Meet Our Staff

Melinda is a licensed physical therapist who graduated from Springfield College with her Master’s Degree in 2007 and from the Sage Colleges with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010. She is also a certified lymphedema therapist. Her training with the Norton School of Lymphatic Studies includes complete decongestive therapy, manual lymph drainage, and certification in garment fitting. Her experience in physical therapy includes treatment of musculoskeletal, oncologic, and lymphatic conditions in an inpatient, outpatient, and home care setting. She works in the Pawtucket and Saunderstown clinics where she combines manual therapy with essential exercises to help improve function at work, home and recreational activities.

Kristen joined RI Rehab in March of 2010. She graduated from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, located in Worcester, MA. Kristen is dedicated in her mission to assist people find holistic solutions to chronic pain, stress reduction and mind/body balance. She is continuing her education and her particular areas of interest are cancer appropriate massage, Fibromyalgia and chronic pain reduction using Myofascial Release techniques. Kristen is a certified Lomi Lomi massage therapist and is pursuing Cranial Sacral Therapy certification. She is also Reiki II certified. Kristen is a NCBTMB certified practitioner and is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She is fully licensed and professionally insured

Mark joined RI Rehab in February 2010. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2006 with BS in Athletic Training / Sports Medicine. Mark also graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2009 with doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. He has experience working as an athletic trainer in a collegiate Div I program, in outpatient physical therapy clinics and in a High School setting. Mark specialize in Sports Medicine and orthopedic injuries. He prefers to have individualized treatment protocol for each patient based on their goals / impairments / limitations with a combination of manual therapy and functional exercise to best suit patient needs. He is a firm believer that laughter and having fun during the rehabilitation process plays a vital role in recovering from any injury. Mark also believes that communication between patients and therapists is extremely important in order to maximize healing and efficacy of treatment.

Carla began her time with RI Rehab as a student, and has continued her career as a licensed PTA since 2008. Carla has gained experience working in many different settings with all age groups, but spends most of her time working in Geriatrics at Butler Hospital and the Rhode Island Veteran's Home. Carla finds helping the elderly maintain their independence and finding new, innovative ways to improve their function very gratifying. Carla enjoys not only being able to see patients' status and functional ability improve, but also helping the patients see the progress in themselves. Carla also takes a special interest in manual therapies, and looks forward to continued learning and growing in the field of Physical Therapy.

Kendra graduated from Northeastern University class of 2006 and has worked at RI Rehab since 2008. She finds it important to interact with the body and person from a multi-system approach as a framework for healing. In both aquatic and land settings, Kendra enjoys working with all levels of orthopaedic and neuromuscular issues to restore and enhance movement, function, and performance.

Caroline is a certified physical therapy assistant who graduated from the Community College of Rhode Island. She also has a bachelor’s degree in human development & family services from the University of Rhode Island. Caroline treats patients with pelvic floor dysfunction and is interested in furthering the mission of treating women’s health conditions. In the future, Caroline plans to further her education in lymphedema and plans on taking continuing education courses on the various therapy methods used to alleviate pain for the patients who suffer from this condition.

Kristina graduated from Northeastern University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and in 2002 she earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Rhode Island. Kristina treats pregnant patients and has developed a specialty in prenatal and postpartum physical therapy and pelvic floor dysfunction. Kristina has extensive experience in manual physical therapy and uses her athletic training background for exercise-based programs. Kristina is certified in prenatal and postpartum exercise instruction via specific training with Elizabeth Noble, founder of the obstetrics and gynecology section for the American Physical Therapy Association.

Marisa first joined RI Rehab in 1998, working in both the Cranston and Back On Track (RI Rehab’s sister company in the Boston area) clinics until 2000. She returned in 2009 to work at RI Rehab’s Providence clinic. Marisa has been practicing physical therapy since she graduated from Simmons College in 1996, specializing in manual therapy, including craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, muscle energy and osteopathic techniques. Marisa has extensive experience treating patients with chronic pain, headaches and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. She genuinely enjoys working with people to improve their quality of life through treatment and education.

Mary graduated valedictorian of her class from Becker College. She has been a physical therapist assistant for 34 years and has worked at RI Rehab in the East Providence location since 2009. She has extensive experience in neurological disorders, orthopedics, pediatrics, adaptive equipment, and aqua therapy. Mary enjoys working with all types of people and conditions and has been described as compassionate and knowledgeable. She likes to utilize a holistic approach to treatments to help restore patients to optimal function.

Lisa has 23 years of experience in orthopedic physical therapy and sports medicine. She conducts clinics for runners and golfers with a focus on injury prevention and performance enhancement. She also treats geriatric patients and specializes in functional therapy, pain management, and integrative care with extended care facilities. Lisa also treats women’s health issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction. Her approach to therapy is to maximize functional outcomes and encourage an overall wellness for her patients. Lisa is the Clinical Director of our East Providence and East Greenwich Facilities.

Kristen is a certified and registered occupational therapist who graduated from University of Southern California in 2005. She is also a certified lymphedema therapist. Her training with the Norton School of Lymphatic Studies includes complete decongestive therapy, manual lymph drainage, and certification in garment fitting. Her experience in occupational therapy includes treatment of the upper extremity and hand injuries, neurorehabilitation, and functional retraining. She enjoys helping patients to accomplish their goals and return to independent living.

Stella is licensed and certified in many types of massage therapy including: medical massage, pre / post natal, lymphatic drainage, and Thai yoga. She is also a licensed and certified yoga instructor. Stella has worked in the Providence area with physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and midwives for many years. She is currently a nursing student at Rhode Island College specializing in pediatric oncology.

Stella has worked as a massage therapist since 1998, and is a graduate of Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Massachusetts, one of the oldest massage schools operating after sixty years. When attending Bancroft, Stella began to realize the infinite possibilities of massage therapy. She is inspired by the complexity of the body and enjoys nothing better than tracking the root of a person’s pain or injury, and helping in its resolution. She is a nurturing, compassionate therapist with a confident and skilled touch. It is Stella's hope that all her patients leave feeling holistically nourished and cared for. She believes that there is no substitute for the human touch.

In her spare time, Stella enjoys being a requisite mom, daily yoga, kettlebell training, hiking, writing, and fully experiencing each moment, each day.

Rebecca Plonsky, LICSW is the Director of Communications & Business Development Director at RI Rehab. Rebecca works collaboratively with the RI Rehabilitation team to expand current wellness based and physical therapy programming that offers best in class and evidence based practices as well as developing new programming.

Rebecca is the main human resource contact for topics related conflict resolution, training, continuing education, career development, or any other related issues. Rebecca’s goal is to create an effective and cohesive work environment where employees can continue to work together to ensure the lives of patients improve by continuing to offer high quality, effective treatment and coordination of care as well as enhancing the employee working experience at RI Rehab.

Historically, Rebecca graduated with honors from the Masters in Social Work program at Boston College. She has her Department of Education certification and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Rhode Island. Rebecca works collaboratively with Psychological Centers and provides individual and family behavioral health counseling to RI Rehabilitation, LLC patients.

Greg joined RI Rehab in 2001 and currently serves as Warren's clinical director. Greg works with patients of all age groups who have both acute and chronic orthopedic, neurological, and arthritic conditions. He also specializes in multi-trauma cases. Greg has experience in outpatient settings, and also spent time as a therapist in the US Navy. While in the Navy, Greg worked with the breast cancer team and continues to see patients who require physical therapy following reconstructive or mastectomy procedures. He is a 1988 graduate of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Stephen came to RI Rehab as a student, and was so successful with patients that he joined the staff as a PTA upon his graduation from CCRI in 2006. His strengths are in improving people's functional limitations and combining massage therapy with physical therapy. He enjoys helping people get better and improving their lives.