Meet Our Team – Chester County Hospital

Meet our team of physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists.

	John C. Gose, PT, MS, OCS *Director of Rehabilitation* A member of the team since 2006, John received his bachelors degree from West Chester State College in Health, Physical and Adaptive Physical Education before receiving his Physical Therapy Certificate and masters in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from Hahnemann University. He holds a Board Certification in Orthopaedics and has extensive experience in sports, orthopaedics, pediatric orthopaedics acute, home, skilled nursing, spinal trauma, and vestibular and balance therapies. John has had several published research articles and lectures nationally on orthopaedics and sports rehabilitation. He is a past President and Vice President of the Delaware Physical Therapy Association.
	David Cluck, ATC, PTA, LAT *Assistant Director of Rehabilitation* A part of the team since 2001, David received his bachelors in Sports Medicine from Messiah College before completing his AA as a physical therapist assistant from Central Pennsylvania College. David treats orthopaedic injuries with an emphasis on foot, ankle and shoulder rehabilitation. He has worked with multiple levels of athletes from high school to the professional teams and has developed sport specific strength and conditioning programs for minor league baseball pitchers. David is also certified as a Body Balance for Performance Golf Fitness Specialist and is a member of the National Athletic Trainer's Association and the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainer's Association.
	Brendan Sullivan, PT, MSPT, OCS *Site Lead, Fern Hill* A member of the team since 2006, Brendan received his bachelors degree in Health Sciences from Boston College and his masters in Physical Therapy from Boston University. He worked as a therapist for eight years in the United States Army, serving as chief therapist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and at medical facilities in Germany. Brendan received his Board Certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and continues to specialize in orthopaedics and manual therapies. He has extensive training in spine and extremity rehabilitation and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.
	Daniel A. Elkins, MSPT, ATC, LAT, Clinic Director *Site Lead, Exton* Dan is a graduate of West Chester University and Neumann College. He started his career in West Chester with a two-year sports medicine fellowship and then worked in the Wilmington, DE community for 10 years. In Wilmington, he was involved in the rehabilitation of patient's with total joint replacements, amputations, diabetes, complications with pregnancy (LBP/ Sciatica), post-trauma orthopaedic, and sports injuries. Dan joined the Chester County Hospital team as Lead Therapist of our Exton Outpatient Physical Therapy Department bringing a wide variety of experience in the health care world. He has worked with brain injury patients, physically and mentally handicapped children, aquatic rehabilitation, high school and college athletics (Division I & II) and professional athletes from the Philadelphia Phillies and the World Team Tennis Delaware Smash. Dan is a West Chester native that enjoys surfing and is an avid fly fisherman.
	Boris Radisic, PT, BS *Site Lead, Kennett Square* A member of the team since 1991, Boris has been a Physical Therapist since 1981 and assisted in the establishment of our Kennett Square location. He received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was co-captain of the football team, a member of the track team, and a Sphinx Senior Honor Society member. Boris completed courses in mobilization of the extremities and lumbar spine as well as evaluation and treatment of shoulder, knee and ankle injuries among others. He provides care and education to the community through educational lectures, school programs, and by volunteering at local events.
	Christopher Lengel, MPT, OCS, ATC *Site Lead, Penn Medicine Southern Chester County* Chris is a native of West Chester and attended St. Agnes and Bishop Shanahan High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University with a concentration in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine. While at East Stroudsburg, Chris lettered in baseball for all four years and graduated with honors. In 1994, Chris became a Certified Athletic Trainer and served for three years in an Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Fellowship program in Chester County. In 1999, Chris graduated with honors from Southwest Baptist University with a Master of Physical Therapy degree. Chris worked in Baltimore, MD from 1999 to 2008, where he specialized in Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics. Chris became a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist in 2004. Chris has served Southern Chester County, as a Physical Therapist, since 2008, and is currently the site lead in our Penn Medicine Southern Chester County facility.
	Lisa Crisanti, OT, BS *Lead, Acute Occupational Therapy* Lisa graduated from West Chester University with a B.A. in English Literature. She worked in magazine publishing before returning to Thomas Jefferson University to earn a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Occupational Therapy in 1994. She has been employed with Chester County Hospital since 1997 as Lead Therapist in the Transitional Care Unit and is currently the Lead Therapist in the Occupational Therapy Acute Care Department. Lisa is a member of the Skin Integrity Task Force and has assisted with the development of the Hospital's orthopaedic service line as well as the Soarian project, an electronic documentation process developed in partnership with Siemens.
	Beth Balmer-Pickerd, MS, CCC/SLP-L *Lead, Speech Pathology* Beth graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is an active member of the nutrition care committee, forms development team, as well as being involved in the training and transition to Soarian. Areas of interest include the evaluation and treatment of adults with swallowing and/or communication disorders as well as mentoring student clinicians. She has furthered her training in interpretation of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and is a member of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.
	Denise Margaret Karl, PT, BS *Lead, Acute Care* Denise is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. She has been employed with Chester County Hospital since 1988 and is currently the Lead Therapist in the Acute Care Physical Therapy Department. Denise was very involved with the development and implementation of the orthopedic services offered at the Hospital as well as the Soarian project, an electronic documentation process developed in partnership with Siemens. She is a member of the discharge planning committee and the JCAHO taskforce.
	Marion Cella-Ries, PT, CLT/LANA *Lead, Lymphedema, Fern Hill* A member of the team since 1993, Marion received her bachelors degree in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University. She worked several years in inpatient rehabilitation, home care and pediatrics before joining the team in the Kennett Square office. She is certified by the Lymphedema Association of North America to provide complete decongestive therapy (Vodder) methods including manual lymph drainage and has attended numerous continuing education courses in the area of orthopedics and manual therapy.
	Colleen DiBernardo, PT, MPT *Lead, Aquatics, Fern Hill* A member of the Chester County Hospital staff since 2005, Colleen received her master's degree in 1998 from Simmons College in Boston, MA. She has worked in outpatient physical and home care. She has helped to establish aquatic therapy programs prior to her arrival at the Hospital. She has continuing education in manual techniques of the spine and extremities through Mulligan and Maitland, both Australian professors.
	Julia L. McDonnell, DPT, Cert. MDT *Lead, Spine, Fern Hill* Julia joined the Rehabilitation staff of Chester County Hospital in February of 2008. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University with a minor in Sport and Exercise Science from Ithaca College in 1997. She received her Masters in Physical Therapy in 2000 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2003 from Temple University. Julia has been an adjunct instructor for Temple's Physical Therapy School since 2001. In 2005, she became a Certified McKenzie Therapist in the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical spine and extremity pain. Julia has focused on spine care through clinical care, international research work, and teaching / mentoring endeavors. She has past experience in acute, skilled nursing, and inpatient rehab settings from working at Moss Rehab, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia. Julia is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the McKenzie Institute International.
	Jill Townsend, PT, BS, CHT *Lead, Hand Therapy, Fern Hill* A part of the team since 2001, Jill has over 30 years of experience in the field of Physical Therapy and has specialized in the field of Hand Therapy since 1987. Previously serving as Senior Therapist for a regional hand center, she received her undergraduate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Buffalo. Jill obtained her Hand Therapy Certification in 1991 and is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists. She has presented on clinical topics at various meetings, including the Philadelphia Hand Conference and the Curtis Institute of Music Seminars. Jill has a special interest in the treatment and prevention of injuries to the musician.
	Christine Schweidler, PT, Cert MDT *Lead, Balance, Fern Hill* Christine has been a member of the team since 2005. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a degree in Physical Therapy and has over 25 years experience in the field. She has worked in various settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient orthopeadics. She also has extensive training in evaluation and treatment of Vestibular Dysfunction and Post-Concussion Syndrome. In 2013 Christine became a Certified McKenzie therapist in the diagnosis and treatment of Mechanical Spine and Extremity pain. Currently, she is the Lead Balance and Vestibular Therapist and heads our Concussion program.
	Susannah Jenks, PT, MS *Lead Weekend Therapist* Susannah graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Business Administration / Marketing. She received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Widener University in 1998. She started working for Chester County Hospital at our out-patient facilities from 1998 – 2005. She has worked in the inpatient acute care department since 2007 and is currently the Lead Physical Therapist for the Weekend Therapy Program – WIN.
	Stefanie Steinberger, PT, DPT *Lead, NICU* A member of Chester County Hospital's staff since 2004, Stefanie has over 17 years of experience in the field of Physical Therapy and has specialized in the field of Neonatal and Developmental Physical Therapy since 2002. She received her masters and doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy from Temple University. Stefanie is certified as a Neonatal Touch and Massage Therapist since 2015. She is the lead NICU PT and also the coordinator of the Developmental Follow Up Clinic for NICU graduates. Stefanie is an active member of NANT, the National Association of Neonatal Therapists. She routinely trains Neonatal and Pediatric staff nurses about the latest techniques in developmental care for neonates and infants. She is active in creating policies to improve the NICU environment for developing preemies. She also is the chair of the Developmental Care Committee, which furthers developmental care for our littlest patients here at Chester County Hospital.
	Roxana Singer *Outpatient Office Coordinator* A graduate of Kennett High School, Roxana received her post-secondary education at the Center of Arts and Technology prior to starting at Chester County Hospital in 1997 as a Department Secretary at our Kennett Square Physical Therapy location. Roxana has served as the Outpatient Office Coordinator since 2006, with the primary responsibilities of mentoring the administrative staff of our four Outpatient Clinics and patient revenue reconciliation. In her free time, Roxana loves to spend time her family especially her twin grandsons, camping, and travelling.