Ann Duffy, M.A., P.T., received her Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College. She has been a physical therapist for 23 years. In 1984 she began her career at the Rusk Institute at New York University Hospital. In 1988 she completed her Masters in Biomechanics and Ergonomics from New York University. This post graduate work advanced her study and understanding of the musculo-skeletal system using engineering principles (biomechanics) and prepared her to help patients in reducing stress on their bodies at work (ergonomics), in sports and in daily living. In 1989 she started a private practice (Duffy & Bracken Physical Therapy) and continued treating patients using manual therapy techniques, exercise, and work-related and sports-specific training. Through private practice she has been able to bring together highly experienced physical therapists to give the highest quality care. In 1995 she took on another specialty to treat incontinence and pelvic pain. This work combines her skills in manual therapy and exercise techniques with biofeedback and behavioral re-education, and has been highly successful in helping patients overcome incontinence and pelvic pain.

Ann also works hard in her sports which include golf, tennis, snowboarding, skiing, wake boarding, water skiing, biking and weight lifting and brings this experience to her work with patients.

Ann is the vice chair of the Alliance of Independent Physical Therapists, a division of the New York Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Sara Anne Lewis, P.T., graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Physical Therapy and started her career in an outpatient orthopedic private practice. In this setting she gained extensive experience in treating orthopedic and sports injuries including post-operative or non-operatively managed shoulder rotator cuff, labrum tears and tendonitis, ligament (ACL/PCL/MCL) and meniscal tears, cervical and lumbar herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, ankle sprains, elbow tendonitis, plantar fascitis and other general musculo-skeletal diagnoses. Sara has experience with taping joints and muscles to re-educate them with proper usage and relieve pain, as well as fabricating orthotics. Sara also served as an integral part of community outreach programs including education of pregnant teenagers on pre- and postnatal self-care.

She remained in this setting for seven years while expanding her scope of practice in 1999 by completing specialized training to include treatment of women with pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, incontinence, interstitial cystitis, vulva pain syndromes, vestibulitis, vulvodynia, vaginismus, painful intercourse, and obstetric-related musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

In 2001 she expanded her treatment arena further when she took on another specialization in vestibular rehabilitation. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, which when subjected to trauma, disease or simply aging can be the home of problems such as vertigo or balance disorders, both of which Sara has had great success in treating.

Sara's special interest in dance as well as a desire for career growth drew her to New York City in October 2004, where she studies dance for many hours each week and keeps an active calendar of continuing education to advance her evaluation, treatment and manual skills. Sara uses her deepened understanding of human anatomy and function, drawn from her background in dance study, instruction and performance, to help her patients reach their full potential recovery.

Helen Nam, DPT, graduated from Stony Brook University with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Prior to her graduate studies, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science at Stony Brook.

In the course of her career, Helen worked in a variety of settings. She has worked at several outpatient orthopedic facilities, one of them Duffy & Bracken; she has screened, evaluated, and treated students ages 5-21 with various orthopedic and neurological pediatric diagnoses; she has designed and implemented treatments for students to achieve school-based functional activities; and she has worked with inpatients in cardiac and pulmonary intensive care units for post-operative cardiac surgeries.

Helen enjoys treating patients with diverse musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions, such as osteoarthritis, neck and back pain, shoulder pains/dysfunctions, fractures, ligament sprains, meniscus tears, and patients who have undergone various operative procedures.

Currently living in Staten Island, Helen loves playing the piano and violin during her leisure time. She has a passion for snowboarding on winter weekends, running outdoors, hiking with her family, and is a serious baseball fan. Her active lifestyle has contributed to her enthusiasm and compassion for guiding others on their road to recovery.

Steve Noveshen, M.P.T., received his Masters in Physical Therapy from California State University, Long Beach. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Arizona with a degree in physiology.

After completing his Masters, Steve joined Ultrahealth Sports Physical Therapy, a highly respected outpatient orthopedic clinic in the financial district in San Francisco. In this setting, he treated a diverse, active population of adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. He developed an excellent reputation and relationship with general practitioners, orthopedic doctors, and the community through outreach activities and his excellent patient care; for example, he volunteered as the on-site trainer and physical therapist for a women's soccer club and a running club, teaching them injury prevention and treatment.

Steve completed an additional year of training in the Maitland Concept of Manipulative Physiotherapy, a widely respected and recognized manual therapy approach that uses gentle passive movements in the treatment of pain, in addition to the more forceful techniques used when necessary to increase range of motion. It emphasizes a specific way of thinking, continuous evaluation and assessment and the art of manipulative physiotherapy. The Maitland Concept laid the foundation for the development of contemporary definitions and descriptions of the physiotherapy process and its great strength lies in the disciplined and continual feedback. Steve incorporates in his work the belief that the relationship between body and mind impact on physical conditions.

Steve recently moved to New York City and enjoys the energy and vibrance of the city. He is an avid sports fan and a shoulder injury that resulted from playing baseball first exposed him to physical therapy and inspired him to become a physical therapist to be able to help people return to sports, or any other activity they love.