Richard Scalise OTR, CHT

Regional Director of Operations, Occupational Therapist

Treating Since

• October 1983

Education

• Master's Degree, Occupational Therapy, Columbia University
• Bachelor's Degree, Special Education, Geneseo State University
• Associate's Degree, Liberal Arts, Nassau Community College

Certifications

• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
• Certified Custom Orthotics for upper extremity

Memberships

• ASHT
• AOTA

Clinical Interest

• Occupational Hand Therapy

Bio

I worked at Camp Anchor for special needs children and adults which introduced me to the field of Occupational Therapy, Active walker, avid gardener and reader

Gavin Silver, PT, DPT, CES

Clinical Director

Treating Since

• August 2009

Education

• Doctoral Degree, Physical Therapy, Graduate Center of New York
• Bachelor's Degree, Binghamton University
• Associates Degree, Pre-Health, Hunter College

Memberships

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Clinical Interests

• Physical Therapy
• Manual Therapy
• Overuse syndromes
• Postural dysfunctions
• Post-operative orthopedic conditions
• Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT)

Bio

Gavin brings a wide range of experience to Professional Physical Therapy. He received his undergraduate degree
from Binghamton University where he received honors in his major while further expanding his knowledge of anatomy with a pre-health
concentration. Gavin later went on to receive his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the Graduate Center of New York.
While in school, Gavin worked as a personal trainer and obtained his current CPT certification.
For his doctoral thesis, Gavin developed a functional milestone scale to monitor patients’ progression after spinal fusion surgery. He
interned at numerous prestigious clinics and had the opportunity to work with diverse populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric
patients as well as professional athletes. He found his niche during his orthopedic experiences and has been
perfecting his craft ever since. Gavin’s treatment focuses on manual therapy including muscle stretching, joint mobilization, as well as myofascial techniques. He
seeks to restore anatomical balance while stressing the importance of fundamental exercises. Gavin is a proud active member of the
American Physical Therapy Association.

Mary Ellen Flaherty, OTR,CHT

Occupational Therapist

Treating Since

• April 1981

Education

• Bachelor's Degree, Occupational Therapy, University at Buffalo

Certifications

• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)

Clinical Interest

• Occupational Hand Therapy

Bio

I spent the majority of my career as an Occupational Therapist at a level 1 Trauma Hospital I developed my skills working on an in patient acute Rehabilitation unit, a burn unit ,bedside medical/surgical services and as an out patient hand therapist. I was the Director of Occupational Therapy at that facility for 20 years. I have been a certified hand therapist since 1991. I have continued my career treating UE/hand patients with professional physical and hand therapy since 2016.

Nicole Bodek, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist 

Treating Since

• November 2020

Education

• Doctoral Degree, Physical Therapy, Touro College
• Bachelor's Degree, Psychology, Queens College

Certifications

• Hip Specialist

Memberships

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Clinical Interest

• Physical Therapy

Bio

Nicole graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and then went on to graduate from Touro College with a
Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She enjoys working with a diverse population of patients ranging in all of ages and diagnoses. Nicole
tries to make Physical Therapy a pleasant and enjoyable experience to help patients improve their overall quality of life and reach their
goals.

Antonio Lombardo, PT, DPT, CPT, USA-W, USA-PL, Pn.1

Physical Therapist

Treating Since

• July 2017

Education

• Doctoral Degree, Physical Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University
• Physical Therapy Assistant, Nassau Community College

Certifications

• Ceritifed Personal Trainer (CPT)
• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

Memberships

• APTA
• HPSO
• NYPTA

Clinical Interest

• Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Therapy
• Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT)
• Kinesiotaping (CKT)
• Weightlifting

Bio

Focusing my career on evidence-based practice and the advancement of physical therapy among the general public. I'm looking to apply my leadership experience from my career in physical therapy to new opportunities in healthcare education. I hope to network with PTs, MDs, DOs, and other healthcare providers to achieve these goals and improve patients' outcomes and experiences. My research focus is on Weightlifting, Powerlifting, BodyBuilding, Crossfit, Tactical athletes and Mixed Martial Arts Kinesiology and advancement.

Nayarith Encalada, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Treating Since

• April 2021

Education

• Master's Degree, Occupational Therapy, Hofstra University
• Bachelor's Degree, Psychology, Hunter College CUNY

Memberships

• AOTA

Clinical Interest

• Occupational Hand Therapy
• Work Conditioning
• Upper Hand Extremities

Alexia Santiago, OTR/L, CHT

Occupational Therapist 

Treating Since

• 2018

Education

• Master’s of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy, NYU

Clinical Interest

• Occupational Hand Therapy
• Upper extremity conditions
• Splinting techniques

Bio

I have been working with Professional Hand Therapy since 2017, I began as a therapist within the company in 2019. I have been interested in working with patients with orthopedic hand and upper extremity conditions very early in my career and have continually developed my skills since. I am well versed in numerous upper extremity conditions and splinting techniques and enjoy working with Long Island and New York City Orthopedic Hand Surgeons.