OUR TEAM
Steven, PT, DPT, LSVT
Steven is the founder and lead physical therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation. He earned a BS in Exercise Science Applied Kinesiology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and his Doctorate degree from American International College in Springfield, MA. Steven specializes in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and many other neurological disorders.
Outside of practicing physical therapy steven enjoys time with his wife, running, and staying active.
Bridget, OT, OTR
Bridget is the lead occupational therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation. She earned a BA in psychology from Widener University and her Masters Degree from Bay Path University. Bridget specializes in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Outside of occupational therapy, she loves running marathons and spending time with her family and friends, especially her husband and dog.
Arti, PT, DPT
Arti received her bachelors in biology from University of California, Riverside and Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Azusa Pacific University. After graduating, Arti worked in an outpatient clinic setting for a few years. She has experience in a variety of settings, including outpatient orthopedics, outpatient pediatric, and acute care.
In her free time, Arti enjoys traveling, working out, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Katelynn DeLuca, PT, DPT
KateLynn De Luca received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University in 2018. With a background in dance and Pilates, she has a deep appreciation for the mind body connection. She is passionate about helping her clients feel empowered through movement, and developing a new sense of body awareness. She loves seeing her patients get stronger and achieve independence.
Her clinical experience includes working in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation. In the spring of 2020, she spent time in the COVID field hospital assisting patients without access to medical services bridge the gap from acute care to a safe transition home.
Outside of work, she is a dancer and loves spending time on the water, and with friends and family.
Angie, OT, OTR
Angela (Angie) Agnese is an occupational therapist. She received her BA in Health and Societies at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a MS in occupational therapy from Columbia Univeristy. Angie has experience in various mental health and physical disabilities settings, but especially enjoys working with the geriatric population in their homes.
Outside of work, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She enjoys bike riding, kayaking, and making art.
Mark Sonevytsky, PT, MPT
Peter Pantalena, MS, CCC/SLP, LSVT
Peter graduated from The College of Saint Rose with a B.S. in Communication Disorders and graduated from Nova Southeastern University with an M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. He has dedicated over 24 years to the field of Speech/ Language Pathology, was a former client in his teenage years and truly loves and appreciates every work setting, colleague and every client he has encountered over the years. He has worked in a variety of settings in NY, NJ and FL including; home care, subacute rehab, acute rehab, outpatient rehab, long term care, public school based (Pre-K through age 21) and private practice. Peter has worked with a wide age span of patients ranging from age 3 to 99+ and a multitude of severity levels and unique service delivery models and learning needs. He believes strongly in meeting clients and families where they are and customizing their treatment plans in order to make their goals and activities personal and meaningful while achieving their long term vision of overall quality of life and independence. Although he is experienced and enjoys working with all disability areas and severity levels, he does have recent experience and interest in helping those with speech, voice, swallowing and cognitive language deficits associated with progressive neurologic conditions and/or recent CVA, head injury, pulmonary disease, head/neck surgery or disabilities associated with Cancer.
Outside of work, Peter loves traveling and spending time with his wife, two daughters and his family dog. He also enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening, cooking and spending time with extended family and friends.
Veena Rao, OT, OTR
Veena is a graduate of Mercy College with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She has experience in a variety of settings including pediatrics, neuro rehabilitation , orthopedics, and geriatrics.
In her spare time, Veena enjoys reading, dancing, spending time with her cats, and listening to live music.
Misbah Shiliwala, PT, DPT
I graduated with a Masters of Exercise Physiology degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica College, New York. I have worked as a lead PT and Rehab Manager for 12 years in a skilled Nursing facility with Geriatric population. I transitioned to home-based PT services for the past 2 years and have been rendering PT services to geriatric, adult, pediatric and DDD population in their home setting. I enjoy working with a geriatric population. I have 13+ years of experience in working with varied orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, post-surgical and Neurological conditions in geriatric population.
Outside of work, I enjoy painting, hiking and going on long drives. I am well-travelled across the globe and love exploring new countries, cuisines and cultures. I speak Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati apart from English.
Ann, MA, CCC/SLP
Ann is a graduate of Kean University with a B.A. in Speech Correction and a M.A. in Speech Pathology. She has over 26 years of experience in the field and has worked in a variety of settings including hospital, home based Early Intervention, school based, private practice and sub-acute settings. Ann has vast experience working with a wide age span of patients ranging from birth to geriatrics and is a firm believer in incorporating family members into the therapy process as it sets up for more optimal results for the patient. She specializes in treating dysphagia, various speech, voice and language disorders as well as cognitive rehabilitation. She has found the field of speech pathology to be extremely rewarding.
Outside of work, Ann loves spending time with her husband, two daughters and family dog. Exercising and attending concerts are a few of her hobbies that she thoroughly enjoys.
Elysha, PT, DPT
Elysha obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health
Sciences. Elysha completed clinical rotations at JFK Medical Center (Acute Care), Hackensack Meridian
Health (Vestibular/Outpatient), Concentra Urgent Care (Industrial/Outpatient), and at ProCare
Rehabilitation (Outpatient Orthopedics). Elysha is currently pursuing her certification in the McKenzie
Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to further enhance orthopedic knowledge and skills.
She has been involved in Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts over 15 years and is currently a black belt instructor at
Menlo Park Elementary School in Edison, NJ for grades K through 5. Outside of Synaptic Rehabilitation
Elysha loves playing the viola and guitar, traveling, teaching karate, and spending time with family and
friends!
Melissa Sitrin, PT
Jessica Kiernan, OT, OTR
Jessica earned her BS in Exercise Science from Greensboro College in NC and her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Radford University Carilion in VA in 2021. Jessica is passionate about helping the geriatric population age in place.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys staying active, going for long walks, all kinds of summer outdoor activities, and taking naps with her cat, Binx.
