Bethlehem - Neuro Rehab Center

LSVT BIG Certified

Kristen graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in August 2011. Kristen grew up in Long Island, NY. She moved to Pennsylvania to attend Cedar Crest College where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and participated in various dance and theater productions. Kristen enjoys working with neurological and orthopedic patient populations. She is skilled in the evaluation and treatment of peripheral and central causes of dizziness, BPPV, vestibular and balance disorders. Just recently, she earned her certification as an LSVT BIG therapist for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Rachel has a background in performing arts with both music and theater. Therefore, she enjoys treating performers with concerns regarding vocal health and rehabilitation in addition to providing education to help build better vocal habits each and every day. Rachel received her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree from Marywood University. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania and the state of New Jersey. She is currently certified in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT LOUD), VitalStim Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Interactive Metronome. Rachel has experience in a variety of clinical settings including working with children in special education as well as adults in outpatient rehabilitation. She believes in individualized patient care using evidence-based practices and enjoys building rapport with each patient and their loved ones. Rachel enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, especially her niece, Sadie Mae, as well as going to concerts and other live performances!

George is passionate about working with people living with neurologic conditions and limb loss to develop treatment plans that center around their personal goals while maximizing their level of function and overall quality of life. He has special interests in post-stroke, vestibular, prosthetic, and fall risk prevention rehabilitation. George received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from DeSales University. Prior to this he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Sport and Exercise Physiology with minors in biomechanics and psychology from the same university. George was a resident through the St. Luke’s Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Program and is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. In his personal time, George takes pride in serving his local community as a Pro-Board-certified volunteer firefighter.

Danielle has always been fascinated about understanding how the brain works and communicates with the body in all populations. This has translated into her enjoying working with patients who have a neurologic diagnosis or event, such as stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, and dizziness conditions. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Arcadia University, where she participated in research in both her undergraduate and graduate fields related to neurologic recovery. She gets to know her patients in order to work on getting back their independence and returning to activities that are meaningful to them in their daily life. Outside of the clinic, she likes to follow her advice to patients and stay active with regular hikes with her dog

Carley has a passion for working with the neurologic population across a wide array of diagnoses including stroke, MS, Parkinson’s and other neurologic conditions. She finds working with this population specifically rewarding because of the vast improvements that can be made in her patient’s functional status and the impact physical therapy can have on their daily lives. She holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from the University of Miami. During her time completing her graduate degree, Carley was an intern with the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy as a part of their degenerative disease special interest group and was involved with wellness programs for patients and caregivers in the Parkinson’s community. She enjoys working with patents to help them achieve their goals and reach functional independence through maintaining an active lifestyle. Outside of the clinic, Carley is a certified Yoga Instructor and enjoys practicing yoga in the community.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Briana earned her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University and her Associates of Applied Science from Pennsylvania College of Technology. Briana is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for St. Luke’s and has experience in various locations and settings including Inpatient, Outpatient, Skilled Nursing, and Acute Care facilities. Briana is developing her niche in Neurology and is a Certified LSVT BIG Clinician and a PWR! Certified Specialist. In addition, she is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, who has instructed various group fitness classes for the St. Luke’s Health Network in local communities. Briana’s passion for connecting with people allows her to create a unique and safe environment for therapeutic intervention in the most individualized way possible.

Maria has dedicated her career to assisting those with communication and swallowing impairments. She has a passion working with the adult neurological population, including those with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and other diagnoses. Maria graduated from Misericordia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences and a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree. She is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT® BIG), VitalStim® Therapy, and Myofascial Release for Voice & Dysphagia Impairments. Maria’s treatment philosophy includes developing comprehensive, evidenced-based treatment plans that center around her patients’ personal goals, while maximizing their level of function and overall quality of life. She values working together with her patients, their caregivers, and the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team to provide the highest quality of care. In addition, Maria has served as a clinical instructor to both undergraduate and graduate speech therapy students. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and exercising. Maria resides in Nazareth with her husband and son.

Betsy received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology as well has her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Rhode Island. Betsy is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and a Certified LSVT BIG Clinician. Betsy uses a hands-on approach and likes to encourage her patients to achieve their maximal potential.

After witnessing her dad recover from a major stroke with the help of physical therapy, Olivia developed an interest in learning how the brain works and the effects of neurological rehabilitation. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Studies from the University of Delaware. She then pursued her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from DeSales University. She has a special interest in working with patients with a variety of neurological diagnoses including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, vestibular disorders, and fall prevention. Olivia is also a Certified LSVT BIG Clinician in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. She is passionate about providing a fun, patient-centered, and evidence-based treatment approach to each of her patients giving them the confidence to achieve their own unique and meaningful goals. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys running, reading, and watching Philly sports with her friends and family.

Jessica received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh in 2009 and continued on to receive her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree from Radford University in 2012. Jessica is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT® BIG), VitalStim® Therapy, and Myofascial Release for Voice & Dysphagia Impairments. Jessica enjoys treating patients with speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Jessica is licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Jessica was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley. She currently resides in Bethlehem with her husband and two children.

Carolyn received an Associate’s degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2009 from Lehigh Carbon Community College. She has experience in long term care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with a focus on neurological disorders. The most rewarding part of my career is being part of a team where I can work with patients to help them regain function and engage in their life again. Carolyn is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, a Certified LSVT BIG Clinician, and PWR! Certified, to accommodate the population she serves. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, gardening and being outdoors with her dog Kasie.

Jessica received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from Stockton University. She then graduated with her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Moravian University. Jessica has a passion for working with a variety of neurological conditions with a special interest in brain injury. Jessica incorporates compassion and individualized client-centered care to improve overall quality of life. Outside of the clinic, Jessica enjoys going hiking, cooking a new recipe, and spending time with family and friends.

Heather has always connected with the philosophy that everyone has a voice (that voice coming in various forms) and that their voice deserves to be heard. Following completion of her BA in Theatre from DeSales University, Heather began her professional career as a performer, director, and teaching artist. As a theatre educator she helped all ages find their unique voice through performance. It was during this time that she began to work with high school students with cerebral palsy, working on a yearly performance piece as a teaching artist in residence for the Walnut Street Theatre at the HMS School in West Philadelphia. She worked alongside speech therapists, occupational therapist, physical therapists, and recreational therapists who opened her world to deeper ways to help individuals with communication disorders. This led to a career shift. Heather received her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology degree from East Tennessee State University where she was fortunate enough to be supported by the faculty in her pursuit of gaining as much knowledge and experience in voice therapy as possible through opportunities in clinical practice and research, culminating in a master’s thesis entitled, “Vocal Health: Awareness and Perceptions in Undergraduate Vocal Music and Theatre Majors”. Her research was presented where it all began for her, in the city of Philadelphia, at the Voice Foundation’s 47th Annual Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice in 2018, at which time she was awarded Honorable Mention for the Best Student Award. Heather enjoys working within the multidisciplinary rehabilitation setting here at Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s, allowing her to treat individuals with communication disorders related to stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. Heather is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD), a licensed provider of SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program through Parkinson Voice Project, and an approved provider of PhoRTE Voice Therapy for age related voice disorder.

Brittany graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with her Exercise Science degree and later received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree from Wesley College. Brittany has prior experience with older adults in the long-term care setting as well as outpatient pediatrics. Brittany has also traveled to Kenya and worked with children who had various neurological conditions.  She believes in building a strong rapport while also developing a client centered treatment approach with family to allow for better performance in everyday tasks and to lead a fulfilling life.

Christiana became interested in neurological physical therapy after working with this population as a student during her clinical rotations, including two rotations with St. Luke’s. She finds it very rewarding to watch her patients achieve the goals they set for themselves, and she recognizes that each patient is much more than their diagnosis; they need an individualized rehabilitation plan that is as unique as they are. Christiana received her Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science from Cedar Crest College and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from DeSales University. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys working out at the gym, listening to live music and watching football (Go Cowboys)!

Gabrielle received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Health Studies with a minor in Nutrition Science, and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Ithaca College. She is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor through the APTA and is a LSVT BIG Certified clinician. Gabrielle has experience working in orthopedics and inpatient rehabilitation prior to working at St. Luke’s. She has special interests in working with patients with a variety of neurologic diagnoses (stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, and spinal cord injury), as well as fall prevention and reactive balance. Gabrielle believes in providing patient-centered care and utilizing evidence-based practices to help patients achieve their goals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time hiking, stand up paddle boarding, playing music, and traveling (especially to National Parks).

Helen has a passion for helping people with amputations regain their independence with mobility in their lives. She loves learning about the properties of prosthetic components and sharing this knowledge with her patients to optimize use of their prosthesis for their goals. Helen strongly believes in a team approach and works to coordinate care with the patient’s medical team and prosthetist to ensure improved outcomes. Helen graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Kinesiology. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and completed her internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She is a graduate of Good Shepherd Penn Partners’ Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency and is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist. Helen has taught in teaching health sciences and physical therapy at the undergraduate and graduate level at local universities. Outside of work, Helen enjoys training to run marathons and playing with her dog and cat.