Rehabilitation Program for the Patient with Cancer
The Upstate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department has developed a program to assist patients with cancer reduce the physical effects of disease and the effects of its treatment.
Services are provided by experienced Physical and Occupational Therapists in our four outpatient satellite offices. Each patient receives a thorough initial evaluation which includes a discussion about symptoms, functional limitation and patient goals along with an examination. Based on the evaluation a personalized plan for treatment is developed.
Upstate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department also offers a fatigue management program for those undergoing treatment for cancer. It is a special exercise program supervised by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant that involves using cardiovascular exercise and strengthening to combat fatigue. Enrollment into program can occur before treatment or can begin at the start of treatment. Exercise continues as tolerated until the end of chemotherapy or radiation.
Goals of Rehabilitation:
- Maintain or increase muscle strength
- Maintain or increase aerobic capacity
- Decrease pain
- Limit bone loss though weight bearing exercise
- Improve balance and decrease falls/risk for falls
- Prevent/manage lymphedema
- Improve general function
- Decrease fatigue
- Improve ability to perform activities of daily living and self care tasks
- Provide/suggest adaptive devices to improve performance of activities of daily living
Goals are achieved through:
- Exercise
- Range of motion activities/stretching
- Balance training
- Modalities (ice, heat, TENS etc)
- Massage
- Aquatic therapy
- Activities of daily living training
- Relaxation
- Teaching energy conservation strategies
- Splinting
- Education on adaptive/compensatory strategies for memory, attention and organizational skills
A referral from your physician is needed for enrollment into this program. Please call 464-6543 to schedule an appointment.
Providers

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2011, Physical Therapy
- PT: Ithaca College, 2001, Physical Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy; Physical Therapy; Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury; Arthritis; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ); Cystic Fibrosis (CF); moreClinical Interests
Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Orthopedics
Associations/Memberships
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

315 464-6543
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Lymphedema Therapist; Absence of Breast; Aging Issues; Amputation; Arthritis; Breast Cancer; moreClinical Interests
Geriatric Physical Therapy, Balance and fall prevention

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- DPT: Utica College, 2013
- BS: Quinnipiac College, 1999, Physical Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Adult Leukemia; Adult Lymphoma; Advanced Prostate Cancer; moreClinical Interests
Geriatrics. Cancer. Acute Care.

315 464-6543
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; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Amputation; Amputation; more
315 464-6543
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute Illness & Injury Management; Adult Trauma and Critical Care; Chronic Pain Rehabilitation; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Stroke RehabilitationAssociations/Memberships
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

315 464-5540
Education & Fellowships
- Residency: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2022
Research Interests
Disability Advocacy
Clinical Interests
Pediatric Rehabilitation, Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation, Tone Management, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Associations/Memberships
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMandR)
- American Medical Association

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2017, Occupational Therapy
- BS: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2016, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy - Adult; Occupational Therapy - Pediatrics; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; All Cancers and Hematological Conditions; moreClinical Interests
Neurology and Pediatrics

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- BS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2018, Occupational Science
- MS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2018, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Occupational Medicine; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Concussion; Fracture; more
315 464-8668
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 TherapyResearch 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

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- PhD: Syracuse University, 2004, Rehabilitation Counseling
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Vocational Rehabilitation
315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Columbia University, 1979, speech/language pathology
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Speech Pathology; Dysphagia; Head and Neck Cancer; Stroke; Fiberopic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES); Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)Associations/Memberships
- American Speech -Language -Hearing Association
