Find your physical therapist

Dr. Mariah Ramsay is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist specializing in orthopedics. She loves working as a physical therapist because she can work with a diverse population of patients and help them to live their best, active lives. She feels honored to be a part of the process that allows patients to return to their favorite activities.

With her background in gymnastics, cheerleading, and softball, Mariah likes to stay active. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, hiking, and doing yoga. She also loves camping, watching hockey and football, and spending time with her family.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Dr. Matthew Salvatore is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports injuries, and balance & falls. He is passionate about helping his patients get back to the activities that are important to them and finds it deeply rewarding to watch them become more physically and mentally resilient throughout their treatment.

In his free time, Matthew likes to stay active by hiking, walking, basketball, and golf. As a fan of the Celtics and Patriots, you can usually catch him watching the games with some good food and his friends and family.

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Specialties:‍

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Balance & Falls

Dr. Brian Elliano is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics. His experience with playing rugby for much of his life piqued his interest in injury prevention and rehabilitation. He loves watching his patients progress and ultimately return to their favorite activities.

In his free time, Brian enjoys weight lifting, biking, and watching his favorite sports teams: the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics. He also loves exploring new restaurants with his friends and family and is always looking for recommendations!

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Specialities:

Orthopedics

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

Jaime Goss is a physical therapist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, women’s health, headaches, vestibular, balance & falls, dance, neuro, pediatrics, hockey, figure skating, and gymnastics. She has treated patients spanning from 25 weeks gestation in the NICU all the way through age 106! Her passion is to watch her patients transform from being scared, frustrated, or angry to becoming able to participate fully in life again.

In her free time, you can usually find Jaime with her husband, son, and their two tuxedo cats Speedway and Petrie.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Women’s Health

Headaches

Vestibular

Balance & Falls

Dance

Neuro

Pediatrics

Hockey

Figure Skating

Gymnastics

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

Clinic Director Dr. Carolyn Rhoads is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, headaches, and balance & falls. She loves being a physical therapist because she can help patients return to the activities they love. She enjoys working with athletes of all ages and abilities and has worked with the Highbar Speed School, a comprehensive sports training and conditioning program for athletes. Carolyn has also worked with athletes training for the Special Olympics.

She loves to travel, explore new places, and experience new cultures – but only after her morning coffee! Carolyn likes to stay active by skiing and hiking with her husband. In her free time, she likes to work in her vegetable garden, spend time with her friends and family, and root for the Patriots!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Balance & Falls

Dr. Nicole Donahue earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 2023, following her Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology in 2021.

Dr. Donahue is passionate about working with diverse individuals, helping them understand their conditions, and empowering them to manage their recovery. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, and cheering for all Boston sports teams.

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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. Brendan Boyle is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, long-distance running, and track & field. He loves to empower patients to find ways to take control of their pain on their own in addition to helping them in the clinic. He is passionate about helping patients understand how their musculoskeletal system works and putting their injuries in a context they can understand. Brendan is also a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who is a faculty member for Highbar's Orthopedic Residency program.

When he’s not treating patients at the clinic, he spends his time running (often in road races), fishing, playing guitar and the bass, and binge-watching shows on Netflix. He also makes time to watch his favorite sports teams – the Patriots, Celtics or Red Sox – play.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Long Distance Running

Track & Field

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

Yalis Chamberlin is a Physical Therapist Assistant who specializes in general and post-surgical orthopedics, pediatrics, and aquatic therapy. She is passionate about helping her patients return to their favorite activities.

When she’s not at work, she loves to be active outdoors. She enjoys hiking, running, and competing in obstacle races. To refuel from all this activity, she loves Italian food!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Pediatrics

Aquatic Therapy

Karina Crane is a physical therapist assistant who specializes in orthopedics, neuromuscular rehabilitation, sports-related injuries, and aquatic therapy. She is passionate about helping patients maximize their function and increase their quality of life. Karina is also fluent in Cape Verdean Creole, which allows her to connect with many patients that come to the Pawtucket clinic.

She stays active by playing lacrosse and soccer. In her spare time, she loves volunteering at her church, listening to music, and watching the Patriots play.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Aquatics

Dr. Allie Ollerhead is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, and balance & falls. Her passion is helping her patients improve their function, return to their favorite activities, and being a shoulder to lean on when they need it most. She has earned certifications in both Level 1 & Level 2 of trigger point dry needling through Highbar's Dry Needling Certification program.

In her free time, Allie loves to go to the beach, try any new restaurant, and spend time with her family and friends. She keeps active by practicing yoga and walking her dog. As a resident of Massachusetts, Allie is a huge Boston sports fan and you can bet she is always watching when the Patriots play.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Balance & Falls

Alexis Williams is a Physical Therapist Assistant specializing in orthopedics, sports injuries, and balance & falls. She loves working as a Physical Therapist Assistant so she can help people achieve their own personal goals, whether that be getting back to work, playing with their grandchildren, or returning to their favorite physical activities.

Originally from Brooklyn NY, Alexis loves spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband and dog. She has been a runner for 20+ years and has completed 13 half marathons, 1 full marathon, and countless 5K races!

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Specialities:

Orthopedics

Sports injuries

Balance & Falls

Dr. Kathryn Pereira is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, and balance and falls. Her passion is to create meaningful connections with her patients so they can achieve their personal goals. She believes in the importance of empowering her patients to improve their health and mobility through education.

In her free time, Kathryn enjoys baking, trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. She’s also a big Boston sports fan, especially when it comes to the Boston Bruins, and loves to cheer on the US Women’s National Soccer Team.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Balance & Falls

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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Dr. Danielle Parent is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in orthopedics, spine, sports injuries, headaches, vestibular, Parkinson’s Disease, strokes, and balance & falls. She is passionate about working with her patients to achieve their goals and loves watching her patients regain their independence.

In her spare time, you can find her attending New England Revolution soccer games behind the net in the supporter’s section. Her love for the team led her to meet her husband, who is also an avid soccer fan! She is also actively involved with the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association and has participated in their Rock Steady Boxing program and their Annual Race/Walk/Run for PD.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Headaches

Vestibular

Neurological Conditions (Parkinson’s Disease, strokes)

Balance & Falls

Dr. William Hilton is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, the spine, sports-related injuries, and balance & falls. He is passionate about educating his patients on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and exercise to help them recover from pain or injuries.

In his free time, William enjoys hiking, going to the gym, weightlifting, and playing trading card games.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Balance & Falls

Cassondra MacDonald is a passionate Physical Therapist Assistant at the Warwick clinic, specializing in orthopedics, pelvic health, and spine care. She holds Advanced Proficiency in Orthopedic Manual Therapy and is an active member of the PTA. Cassondra loves connecting with her patients, guiding them to small victories like tying their shoes, shampooing their hair, or picking up their children pain-free. It's these moments that make her career deeply rewarding.

In her personal time, Cassondra enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and hiking with her two dogs. She has set a goal to hike every national park in the country.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Pediatrics

Dr. John Goodyear is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. He specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, and strength sports. His goal as a clinician is to empower his patients to realize that each day is an opportunity to make something better, no matter how small the improvement may seem. He enjoys working with patients from different cultural backgrounds which inspired him to pursue studies in Spanish.

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Formally a competitive Powerlifter and Coach of the Men’s Powerlifting Team at Northeastern University, John has held records in the bench press, deadlift, and total. In his professional career, John has contributed to the education and growth of his colleagues by helping design Skillz meetings, a monthly continuing education program. In his second year as a DPT, John pursued a specialty certification in Orthopedics by completing an orthopedic residency. He is now an Adjunct Faculty Member with Highbar and is passionate about helping others reach their fullest potential as clinicians.

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Originally from New Jersey, John enjoys living in New England which allows him to stay close to both mountains and the ocean. He likes to stay active by lifting weights, hiking, snowboarding, and surfing. He also enjoys creative hobbies such as woodworking. In his spare time, he volunteers with AmpSurf, an adaptive surfing organization.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Powerlifting

Strength Sports

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. Ashley Tamke is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, the spine, dance, and balance & falls. She loves being a physical therapist and helping her patients get back to their lives without pain or limitation. Her favorite part about being a clinician is finding creative ways to help reduce pain for her patients.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys running and has run a total of 12 marathons, including the Boston Marathon 4 times. She resides in Cumberland, RI with her husband Matt, her sons Jacob and Thomas, and their dog Sophie.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Balance & Falls

Dance

Meet Dr. Paul Tillyer, a dedicated physical therapist whose education includes a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences from Russell Sage College in 2021, followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2024. Since 2021, he has been an active member of the APTA, passionate about helping patients achieve their health goals through personalized therapy. Dr. Tillyer finds fulfillment in addressing unique movement challenges and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Dr. Tillyer advocates for bicycle commuting and increasing daily physical activity for public health improvement. In his leisure time, he enjoys participating in triathlons, snorkeling, and supporting local markets and eateries.

Mary-Anne is the Clinic Director and a Physical Therapy Assistant at our Westerly clinic. Her 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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Brittney is a dedicated physical therapist assistant who specializes in sports-related injuries, orthopedics and aquatic therapy. She may be a familiar face to many at our Attleboro clinic as she grew up here in town. Brittney cherishes her role as a supportive presence for her patients and finds immense reward in connecting with patients during their most challenging moments and guiding them towards their best selves.

When she’s not in the clinic, Brittney can be found spending time with her husband and two sons, playing golf, going to Patriots games, or planning her next trip to Disney.

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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

Rebecca is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant at the Middletown clinic, with specialties in orthopedics, sports injuries, and pediatrics. She holds a Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Roger Williams University (2019) and earned her PTA degree from Bay State College in 2021. Rebecca is currently pursuing her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification and is a proud member of the Rhode Island APTA.

Rebecca loves being a PTA because it allows her to help people achieve their goals, find joy in movement, and improve their quality of life. Outside of work, she enjoys running, strength training, and reading. A dedicated Dolphins fan, she brings her passion for health and fitness into all aspects of her life.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Pediatrics

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. Jean Paul Aracena Oliver is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, pediatrics, and conditions in the wrist, hand, and elbow. He's passionate about helping his patients regain their ability to move and participate in the activities that bring them joy. Before moving to the United States to get his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree, Jean Paul specialized in a Sports for the Disabled program at the University of Leipzig in Germany. He is also a native Spanish speaker who is excited to help his Spanish-speaking patients recover from their pain and limitations.

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In his free time, Jean Paul loves exploring the outdoors, exercising, or enjoying family time with his daughters and wife. He loves trying new foods, exploring new places, and following his father-in-law's motto of finding a pocket of peace and a tiny adventure each day.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Pediatrics

Wrist

Hand

Elbow

Custom Splinting

Dr. Conor Bray is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, and golf rehabilitation. He loves to help people reach their full potential and watch them regain function to get their lives back. His mission is to build a more active, fun, and rewarding world – one patient at a time!

In his free time, Conor enjoys hiking, biking, playing basketball, and playing golf. He also loves to explore the many options that Providence has to offer, especially when it includes his dog, Stark. As an avid Boston sports fan, if there’s a Patriots or Celtics game on, you’ll always find him watching and cheering on the team.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Golf

Dr. Ryan Aubert is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. He loves being a physical therapist because he enjoys forming relationships with patients and helping them improve their quality of life throughout their recovery. He was inspired to pursue a career in physical therapy by watching his mother, who was a long-time nurse.

When he’s not in the clinic, Ryan loves to watch, play, and coach soccer. He also loves to spend time with his wife and son – especially if they can be outside! He has also lived in 6 states and has participated in service trips to help the underprivileged in India and Jamaica.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Dr. Sarah Arruda is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, spine, sports-related injuries, pelvic health, women’s health, neuro, pediatrics, and balance & falls. She loves helping patients get their lives back and loves her job as a physical therapist so much that she would still work even if she won the lottery!

Sarah loves to stay active by running, hiking, lifting, and golfing. She loves spending time with her husband and two young daughters as well as cheering on the Green Bay Packers, UConn Huskies, and Boston Red Sox!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Spine

Sports Injuries

Neuro

Pediatrics

Balance & Falls

Clinic Director Josh Ambeau is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, running, and football. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve their movement and function goals to become the best versions of themselves.

Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, Josh enjoys brewing his own beer and supporting the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers. He keeps active by running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. Josh resides in Hopkinton, MA with his wife Emily, and their dog Lucy.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Running

Football

Meet Dr. Stephanie Rapp, a dedicated and passionate Physical Therapist with a strong commitment to helping her patients regain confidence and return to the activities they love. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Quinnipiac University.

With a focus on orthopedics, sports injuries, pediatrics, and more, she finds immense joy in empowering her patients, especially children, to thrive in their movement and daily lives.

Outside of her work, Stephanie enjoys skiing, reading, and staying active through beach walks and volleyball. Her deep empathy and expertise drive her to help patients overcome challenges and discover their potential.

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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. 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

Dr. Sydney Fournier is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who specializes in orthopedics. She may be a familiar face to many patients at our Atteboro, MA clinic as she was a student with Performance while in PT school! Sydney is passionate about forming close connections with patients while being able to help them return to the activities they love.

When she’s not treating patients, Sydney likes to travel and spend time outdoors. She likes to keep active by hiking and playing volleyball.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Dr. Lindsey Arcand is a physical therapist at our Seekonk clinic and a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in orthopedics and dance-related injuries. Starting her career at Performance Physical Therapy as an Exercise Specialist in 2015, she continued her education at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and has advanced to her role as a Physical Therapist.  She loves helping her patients reach their maximum potential to live their best lives.

In her spare time, she loves to dance, hike, and spend time with her cat, Troegs. She has been a dancer since age 3 and participated in the Danceworks Boston Company during her time in college.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Dance

Rovena is a highly qualified physical therapist with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Luigj Gurakuqi University in Shkoder, Albania (2011) and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Tirana-School of Medicine, Tirana, Albania (2014). With a deep passion for helping people live healthier lives, Rovena has specialized in treating musculoskeletal disorders and pelvic girdle and spine conditions. In 2014, Rovena completed a certification in Diseases of the Pelvic Girdle and Spine at the 58th National Congress of the Italian Sports Medicine Association, and in 2012, another in Classification and Mechanical Control of Musculoskeletal Disorders at Oppera Madonnina Del Grappa, Albania.

In addition to clinical work, Rovena has been active in sharing their knowledge and skills with the professional community, including presenting on Evaluative Measures for the Upper Limbs at the First Congress of PT in Tirana, Albania in 2012. Fluent in both Albanian and Italian, Rovena enjoys engaging with a diverse patient base and takes pride in positively impacting individuals and their broader communities.

Specialties:

Orthopedics

Headaches

Sports Injuries

Pregnancy / OB

Pelvic Health

Spine

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Jenny Romano-Joseph is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, sports-related injuries, and gymnastics. Her passion is working with an active patient population to ensure they can maintain their fitness and improve performance. She was inspired to become a physical therapist after she was treated for her own sports injuries during her career as a gymnast. In previous roles, Jenny worked as a traveling physical therapist for over 8 years and treated patients of all types throughout the country.

In her free time, she enjoys working out, going to the beach, and spending time with her friends and family.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Sports Injuries

Gymnastics

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.

Aquatics Director, Dr. Amanda Fitzgerald is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics, balance & falls, and aquatics. Her passion for helping patients return to the activities they love inspired her to pursue a career in physical therapy.

In her free time, she enjoys staying active with her family, traveling, and reading. A fun fact about Amanda is that she has run a full or half marathon in every state!

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Balance & Falls

Aquatics

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

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. James Picard is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. He is passionate about helping his patients get back in control of their health.

In his free time, James enjoys hiking, traveling, chess, and watching the Boston Celtics. He also loves to play pickup soccer and support the Barcelona FC team. You can also find him spending time with his two dogs, Leo and Indiana.

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Specialties:

Orthopedics

Highbar's Compliance Officer Dr. Yvonne Swanson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. 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. Yvonne 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 3 boys, gardening, jogging, snowboarding, and basically anything outdoors!

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Specialties:

Manual Therapy

Osteoarthritis

Spine

Foot and Ankle Biomechanics

Sports Injuries

TMJ

Trigger Point Dry Needling

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