Speaker Bios
Robert C. Cantu, MD
Director of the Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center at Emerson Hospital. Clinical professor of
neurology and neurosurgery and co-founder of the CTE Center at Boston University School of Medicine.
Senior Advisor, Brain Injury Center. Author of over 359 scientific publications, including 29 books on
neurology and sports medicine, in addition to numerous book chapters, peer-reviewed papers, abstracts
and free communications, and educational videos. He has served as associate editor of Medicine and
Science in Sports and Exercise and Exercise and Sports Science Review, and on the editorial board of The
Physician and Sports Medicine, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, and Journal of Athletic Training.
Terrie Enis, PT, MSPT
Director of Ambulatory Services and Service Line Development. Terrie Enis is a seasoned health care
leader with more than 25 years of experience in the rehabilitation field. She has expertise in orthopedic
and spine rehabilitation that is highly related to sport-related injuries as well as interdisciplinary
concussion care and prevention. Director Enis is the recipient of the New England Consortium of
Academic Coordinators Clinical Education Instructor of Year, a significant recognition of the dedication in
clinical education and service. She is an adjunct professor at The University of Massachusetts, Lowell
where she teaches Healthcare Policy and Administration. Director Enis is active in civic affairs and is a
member of the Westford Business Association as well as a member of the Central/South Middlesex
Opioid Task Force. She serves as the Co-PI for the 3-year founded grant supported by the Oak
Foundation to enhance the concussion recovery and to increase the awareness of concussion as well as
to provide comprehensive concussion education to the school nurses, coaches, athletic trainers,
students and their parents in the schools with >50% free or reduced lunch programs.
Barry Levin, MD:
Dr. Levin is board certified by the American Academy of Neurology and Psychiatry. He is in private
practice in Neurology at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. Dr. Levin has many years of experience
caring for patients with concussion and general neurological problems. He is the Assistant Medical
Director of the Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center.
Allen Sills, MD
Dr.Sills is a Professor of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Dr. Sills' clinical interests
include brain tumors, sports neurosurgery, and general neurosurgery. Dr. Sills received his M.D. degree
in 1990 from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Sills
completed his internship in General Surgery and residency training in Neurological Surgery at The Johns
Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He then went on to complete a two-year Neuro-Oncology
Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He was named as the chief medical
officer by the National Football League in 2017.
Gerard A Gioia, PhD
Dr. Gioia is the Division Chief of Pediatric Neuropsychology at Children’s National Health System, where he
directs the SCORE Concussion Program. He is Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the GWU School of
Medicine. He has developed a number of post-concussion tools for children, and worked with the CDC on
their “Heads Up” concussion educational toolkits. Dr. Gioia has participated in the International Concussion
in Sport Group Consensus meetings, American Academy of Neurology Sports Concussion Guideline panel,
and the CDC’s mild TBI guideline development. He provided concussion management services to youth, high
school, college and professional teams. He is the current President and Fellow of the Sports
Neuropsychology Society.
Erik E Swartz PhD, ATC, FNATA: Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology,
University of Massachusetts Lowell. Dr. Swartz’s research interest focuses on the prevention and acute
care of head and neck injuries in football. He has received grants from The NATA Foundation, NOCSAE,
NFL Charities and was a winner of the NineSigma Head Health Challenge. He has published in journals
such as The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, Spine, and The
American Journal of Sports Medicine. He served on the NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee’s
Subcommittee on Safety Equipment and Rules and as chair of the NATA Position Statement on the Acute
Management of the Cervical Spine Injured Athlete. He serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of
Athletic Training and the Athletic Training and Sports Health Care Journal. In 2011 he was honored with
a Fellows designation in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and in 2015 received the Most
Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, also from the NATA. He received his PhD in Applied Biomechanics
at the University of Toledo.
Kevin E. Houston, O.D., M.Sc., FAAO
Dr. Kevin E. Houston is a vision rehabilitation specialist with Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, and a research scientist at Schepens Eye Research Institute. His
research is currently centered on the development of visual aids and therapies for neurological visual
impairments. Dr. Houston earned his Doctor of Optometry from Indiana University in 2003 and Masters
in Visual science from the New England College of Optometry in 2014. He received additional research
training through the Harvard Clinician Scientist Development Program.
Lee E. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Goldstein’s research focuses on degenerative diseases of the aging brain and eye. He received his BA
from Columbia and MD-PhD (PhD, Neuroscience) from Yale. He completed clinical and research
fellowships at Massachusett s General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. In 2001, he joined the Harvard
faculty. While at Harvard, he discovered Alzheimer’s disease Aβ pathology in the lens of the eye (Lancet,
2003), the first evidence of the disease outside the brain. In 2008, he was recruited to Boston University
where his team discovered CTE in the first case series of blast-exposed military veterans and the
mechanisms underpinning blast neurotrauma and CTE (Science Translational Medicine, 2012). Recently,
his team uncovered key mechanisms leading to sports-related CTE and showed that hits, not concussion,
cause the disease (Tagge et al., Brain, 2018). In the same study, his team uncovered key mechanical
features that trigger concussion. Dr. Goldstein is inventor on numerous patents, founding scientist at
Neuroptix (now Cognoptix), and co-developer of the first ophthalmic drug-device product approved by
the FDA.
Thanasis Panorgias
Thanasis Panorgias Ph.D. research conducted at the University of Manchester focused on the processing
of color vision in the peripheral retina using psychophysics and electroretinography (ERGs) in normal
subjects. At Dr. J.S. Werner’s Vision Science and Advanced Retinal Imaging lab at the University of
California, Davis, he gained substantial experience working with a clinical population. During his
postdoctoral training, he employed electrophysiological (multi-focal ERGs) and advanced-imaging
techniques (AO-OCT) to study the aging of the retina as well as disease processes focusing on age-
related macular degeneration in particular. In January of 2014, he started as an assistant professor of
vision science at the New England College of Optometry, assuming teaching and research
responsibilities. He is now working towards establishing his own psychophysical and electrophysiological
lab, and working with graduate students on projects that will help build an independent research
program.
Ray Ciancaglini
Ray Ciancaglini, a native of Geneva, New York, is a former professional boxer, award winning concussion
awareness activist and established key note speaker. His personal life story was featured nationally by
ABC News which has been the subject of two New York Associated Press and New York News Publishers
award winning stories.
He was instrumental in getting passed into New York State Law, The Concussion Management
Awareness Act, for which he was honored with the New York Executive Chamber Award and the
Rochester Hickok Hero Award. Ciancaglini founded the Second Impact Concussion Awareness Program
(www.thesecondimpact.com) and tours nationally at high schools, colleges, universities, NFL player
development camps, youth organizations and medical seminars-all free of charge with his message,
lecturing athletes about the possible ramifications of not addressing concussions properly. The New
York State Athletic Trainers' Association has endorsed Ray's Second Impact presentations.
A member of the Rochester, NY Boxing Hall of Fame and the Geneva, NY Sports Hall of Fame,
Ciancaglini's boxing career was layered with many accolades, most notably, the Golden Glove Heart
Award and The Jerry Flynn Courage Award. He fought from 1966-74. Other notable awards include
the Brain Injury Association of New York State Public Policy Award, Camp Good Days Courage Award and
the Rotary Club Paul Harris Award and his contributions were instrumental in getting passed into federal
law the 1996 Professional Boxing Safety Act.
Ciancaglini has been battling Parkinson's Syndrome and Dementia Pugilistica (Chronic Traumatic
Encephalopathy) for many years as a direct result of numerous untreated concussions he suffered
during his boxing career. Ciancaglini has been participating in several CTE Research studies at the
Boston University School of Medicine (Study of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) where he has
donated his brain, upon his death.
Ray also speaks at Traumatic Brain Injury Centers and Children's Special Needs Facilities about the
importance of keeping a positive attitude and never giving up and gives inspirational lectures to sports
teams and organizations about being a champion in athletics and in life. Ray's greatest reward,
however, is knowing that he is resonating and making a difference in the lives of many athletes and
survivors of brain injury.
Chris Nowinski, Ph.D.
Mr. Nowinski is a social entrepreneur leading a global conversation on concussions, CTE, and the future
of sports. An All-Ivy Harvard football player-turned WWE professional wrestler-turned neuroscientist, he
discovered the sports concussion crisis after a 2003 kick to the chin in a WWE tag-team match caused
career-ending post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Nowinski wrote the expose Head Games: Football’s
Concussion Crisis in 2006 and soon after co-founded the non-profit Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF),
where he serves as CEO. Dr. Nowinski also co-founded Boston University (BU) CTE Center and VA-BU-CLF
Brain Bank, where he serves as the Outreach, Recruitment, Education, and Public Policy Leader. Dr.
Nowinski earned his Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Boston University School of Medicine and
has authored over 25 scientific publications. VICE Sports called Dr. Nowinski “the man most responsible
for making CTE part of the national conversation,” and Sports Illustrated said, “it is Nowinski's figure
which looms behind the doctors and the headlines and the debate roiling over sports' newfound
commitment to minimizing head trauma.”
Ted Johnson
Ted Curtiss Johnson is a retired NFL linebacker who played from 1995-2004. As a 2
nd
round NFL Draft
pick in 1995, he went on to a 10 year, highly successful career with the New England Patriots and
became a celebrated 3 time Superbowl champ. Ted’s pride in being named the New England Patriots
Team Captain for the 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003 and 2004 seasons, the Captain of the Defense as well as
the Signal Caller every year of his playing career demonstrates his passion for work ethic, leadership and
team.
Upon retirement from the New England Patriots organization in 2005, Ted worked at CBS Boston doing
both pre- and post- game shows. In 2008-2009, he worked for NESN doing Patriots programming and
then co-hosted two national CBS Sports Radio shows during 2013-2014- Split Decision with Nick & Ted
and The Josh & Ted Show. In February 2017, he was asked to do a nightly live television broadcast
during Superbowl LI. Graduating with a degree in Communications from CU, he developed a love for
teaching and mentoring and as such served as adjunct professor at Suffolk University in 2009-2010
teaching courses in Leadership.
As an advocate for both current and retired NFL players, he is vigilant in his long-standing support of the
Concussion Legacy Foundation.
Katelynn Cataldo MS, NP
Senior Nurse Practitioner is a board-certified adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and
holds a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Worcester. She is also certified by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center and is a credentialed ImPACT consultant with a focus on post-
injury care.
Ellen McKinnon, MS, NP
Ms. McKinnon is a Family Nurse Practitioner, board-certified with the American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners and holds a Master’s degree from Regis College. She also earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in biology from University of Connecticut. She first worked as a Nurse Practitioner at a
community walk-in clinic in the metrowest area for three years seeing patients with various injuries and
illnesses as well as providing preventative care. She is now caring for patients with concussions and
post-concussion syndrome at the Dr. Robert Cantu Concussion Center. Ms. McKinnon treats both the
pediatric and adult population by providing education in symptom management, medications, imaging
and referrals to appropriate services.
Neal McGrath, PhD.
Mr. McGrath is a clinical neuropsychologist who has practiced in the Boston area for over 30 years,
specializing in the evaluation and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injuries. He is the Clinical Director and
founder of Sports Concussion New England, through which he and his colleagues have provided
neuropsychological consultation to dozens of schools and individual student athletes from many high
schools, colleges, elementary schools, and youth sports programs in New England, and through which
they now provide neuropsychological and psychotherapy services at the Cantu Concussion Center.
Dr. McGrath also maintains a general practice in neuropsychological evaluation of adolescents, adults,
and children in Brookline, MA. He and his colleagues see patients with a variety of acquired brain
injuries, including returning military veterans, as well as for evaluation of learning disabilities and
Attention Deficit Disorder.
Herbert Gilmore, MD
Dr. Gilmore earned his medical degree from the University of Graz in Austria. He completed his pediatric
residency at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and his pediatric neurology residency at the Floating
Hospital for Children in Boston. Dr. Gilmore is board-certified in pediatric neurology. He has practiced in
Massachusetts for 35 years, most recently as chief of pediatric neurology at Baystate Medical Center,
Springfield MA. He was previously on staff at the Floating Hospital for Children, Boston.
Julie Lorden, PT, DPT
Julie Lorden graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a doctorate in physical
therapy. Her undergraduate degree is in exercise physiology. Ms. Lorden specializes in neurological and
vestibular rehabilitation and is certified in LSVT BIG and PWR! — evidence- based treatment programs
for people with Parkinson’s — as well as an MDS Allied Health Team attendee. Ms. Lorden also has
further training in concussion management and oncology rehabilitation, and is active with the Dr. Robert
C. Cantu Concussion Center and Be Strong Cancer program. Ms. Lorden also assisted in the development
of the Fitness for PWP exercise program. Ms. Lorden is a member of the neurological, oncology,
concussion and pediatric care teams at Emerson's Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies.
Alina Carter, MS, CCC-SLP:
Ms. Carter is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist who evaluates and treats adult
patients with language, cognitive and speech deficits secondary to neurodegenerative processes, stroke,
brain tumors, chemobrain and mild traumatic brain injury. She strives to provide a combination of
restorative and functional compensatory treatment to help maximize each individual’s overall quality of
life. In 2015, Ms. Carter published an interdisciplinary study entitled “Modified Berg Balance Scale:
Making assessment appropriate for people with aphasia” in Topics of Stroke Rehabilitation. Previously,
she worked as an outpatient speech language pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
Ms. Carter has presented at local and national level on the topic of mild cognitive impairment, cognitive
rehabilitation treatment, and aphasia research. She holds a master’s degree in speech language
pathology from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA
Carey Bellino, MA, CCC-SLP:
Ms. Bellino is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist who evaluates and treats conditions
that impact cognition, speech, language, and swallowing skills. She works with adolescents and adults
who have sustained concussions and brain injuries, who are undergoing treatment for head and neck
cancer, as well as those experiencing other neurodegenerative concerns. Prior to joining Emerson’s
team, Ms. Bellino worked at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital with post-acute brain injury and stroke
populations, as well as at Emerson College, where she provided clinical instruction to graduate student
clinicians and guest lectured on topics of clinical interest. She holds both a bachelor’s degree in
communication disorders and a master’s in speech language pathology from the University of
Massachusetts Amherst. Ms. Bellino began her career at the Centre for Neuro Skills in California,
working in an outpatient rehabilitation setting with adults who sustained traumatic brain injuries. She
returned to Massachusetts to work at the Ivy Street School, treating adolescents and young adults with
acquired and traumatic brain injuries. There, she was a founding member of a transition services
classroom targeting executive functioning and social-cognitive skills in naturally occurring contexts. Ms.
Bellino has presented at local, state and national levels on the topic of innovative programming for the
transition from adolescence to young adulthood and cognitive retraining. Last year, Ms. Bellino joined
colleagues Alina Carter and Brenda Lovette to present High Level Cognitive Retraining techniques at
Emerson Hospital’s Concussion Conference. They recently presented a workshop on the inter-
relatedness of cognitive domains at the ASHA Convention 2018 in Boston, MA.
Brenda Lovette, MS, CCC- SLP, RYT-500
Ms. Lovette is a speech language pathologist with a specialty in concussion management. Ms. Lovette
earned her master’s degree at UNC Chapel Hill and has over 10 years of experience working with
individuals with brain injury across the spectrum of severity, from minimally conscious to TBI with
concussion. She is also a registered yoga instructor and recently completed an advanced yoga teacher
training in Brookline, MA. Ms. Lovette has specialized training in meditation, mindfulness, and holistic
health including a Certificate of Holistic Health Coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in
New York City. She has presented locally and nationally on the topic of Meditation and Mindfulness for
health care professionals.
Mary Alexis Iaccarino, MD
Dr. Iaccarino is an Instructor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard
Medical School and attending physician in the MGH for Children Youth Concussion program, the
MGH/Red Sox Foundation Home Base program for veterans with mild traumatic brain injury, and the
Harvard Brain and Body Program for retired NFL football players. While caring for patients with all
severities of brain injuries, Dr. Iaccarino’s clinical interest is in sport concussion and blast related mild
traumatic brain injury. Dr. Iaccarino’s current research focuses on novel approaches to the rehabilitation
of mild TBI .
Alexandra V. Jackson, Psy.D.
Ms. Jackson received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional
Psychology in Washington, D.C. She completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at WestSide
NeuroRehabilitation Services in Lewiston, Maine in 2011, where she evaluated and treated individuals
with acquired brain injury. Her work at WestSide also involved scientific research on brain injury and she
has presented her findings at several international neuropsychological conferences.
Dr. Jackson specializes in the neuropsychological evaluation and management of sports-related
concussion injuries. She provides a full complement of services including consultation to individual
student-athletes, comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, and individual therapy for individuals
recovering from concussion. Dr. Jackson is particularly interested in the gender differences in concussion
injuries and has presented a poster symposium entitled “Concussions in Female Collegiate Athletes:
Examination of Gender Differences” at the International Neuropsychological Society’s annual meeting in
Boston in 2011. Dr. Jackson is also a Consulting Neuropsychologist for the NeuroRestorative Acquired
Brain Injury Program, the Massachusetts Statewide Head Injury Program, and the Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission. She also works in private practice in neuropsychological evaluation and
treatment of adolescents, adults, and children in Brookline, MA. She and her colleagues see patients
with a variety of acquired brain injuries, including returning military veterans, as well as for evaluation of
learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder. Dr. Jackson provides individual therapy for these
individuals, specifically focusing on adjustment and acceptance.
Mary Ann Williams-Butler, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Ms. Williams-Butler is supervisor for the speech-language pathology department at Emerson Hospital
and the Dr. Robert Cantu Concussion Center. She served as a subject matter expert for the ASHA
Practice Portal on Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. She is a certified brain injury specialist with over 35
years experience evaluating and treating children and adults with various degrees of traumatic brain
injury. She developed the cognitive retraining program currently used by the SLPs at Emerson Hospital
and the Cantu Concussion Center. Ms. Williams-Butler has presented internationally and nationally on
the topic of TBI with concussion.
Naseem Chatiwala, PT, DPT, MS, NCS
Naseem Chatiwala is a board certified neuro clinical specialist and a certified vestibular clinical specialist
who has 20+ years of experience as Physical therapist. Naseem has been instrumental in developing the
concussion program at The Clough family center for rehabilitative and sports therapies and has helped
develop guidelines for vestibular screening, baseline testing, return to play and graded exs protocols.
She is adjunct faculty at MGH-IHP and UMass Lowell PT program and a course developer and instructor
through Summit education where she teaches continuing education courses on Stroke Rehab and
Vestibular Rehab. Naseem has presented at various conferences and recently was awarded best poster
presentation (co-presented) at the APTA of MA conference, Fall 2018.
Karen Veilleux PT, DPT
Karen graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelors of Science in
Kinesiology and from Simmons College with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Karen specializes in
pediatric therapy. Prior to working at Emerson Hospital she had clinical experience at an outpatient
pediatric center in the Boston area as well as a clinical affiliation with Texas Children’s Hospital in
Houston. She enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities and has worked at adaptive sports
camps in the Boston area. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association Pediatric and
Aquatic Section. Her clinical interests include pediatric vestibular rehabilitation, pediatric concussion
rehabilitation, pediatric neuro-development, and aquatic therapy.
Hollie Elwood, PT, DPT
Mrs. Elwood graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a bachelor’s degree in exercise
physiology and a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Prior to joining the Emerson staff, she completed
doctoral internships at several facilities throughout the New England area, in both inpatient and
outpatient settings. Hollie is certified in the Schroth Method — a scoliosis-specific exercise program. She
also treats orthopedic and sports injuries, and she has created a dance rehabilitation program at
Emerson as well as community outreach for dance injury prevention education. She also treats
neurological conditions, and is PWR! (Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery) certified to treat people with
Parkinson’s disease. In addition, she treats vestibular, concussion, and balance disorders, and is a
member of the neurological and concussion care teams here at Emerson. Certifications: Schroth
Method, Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!). Clinical Interests: Scoliosis, dance
medicine/rehabilitation, orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, vestibular
rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, balance, concussion management, community wellness
Kate Evans, PT, DPT
Mrs. Evans graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, earning a
bachelor’s in exercise physiology and a doctorate in physical therapy. Mrs. Evans has experience treating
a wide variety of orthopedic, sports related, vestibular, balance, concussion and post-surgical diagnoses.
She is part of the concussion care team through the Cantu Concussion Center here at Emerson. She also
has a special interest in vestibular disorders and has completed numerous post-graduate courses in
vestibular rehabilitation. Clinical Interests: Orthopedics, post-surgical, vestibular rehab, balance
disorders, concussion management
Marnie Deardorff MS, OTR/L
Ms. Deardorff graduated from Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences with a
master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2002. Her undergraduate degree is in human development
and health sciences from Penn State University. Prior to joining the outpatient therapy team at
Emerson, she had 15 years of experience working in acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and skilled
nursing facilities, where she specialized in the treatment of patients impacted with stroke, brain injury,
neurological disorders and multi-trauma orthopedic injuries. Ms. Deardorff is certified in the Neuro-
IFRAH® (Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation) treatment approach for the management
of adults with hemiplegia and has completed further coursework for advanced hand function and fine
motor control within this framework.
Laura Lizotte, MS, OTR/L
Mrs. Lizotte graduated from Springfield College with a master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2005.
Her undergraduate degree is in psychology from the University of Massachusetts. Prior to joining the
Emerson team she worked in acute rehabilitation hospitals, where she specialized in treating spinal
cord, stroke, traumatic brain and multi-trauma orthopedic injuries. She also has experience working in
home care and skilled nursing facilities.
Lauren Mazel, OTD, OTR/L
Ms. Mazel graduated with a master's in occupational therapy from Boston University, where she later
completed her post-professional occupational therapy doctorate in September 2017. She received her
undergraduate degree in psychology from Tufts University. She is a Language Acquisition through Motor
Planning (LAMP) certified professional since May 2018 and is passionate about an interprofessional
approach to AAC. Prior to joining the Emerson staff, Ms. Mazel worked in outpatient pediatrics in the
Washington, D.C. area where she specialized in treating children and adolescents with a wide range of
impairments and disabilities. She has experience through clinical affiliations with children with multiple,
severe disabilities in school and home settings. She participates annually in the International Immersion
Experience and Volunteer partnership program between Boston University and St. Catherine University
in Minnesota, supervising students at therapeutic sites in Quito, Ecuador, to facilitate understanding of
cultural context, reflection on cultural biases, and foster strong clinical reflective skills. She is a member
of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Kara Robinson, MS, OTR/L
Mrs. Robinson graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a master’s in occupational
therapy. Her undergraduate degree is in occupational science also from UNH. Prior to joining the
Emerson team, she worked in a hospital-based adult outpatient setting focused on stroke rehabilitation
and other neurological conditions with the use of assistive technology. Ms. Santos is trained in the
following technologies: Dynavision D2, Bioness Integrated Therapy System, Bioness H200 hand
rehabilitation system, RT300 Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike, and ReoTherapy ReoGo for upper
extremity rehabilitation. She is also proficient in the use of Kinesio taping as well as rigid taping for
shoulder subluxation and pain management. She also has experience in acute inpatient rehabilitation.
Nicholas Schumacher, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Nick is a staff physical therapist at Emerson Hospital and the founder/CEO of Schumacher PT &
Performance, which developed the RehabKit and RehabPal iOS Apps. Nick graduated from Boston
University as a doctor of physical therapy in 2016. Immediately following the completion of his
doctorate, Nick enrolled in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program at the MGH Institute of
Health Professions, where he received extensive training in manual therapy and the management of
orthopedic injuries. He achieved board certification as a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy
(OCS) through the APTA in 2018. Nick also earned certification as a strength and conditioning specialist
(CSCS) through the NSCA in 2014. In addition to his time in the clinic, Nick assists with running-related
research at UMass Lowell and lab instructs at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Nick has a
particular interest in treating runners, tactical athletes, and individuals post-concussion. He has
extensive experience with treating athletes post-concussion, and he was the co-developer of the Dr.
Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center Return-to-Play Assessments.
Chris Iby, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Chris is a senior physical therapist at Emerson Hospital. He graduated from the University of
Massachusetts Lowell with a doctorate of physical therapy in 2012. In 2014, he became a Certified
Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
And in 2016 he earned a board certification from the American Physical Therapy Association as a Clinical
Specialist in Orthopedics (OCS). Chris strives to apply evidence-based physical therapy techniques from a
strength and conditioning perspective to maximize the health and performance of adolescent and adult
athletes. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the physical therapy program at the University of
Massachusetts. While at Emerson, Chris has become active in our spine and concussion rehab programs.
He was the co-developer of the Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center Return-to-Play Assessments. And
he enjoys working with active individuals of all levels, helping them restore pain-free movement and
return to sport.
