Alexis S. Tingan, MD
Medical Director 
Dr. Tingan joined our leadership team in 2019 and is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Tingan grew up in Beaumont, TX and received his degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton University. After receiving his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in 2010, Dr. Tingan completed an internship with the Department of General Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He then completed residency training with the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania where he served as chief resident in his final year. Following residency, Dr. Tingan completed a fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Tingan’s clinical focus is sports medicine, general musculoskeletal medicine, spine medicine, and spine interventions. His research interests include gait mechanics in runners and incidence of injuries in runners. Dr. Tingan has served in various sports medicine leadership roles. He has served as a team Physician for the University of Pennsylvania Men’s Varsity Soccer team and is currently the team physician for the University of Pennsylvania’s Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Dr. Tingan is the Medical Director for the Penn Relays, the Medical Director for the Philadelphia Love Run Half Marathon, and serves on the USA Track & Field Sports Medicine & Science Committee.

Edie Caggiano-Halsema, PT, MSPT
Site Lead, Fern Hill Medical Campus

Edie received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 1992. After joining the Fern Hill team in 2018, she became Site Lead in 2019. In 2020, Edie received her certification as a Champion Performance Specialist. A member of the American Physical Therapy Association as well as the Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy sections, Edie’s special interests include treating TMJ and Sacroiliac Dysfunctions, working with golfers and dancers, and the use of Pilates for core strengthening.  In her free time, her favorite activity is golfing with her husband and son.

Marion Cella-Ries, PT, CLT/LANA
Program Coordinator, 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, PA 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
Program Coordinator, 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
Program Coordinator, 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 35 years of experience in the field of Physical Therapy. She received her degree from the University of Buffalo and has specialized in Hand Therapy since 1987 (obtaining her Hand Therapy Certification in 1991). She is a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and American Physical Therapy Association and has a special interest in Pain Management, Industrial Medicine/Ergonomics, and Performing Arts. She has presented at the Philadelphia Hand Conference, Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association meetings, and the Curtis Institute of Music Seminars. Jill is a consultant of the Csehy Summer School of Music. During her free time, she enjoys gardening, walking, spending time with family/grandchildren, church activities and teaching wellness.

Christine Schweidler, PT, Cert MDT
Program Coordinator, 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.

Jennifer Del Rossi, MPT
Vestibular/Concussion Specialist, Fern Hill

A member to the team since 2017, Jennifer has an undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon College in Virginia and went on to earn her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in 1999. She has clinical expertise in treating Vestibular and Concussion injuries and has attended and completed several advanced courses in concussion recovery. She has helped to mentor peers in vestibular rehab and has been a lab instructor in Vestibular based competency courses. She has been practicing physical therapy for 19 years in various settings including, acute care, brain injury, inpatient rehabilitation and orthopedics.

James P. Herlihey, MPT

Having practiced physical therapy for more than 25 years, Jim returned to Chester County Hospital in 2011 after having worked at the hospital through 1997.  He earned an undergraduate degree from Villanova University prior to earning his master’s degree from Hahnemann (now Drexel) University in 1992. He has acquired broad experience including homecare, skilled nursing, outpatient orthopedics, acute care; therapy for  prosthetics, spinal injury, neurological disorders, wound care, vestibular and concussion, balance, with expertise in geriatrics. Jim most enjoys mentoring students, presenting educational classes, and rehabilitating seniors and other patients from varying backgrounds.

Mary Knisely, PT

A member of the team since 2006, Mary graduated from the University of Delaware where she received her degree in Physical Therapy. She has previously worked in Dallas, Texas at St. Paul's Human Performance Center and various Sports Medicine Clinics. She has also worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Her professional running career as a middle-distance runner allowed her to compete at the international level and provided insight into the importance of proper training, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.  Injury prevention played an essential role in her success as a runner and she places importance in educating her patients in the self-care of their bodies, encouraging them to be active in the treatment process. A mainstay in educating her patients also includes proper sitting and standing posture and body mechanics. Manual therapy and massage was an essential tool she used to promote her body’s ability to heal after a running injury, which helped her reduce pain and improve her performance.

As a result of her experience, she incorporated a therapy called IASTM – instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization using Graston instruments – into her manual skill set. She has a special interest in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy of the spine and is pursuing education in this area. She has been involved in the community with conditioning youth male ice hockey players, and has been an assistant coach for girls cross country, outdoor and indoor track at the High School level.

Dave Laurento, OTR/L, CHT, CEAS, CFCE

Dave received his bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. He achieved Hand Therapy Certification in 2001 and has since been working primarily with the upper extremity.  He is also a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist and Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator. He has been a member of the Chester County Hospital team since 2004 and spends time in the Hand Therapy clinics at Kennett Square and Fern Hill.  He is also active in performing ergonomic assessments for remediation/prevention of work-related injuries in the community.

Todd Matukaitis, PT, DPT, CSCS, CEAS
Program Coordinator, Student Clinical Education

A member of the team since 2007, Todd graduated from Misericordia University in 2004 with his Master of Science in Physical Therapy and completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Shenandoah University in 2010. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He completed his Certification to become an ergonomic assessment specialist (CEAS) through the Back School of Atlanta. He has completed additional continuing education courses in orthopedic manual therapy, sports strength and conditioning/rehab, and functional rehab. Todd is an APTA certified Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapy Students and currently serves as Chester County Hospital’s Coordinator of Clinical Education (CCCE).

Rebecca Miller, PTA, ATRIC

Rebecca Miller has been a member of the team since 2008.  She graduated from the Community College of Rhode Island in 2005 and has been active as a Physical Therapy Assistant ever since -- first in Rhode Island and now here in Pennsylvania.  She has been a part of the aquatic program here at Chester County Hospital since 2008 and holds an Aquatic Therapy Rehab Institute Certification as well as teaches a Joints for Life aquatic exercise class open to former patients and the community.  She works as part of the regular weekend staff in the acute care setting. She is also part of the Hand Therapy staff. Her past experience includes orthopedics, neurological rehabilitation, spine rehab, and vestibular/balance conditions.

Stephanie Seifert, PT, DPT

Stephanie joined the Chester County Hospital rehabilitation team in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy from West Chester University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University. Stephanie has a passion for education and worked as a Teacher’s Assistant to both undergraduate and doctoral programs at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 2014.

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, PA native that enjoys surfing and is an avid fly fisherman.

Gina Wells, PT, DPT, CLT

Gina has been a member of the Chester County Hospital team since 2015, specializing in orthopedic, sports, neurologic, and lymphedema physical therapy treatment. She received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 and attained her certified lymphedema therapist (CLT) specialty in 2016. Operating out of Chester County Hospital’s outpatient physical therapy satellite location in Exton, she frequently treats patients with a multitude of diagnoses. These range from sports, orthopedic, vestibular/concussion, balance, and neurologic diagnoses, to post-cancer surgical recovery, cancer-related fatigue management, and management of lymphedema. She is proud to be a part of the rehab team and enjoys triathlon training -- especially swimming and cycling -- and traveling the world as often as she is able.. 

Boris Radisic, PT, BS
Site Lead, Kennett Square

Boris has been a member of the team since 1991 and has been a Physical Therapist since 1981. He was instrumental in the establishment of physical therapy services at the Kennett Square, PA location for the community.  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. He has specialized training and certification and a sincere passion for Parkinson's and Geriatric clients. He provides care and education to the community through lectures, school programs, and by volunteering at local events. Boris is a member of The American Physical Therapy Association,  Orthopoaedic Section and Geriatric Section.

Christopher Lengel, MPT, OCS, ATC
Site Lead, Penn Medicine Southern Chester County

Chris is a native of West Chester, PA 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 in West Grove, PA.

Carrie Leese, PT, DPT, CLT

Carrie Leese is a native of West Grove, PA who has experience treating a wide range of conditions and patients of all ages. Her experience includes outpatient and inpatient settings along with skilled nursing facilities. Carrie received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Widener University in 2011, her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University in 2008, and a massage therapist certificate from the Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy in 1998. In 2015, Carrie became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist through the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. Carrie’s interest is in manual therapy skills, providing a hands-on approach to physical therapy treatments. Her continuing education courses include Functional Movement Screen, Myofascial Release, and KT Taping, to name a few.

Along with her knowledge in rehabilitation, manual therapy, and strength and conditioning, Carrie has an extensive background in working with horses and riders including working for equestrian athletes up to the Olympic level. Carrie continues to integrate her knowledge of modern conditioning and orthopedic concepts to help with rehabilitation and injury prevention of the equestrian athlete in the Southern Chester County area.

David Ong, PT MSc., OCS, Cred. MDT, CKTP, COMT

David obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 1987 and started his career in Vancouver, Canada. He went on to complete his Master of Science degree in Orthopedic and Sports Physical therapy at the University of Alberta in 1992. He then moved to Pennsylvania to work in the outpatient orthopedic setting while being an adjunct clinical faculty member at Widener University’s Physical Therapy Program from 1993 until 2001. Along the way he received further training and certifications in the field of orthopedic and sports therapy to include Orthopedic Certified Specialist from ABPTS, Credentialed MDT Practitioner from the McKenzie Institute, Certified Kinesiotaping Practitioner from Kinesio University and Certified Orthopedic Manipulative Therapist from the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. He is also a Graston Technique trained practitioner and is currently a candidate for Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy through Andrew’s University in Michigan.

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 orthopaedic 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.