Our Therapists:

Physical Therapists

Julia H. Bainbridge,
PT

Education: B.S. in PT from University of MD in Baltimore 1980.

Experience: 1980-1985: Worked with handicapped children in Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline and Dorchester counties.  1985- Opening Chestertown Physical Therapy Services, Inc. and quickly expanding to provide acute care to Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital. Pediatrics, Geriatrics, lymphedema, wound care with a special interest in burns. Strong business skills and management skills. Over the 23 years in business Julia and her team have also  provided therapy to Heron Point, CNRC, Magnolia Hall, KC School system and Home Care.

Julia’s guidance as one of the most experienced PT’s in KC will certainly be an asset to the continued growth and expansion of this well respected practice.

Julia is married to John Spry III owner of Kent Printing. They are better known as Nana and Granman to their three grandchildren.

Joanna Bainbridge-Blackburn,
PT, MPT, DScPT

Education: Bachelor of Science 1995 - University of Maryland Baltimore Medical School Department of Physical Therapy. Masters of Physical Therapy 1996 – Univ. of Maryland Baltimore Doctorate of Science Physical Therapy 2003 – Univ. of Maryland Baltimore

Experience: St. Agnes Hospital – Acute care, Wound center, Outpatient, Orthopedic, Neurology, Skilled nursing facility, Sub-acute rehab, women’s health, PT level II. Chestertown Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – Lymphedema, Wound care, management, outpatient, acute care and skilled nursing facility.

Certifications: Lymphedema, Wound care sharp debridement.

Career goals: In the future Joanna plans to become a geriatric clinical specialist but is now taking time to build a “wellness” facility for the baby boomer generation of Kent County, Maryland. This facility will house the current outpatient rehabilitation along with a new company “Aquafit” which will provide Aquatic and fitness, wellness classes and nutrition education. Aquafit will be membership based so that anyone in the community can take advantage of the expertise of rehabilitation therapists and the warm water benefits of the pool.

Personal background: Joanna graduated from Kent County High School and has been a KC native since she was 3 years old. She is married to Bruce Blackburn (also a physical therapist) and they have three wonderful energetic children, Julia, Brian and Isabella. Joanna’s mother Julia Bainbridge (also a PT) started the practice back in 1985 when Joanna was in high school.

The new “wellness” building on High Street will be named after Joanna’s brother Brian Bainbridge who passed away suddenly on January 25th, 1997 from meningitis while he was in Scotland attending school for physical therapy.

Bruce M. Blackburn,
MPT, CWS

Education: Academy of Wound Management, AAWM (AAWM is a national inter-disciplinary certifying board for wound care professionals.), Received Certified Wound Specialist, CWS credentials in October 2005, University of Maryland at Baltimore Received Masters of Physical Therapy in May 1997; Board certified in the state of Maryland in June 1997, University of Maryland at Baltimore Received Bachelor of Science in May 1995

Experience: Chestertown Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Inc. - Primary PT, CWS for wound care in acute, sub-acute, and out-patient settings. Specializes in chronic, non-healing wounds.
Wound experience: acute and chronic wounds including: dehisced surgical, arterial, diabetic, venous insufficiency, burns, traumatic, decubitus, ischemic wounds secondary to septic shock and sickle cell disease. Proficient in use of adjunctive wound treatments including: electrical stimulation (HVPC), VAC system, topical hyperbaric oxygen (THBO), ultrasound, unna boots, and composite dressings.
Director of acute medical, ICU, and post-surgical care rehab operations, Clinical instructor for PT and PTA students in the acute and wound care settings
Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, MD - Staff Physical Therapist, Acute, Sub-Acute, Orthopedics, Comprehensive Rehab, Wounds, Out- Patient Rehab

Committees: Co-Founder of wound care group at Chester River Hospital Center, Member of wound care policy and procedure committee for Chester River Hospital Center
Active in wound education for nursing staff and nursing interns at Chester River Hospital Center and Chester River Manor (SNF), Assists with clinical aspects of wound product selection for Chester River Hospital Center, Acute/wound rehab care representative assisting with user education, forms, and implementation of electronic rehab documentation for Chester River Hospital Center.

Membership: APTA Member since 1997 ( through spouse who is DScPT), Sections: Geriatrics, Aquatics, Clinical Electro and Wound Management, AAWC Member since 2004

Career Goals: Bruce will be busy with the building of their new rehab/aquatics and wellness facility in the coming months.  He will continue to strive for excellence with treatment of those “hard to heal” wounds.  Bruce is passionate about wound care and plans to continue building this niche of the practice to benefit those who are in need in the community.  Bruce also has interests in improving his manual therapy and nerve mobilization techniques. 

Personal Background: Bruce grew up in rural Carroll County on a small 67 acre working farm.  He worked as a masonry foreman for 7 years after graduating from North Carroll High School in 1984.  Bruce has always been interested in working out at the gym and eventually began bodybuilding in 1990.  He entered WNBC bodybuilding contests which were all natural and polygraph tested from 1990 to 1992.  Bruce returned to school in 1991 and began training for his Physical Therapy degree and career.  He graduated from UMAB in 1997 and worked at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, MD until June of 2000.  Bruce moved with his wife (Joanna) and children to Chestertown in July of 2000 and settled in Worton, MD soon after.  Bruce has really enjoyed the “small town” lifestyle in Chestertown and is excited to help his wife and mother in law (Julia) expand their rehab and wellness business.       

Jacqueline Mathwich,
PT

Jackie graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Zoology in 1975 and with a B.S. in Physical Therapy from University of Maryland, Baltimore City in 1980.  In 1985 she received massage certification from the Potomac Myotherapy  Institute.  She worked in an acute care setting at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC and in an outpatient orthopaedic office at the Washington Hospital Center Medical Building.  She has been with Chestertown Physical Therapy since 1985.

She has completed continuing education in incontinence treatment and aquatic therapy.

Jackie lives in Church Hill with her husband Al and two wonderful daughters.

Jane L. Sherin,
PT

Jane graduated from Marquette University in 1982 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy.  She has 24 years of experience in physical therapy in the areas of acute care, inpatient rehab at Thom’s Rehab Hospital specializing in spinal cord and head injury rehabilitation and also has worked in home health care.  She has worked in outpatient physical therapy for Chestertown Physical Therapy since 1995.

Jane has taken several continuing education courses regarding lumbar functional stabilization, spinal instability, whole spine stabilization, sacroiliac dysfunction, tendinopathies of the upper extremity,  functional rehab of the shoulder, Tai-Chi for balance and rehab, balance and fall risk reduction and rehabilitation, vestibular, oculomotor and balance rehabilitation, total hip replacement, neuro-anatomy,  acute and recurrent patellar instability in the young athlete, basic static and dynamic splinting, upper quarter evaluation and treatment, geriatric rehab, joint camp and sideline help and soft tissue mobilization with the elderly client.

Jane is active in the community with Kent Youth Soccer Association and coached Kent County High School junior girls soccer in 2005.

Irv Miller,
PT

Irv graduated from the University of Maryland in 1971 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy.  He is trained in clinical electrophysiology and has been doing nerve conduction studies and EMG testing for our facility since we opened in 1985.  He is a two-term past president of the Maryland chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.  He has also been honored with the Florence Kendall award, which acknowledges an individual who has made outstanding and enduring contributions to the practice of physical therapy.

Irv stays very busy, not only coming from Columbia, Maryland to our office to do nerve conduction testing, but also has his own full-time physical therapy practice and teaches clinical electrophysiology at the University of Maryland. 

Physical Therapist Assistants

Betsy Hickman,
PTA 

Betsy received her Associate of Applied Science degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Delaware Technical and Community College in 1994.  Betsy has worked for Chestertown Physical Therapy since her graduation from college over 13 years ago.  She has experience with outpatient, inpatient and rehab. patients.  Betsy has completed continuing education in a variety of areas, most recently a class for senior and geriatric exercise.  She has been in charge of Chestertown Physical Therapy’s ROM (range of motion) Class since 2001. 

Betsy is active in Wesley Chapel’s Sunday School Program and she is a member of the Rock Hall Fire Department Ladies Auxillary.  She has been married to Jamie Hickman for 11 years and they are raising their family in Rock Hall, Maryland.

Nikki Clark,
PTA

Nikki graduated from Chesapeake Community College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in May of 1999.  She also completed the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Anne Arundel Community College in May of 1999.  She became a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in December of 1999.

She has most of her experience in the outpatient setting.  She worked for Tidewater Physical Therapy for four years before coming to Chestertown Physical Therapy Services, Inc. in January of 2003.  She has completed various continuing education courses in orthopedics including the shoulder, total knee replacement, and total hip replacement.  She has also completed continuing education courses in spinal cord injury and manual therapy.  She enjoys working with orthopedic patients.  She also enjoys manual therapy and massage.

Nikki is a member of Calvary Bible Baptist Church in Rock Hall, Maryland, where she lives with her husband Jacob and their 5 children.

Melissa Litton,
PTA

Melissa graduated from Chesapeake Community College with an AA degree in applied science in May of 2001.  She completed the Physical Therapy Assistant Program in Anne Arundel Community College in May of 2001 and became licensed in June of 2001.

She gained most of experience in the outpatient setting working in Delaware for Physical Therapy Services, Inc. for four years.  She is currently working in short-term rehabilitation and acute care and has been employed by Chestertown Physical Therapy Services, Inc. since December of 2004.  She has strong experience in orthopedics and sports medicine, enjoys working with pediatrics, aquatics, and neurological disorders.  Melissa has received certification in manual therapy of the spine by Maitland level 2, aquatic training, and basic wound care.

She is active in the community volunteering for Kent County Girls Babe Ruth Softball Organization as the Secretary of the League as well as coach for four years.  She also plays co-ed softball herself.  She coaches in the fall for Kent County Shore Sticks Field Hockey.  Melissa is married with two daughters and lives in Millington, Maryland.

Kathi Naumann,
PTA

Kathi is a Physical Therapy Assistant who has been with our company for over 3 years in the SNF and Hospital settings.  She was previously in our OP practice after graduation from PTA school..

Education: A.A.S. in Physical Therapy Assisting in 1991 from Delaware Technical and Community College. B.A. degree in Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State College, Certified Senior Fitness Trainer, Certification in Holistic Health and Nutrition accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners in New York City in 2005.

Experience: Kathi has a vast array of experience in Home Health Services and Home Health Care Rehabilitation. She also has experience in the outpatient and hospital settings. She spent over 10 years under the direct supervision of a certified NDT therapist and has a strong knowledge base of stroke rehabilitation.

Kathi is passionate about health and loves to learn. She is a wife and mother of two who loves nature and holistic health. She owns a Holistic Health and Nutritional Counseling practice in Rock Hall, MD.  You can visit her website. 

As a certified and active member of the American Association of Drugless practitioners, Oldways Preservation Trust and The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Kathi is able to stay abreast of the latest medical discoveries.

Mary S. Draper,
PTA

Mary is a recent graduate of the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Chesapeake College and the Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education.  As a student she has interned in many different facilities of physical therapy, including outpatient, acute and sub-acute care.  She is a member of the APTA, and has always had great interest in the field of physical therapy and the positive improvements it can make in the quality of one’s life.

She resides in Centreville with her husband, Edward C. Draper, and their four children.  Mary is looking forward to a fulfilling career with the experienced and dedicated staff at Chestertown P.T. Services.

Sarah Reynolds,
PTA

Sarah graduated from Delaware Technical and Community College in May 2005 and became licensed in August 2007 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She has most of her experience in an outpatient setting.  Sarah is an APTA member.  She has completed various continuing ed. classes, primarily orthopedic related topics. 

Sarah is an active member of Cecilton Volunteer Fire Company.  She lives in Warwick with her fiancee, Robbie, and her pug puppy, Sadie.

Occupational Therapists

Alaka Bhatt-Patel,
OT

Alaka spent her teenage years with family and schooling in Great Britain.  After graduating college in 1974 with a degree in Occupational Therapy from York, England, she gained experience in Psychiatry for three years.  Alaka’s move to the USA has provided her knowledge in other facets of Occupational Therapy.

Since 1977, her work experience has included outpatient rehab, continuing care retirement communities, adult day care centers, skilled nursing facilities, acute inpatient care, and home health care.  Alaka has participated in community workshops to provide education in the areas of joint protection techniques for arthritic hands, and energy conservation methods needed to live with COPD.  She wrote a proposal when working at Franklin Square Hospital regarding The Management of Repetitive Motion Injuries via Occupational Therapy Intervention.  In several work settings in her administrative role, Alaka has been fortunate in assisting her employers to set up rehab clinics, sharing public relations and marketing responsibilities.

Alaka has attended continuing education courses to enhance her skills in the areas of management/supervision, and multiple patient care related issues, the most recent one being “The Assessment of the Disabled/Older Adult Driver Safety”.  Alaka hopes to work with local physicians to serve the community in this area of need.

Alaka, her husband, and two teenage daughters moved here from the Western Shore 3 years ago, and are adjusting to the “homey” environment.

Lanae King,
OT

Lanae, originally from Lancaster, PA, completed her undergraduate education at Washington College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

After graduation, Lanae was a staff occupational therapist at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Center City Philadelphia for the next two years. At Magee, Lanae worked in a state of the art acute rehabilitation setting, primarily taking care of patients recovering from spinal cord injuries and strokes. Following the birth of her daughter, she left Magee and relocated to Chestertown with her family. Lanae spent most of 2007 working with the Mid-Shore Special Education Consortium, where she was a school therapist in Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. She was able to design and implement plans of care for children with various needs and backgrounds in the school setting.

Lanae has joined the staff of Chestertown Physical Therapy in January 2008 and looks forward to the opportunity to return to the hospital setting.

Stephanie D. Duke,
MS, OTR/L

Stephanie received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree at the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida in August 2000.  She has worked in the rehabilitation department at Chester River Manor for almost five years and she has witnessed ongoing, positive changes that have taken place in the facility through the years.

Stephanie has gained experience working in various settings, such as acute care in Christiana Hospital and Chester River Hospital, sub-acute care in several skilled nursing facilities, and an outpatient pulmonary rehab program.  Most of her experience has been in the skilled nursing facilities providing rehabilitation to short-term and long-term care patients.

Stephanie is registered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.  She is licensed in the State of Maryland.

Stephanie currently resides in Delaware with her husband and three small children.

Frances Rodney,
OT

Frances J. Rodney is an Occupational Therapist - Registered and licensed in Maryland

Education: BS degree in Occupational Therapy OTR/L - Pennsylvania State University Aug 1998 – May 2001. AA degree in Occupational Therapy COTA/L – Catonsville Community College June 1994 – May 1996

Experience: Skilled nursing facilities, hospital, outpatient setting, home care

Personal Background: Frances works with us on a per-diem basis at Chester River Manor and Chester River Hospital Center. She also works at Chester River Home Care and Hospice part-time.

Frances lives with her husband in Rock Hall.

COTA

Laura Barry,
COTA

Laura received her AA degree in applied science in 1998 from Chesapeake Community College.  She completed the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in 2002 from Community College of Baltimore County and became certified in 2002 as a COTA.

Laura gained most of her experience working in the short-term rehab setting.  Laura enjoys working with the geriatric population.

Laura worked in a skilled nursing facility in Severna Park, where she worked hands on with many different diagnoses.  She educated patients to maximize independence with ADL’s to return to a prior level of function, abide by proper precautions according to diagnosis, assistive device training, and therapeutic exercises.  She worked per diem for Chestertown Physical Therapy Services for one year before becoming full-time employed in December of 2004.

Laura is married and has three children.  She lives in Rock Hall, Maryland.

Speech Therapists

Virginia Parker,
CCC-SP/A

Virginia has over 39 years of experience in the Speech Pathology and Audiology field.

Education: BA – Speech Pathology, Minor – Psychology, University of Arizona, MS – Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Hawaii

Experience: School based Speech pathologist in Howard County for elementary, middle and high school students since 1982, evaluating and developing treatment plans for students with Language Disorders, Articulation, Voice and Fluency Disorders. Developed specific plans for students with Traumatic Brain Injury and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Also participated in IEP plan team meetings for students who are Hearing Impaired.

Audiologist in the 2^nd General Army Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany

Audiologist for Jose D. Angeles, M.D. in Melrose, Massachusetts providing hearing assessments of children and adults and Auditory Counseling.

Speech Pathologist for Melrose Public Schools, Massachusetts evaluating the communication skills of a variety of children and participated in a Core Evaluation Team. Developed and initiated new programs for Language and Hearing Impaired children in the classroom.

Speech Pathologist and Audiology for United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida.

Organized Language Training Programs for pre-school Cerebral Palsy children and conducted hearing screening and follow-up programs.

Brevard County Schools, Florida as a Speech Clinician providing assessments and therapy for students with a variety of speech disorders.

Virginia lives in Kennedyville with her husband.

Office Support

Sandy Henckel,
Office Manager

Sarah Farrow

Justine Powell

Brenda Gardner

Roxanne Taylor