ZACH COLE

How did he come to Sports PT?
Zachary was a student at Sports PT and early into his clinical education he knew he wanted to be a part of the team permanently. Zach’s passion and drive to take athletes to the next level was a perfect fit with the Sports PT philosophy, and he felt this was the place where he could grow as a clinician.

• Earned Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Ithaca College, 2018
• Earned Bachelors Degree in Clinical Health Sciences, Minor in Sports Studies, Ithaca College

Favorite Part Of The Job:
Helping patients return to the lifestyle they want to live! I enjoy working with people of all ages but working with athletes and helping them get back to the playing field as fast as possible is my biggest passion.

Other Interests:
Everything from hiking, hunting, golf, softball, and time with friends and family. I’m willing to discuss anything in the latest sports news!

ELIZA FIACCHI

How did she come to Sports PT?

I come to Sports PT with a variety of experience including outpatient sports medicine, acute rehab, acute care and home care. My true passion as a physical therapist is sports medicine/outpatient orthopedics so I jumped on the opportunity to work at Sports PT. When I met the Sports PT team, I was immediately drawn to the patient centered, high quality health care that they provide and knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of. The collaborative and dedicated work environment provides me with an opportunity to continue to grow as a clinician. In our community, Sports PT is truly one of a kind.

• BS in Clinical Health Studies, 2015 from Ithaca College.
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2017 from Ithaca College.

Areas of interest include:

My clinical interests include treating conditions of the hip, foot and ankle as well as running injuries. I enjoy working with patients of all ages from young athletes rehabbing to return to sport to older adults rehabbing to return to activities of daily living or recreational sport.

Favorite Part Of The Job:

My favorite part of being a physical therapist is seeing patients get back to doing what they love, hard work always pays off!

Other Interests:

I enjoy spending time with my family in the Adirondacks, running, traveling and watching my husband coach football at UAlbany.

REBECCA MASON

How did she come to Sports PT?
I first came to Sports PT for an internship as a PT student. I quickly fell in love with the team atmosphere that placed a strong emphasis on individualized, ethical, evidence-based, and fun patient care. I knew that this was a place where I could be supported in practicing each of these aspects to provide the best patient care I can.”

• Received BS in Natural Science from Indiana University of PA in 2009
• Received Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University in 2013
• Clinical interests include implementing restorative and corrective movement patterns in all age groups and activity levels. I enjoy manual therapy, working with athletes, and taking a whole-body approach to rehabilitation.
• Clinical specialities include Graston Technique Specialist and Provider (IASTM), Certified Cupping Therapist

Favorite Part Of The Job:
My favorite part about what I do is giving people the tools and knowledge they need to help them get their life back – to get back to doing the things they love to do without being in pain. As an amputee, I have been through my fair share of physical therapy and have personally discovered the independence that it can bring in getting you back to what you want to do.

Other Interests:
My passions outside of work are photography, quality time with family and friends, international travel, and my Faith in Christ. I also have fallen in love with the Adirondacks and love getting outside and hiking!

JENNIFER SZYMANSKI

How did she come to Sports PT?
I started my career in a hospital setting but I knew my passion was in outpatient orthopedics. So when a position as Sports PT became available, I jumped at the opportunity. I am passionate about the vestibular system and while working Per Diem within the clinic for all orthopedic needs, I am called in specifically for those in need of vestibular treatment and care.

• Graduated from Mercyhurst College with a Bachelor’s in Sports Medicine
• A retired Certified Athletic Trainer
• Spent two years as the Athletic Trainer for Gannon University’s women’s volleyball and lacrosse teams
• Received Masters and Doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy from Gannon University
• Joined Sports PT in 2008

Favorite Part Of The Job:
Being able to have balance of a fulfilling work and home life. I am fortunate that when at work, it is along side amazing therapists with such a passion and talent for their profession.

Other Interests:
“In my free time, I like hiking, listening to music, and spending time with my friends and family.

SHANE CHERICO

How did he come to Sports PT?
I chose to join the Sports PT team for a number of reasons. Clearly the patients come first, and not only do they strongly emphasis this inside the clinic, but outside the clinic there seems to be a large community presence as well. Also, they care about their staff, offering a variety of paths to success based on individual goals, and being named one of the best companies to work for certainly speaks volumes about the atmosphere at Sports PT. The Malta clinic has tones of potential for growth in a great location close to home, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to its overall success.

• Earned his doctorate from Stony Brook University in 2013.
• Clinical specialities include post-surgical care especially shoulders, hips, knees and ankles, cervical and lumbar pains/strains, headaches, and balance impairments.
• Clinical interests include post-surgical rehab, sports injuries, McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment for the Spine and Upper/Lower extremeties, and manual therapy/joint mobilizations.

Favorite Part Of The Job:
Being a PT can be very rewarding for multiple reasons, but I love it when a returning patient requests to work with me again because they had a great experience during their prior rehab stint. I love educating my patients and giving them the tools necessary to recover from their current ailment(s) and learn how to prevent future episodes as well.

Other Interests:
Spending time with family and friends, exercising, being outdoors. I am also a big Dallas Cowboys fan and love football season!

KERRI LAURENZA

How did she come to Sports PT?
I first came to Sports PT as a student. I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere in the clinic and the relationships formed between both the staff and patients. I knew I wanted to be a part of their dedication to individualized, quality patient care and promotion of clinician growth so I could provide optimal care to every patient.

• BS in Exercise Science, 2016 from University of Delaware.
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy, 2020 from The Sage Colleges.

Areas of interest include: All orthopedic conditions including sports-related injuries and rehab, post-op, as well as working with patients of all ages to build strength and decrease pain.

Favorite Part Of The Job: My favorite part of the job is helping patients achieve their goals and empowering patients return to the activities they enjoy without pain. I love assisting athletes in returning to their athletic events as quickly as possible without pain.

Other Interests: Outside of being a physical therapist I enjoy running, hiking, travelling and spending time with my family and friends. I am passionate about exercising and am also a Pure Barre fitness instructor in Saratoga Springs.

THERESA SAMSTAG

Theresa brings strong leadership to our customer service team in our Eastern New York market. She helps implement effective processes with our Patient Service Coordinators, develops external relationships in the market, and trains staff on on important workflow approaches.