Stefanie Bourassa is a Doctor of physical therapy and the site supervisor for the Center for Musculoskeletal Health at Hartford Hospital, as well as the sports medicine clinical program leader. She works with community members recovering from orthopedic and sports medicine injuries as well as prevention of those injuries by providing physical therapy, movement analysis, research and coordination of holistic care with other disciplines.
Stefanie knows that the physical therapy profession and the association work together towards the mission and vision statements both at the local state chapter level and at the national level.
Stefanie started as a physical therapist in the state of Connecticut in 2007, starting in private practice for 5 years before moving to the outpatient hospital setting in 2012; prior to that she was a student member who attended National Student Conclave. She became more involved with the Connecticut Chapter in 2015 with appointment to the Board of Directors; initially she started with the programming committee and then public policy committee. Through her growth within the Board, Stefanie has been at the lead of many of the successful changes and growth within the scope of practice and profession in our state level. The team successfully implemented the change of the make-up of Board of Examiners, defended our stance on dry needling as a modality for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant utilization, and the growth of physical therapy role in the campaign to fight the opioid epidemic. She has participated in the State Payment and Policy Meeting in Washington DC, as well as yearly attends the annual conference. While leading her team, they were recognized within their own institution as well as by colleagues within the American Physical Therapy Association’s Connecticut State Chapter, as team of the year in 2018. Through her work, she has presented on the national level on orthopedic conditions, but also on the holistic approach to care. Stefanie has experience with applying for and garnering grants to help support the profession and research.
Stefanie is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist, is recognized as a functional movement specialist and is working towards board certification in sports medicine through the APTA. She has been awarded the Gold Medal Manager Award through Hartford Hospital, being recognized for leadership skills and her ability to coach and mentor others. She is also a coach and unified partner for the Special Olympics of Connecticut Enfield Stars team for bowling, basketball, and golf, and in the past soccer and softball; also volunteers time with the Enfield High School girl’s soccer team. She acts as a Clinical Instructor for the PT and PTA schools within the state of Connecticut as well as many other schools within the North East.
Stefanie holds a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage Colleges in Troy, NY. She also holds a Masters’ in Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford as well as a baccalaureate of science in Health Sciences from the same University. She was a member of the women’s soccer team during her undergraduate studies, and was recognized on the All- American Academic team during her 4 year collegiate career.
Joe Grabicki is Doctor of Physical Therapy and is Site Supervisor for Hartford Healthcare Rehabilitation Network in West Hartford. He leads a multidisciplinary team supporting programs of Spine, Headache, Vestibular, Hand Therapy, and Sports Medicine with his partner ATC’s at local high schools and Universities.
Joe began his lifelong journey in PT after earning his PTA degree in 00’ and worked in various physical therapy settings across the country as a traveler and contractor until 06’. Although he enjoyed his role as a PTA, he was consistently questioning the “why” which drove him to earn his Doctorate from Loma Linda University with a concentration in Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 07’. He earned his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Certification in 09’ and recertified in 19’. He became a Certified Vestibular Therapist through Emory University and his Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapy certification through Maitland.
Professionally, Joe has been a member of the APTA since becoming a PTA student in 98’ when he was the APTA class representative. He again took on the APTA Rep role while in graduate school allowing him to gain a better perspective of the strength of our professional organization and the importance of active membership. He has been locally active in the APTA CT since relocating here in 08’ as a consistent member, a four year co-chair of the Orthopedic and Manual Therapy Special Interest group, an alternate delegate, and a member of the public policy committee.
Leigh is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Clinical Education at Sacred Heart University. She teaches across the curriculum in areas of neurology, geriatrics, professional practice, and public health. Her area of speciality is with older adults and decreasing ageism bias in physical therapy practice. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult, and LSVT Big Certified Clinician. Leigh has also served as Director at Large on the APTA CT Board of Directors for two consecutive terms, programming chair for the APTA CT Geriatric SIG, and Co-State Advocate for APTA Geriatrics demonstrating a commitment and passion for advocating for the profession. She has presented at the state level on geriatric PT and clinical education curricula. Her research interests include clinical education, high-intensity functional training, and ageism bias in the healthcare sector. Her experience and background in public health, overseeing provision of care across the continuum, and organizing clinical education experiences has allowed her to develop communication and organizational skills key for this role. She is motivated to continue her service to the profession at the state level. Leigh is committed to excellence, has a passion for the profession, and is outcome oriented. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve the PT profession in this role.
Dayle Stark is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, providing patient care in the outpatient hospital setting for Hartford Healthcare in Storrs, CT. She began as a new graduate in this clinic in 2015 and has been the site supervisor for 5+ years. She is a member of the Sports Medicine SIG within HHC and is active in clinician education, community involvement and research within this group. As a member of the Spine Council through HHC, Dayle contributes to outcome data analysis, forming best practice guidelines, and system-wide education for evidence based spine care. She leads the Pain-Spine SIG within HHC connecting various disciplines and patient care settings in mutual educational opportunities. Dayle received her undergraduate degree from Sacred Heart University in Exercise Science, where she played rugby for 2 years. Dayle went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut with her DPT in 2015, where she was a Student APTA member, becoming SAPTA president during her second year and publishing work on knee OA and aquatic therapy. She was previously a co-chair for the CT chapter Membership Committee until assuming the role as Treasurer. Dayle feels strongly about progressing the quality of care across the healthcare spectrum during illness and injury and improving awareness of the role physical therapy plays within our communities.
Chris is the Chair of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, and Program Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, at Sacred Heart University. He is a PT professor with experience as a University Dean, DPT Program Director, and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education. Chris has served patients, students, and faculty for over 30 years as a physical therapist. He has been working primarily in education, industrial, orthopedics, and acute care settings. Being a member of the APTA since 1988, he has held various elected leadership positions at the national, chapter, and district levels, including over 10 years as a Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates, APTA Nominating Committee (Chair), Board of Directors in Connecticut (Director), Ohio (Director), and Indiana (Treasurer). He is currently serving as the Chief Delegate for the Connecticut Chapter..
Shirley has been a licensed PTA since 1992 graduating from the PTA Program at Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA working in a variety of settings including Acute Care/ICU, acute inpatient rehab and skilled nursing. Shirley has been an active member of the APTA since 2017 volunteering on the Programming and Public Policy Committees of the APTA-CT as well as Membership Committee of APTA Acute Care and as a member of APTA Geriatrics. Shirley currently serves as one of eight members of the APTA PTA Council Steering Group.
Diana graduated from Quinnipiac College (now University) in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy, from Southern Connecticut State University in 1996 with a master’s degree in Exercise Science and from the University of Hartford in 2007 with a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. She was a Neurology Clinical Specialist certified by the APTA 2008-2018. She has worked primarily in adult neurologic rehabilitation at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare and has been in higher education since 1999. Diana is an associate professor at Sacred Heart University and has been on the CTAPTA Programming Committee at various times. She was an Item Writer 2010-2012 and a Clinical Content Expert 2012-2018 for the Neurology Board Examination, Specialization Academy of Content Experts. She has performed other volunteer work at the national, state and local levels.
Karleen was elected to the board in 2023. She has been a PT for 35 years and received her master’s degree in health care administration in 1993. She has been an active member and advocate of APTA and APTACT. At the National level served as the Chair of Public Relations for the American Physical Therapy Academy of Geriatrics from 2011-2021 and at the state level served on the Nominating Committee from 2008-2010 and Chair of the Practice Committee since 2004.
Clinical history has run through the entire continuum of life from pediatric to geriatric including hospitals, outpatient centers, rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, school systems and homecare. Owner of a rehabilitation contract company and owner/inventor of a clinical product. VP of operations for a national rehabilitation company of 1100 therapists. Business development includes an outpatient practice as well as a health care pharmacy. She developed a Geriatric Residency Program that was credentialed in 2010. Past adjunct professor at University of Hartford teaching business in the health care practice.
Karleen is a private consultant to businesses in healthcare on topics including clinical operations, business development, quality improvement, policies and procedures, public relations, marketing, clinical and operational compliance, laws and regulations, and payment. Clients have included clinical practices, state associations, professional associations, universities, insurance providers, Medicare local jurisdiction, The Center for Medicare Advocacy, fortune 500 companies, and legal agencies.
I am currently an outpatient physical therapist with a passion for operations and education, dedicated to ensuring the Physical Therapy direct patient care’s roles simply focuses on patient care. I have had exposure in the last 10 years in a variety of settings and treated in other states. My professional mission is to educate, reduce burden and find ways to optimize our systems in response to evolving insurance regulations and progressive strains. This passion led me to join the clinical operations team at PTSMC as a clinical compliance officer. I have truly enjoyed this role, continuing to treat and be a part of the mentoring and residency program. I would like to see the Physical Therapy profession continue to move forward, and ensure that our professional care maintains its quality, effectiveness, and safety, with standards that align with our professional values and level of education.
In my role with the board, I am committed to the long-term interests of the organization. In hopes to improve the organization,policies, and business decisions while maintaining fiduciary responsibilities.
Currently, Paul is working as a full-time Associate Professor for Eastern Connecticut State University in Connecticut. In the past he has worked as Clinical Specialist/Physical Therapist for UMass Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Department in Worcester, MA. and Clinic Rehabilitation Director at the Center for Sports Medicine at Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA. Paul obtained his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from the University of Connecticut, and his Bachelors Physical Therapy degree from Quinnipiac College. He received his transitional Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University.
He has been a practicing health care professional for over 25 years and is known for his clinical expertise and positive patient outcomes who have a wide range of diagnoses and ages. His work has been published in many journals including but not limited to, Physical Therapy Journal, The Knee Journal, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Physical Therapy in Sport and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. He has presented at the APTA CSM, IPTOP, WCPT and AAPMR conferences held around the USA and the World. Paul is a consummate learner/advocate/teacher for continued improvement of evidence-based practice to help the clinician and optimally treat the individual person. He is a strong advocate for the physical therapy profession.
Rachel Pata serves as a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University. She received a master’s degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2003 and a doctorate degree in physical therapy from Simmons College in 2009. She also earned a board certification as a Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Specialist from the APTA in 2014 and a board certification as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator from SSIH in 2019. She teaches in the content areas of Acute Care/Cardiopulmonary and Anatomy. Additionally, she serves as the Capstone Coordinator for the Department of Physical Therapy and as the Simulation Director for the School of Health Sciences. She continues her clinical practice at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT. She maintains an active research agenda in the content areas of simulation in physical therapy education, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation as well as overtraining in athletes. She is very enthusiastic about teaching and the profession of Physical Therapy.
She was appointed to the APTA CT Board in January, 2023 and her term runs through 2024.
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