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Neurological Program

Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at University Hospital
Upstate University Hospital
Rm. N2104
750 East Adams Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Google Maps & Directions
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Hours:Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-4:30pm

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at University Hospital offers comprehensive therapy examination and treatment for individuals with neurological problems. These problems may result if you have experienced a stroke, brain injury, concussion injury, brain tumor, spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.

Treatments and techniques include:

  • Mobility retaining including ambulation, transfers, and community navigation
  • Balance retraining and safety
  • Activities of daily living to increase independence for self care, home and community tasks
  • Independent living skills with a focus on school and work transitions
  • Speech/language retraining
  • Cognitive retraining
  • Visual retraining
  • Physical skills facilitation to improve strength, range of motion, endurance and coordination

Specialty training programs may include the use of specialized equipment including the Lokomat®, ARMEO®, Walkaide®, or Dynavision™ systems to provide the highest level of clinical care with advanced technology.

Programs are based on individual needs and goals with patient education and home program being key to the plan of care.

A physician's referral is required for examination and treatment within this program.

Providers

Nana Afari
Nana Afari
315 464-6543

Courtney L Beckwith, OTR/L
Courtney L Beckwith, OTR/L
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: SUNY Buffalo, 2018, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy - Adult; Stroke; Occupational Therapy

Patricia M Clark, PT, DPT, CBIS
Patricia M Clark, PT, DPT, CBIS
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Russell Sage College, 2015
  • BS: SUNY Albany, 2012

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Amputation; Brain Injury; Stroke; Trauma; Amputee Rehabilitation; more

Clinical Interests

  • Neurology - stroke, TBI


Nicole M Conese, PT, DPT, NCS
Nicole M Conese, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: University of Maryland at Baltimore, 2015, Physical Therapy
  • BS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2012, Exercise Science

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Neurology; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; more

Research Interests

  • Research Physical Therapist involved in SLeep Effects on Post-Stroke Rehabilitation (SLEEPR) Study

Clinical Interests

  • Stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, vestibular rehabilitation

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Neurology Section

Emily J Costello, CSRS
Emily J Costello, CSRS
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • Additional Training: SUNY Upstate Medical Center, 2017, CBIS

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Adolescent Medicine; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Adolescent Medicine; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Neuromuscular Disease; more

Education Interests

  • Completed Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist course and exam in 2015,  Renewed Cerification 

Clinical Interests

  • Neurology,  Stroke,  TBI,  Neurosurgery


Kayla N Critser, PT, DPT, NCS
Kayla N Critser, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-2282

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Neurology; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; more

Carrie E Garcia, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Carrie E Garcia, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: West Virginia University School of Medicine, 2001, Speech-Language Pathology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Speech Pathology; Brain Injury; Cognitive Disorders; Communication Disorders; Concussion; Dysphagia; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Speech -Language -Hearing Association

Aimee L Graham, PT, DPT, NCS
Aimee L Graham, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Spinal Cord Injury; Stroke; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; more

Kelly A Grier, PT, DPT, CEEAA, NCS
Kelly A Grier, PT, DPT, CEEAA, NCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, 2017
  • PT: Russell Sage College, 1998

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

LSVT Big; Brain Injury; Guillain Barre Syndrome; Huntington's disease; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Parkinson's Disease; more

Olivia S Jamieson, MS, CF-SLP
Olivia S Jamieson, MS, CF-SLP
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Vanderbilt University, 2023, Speech-Language Pathology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Brain Injury; Cognitive Disorders; Communication Disorders; Dysphagia; Stroke; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Speech -Language -Hearing Association

Amy M Jennings, MS OTR/L, CBIS, MHA, LNHA
Amy M Jennings, MS OTR/L, CBIS, MHA, LNHA
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MHA: Utica College, 2015

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)

Vicki M Kalina, PT
Vicki M Kalina, PT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • PT: Quinnipiac College, 2002

Kaelynn E Kocsis
Kaelynn E Kocsis
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Utica College, 2011, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy - Adult; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Amputation; Brain Cancer; Brain Injury; more

Education Interests

  • Stroke treatment

    Vision treatment

     

Clinical Interests

  • neuro rehab, stroke, TBI


Christina T Legg, PT, DPT
Christina T Legg, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2016
  • BS: SUNY Binghamton, 2011, Integrative Neuroscience

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Falls; Hip Fracture; Stroke; more

Christine C Lighthipe
Christine C Lighthipe
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy

Julie A Lombardi, PT, DPT, NCS
Julie A Lombardi, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2008

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Neurology; Brain Injury; Dizziness and Vertigo; Parkinson's Disease; Stroke; Neurological Rehabilitation; more

Clinical Interests

  • LSVT BIG therapy for Neurological Disorders
    Rock Steady Boxing Certified

    Vestibular therapy

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Carly M Mann
Carly M Mann
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy - Adult; Amputation; Blurred Vision; Brachial Plexus Injury; Brain Aneurysm; more

Kimberly A Nemi, OTR/L, CBIS
Kimberly A Nemi, OTR/L, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1993, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Common Vision Problems; Concussion; more

Research Interests

  • Concussion Management

    Visual and Vestibular disorders

Education Interests

  • Visual dysfunction and low vision services- occupational therapy

Clinical Interests

  • Concussion Care, Brain Injury

    Aquired visual disorders

    Low vision

    Cognitive dysfunction


Kristin A Overend, PT
Kristin A Overend, PT
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • PT: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2008, Master's of Physical Therapy
  • BS: St. John Fisher College, 2005, Biology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Guillain Barre Syndrome; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more

Research Interests

  • Research Physical Therapist in SLEep Effects on

    Post-Stroke Rehabilitation (Sleepr) Study.


Maria J Podbelski, DPT
Maria J Podbelski, DPT
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2016

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Brain Injury; Dizziness and Vertigo; Falls; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Meaghan Porter, PT, DPT
Meaghan Porter, PT, DPT
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2018, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Bone Cancer; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ); Hip Fracture; Neuropathy; Pulmonary Disorders; Inpatient Physical Therapy

Research Interests

  • Benefits of mobility in the ICU with intubated patients to improve function. 

     

Clinical Interests

  • Oncology, Respiratory Diseases, Early Mobility in the ICU, Emergency Care in GEM


Denali Remonda, PT, DPT
Denali Remonda, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Buffalo, 2009

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Muscular Dystrophies; Spinal Cord Injury; more

Beth Rolland, OTR, CDRS, CBIS
Beth Rolland, OTR, CDRS, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Columbia University, 1997, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Concussion; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more

Lynne Romeiser-Logan, PT, PhD, PCS
Lynne Romeiser-Logan, PT, PhD, PCS
315 464-5820

Education & Fellowships

  • PhD: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2009

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Physical Therapy; Brachial Plexus Injury; Cerebral Palsy; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Spasticity; more

Research Interests

  • Effectiveness of treatments for children and adults with neurological disorders.

Education Interests

  • Evidence based practice

Clinical Interests

  • Spasticity, developmental disabilities, brachial plexus injury, neurological disorders.


Lisa E Rothwell, PT
Lisa E Rothwell, PT
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1988, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Dizziness and Vertigo; Body Weight Support Treadmill Training, Physical Therapy; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Chronic Disease Management; more

Education Interests

  • Health and wellness, Aging and longevity

Clinical Interests

  • Burns, SCI, neurological disorders, balance, seating and positioning, TBI


Kelly Ryan, OTR,CSRS,CBIS
Kelly Ryan, OTR,CSRS,CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1992, Occupational Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Stroke; more

Jennifer I Spieker, OTR/L
Jennifer I Spieker, OTR/L
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • OTR: Keuka University, 2001

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Stroke; Occupational Therapy

Emily E Talbot, MS, CCC-SLP
Emily E Talbot, MS, CCC-SLP
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Ithaca College, 2011

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Speech Pathology; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Dysphagia; more

Clinical Interests

  • Evaluation and treatment of dysphagia, stroke, TBI, cognitive communication disorders, aphasia, apraxia.

Associations/Memberships

  • American Speech -Language -Hearing Association, Ccc-Slp

Adrian Wagner, PT, DPT, NCS
Adrian Wagner, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Neurology; LSVT Big; Vestibular Rehabilitation; Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more

Danielle J Wheeler-Vickery, PT, DPT, GCS
Danielle J Wheeler-Vickery, PT, DPT, GCS
315 464-2282

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: University Hospital, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 2014, Physical Therapy
  • BS: Russell Sage College, 1996, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Geriatric Physical Therapy; Physical Therapy; Stroke; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Geriatrics; Inpatient Physical Therapy; more

Research Interests

  • Sleeper Study

Clinical Interests

  • Geriatrics, Stroke Rehab, Neuro and Brain Injury, General Surgery and medicine, Ortho Trauma

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

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