Patrick Zell P.T., D.P.T., O.C.S.
Licensed Physical Therapist

Patrick graduated from Daemen College, in Buffalo, in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy. He graduated from Shenandoah University in 2010 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and his doctoral thesis was titled “Rehabilitation of a high school athlete after undergoing Osteochondral Autologous Transplant surgery”. Patrick has completed continuing education courses on shoulder, knee, spine, and sports rehabilitation, along with manual therapy courses. In June 2005 the American Physical Therapy Association recognized Patrick as an Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS).

Patrick was born and raised in Hurley, and attended Kingston High School. Patrick joined the practice in 2005 and became a partner in 2007.  When not at work he enjoys watching sports, exercising, golfing, and woodworking. Patrick resides in Hurley with his wife Jennifer and their daughter and son.

Heath Tong P.T.D.P.T.
Licensed Physical Therapist

Heath graduated from Daemen College in 1989 and has completed over 300 hours of continuing education, including courses in geriatric therapy and a certification course in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics assessment. Heath joined the practice in July of 1990 and became a partner in 1993. He is the instructor of our Back School program and brings to the practice a background in medicine, which started while in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman.

Heath grew up in Saugerties and returned to Ulster County after almost 5 years in the military.  He graduated from Ulster County Community College before going to Buffalo and graduating from Daemen College. He completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in August of 2010. Heath resides in West Hurley with his wife. He has three children who are spread out throughout the United States. He also volunteers in various community programs including Boy Scouting. When Heath is not practicing physical therapy he is camping, traveling, or visiting the family.

Lauren Fahrenkopf, PT DPT
Licensed Physical Therapist

Lauren graduated from Sage College, in 2016, with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Lauren has a special interest in treating the prenatal, postpartum and perimenopausal population. She has completed continuing education courses on the female pelvic floor, colorectal and coccyx conditions, urogynecologic conditions, and prenatal and postpartum physical therapy.

A native of Kingston, Lauren graduated from Kingston High School in 2006. She resides in Kingston with her husband and two daughters.  In her free time Lauren enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with family.

Matt Dittus P.T.D.P.T., ATC
Licensed Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer Certified

Matt graduated from Springfield College in Springfield, MA in 2016 with a B.S. in Athletic Training. He then went on to attend Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY and graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree in 2020. While attending Mercy College, Matt worked part time as an athletic trainer at the practice and also provided athletic training services to the Mount Academy boys & girls soccer teams. He gained experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, working with a wide variety of patients with orthopedic and neurological conditions.

Matt grew up in Saugerties and graduated from Saugerties High School in 2011. He currently resides in Saugerties with his wife, Kera. In his free time, Matt enjoys golfing, weightlifting, watching and playing sports, and spending time with his family and friends.

 

Anna Chetnik, PT DPT, Dip. MDT
Physical Therapist

Anna graduated from Fordham Univeristy with a degree in Mathematics in 2006 and received her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges in 2012. She has taken extensive continuing education courses, particularly in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, becoming Certified in 2015 and Diplomaed in 2018. Originally from NYC where she danced professionally, she is currently an Alpine Race Coach at Windham Mountain. She holds memberships to the McKenzie Institute and United States Ski and Snowboard. She is an advocate of health and wellness and is a certified yoga instructor. She is passionate about providing the best patient-centered evidence-based care utilizing the McKenzie Method to treat a variety of musculoskeletal orthopedic conditions.

 

Sarah Prizzia P.T.D.P.T
Licensed Physical Therapist

Sarah graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2016 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. After graduating Sarah spent three and a half years working at Albany Medical Center in both the hospital  and rehab settings. While at AMC Sarah gained experience working with many types of patient populations including orthopedic, neurological, and trauma.

Sarah also attended Sacred Heart University as an undergraduate and earned her B.S. in Exercise Science. While there she was a member of the Sacred Heart Women’s Rowing team. Sarah grew up in Kingston and attended Coleman High School. When Sarah is not working she enjoys reading, hiking, watching movies and hanging out with family and friends.

 

Hunter Niles P.T.D.P.T
Licensed Physical Therapist

Hunter graduated from Stony Brook University, in 2020, with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Hunter has worked in a variety of Physical Therapy settings including Sub-acute, Pediatrics, and Outpatient-Orthopedics with a focus on sports rehabilitation. He also has an interest in Blood Flow Restriction training and the effects of this technique on maximizing patient performance. Hunter also has experience with the Rock Steady Boxing association and its impact on Parkinson’s Disease as a form of treatment.

Hunter was born and raised in Lake Katrine, and attended Kingston High School where he participated in a variety of sports. He also attended Franklin Pierce University to pursue his undergraduate degree. He was a member of the lacrosse program during his freshmen year there and then transferred to The College of Saint Rose where he finished his Bachelors in Molecular/Cell Biology. Outside of work, Hunter enjoys playing sports, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Noel Starzyk O.T., C.H.T.
Licensed Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist

Noel graduated from Mercy College in 1992 with a BS in Marketing and in 1997 with an MS in Occupational Therapy and a BS in Health Sciences. Noel was employed as a staff therapist at The Kingston Hospital from 1997 to 2002, then went on to Vassar Brothers Medical Center to develop the inpatient and outpatient Occupational Therapy programs. In early 2004 Noel left VBMC to develop the outpatient Occupational Therapy program for Northern Dutchess Hospital's satellite office in Hyde Park.

Noel joined The Kingston Hand Therapy Center on a part-time basis in 2004. Noel has completed many continuing education courses in upper extremity management as well as manual lymph drainage. In 2003 Noel completed a one year certificate program in Hand and Upper Quadrant Rehabilitation at Drexel University College of Medicine and passed the national exam to become a Certified Hand Therapist. When not in the clinic, Noel enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and spending time with her husband and their three children.

Karin Lipke OTR/L, CHT
Licensed Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist

 

Charissa Mikesh P.T.A.
Physical Therapist Assistant

Charissa graduated from Orange County Community College in 1995 with an A.A.S. degree Physical Therapist Assistant. She joined the practice in 1995 and is the coordinator of the P.T.A. clinical education program. Charissa has completed various continuing education courses focusing on aquatic therapy, orthopaedics, geriatric rehabilitation, balance and vestibular retraining, as well as foot and ankle dysfunctions. When not working in the clinic, she enjoys hiking, biking, cooking and spending time with her family. Charissa resides in Gardiner with her husband Matthew and their two sons.