SYNAPTIC REHABILITATION
OUR TEAM
People who care.
Expertise that moves you forward.
Get to know the physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals and Rock Steady Boxing coaches supporting your goals.
Care begins with connection.
Different specialties. One shared commitment to you. Choose a specialty below to jump to that team.
Physical Therapy
Meet our physical therapy team.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Steven, PT, DPT, LSVT
Founder and Lead Physical Therapist
Steven is the founder and lead physical therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation.
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.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Katelynn DeLuca, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
KateLynn De Luca received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University in 2018.
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.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Mark Sonevytsky, PT, MPT
Physical Therapist
Mark is a highly experienced physical therapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience.
Mark is a highly experienced physical therapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He earned his Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Mercy College and has worked with patients in outpatient, home-based, orthopedic, and neurological rehabilitation settings. Mark takes a personalized approach to care, helping patients improve their strength, balance, mobility, and independence while working toward their individual goals. He is passionate about helping patients regain confidence and return to the activities that are meaningful to them.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Misbah Shiliwala, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Misbah 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.
Misbah 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. Misbah have worked as a lead PT and Rehab Manager for 12 years in a skilled Nursing facility with Geriatric population. She also 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. Misbah enjoys working with a geriatric population. With 13+ years of experience in working with varied orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, post-surgical and Neurological conditions in geriatric population.
Outside of work, She enjoys painting, hiking and going on long drives. Misbah also is well-travelled across the globe and love exploring new countries, cuisines and cultures. She speaks Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati apart from English.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Elysha, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Elysha obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.
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!
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Melissa Sitrin, PT
Physical Therapist
Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from University of Connecticut and has been happily working as a PT for 40 years .
Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from University of Connecticut and has been happily working as a PT for 40 years . She has worked in hospitals, outpatient clinics, Assisted Living & Nursing Home facilities as well as Home care. Her experience includes Brain Trauma/head injury, Geriatrics and Neurologic Rehabilitation ( MS, CVA, Parkinson’s, ALS, Spinal Cord, Dementia and other movement disorders.) Her greatest joy as a PT is working with her patients to generate their own “wish list” of individual specific goals that will improve their personal quality of life and then develop a unique treatment plan to make it happen. Her treatment sessions are creative, innovative and fun. She is also trained as an Eldercare Navigator, and works as an advocate for the geriatric population.
Melissa is very proud of her 3 adult children (who live in Philly, Seattle and Buffalo), and in her spare time she enjoys puttering in her garden, going on adventures, hiking, bike riding , dancing , traveling, going to public lectures at Princeton University, tackling the NYT crossword daily and volunteering for Rock Steady Boxing ( a wonderful exercise program for people with Parkinsons).
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Meribeth Brookman, PTA, LSVT
Clinical Director
Meribeth is the clinical director for SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation in Bridgewater.
Meribeth is the clinical director for SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation in Bridgewater. She graduated from Union County College in 2021 with a degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant from Clarkson College in Nebraska. She began her career in general orthopedics, gaining valuable experience in orthopedics, pediatrics, and neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and vestibular dysfunction.
In 2022, she earned her PWR! Moves certification and has since dedicated her career to providing specialized care and treatment for the Parkinson’s community. Outside of patient care and coaching exercise classes, Meribeth enjoys spending time with her family, baking, weightlifting, and hiking with her dog.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Kara Nelson, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Kara, a physical therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation, is passionate about helping people regain independence and confidence in their movement.
Kara, a physical therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation, is passionate about helping people regain independence and confidence in their movement. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Kara has experience in neurological rehabilitation and especially enjoys working with individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, dementia, and spinal cord injuries. She believes in meeting each patient where they are and guiding them toward meaningful progress in their daily lives. Outside the clinic, she enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Summer, PT, DPT, LSVT
Physical Therapist
Summer, a Physical Therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation, is dedicated to helping individuals regain confidence, maximize independence, and improve their overall quality of life through compassionate, one-on-one care.
Summer, a Physical Therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation, is dedicated to helping individuals regain confidence, maximize independence, and improve their overall quality of life through compassionate, one-on-one care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Applied Kinesiology from Rutgers University before receiving her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Summer has experience treating geriatric, neurological, and orthopedic conditions and enjoys working closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that promote meaningful progress toward their goals.
She especially enjoys working with older adults and is passionate about providing personalized care in the comfort of their homes. As an LSVT BIG Certified clinician, Summer provides specialized treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological movement disorders. Outside of physical therapy, she enjoys kickboxing, hiking, running, and spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Sushi.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Parth Patel, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Parth Patel earned his Master of Science in Exercise Science from Arkansas State University and later completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania.
Parth Patel earned his Master of Science in Exercise Science from Arkansas State University and later completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. He has been practicing in the United States since 2017 and is passionate about helping patients improve mobility, restore function, and maintain independence. Parth has experience working in both outpatient and hospital-based settings, treating a wide range of neurological, orthopedic, and age-related conditions.
Parth has a special interest in geriatrics, neurological rehabilitation, and orthopedic conditions. He enjoys working with older adults to improve balance, reduce fall risk, and enhance overall mobility, while also helping patients recover from neurological and musculoskeletal conditions through individualized and evidence-based treatment approaches.
Outside of practicing physical therapy, Parth enjoys hiking, going on long drives, and spending quality time with family and friends.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Esther L. Williamson, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Esther is a physical therapist with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Seton Hall University.
Esther is a physical therapist with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Seton Hall University. She has a special interest and experience in neurologic and brain injury rehab but enjoys working with patients from a wide variety of backgrounds. She loves to design treatment plans that incorporate fun and meaningful life tasks to help her patients reach their goals. Esther is passionate about cross-cultural engagement and communication and is proficient in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. In her free time, Esther enjoys spending time with family and friends, being active in the outdoors, singing, dancing, cooking and baking, and volunteering in her church and community.
Occupational Therapy
Meet our occupational therapy team.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Bridget, OT, OTR
Lead Occupational Therapist
Bridget is the lead occupational therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation.
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.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Angie, OT, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Angela (Angie) Agnese is an occupational therapist.
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.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Veena Rao, OT, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Veena is a graduate of Mercy College with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
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.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Jessica Kiernan, OT, OTR
Occupational Therapist
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 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.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Jillian Greenan, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Jillian Greenan, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist.
Jillian Greenan, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist. She earned her BA from Marist University with a dual certification in Psychology and Special Education. She later received her AAS as an Occupational Therapy Assistant from Eastwick College and went on to complete her MS in Occupational Therapy at Iona University.
Jillian has experience working with individuals with a variety of physical and mental health conditions and has a strong passion for home health care. She enjoys working in patients’ home environments, allowing her to better understand their daily routines and create personalized treatment plans that support independence and meaningful participation in everyday activities.
Outside of occupational therapy, Jillian enjoys spending time with her husband, family, dog, and friends. She also enjoys visiting Long Beach Island, where she loves going to the beach and taking bike rides, as well as spending time in Vermont skiing and enjoying activities on the lake.
Speech Therapy
Meet our speech therapy team.
SPEECH THERAPY
Peter Pantalena, MS, CCC/SLP, LSVT
Speech Therapist
Peter earned his B.S. in Communication Disorders from The College of Saint Rose and his M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nova Southeastern University.
Peter earned his B.S. in Communication Disorders from The College of Saint Rose and his M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nova Southeastern University. With more than 24 years of experience in Speech-Language Pathology, he has worked across home care, rehabilitation, outpatient, acute and subacute care, long-term care, schools, and private practice in NY, NJ, and FL.
Peter has worked with individuals ranging from young children to older adults and takes a personalized, client-centered approach to therapy. He is particularly passionate about helping individuals with speech, voice, swallowing, and cognitive-language challenges related to neurological conditions, stroke, head injuries, pulmonary disease, and cancer.
Outside of work, Peter enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, gardening, cooking, and spending time with his wife, two daughters, family, and dog.
SPEECH THERAPY
Ann, MA, CCC/SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Ann is a graduate of Kean University with a B.A. in Speech Correction and a M.A. in Speech Pathology.
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.
SPEECH THERAPY
Laura Deroche, MS, CCC/SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Laura is a speech therapist at SYNAPTIC Rehabilitation. Photo and biography coming soon.
Rock Steady Boxing
Hillsborough & Mercer · Synaptic Performance & Wellness LLC
Hillsborough
Anjali Puri · Annmarie Dankers · Annie Marange · Mike Lynch
Mercer
Barbara Kelly · Andrew (Andy) Johnson · Denise Catiis
Virtual · Zoom
Kelsey Favocci · Ashley Dorundo
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Barbara Kelly, PT
Head Coach
Mercer
Barbara continues as Head Coach with Synaptic Performance & Wellness.
Coach Barb has been a Physical Therapist for over 40 years, and has always had a passion for helping others. One day, she caught Leslie Stahl’s 60 Minutes segment about her husband fighting back against Parkinson’s with a program called Rock Steady Boxing. She was so moved by it, that it became her mission to bring RSB to the Central Jersey area.
She earned a certification as a Rock Steady Boxing Head Coach at the RSB Headquarters in Indianapolis, as well as certifications as an LSVT BIG Therapist, LSVT BIG for Life Therapist, and PWR! Moves Therapist, all specific to the therapeutic treatment of Parkinson’s. She also maintained the Geriatric Certified Specialist credential through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties for 20 years, reflecting her long-standing depth of experience in geriatric care.
She is deeply grateful to everyone who makes our mission possible. Our outstanding team of coaches, dedicated volunteers, and the incredible fighters and their care partners who show up with courage, resilience, and heart every day. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, traveling with her husband Sam, and spending time with her family and friends.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Anjali Puri
Certified RSB Coach
Hillsborough
Anjali became a certified Rock Steady Boxing coach in 2022.
Anjali discovered RSB in 2021 when Coach Barb presented the program to the Parkinson's support group she attended after a family member was diagnosed. For the first time she felt hopeful. After a visit to observe the class, her family member signed up and Anjali soon became a volunteer. Joining the RSB family quickly proved to not only benefit her family, but changed her life as well.
Inspired by the determination, kindness and dedication of the boxers, their families, the coaches, and fellow volunteers, she immersed herself in the program with a desire to help support, encourage and fight alongside these amazing people.
With a background in kickboxing, martial arts, strength training and yoga, Coach Barb soon invited her to become a coach. She became a certified RSB coach in 2022 and feels privileged every day to participate in the magic of RSB, to watch it change people's lives, and to see them thrive.
When she isn't volunteering, coaching, or care partnering, Anjali, with her husband Brian, live out the reality show "This Old House". They have discussions about how they became outnumbered by the furry beasts they live with (2 dogs and 4 cats) and conclude it is Anjali's fault (leave it to a vegan). She loves gardens, hiking, snowboarding, motorcycles, and dreams of one day having a rescue farm.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Mike Lynch
Certified RSB Assistant Coach · Hillsborough
Mike brings a background in sports, martial arts, and coaching.
After retiring from 40+ years in retail management, Mike was looking for a way to give back to the community and saw a posting on Facebook for Rock Steady Boxing. He was intrigued since he had been involved in sports for most of his life, from high school track to running in multiple races as an adult, and martial arts now for several years.
He became involved in Taekwondo after enrolling his son in a program and realizing he shouldn’t have all the fun. He became a certified instructor and competed in tournaments, winning three state championships in sparring and earning a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo and Krav Maga.
Mike has been married for 41 years and has four children and one grandchild. His wife and sons have also earned Taekwondo black belts. In addition to coaching Taekwondo, Mike has coached several of his children’s sports teams.
He enjoys working with the RSB coaches, volunteers, and boxers. He hopes he has given them as much as they have given him.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Annmarie Dankers
Certified RSB Coach
Hillsborough
Annmarie began as a volunteer and became a certified coach in January 2025.
Annmarie started with RSB in the summer of 2021 as her son was preparing to leave for college, leaving her and her husband, Paul, empty nesters. She was looking for an opportunity to volunteer in her community when she came across a Facebook post from RSB urgently needing volunteers! Annmarie was hopeful that it would be a good fit as she did not have experience with Parkinson's Disease. She had been involved in personal fitness her whole life and was supportive of her mom's therapies after her mom suffered a stroke.
Annmarie became certified as an RSB coach in January 2025 and truly appreciates contributing to this wonderful program. She thoroughly enjoys working with her fellow coaches and volunteers, as well as with our boxers, who she feels have become like a second family to her.
Annmarie spent 20+ years in accounting, including supporting her husband in running a small business. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking, biking, and traveling with her husband, her son and friends visiting National Parks and baseball stadiums. Included in her family are two cats and a very hairy dog!
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Kelsey Favocci, DPT
Certified RSB Coach
Virtual · Zoom
Kelsey joined the program as a volunteer in 2019 before becoming a coach.
Kelsey has been with the Rock Steady Boxing program for over 6 years. Beginning as a volunteer in 2019, she quickly fell in love with the program and became a coach.
Kelsey graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and then received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University. She decided to pursue a different career path in Pharmacology Research and Development but continues to coach our Night Shift classes on Wednesday nights.
You can usually find her dancing during class to keep the energy high. She loves learning more about our boxers and finding ways to help them achieve their goals while also cultivating a positive and welcoming environment for exercise.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Andrew (Andy) Johnson
Certified RSB Coach · Certified Personal Trainer
Mercer
Andy is a certified personal trainer and Rock Steady Boxing coach.
Andy became a Certified Personal Trainer upon retiring after 40 years in the environmental consulting business. He followed that by becoming a Certified Rock Steady Boxing Coach. Andy’s interest in Rock Steady Boxing is a result of his father having Parkinson’s for 25 years.
“There is nothing more rewarding than hearing from our boxers that their family, friends, and neurologists are telling them how well they are doing fighting back against Parkinson’s.” As RSB coaches, that is why we do what we do.
In addition to continuing to consult part-time, Andy enjoys exercising, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Ashley Dorundo, PT, DPT, NCS
Certified RSB Coach
Virtual · Zoom
Ashley joined the team and became a certified Rock Steady Boxing coach in May 2024.
Ashley received her Doctorate of Physical therapy in 2012. Having a strong interest in neuro rehabilitation, she pursued opportunities for further professional development and achieved her Board Certification for Neurologic Clinical Specialty through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2017, as well as PWR! Certifications. Ashley’s passion for working with individuals with movement disorders grew immensely throughout her career as a physical therapist, particularly through her time working with a team on interdisciplinary movement disorder program development. Through her experiences, Ashley became increasingly aware of the importance of ongoing exercise participation for individuals with movement disorders, as well as the gaps in opportunities and accessibility to wellness services. In 2023, Ashley stepped away from her clinical role as a PT to serve her growing family. She connected with Barb in 2024 and was thrilled to learn of the incredible RSB program that Barb had grown. Ashley joined the team and became a Certified RSB Coach in May of 2024 and is so grateful to be able to assist with providing a necessary service to individuals with Parkinsons in the community.
Ashley’s priorities otherwise are her faith and her family. She and her husband have two sons. She loves spending time outside, staying physically active and healthy living.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Annie Marange
Certified RSB Coach · NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Hillsborough
Annie brings a background in exercise science and adaptive personal training.
Annie was first introduced to RSB Hillsborough when she unexpectedly ran into the RSB Head Coach, Barb, and the two instantly bonded over their shared passion for supporting individuals with special needs and disabilities. Coach Barb encouraged Annie to stop by the gym and volunteer—an invitation that quickly led to Annie becoming hooked! She officially began coaching at RSB Hillsborough in early 2025.
Annie earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick and has been a Certified Personal Trainer for over three years. She is deeply passionate about working with individuals of all ages and abilities in the areas of fitness and movement. This passion inspired her to create and run her own Adaptive Personal Training business,”Project: Milestones”, serving individuals within this community! She works with clients who have visual impairments, cancer, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, autism, and more. When Annie learned about RSB, she jumped at the chance to join and work with the boxers! She loves finding creative ways to make each class both fun and meaningful.
When Annie isn’t at the gym or working with her clients, you can find her hiking up mountains, spending time with her dogs, or traveling with her husband.
ROCK STEADY BOXING
Denise Catiis
Rock Steady Boxing Coach
Mercer
Denise is a Rock Steady Boxing coach in Mercer. Photo and biography coming soon.
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