cross Hall of Fame for her athletic and academic accomplishments. She’s run over 20 marathons including the Boston Marathon multiple times. When she’s not running with the Wampanoag Running Club or training for her next marathon, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time outdoors. She resides in North Attleboro, MA with her husband Steve, daughter Sarah, and a black lab named Nauset.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Running

Knee

Hip

Ankle & Foot

Dr. Patrick Motel is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, the spine, sports-related injuries, headaches, and balance & falls. He is passionate about educating patients on the importance of movement and exercise and how it relates to their overall health. Patrick values his time with patients as he can empower them to care for themselves and problem-solve so they can continue to progress even after they finish physical therapy. He’s earned numerous certifications including dry needling, blood flow restriction training, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Titleist Performance Level 1.

In his free time, Patrick enjoys hiking the 48 (4,000 ft) mountains in New Hampshire and kayaking in both rivers and oceans. Always accompanied by his dog, Quinn, he loves talking about philosophy and Lord of the Rings, but always wants to learn the latest bit of trivia knowledge.  He’s always on the lookout for a new place for good pizza and tacos, so let him know what your favorite spot is!

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Balance & Falls

Dr. Christine Pawlina is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics and pediatrics. Her passion is helping her patients regain their quality of life. She always looks forward to the moment during every patient’s treatment where they first realize that they can take part in their favorite activities without pain or limitation.

In her free time, Christine enjoys reading and has accumulated an ever-growing pile of books to read next. She keeps active through playing indoor and beach volleyball as well as playing in a bowling league.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Pediatrics

Dr. Rachel DeBlois is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, vestibular, and balance & falls. She is passionate about taking someone from a painful or limited place to being able to live a healthy, unlimited, and pain-free life.

While she’s not treating patients in the clinic, Rachel loves to dance, cook, and bake. She has recently started cycling and is working towards her goal of riding 100 miles with the NE Parkinson’s Ride. She is also a New England/Boston sports fan!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Vestibular

Balance & Falls

John Cacciapuoti is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in sports-related injuries and orthopedics. He is passionate about helping others overcome their injuries and reach their goals. John has also earned a certification as a Personal Trainer from the National Academy for Sports Medicine and is planning on returning to school to become a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.

In his free time, he enjoys staying active. Whenever there is a Boston sports game on, you can usually find John cheering on the team at home or in the crowd!

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Specialties:

Sports Injuries

Orthopedics

Dr. Brittany Polk PT, DPT is a passionate physical therapist based at the Pawtucket clinic, specializing in orthopedics, sports injuries, headaches, vestibular rehabilitation, and neuro/concussion care. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2020 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2023. Dr. Polk is LSVT BIG certified and has a special interest in working with neurological populations, with an eventual goal of earning her Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) certification. She is an active member of the APTA.

Inspired by her own experiences with collegiate softball injuries, Dr. Polk discovered her passion for physical therapy and now finds great fulfillment in helping her patients recover and enhance their quality of life. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, snowboarding, and cheering for the Boston Bruins.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Headaches

Sports Injuries

Vestibular

Spine

Pediatrics

Neuro

Balance

Concussion

Dr. Taylor LeBrun is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics, sports injuries, overhead athletes, upper extremity conditions, spine issues, and pediatric care. Her mission is to enhance her patients' quality of life, whether by helping them return to sports or walk confidently without fear of falling.

Taylor is passionate about empowering individuals to become the best versions of themselves. She takes the time to get to know her patients, tailoring exercise programs to meet their specific goals and lifestyles, with a strong emphasis on orthopedic care. In her free time, Taylor enjoys fishing, lifting weights, and embracing the outdoors. She is a dedicated fan of the Red Sox and was a former college softball player at Simmons University, where she now serves as an adjunct professor in the DPT program.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Overhead Athletes

Upper Extremity

Spine Issues

Pediatric Care

Dr. Molly McCausland is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. After a high school basketball injury required her to seek out physical therapy, she decided she wanted to pursue a career where she could help people and build relationships with patients.

Molly volunteers with START All Sports Adaptive Camp and Humanics in Action.

When she’s not in the clinic, Molly likes to spend time with her friends, especially if it’s outdoors. She also loves New England sports teams, so you can usually find her watching whichever game is on that day!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Meet Juan David Moncayo, a compassionate Physical Therapist whose drive stems from his upbringing in a community lacking access to physical therapy. Juan David earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Kinesiology from The Master's University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Arcadia University.

With a desire to assist others, Juan David challenges the belief in lifelong setbacks caused by injuries, considering it a privilege to aid individuals in discovering their potential anew. Fluent in Spanish, he establishes profound connections with his patients.

Beyond his professional duties, Juan David finds joy in activities such as boxing, martial arts, and motorsports. He also devotes time to learning languages, currently focusing on Japanese. Juan David's empathy and expertise are dedicated to empowering patients and highlighting the resilience of the human body.

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Meet Taylor Simone Bairos, a dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant specializing in Pregnancy/OB and Pelvic Health. Graduating with her degree from the New England Institute of Technology in 2020, Taylor has furthered her expertise with certifications including Herman and Wallace Level 1 and the Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification. Affiliated with RIAPTA, she is passionate about helping individuals restore their movement and alleviate pain. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys outdoor activities with her family, such as hiking and kayaking, and is committed to pelvic rehabilitation, inspired by her own journey to overcome postpartum challenges.

Specialties:

Pregnancy / OB

Pelvic Health

Erin Botelho MSPT, OCS, is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and physical therapist who specializes in orthopedics, women’s health, shoulder injuries, and knee injuries. Her passion is learning about each patient and their experiences, fears, and successes in order to help them reach their goals. She believes that treating the injury may help the pain but treating the person will allow them to get back to their lives and the activities they love.

When she’s not treating patients or shuttling her children from dance rehearsals and sports practices, she loves spending time in the quiet outdoors and eating good food. She and her family love to escape their busy schedules by visiting Cape Cod and soaking up the salty air to re-energize. She has also begun testing out her green thumb and welcomes any gardening tips from her patients!

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Specialties:‍

Orthopedics

Women’s Health

Shoulder Injuries

Knee Injuries

Dedicated and compassionate, Brittany Pereira excels in the role of a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). With a profound love for the job, she finds immense reward in connecting with patients during their most challenging moments and guiding them towards their best selves. Possessing a unique ability to be a pillar of support when patients need it the most, Brittany takes pride in witnessing the resilience and dedication of individuals in their journey to recovery. For her, being a PTA is not just a job – it's a calling. Brittany not only assists patients through their rehabilitation but also empowers them with the knowledge to independently manage their symptoms. In every interaction, Brittany strives to contribute to the well-being of others and make a positive impact on their lives.

She is an an avid New England Patriots and Boston Bruins fan.

Ian Manning is a Physical Therapist at our North Kingstown clinic who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, and golf injuries. He’s passionate about helping patients recover from pain or injury so they can return to the activities they love.

In his free time, Ian enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He also loves staying active by playing golf.

Dr. Brian Hay PT, DPT, MS, OCS is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who 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. He also serves as a Regional Director.

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.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Manual Therapy

Dry Needling

Running and Gait Analysis

Sports Rehabilitation

Youth Athlete Injury Prevention

Running

Biomedical Analysis

Dr. Erica Manchester is a Clinic Director, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, soccer, and female athletes. She loves to empower her patients to participate in their own recovery and working as a team to help her patients achieve their goals. While in school, she shadowed in clinics and rehabilitation facilities in Italy and volunteered in weekly balance group exercise classes.

In her free time, Erica loves to bake, play the flute, go to vineyards, and try new restaurants. As a big fan of the US Women’s National Soccer Team and former team member of the Salve Regina University Women’s Soccer Team, she keeps active by running and playing co-ed soccer. She also coaches female athletes in the Narragansett Youth Soccer Association.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Soccer

Female Athletes

Dr. Dan Folrendo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. He loves being a Physical Therapist because he gets to help people feel and move better and enable them to do everything they love!

He received his BA in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies from Assumption College. He received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

While he's not in the clinic, he loves to stay active by hiking, weightlifting, watching movies, and playing with his German Shepard, Maya.

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Meet Anjelia Altebrando, a dedicated physical therapist at Highbar specializing in orthopedics and spine care. She holds a Bachelors of Science and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Springfield College, earned in 2022 and 2024 respectively. Anjelia is certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling through Highbar since 2023 and is affiliated with RIAPTA. Passionate about helping patients reclaim their active lifestyles, she finds fulfillment in facilitating their return to favorite activities. Anjelia has shared her expertise through speaking engagements, including a panel on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education at the 2022 APTA Fall conference. Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys coaching lacrosse, supporting the NY Yankees and Giants, watching Friends, and exploring new restaurants.

Dr. Jay Knoerlein earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 2023. He specializes in orthopedics, sports injuries, and spine care. Dr. Knoerlein is passionate about empowering patients to use their own bodies to improve function and enhance their quality of life. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Knoerlein is an avid sports enthusiast. Having grown up playing competitive soccer and basketball, he remains a dedicated fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Boston Celtics.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Spine

Michael Jung, PT, DPT is a physical therapist specializing in orthopedics, sports injuries, and spine care. Michael holds a Master’s in Photography from Marlboro College and a DPT from MGH Institute of Health Professions. Michael is passionate about empowering patients to gain self-efficiency in rehabilitation, as well as support management of injuries/dysfunctions. Michael is currently leading a systematic review and meta-analysis as the first author, with plans for publication, and recently presented findings from this research at APTA’s CSM 2024. Outside of work, Michael enjoys playing the piano, baking, making espresso drinks, and spending time with his two cats.

Meet Lauren Giampietro, a dedicated physical therapist who has successfully completed her Doctorate at Sacred Heart University. As an active member of the Rhode Island American Physical Therapy Association (RI APTA), Lauren is committed to ongoing professional growth and collaboration.

In her role, Lauren takes pride in helping individuals reclaim activities they love by tailoring treatment plans to their unique goals. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys hiking and the outdoors, finding inspiration in the therapeutic benefits of nature.

Lauren is an enthusiastic fan of the Boston Bruins, reflecting her passion for sports and community connections. With a holistic approach to physical therapy, Lauren Giampietro combines academic achievement, professional engagement, and a love for the outdoors, contributing to her commitment to helping others lead active and fulfilling lives.

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Mary-Anne Sousa is the Clinic Director and a Physical Therapy Assistant at our Westerly clinic. Mary-Anne's specialties include orthopedics, sports injuries, balance and falls, aquatics, and vestibular.

Outside of work, Mary-Anne enjoys soccer, golfing, surfing, snowboarding, rollerblading, hiking, country line dancing, and spending time with her two fur babies.

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Lauren Neville is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, headaches, vestibular, balance & falls, dance, and concussions. She loves watching the progress and success of her patients from their initial evaluation to their last appointment. Her experience growing up as an athlete resulted in her being a patient many times, so she has a deep understanding of how injuries can impact the life of an athlete.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys running local road races, watching the Red Sox and Patriots, traveling, and attending concerts.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Vestibular

Balance & Falls

Dance

Concussions

Dr. Bobby Dattilo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, headaches, and lacrosse. He enjoys supporting his patients throughout the rehabilitation process and takes pride in helping them reach their goals. Additionally, Bobby is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and serves as the Orthopedic Residency Director for the Highbar Orthopedic Residency.

As a Division I All-American in Lacrosse player for the Hobart Statesmen, Bobby went on to play four years of professional lacrosse with the Rochester Rattlers and Ohio Machine. He currently provides strength and conditioning training for local RI high schools and hosts individual and group face-off clinics for youth and high school lacrosse players.

In his spare time, he plays lacrosse and fantasy football. He also likes to try out new restaurants and bars and is always looking for a great recommendation!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Lacrosse

Dr. Jeremy Kuznitz is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. His passion is to provide his patients with the tools to help them take their power back, heal their bodies, and improve their function. He believes that there is nothing more rewarding than watching his patient achieve a goal that they never imagined possible.

In his free time, Jeremy enjoys watching sports and cheering on the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots. He also loves hiking, reading, and traveling.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Dr. Margaret Taylor is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. She’s passionate about getting to know each of her patients and their needs so she can guide them through a treatment plan. The best part about being a physical therapist for Margaret is watching her patients gain confidence as they return to the activities they love.

In her free time, Margaret enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, and hiking with her family and their dogs. She keeps active by playing in various recreational soccer teams for the last 25 years. You can usually find her riding her bicycle or walking to wherever she needs to go!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Clinic Director Dr. Michelle Fuleky PT, DPT, OCS is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, pelvic health, and women’s health. She enjoys treating each patient as a whole to assess how their body moves and how they can achieve their health and wellness goals in their entirety.

She has authored and presented on several topics including ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation for hip pathologies. She has also contributed to the physical therapy protocol for conservative treatment of femoral acetabular impingement and developed a test to determine if an athlete is ready to return to sports after knee surgery.

Michelle resides in East Greenwich with her husband, Norm, and their dog, Cole. When she’s not in the clinic, you can usually find her hiking, spending time with her friends and family, and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes. She also loves to travel and see different parts of the country and the world.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Pelvic Health

Women’s Health

Dr. Dylan Forrester is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics and sports-related injuries. His passion is making meaningful improvements in the lives of his patients through education, hands-on adjustments, and exercise. He loves being a part of a patient’s journey to get back to what they enjoy doing and watching the progress they make along the way.

In his free time, Dylan enjoys being outside, whether that be hiking or going to the beach. As an avid New England sports fan, you can typically find him cheering on his favorite teams, the Celtics and Patriots. He is kept busy at home with his dog named Honey and two tuxedo cats named Sylvester and Brooke.

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Specialties:‍

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Nicholas DiNobile is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, headaches, neuro, vestibular, and balance & falls. His interest in how the human body functions and recovers led him to also complete the Massage Therapist program at the Community College of Rhode Island.

When he’s not in the clinic, he loves cooking, nature, and spending time with his friends and family.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Neuro

Vestibular

Balance & Falls

Hannah Martin is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) at Highbar Physical Therapy’s East Providence clinic. She earned her Associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistance from Central Penn College in 2019 and specializes in supporting pelvic health and pregnancy. Hannah is a member of the Rhode Island American Physical Therapy Association (RIAPTA).

Hannah is passionate about helping patients improve their daily lives. She finds learning about the body and its changes through injury and recovery fascinating, and she particularly enjoys supporting women in need of pelvic floor therapy and athletes eager to return to their sport. Outside of work, Hannah is a self-described foodie who loves cooking, trying new restaurants, and weightlifting. She has been happily married for four years and shares her home with her husband and their two cats. When not in the kitchen or the gym, Hannah can often be found running or reading.

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Specialties:

Pregnancy/OB

Pelvic Health

Dr. David Pavao is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in manual therapy, acute and chronic spine pain, headaches, sports injuries, TMJ, and vertigo. He is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and serves as Highbar's Chief Clinical Officer. 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 2 children, Aiden and Grace. He likes to stay active by playing soccer and tennis and coaching Aidan's soccer team.

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Specialties:

Manual Therapy

Spine

Headaches

Sports Injuries

TMJ

Vertigo

"I enjoy helping people return to their prior level of function."

When Bob is not in the clinic he enjoys golfing, fishing, and watching football on Sundays.

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Dr. Emily Hutcheson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, dance, and aquatics. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their goals and to watch them improve from their initial evaluation to their discharge.

When she’s not in the clinic, Emily loves traveling with her husband in their trailer and going kayaking. She also enjoys spending time at home with their two cats and two dogs.

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Specialities:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Dance

Aquatics

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.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Dr. Mara Hochman is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics as well as spinal and shoulder-related injuries or conditions. She is passionate about helping her patients get back to the activities they love to do while instilling a love of exercise along the way. She completed the Memorial Hermann Orthopedic Residency, where she was also a faculty member, and has earned certification in trigger point dry needling. Mara now serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Highbar Orthopedic Residency program.

In her free time, Mara enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her husband, son, and dog. She has lived all over the country, from growing up in California to living in Texas, and now in Rhode Island.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Shoulder

Dr. Heather Fontaine is a physical therapist who graduated from Springfield College in 2024. She grew up in Brimfield, MA where she first found her passion for physical therapy attending many appointments in the hospital, outpatient, and home care settings with her mom, Paula. She is dedicated to helping patients return to their prior level of function and beyond, while giving them the tools to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle. When she is not in the clinic, you will probably see Heather running around Aquidneck Island preparing for road races anywhere from 5Ks to the marathon.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Running Injuries

Katelyn Dalmazzi is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in Aquatic Therapy. Since she grew up playing sports, she sustained a few sports-related injuries that allowed her to see firsthand what physical therapy was about. This experience shaped her as she decided she wanted to help others in the same way she was helped by her physical therapy team.

In her free time, she keeps active by hiking with her mini Australian Shepherd, Benny, and playing soccer and volleyball. She also loves to volunteer with the Special Olympics and work with children with disabilities on the weekends.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Aquatic Therapy

Dr. Jake Broccolo is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics, post-surgical care, and sports-related injuries. He also serves as the Clinic Director for our North Providence clinic. A native Rhode Islander, he was introduced to the field of physical therapy when he injured his arm playing baseball. From athlete to patient then physical therapist, Jake offers expertise in baseball and football injuries. In addition, he enjoys working with the elderly, on mobility, balance, and minimizing the risk of falls.

In his spare time, Jake stays active by going to the gym, riding his bike, and playing golf. A baseball player and RedSox fan, he was at the famous ‘RedSox vs Yankees Brawl’ game. Ask him who his favorite family member is and he'll tell you it's his 7-year-old black lab, Zoe.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Post-surgical

Sports-related injuries

Balance and fall prevention