Allentown - West End Medical Center

Certified in The McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy®

James graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from DeSales University. James is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well as a Certified Exercise Physiologist. James has a special interest in empowering patients to not only get back to where they were preinjury, but also in giving them the tools they need to reach additional goals. James believes in individualized treatments, utilizing a hands-on and exercise-based approach. When not working, he enjoys rock climbing and spending time outdoors.

Jess was born and raised in Allentown and went to Bethlehem Catholic High School. She completed her Bachelors in Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Lebanon Valley College (LVC). She was a two-sport athlete at LVC in volleyball and track and field, which peaked her interest in treating athletes. After graduating from LVC, she began coaching a local volleyball team to give back to younger generations. She has a passion for sports rehabilitation and using hands on treatment with manual therapy to benefit all populations. She likes to build connections with her patients and while providing optimal care to empower them to return to what they love doing.

Sammy has a passion for helping others overcome physical challenges, with a focus on orthopedic and sports-related cases. With a deep commitment to optimizing functionality, Sammy provides comprehensive rehab for individuals facing disabilities and injuries. As a huge sports fan, Sammy has a unique understanding of the demands and dynamics of athletic performance, which fuels a dedication to helping athletes and active individuals recover and excel. His goal is to effect transformative change in patients’ lives, empowering them to reach their full potential. Holding a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University, Sammy is dedicated to delivering personalized, high-quality care that makes a lasting impact, guiding others back to the activities they love. Beyond clinical work, Sammy stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in physical therapy to continually improve treatment outcomes. Sammy is committed to building strong relationships with patients, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment throughout their recovery journey.

Jill graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Movement Science and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Jill played field hockey for the University of Michigan and U.S. national field hockey teams throughout high school and college. Jill is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy and specializes in evaluating and treating athletes of all ages.

Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy

Andrew graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science from DeSales University and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University. Andrew completed his residency training in Orthopedic Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s University Health Network, and fellowship training in manual therapy from Regis University in Colorado where he worked closely with clinical experts in orthopedic manual physical therapy. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Fellow of the American Academy of Manual Physical Therapy. Andrew specializes in the treatment of orthopedic conditions through a hands-on and functional approach to rehabilitation to collaboratively create a comprehensive treatment plan to meet individualized goals.

Intricate Art Dry Needling Certified Specialist
Certified Athletic Trainer

Throughout his training, Dr. Kareha developed a love for helping people with back & neck pain, TMJ pain, and chronic pain after noticing that people who experience pain frequently missed out on receiving the care they deserve. He is passionate about helping his patients improve their quality of lives. He graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Sciences with an emphasis in Athletic Training. He received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University and then completed his postgraduate training at Allied Services in Scranton, PA with an emphasis on back and neck injuries and vertigo. He then earned a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a Certified Mulligan Concept Practitioner, and a Fellow of the Academy of Spine Physical Therapy. Dr. Kareha is Director of Professional Development for Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, and is Director of both the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency and Spine Physical Therapy Fellowship at St. Luke’s University Health Network. He is also Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate at DeSales University and Adjunct Professor at Moravian University and Arcadia University. In addition, he has aided in the development of the St. Luke’s Comprehensive Spine program which is a multidisciplinary team approach that helps you get better, faster. He evaluates each patient as a whole, not just the body part that is painful or problematic, to determine the cause of the problem and best plan of care to help you most efficiently and effectively reach your goals. Dr. Kareha has presented and published research on improving the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic, TMJ, and spine problems at the state, national, and international level.

Certified Hand Therapist

Christine graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology. Christine received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She graduated from St. Luke’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy residency program in 2018 and obtained her Board-Certified Specialty in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2019.  In 2022, Christine earned her Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) specialty certification. Christine is also an APTA credentialed clinical instructor and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). She provides a comprehensive, hands on, individualized treatment approach in assessing the entire individual to facilitate their return to pre-injury activities. Christine believes in using patient education as a large component of her treatment approach to allow each individual to understand their condition and be in charge of their own recovery. Her treatment philosophy is to develop wellness-oriented programs and promote healthier and more active lifestyles patterns with her patients to prevent and/or manage chronic conditions. Christine has published research in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine regarding development of a movement system screening tool.

Howie is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation Science. He received a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University. Howie is also a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Over the course of his career, he has developed a special interest in treating orthopedic and sports injuries with a particular interest in the treatment of the shoulder and overhead athletes. Howie takes pride in returning patients back to their pre-injury level of function and enjoys working within a healthcare team. He believes in making rehab a fun place to be for both his patients and co-workers.

Karen is a 2009 graduate from Lehigh Carbon Community College where she earned her Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree and has been working for St. Luke’s Physical Therapy since graduating. Karen is a Certified Graston Technique Specialist, a Certified Kinesiotape Practitioner, and is certified as an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor. Karen enjoys working with patients that have orthopedic or sports related injuries and believes that keys to a successful outcome are providing patients with skilled care and creating a positive and fun clinic environment. Outside of Physical Therapy Karen enjoys spending time with her family and her grandchildren and maintains an active lifestyle through exercise and various other outdoor activities.

Kelsey graduated from Lebanon Valley College with her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science as well as her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She obtained her Board Certification in Orthopedics. At Lebanon Valley, she was a 3x Academic All-American in cross country and track and field. Her experiences with running have allowed her to develop a passion for helping people of all ages return to their activities. She develops individualized plans of care with an emphasis on manual therapy to help patients reach their goals.

Certified Hand Therapist

Maura is one of a few physical therapists at St. Luke’s who specializes in hand therapy. Right from graduation she gravitated toward the philosophies and creativity that comes with treating the upper extremity. Maura received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Moravian University (College) in 2011 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University in 2014. She became a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) in 2018 and earned her Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy for the Upper Extremity (COMT) in 2023. Maura believes in a hands-on approach, while also providing unique and effective programs for each of her patients. She works hard to help her patients return to normal functioning of their hands, wrists, elbows, or shoulders and educates them on how to prevent recurrence or further injury. Maura consistently looks for ways to better her practice with current research and new innovations in splinting and manual techniques. She also has had opportunities teaching and mentoring for the Orthopedic Residency and Hand Fellowship at St. Luke’s, as well as Physical Therapy programs at local universities. Maura lives in Easton with her husband, their two girls, and their dog Springer. She enjoys playing with her kids and watching sports with her family. She is a dedicated Philadelphia sports fan.

Giovanni received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University. He has treated orthopedics with a focus in spine pathology and manual therapy for over a decade. He is a Certified Mulligan Concept Practitioner, Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT), and an Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor (ACCI). He is also a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Giovanni is the Spine Program Manager for St. Luke’s Physical Therapy where he works to educate staff and students on treatment of the spine and associated injuries. He believes in a hands-on approach to patient care and the importance of Evidence Based Practice. Giovanni enjoys exercising and has been a martial arts practitioner for over 20 years. He is a father of three and loves nothing more than spending time with his family.

Ashley Zuber is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania where she attended Parkland High School. Ashley received her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo where she played Division I basketball. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy. Ashley began her professional career as a Physical Therapist and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at her alma mater. Ashley was instrumental in working with the 2016 MAC Championship team to prevent injuries and enhance performance. Ashley’s physical therapy experience, collegiate playing career, and motivational coaching mindset allow her to provide a unique perspective and personalized plan for each individual. Ashley’s determination to inspire others to live a healthy life and achieve their fullest potential drives her thirst for knowledge and desire to make a difference.