The Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers

DACULA

Chris Mallare, MSPT
Center Director, Dacula

Chris Mallare received his B.S. from Va Tech and his master's degree in physical therapy from the Medical College of Virginia. Chris has been practicing physical therapy in the orthopedic and sports medicine field for over 15 years and has been published in Sports Medicine Update for his work with golf-related injuries. His extensive knowledge and expertise in sports-related injuries have helped athletes of all competitive ranges, from adolescents to professionals, to achieve their peak level of performance. His professional services also include injury prevention clinics and educational seminars as well as sport-specific strength and conditioning programs. Chris strives to provide expert care and personalized rehabilitation services to his clients while creating an enjoyable and fun atmosphere.

Chris currently resides in Hamilton Mill with his wife, Beth, and his children Cameron, Kayleigh and Morgan.

Sydney Lamb
Client Relations Specialist, Dacula

Sydney joins our team from Keller Williams Atlanta Partners as an Office Manager. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations. Sydney lives in the Buford area with her husband Beau and daughter Ashton.

SNELLVILLE

Michael Polascik, MSPT, ATC, OTC, Cert. MDT, CSCS
Center Director, Snellville

Michael Polascik received his Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University in Secondary Education and Athletic Training in 1983, his Masters of Science Degree in Exercises Physiology from Va. Tech in 1985, and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia in 1992. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a certified Orthopedic Technologist, and is also credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment. He has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the GA All-Star Team in the GA-FL All-star game and camp since 1988. He was a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at VA Tech and taught Athletic Training courses there from 1983-1985. He has also served as a Head Athletic Trainer and Instructor on the collegiate level. He serves as the team Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist for South Gwinnett High School and has worked in Gwinnett County since 1986. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree from Andrews University in Manual Physical Therapy and pursuing his fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy form the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. He also specializes in Foot and Ankle Biomechanical Evaluation, and the fabrication of Orthotics.

Pearl Polasick,
Rehabilitation Technician, Snellville

Pearl is a registered nurse in the state of Georgia and West Virginia. She graduated from Saint Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington, WV in 1955. She retired from the Nursing profession in 1987 after 32 years of service. She has 13 years experience in a Physical Therapy clinic working as a Physical Therapy Technician. Her vast Nursing experience is a plus while helping the Therapist during patient care in the Snellville facility.

Tammy Massey
Client Services Specialist,, Snellville

Tammy has been working in the physical therapy field for the past five years. She is responsible for providing customer service and managing the front office operations for the Snellville clinic. She is always willing to lend an ear if needed. Tammy resides in Loganville, GA with her husband Jerry and her two dogs Sable and Dixie.

JASPER

James “Jay” Potter Jr., MS, PT
Center Director, Jasper

Jay graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelor's of Science in Sociology in 1986. He then attended the Medical University of South Carolina where he received his Bachelor's of Science in Physical Therapy in 1991. Jay took his first job in Jasper, GA working for North Georgia Physical Therapy Associates. There he helped to establish the first out-patient physical therapy facility in Pickens County. He worked for NGPTA until 1997. For a short time Jay worked for HealthSouth. During this time, he obtained his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Georgia State. He opened Jasper Physical Therapy in October of 1998. After 11 years in private practice Jay is proud to be a part of The Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers! He is an active member in the American Physical Therapy Association and the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia. He is also a Rotarian, is active in the local community as well as at Mount Paran Church of God where he plays the guitar in the rhythm section of the orchestra. He is married and has two children.

Lawrence “Larry” Steinbeck, PT
Physical Therapist, Jasper

Larry graduated in 1986 from Ball State University with a degree in physical therapy and athletic training. That same year he completed a Masters Degree in physical education with a specialization in athletic training. Prior to joining Jasper Physical Therapy in July of 2002, Larry worked in home health for 10 years specializing in orthopedics and neurological treatment in the geriatric population. Larry also specializes in dry needling techniques.

Larry is married and has two children. He is active in the American Physical Therapy Association and his local church.

Herbert “Herb” Hess, PT
Physical Therapist, Jasper

Herb received his Bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 1958 and his Physical Therapy certification from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. Herb specializes in EMG studies. He is married and has two children.

Martha Meier, OTR/L, CHT
Physical Therapist, Jasper

Martha graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor's of Science in occupational therapy in 1979. She was certified as a hand specialist in 1991. Martha has worked in out-patient, hospital, and home health settings. She also owns her own business, Hand Therapy Services located in Cartersville, GA.

Thrissea Johnston
Rehabilitation Technician, Jasper

Thrissea is Larry’s Rehab Tech. Prior to coming to our facility she worked for over 12 years in the nursing home setting. She enjoys cooking and working in the garden. She is great with people and loves seeing the accomplishments of our patients.

Laura Neal

Laura Neal is the newest member of the Jasper team. Originally from Tennessee, Laura and her husband moved to Jasper in June of 2008. Since graduating from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1999, Laura has worked in physical therapy as a rehab tech. She enjoys working with patients and assisting in their healing and improvement.

Melissa Potter
Office Manager, Jasper

Melissa is the Office Manager for the Jasper location. She graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Prior to working with the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers, she helped manage and operate Jasper Physical Therapy. Her business background is in banking and computer software sales. She is married to Jay and they have two children. She is very active in her community and church.

Dianne

Dianne has worked in the therapy field since 1991. During this time she has worked in many different areas including assisting the therapists with patients and managing the front office. Dianne is active in her church, plays piano and enjoys time with her 2 grand children. She is married and has two children.

SUWANEE

Evan Blackburn, PT
Center Director, Suwanee

Evan Blackburn received his Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1988 and his Physical Therapy degree from Cleveland State University in 1990. Evan began his sports physical therapy career in Birmingham, Alabama, where he worked with the American Sports Medicine Institute and the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center. He then moved to Auburn, Alabama, where he became the rehabilitation consultant for Auburn University athletics. In 1996, he moved to Georgia and began working closely with Delta Airlines and helped develop programs to prevent on the job injuries and to rehabilitate the injured employee.

Evan has worked in the Suwanee area since 2000, developing a strong sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation program. Currently, he is pursuing his certification in manual trigger point and dry needling therapy.

Jamie Dougherty
Manager, Client Relations & Operations

Jamie Dougherty has been with Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers since inception. She has over five years of extensive operations and health insurance experience in the physical therapy field. Jamie is responsible for providing excellent customer service and managing front end operations for AFPTC. She is also responsible for credentialing and training across all locations. Jamie also formerly worked for the government for fourteen years prior to working in healthcare. Jamie resides in Hoschton, GA with her husband John and is the proud parent of three sons, Lee, Nicholas and Zachary.

Leigh Anne Nash, PT, OCS
Physical Therapist, Suwanee

Leigh Anne attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she completed an advanced curriculum for the University Honors Program, and graduated with highest honors in Physical Therapy in 1999. While at UTC, she completed a case study that demonstrated a method for improving balance and gait in an individual with post-CVA hemiparesis.

Leigh Anne has worked as a physical therapist in Gwinnett county since 2000, with a strong focus in orthopedics and industrial rehabilitation. In 2004, she completed the Functional Capacity Evaluation Certification Program by Roy Matheson and Associates. In 2007, she earned certification as an orthopedic specialist (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Her industrial rehabilitation experience includes implementing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs), work conditioning programs, on-site job safety training, and post-offer employment testing.

Leigh Anne joined the AFPTC team in 2008, working in the Suwanee location. Her plans for future professional development include completing the certification process for the Maitland-Australian approach for manual therapy and pursuing a certification in pilates for rehabilitation.

Doug Wardy, MA,ATC/L
Supervisor, Athletic Training Services, Suwanee

Doug graduated from the University of South Florida in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in athletic training and in 2009 with a master's degree in exercise science. He was named athletic training student of the year in 2007, graduating cum laude.

Doug has worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer in Tampa, Florida with the USF football team for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. While in Tampa, Doug also interned with the Tampa Bay Rays, and worked numerous events, such as the NCAA Women's Final Four and Under Armour High School All-America game.

Doug moved to Suwanee in June 2009, and began working with the AFPTC team as the head athletic trainer at North Gwinnett High School, while coordinating athletic training services between AFPTC and the community.

Laura Trkovsky, MEd, ATC/L
Athletic Trainer, Suwanee

Laura graduated from the University of Georgia in 2004 with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training, and in 2006 with a masters degree in Mathematics Education. From 2006 to 2008, she was a math teacher and head athletic trainer at Edward H. White High School in Jacksonville, FL. While in Florida, Laura was a member of the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program and worked with youth sports in the community. In 2008, Laura moved back to Georgia and became a math teacher and head athletic trainer at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City.

In 2009, Laura joined AFPTC and began working with Peachtree Ridge High School providing sports medicine coverage.

MARIETTA CENTRAL

Paul Marino PT, OCS, Cert MDT, CSCS
Center Director, Marietta Central

Paul received his Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from Georgia State University in 1991 after serving in the United States Army as a combat medical specialist in Fort Bragg's 18th Airborne Corp. While completing his physical therapy training in Atlanta, Paul also served in the Georgia National Guard in Macon's 48th FSB supporting the 3rd Brigade.

His postgraduate certifications include Orthopaedic Certified Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and credentialed provider of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy of the Spine by the McKenzie Institute, U.S.A.

Paul has been featured locally providing continuing education to the physical therapy community and has been featured nationwide as an instructor for Exercise Etc. Inc., one of the country's largest providers of fitness education programs. His workshops have been attended by athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and various athletic coaches from around the country. He offers 17 years of rehabilitation experience in acute, long-term care, outpatient, and home health services.

MARIETTA EAST

Marcus M. Hutchinson, PT, MS, ATC, OCS, CSCS
Center Director, Marietta East

Marcus graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 1989 with a degree in exercise and sports science. He immediately was accepted into the physical therapy program at Georgia State University where he received his physical therapy degree and licensure in 1991. Returning to Georgia State two years later, he pursued his interest in athletics with a master's degree in sports medicine. Marcus volunteered as a Certified Athletic Trainer for Dunwoody, South Gwinnett, and Pope High Schools from 1993-1998.

His post-graduate certifications include Orthopaedic Certified Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, Certified Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Kristine E. Marinello, PT, DPT, CSCS, CCI
Physical Therapist, Marietta East

Krissy graduated from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida with a Bachelor of Science in health science in 2002. She majored in rehabilitation counseling. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 2005. At Emory, Krissy took advanced electives in orthopedics and the spine. Her research focus was patient perspectives in outpatient physical therapy settings. Since graduating, she has worked in orthopedics and sports medicine.

Currently, Krissy holds a Georgia physical therapy license and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She has been an American Physical Therapy Association member since 2002, an American Physical Therapy Association Orthopedic Section member since 2002, and a National Strength and Conditioning Association member since 2006. Krissy is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association and she is actively pursuing certifications in orthopedics and manual therapy as well.

Neal R. Barot, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Marietta East

Neal is the newest member of the Marietta East clinic. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He also attended the University of Florida for undergraduate studies and received a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport sciences - athletic training.

Neal is excited to bring a fresh, dynamic approach to rehabilitation setting. His prior experience has included prevention and care of athletic injuries with the University of Florida football team, University of Florida track & field team, and Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization. He has also worked in numerous high school settings and sports clinics. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the National Athletic Trainer's Association.

Paige Hunt, OTR/L, CHT
Hand Therapist, Marietta East

Paige graduated in 1992 from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy. She has worked in different parts of the country including Arizona, Texas, and Nevada before moving to Atlanta in 2003. She brings with her 13 years of experience in hand and upper extremity therapy treating a wide variety of cumulative and traumatic injuries of the hand and arm. In Arizona, Paige worked for a group of hand surgeons and gained valuable experience in post-surgical treatment and traumatic injuries. She also served as clinical manager for a hand therapy clinic in Reno, Nevada where she managed daily clinic business and 6 hand therapists. She went on to obtain her Certification in Hand Therapy in 2001. She is a long standing member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and regularly attends society conferences and continuing education seminars. She enjoys reading, traveling, and playing with her children.

Anna Bucher, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist, Marietta East

Anna received her Bachelor of Arts from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington in 2004 with a major in studio art and a minor in sports medicine. Throughout her time at Whitman she worked as a student athletic trainer and was head student athletic trainer for the varsity women’s basketball team. After taking post baccalaureate classes to finish her prerequisites for physical therapy graduate school, she attended the Medical University of South Carolina where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in May 2009.

Anna has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 2006 and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2007 when she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

In her free time, Anna practices yoga and is an avid ultimate frisbee player. She plays on the Atlanta women’s ultimate frisbee team, Ozone, who placed third at the nationals competition in 2008.

Barbara Camp

Barbara comes to us with fifteen plus years of experience in Office Management and Customer Service. Her first job as a Nurse’s Aide convinced her that helping people is what she wanted to do with her life. Of all the great things she loves about AFPTC , the core values is on the top of the list, especially “giving back to the community.” Barbara co-founded a 501©3 non-profit with her husband in 1996 that became the catalyst for opening a safe house for battered women and their children in Arizona and a homeless shelter for women and their children in Washington.

Barbara loves to read, write poetry and songs, and keyboard. She has been married for 36 years, has five children, and eight grandchildren.

Toby Streetman
Client Services Specialist

Toby joined the AFPTC Marietta East team early August 2009 as a Client Service Specialist.

After earning her degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, she worked in the education field for over 15 years. She brings with her extensive experience in sales and customer service.

Toby loves working in the front office, meeting new patients and offering to all a warm welcoming smile. Toby has lived in East Cobb for 13 years with her husband and two daughters.

ATHENS

Joe Avolio, PT
Center Director, Athens

Joe is the Center Director for the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers in Athens and Winder, Georgia. Joe graduated with a B.S. in physical therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. He spent the first 3 years of his career traveling across the country, working in numerous different states and clinical settings. Joe relocated to the Atlanta area in the summer of 1998 and built a thriving practice in the Covington area for the Rehability then HealthSouth Corporations.

Joe has studied numerous manual therapy approaches and specializes in Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT). After training with the developers and top level clinicians of IMT, Joe returned to the Athens area to start his own practice, Athens Therapeutics. Over the next eight years, Athens Therapeutics grew into a fixture in the local healthcare community. By offering a unique approach based on highly skilled care and excellent customer service, Athens Therapeutics became a local favorite.

In 2010, Joe and Athens Therapeutics joined another company that shares those values, Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers. With this relationship, Joe is thrilled to offer his patients even more options and more resources for their healthcare needs.

Joe resides in Athens with his wife Tania and their three daughters, Eden, Kira and Siena. He looks forward to serving the community and growing with his clients as part of the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers.

Tania Avolio, MSPT
Physical Therapist, Athens

Tania graduated from University of Miami where she also played on the women’s basketball team. She earned a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy in December 1994. After her initial experience on the Neuro Team in an acute hospital in Florida, she became a traveling physical therapist. Here she experienced a variety of settings along the complete continuum of care, while traveling across the country. It was also through this journey that she met her husband, Joe, in Athens, GA.

After three years of traveling, Tania went to work at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in the Inpatient Rehabilitation department in her hometown of Atlanta. Through extensive training, Tania began to use Integrative Manual Therapy techniques and principles as her primary approach. In 2000, Tania and Joe were offered positions by the developers of IMT to work and train in their official Centers. Her experience training with the developers and top level clinicians of IMT was invaluable.

In 2002, Tania joined her husband at his physical therapy practice, Athens Therapeutics on a part time basis. Her full time job as mother to the couple's three daughter, Eden Kira, and Siena, keeps her busy the rest of the time. Tania is excited to continue growing as a therapist and is honored to be a part of the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers.

Henry Pursner, PT, CYT
Physical Therapist, Athens

Born and raised in New York City, graduated in 1995 from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Sciences in Physical Therapy. Following graduation, he began traveling the country working with various cultures, medical problems and environments including neurological and orthopedic injuries. He soon began studying alternative and complementary techniques including Tai Chi, yoga, and cranial-sacral therapy.

In 1998, he began to manage a large outpatient physical therapy office in the Silicon Valley region. He began to use osteopathic treatments such as Strain-Counterstrain, visceral manipulation, and muscle energy technique, which are designed to improve a person’s function through providing a freedom in their physical structure. Through further study in applied kinesiology, he deepened his understanding of the mind-body connection. In addition, he has incorporated nutrition as an important adjunct to wellness, which has stemmed from his extensive training in Integrative Manual Therapy.

Henry looks forward to being a part of the team at Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers to providing high quality healthcare to his local community.

Maggie Reinberger, PT
Physical Therapist, Athens

Maggie received a masters of science in physical therapy from Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College) in 1987. Prior to her degree in physical therapy, Maggie had graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY with a double major in history and dance. She went to New York City to study dance, then returned to Ithaca, NY where she created and performed in dance productions. When she decided to return to school in physical therapy she learned she was equally interested in helping people heal, and move better, as she was in the analysis of movement, which originally attracted her. Her masters' thesis was a study of motor learning using mental practice.

Maggie has extensive experience with all rehabilitation populations, first at Moss Rehab Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, then with St. Mary’s Home Health Care Services in Athens, GA. She was introduced to the ideas of Integrative Manual Therapy in 1997, and was struck with how these ideas were a synthesis of her life skills, as well as her therapy skills. During her rehabilitation experience she was able to work with many populations, including head injuries, orthopedic surgeries, amputees, neurological and pediatric clients.

Jessica Rogers, PTA, CYT
Physical Therapist, Athens

Jessica is a graduate of Athens Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant program. During her education at ATC she was able to work with a diverse patient population in a variety of treatment settings.

In addition to being a licensed PTA she is a certified instructor of Integral Hatha Yoga with training in pranayama (therapeutic breathing), asana (postures), meditation, and deep relaxation. Jessica has shared her approach with both adolescents and adults for 7 years in the Athens area, most recently at Athens Montessori Middle School. Her style of yoga is one in which the practitioner is gently guided through a series of postures with particular emphasis placed on breath awareness which will enable the patient to examine and release physical, emotional, and mental boundaries while increasing strength and flexibility.

Jessica is very excited about using her therapeutic yoga skills and the manual therapy techniques as part of Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers.

Maresa Smith, OTR/L
Physical Therapist, Athens

Maresa Smith is a 2002 graduate of the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences where she obtained her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Since that time she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of patient populations including orthopedic and neurologically impaired children and adults. She enjoys working with all patient populations and specializes in upper extremity injuries and splinting. Maresa is originally from Atlanta, GA and is also a 2000 graduate of the University of Georgia. She and her husband Andy, who works as a physical therapist, recently moved to the Athens area. While not at work she enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with her son Carson and golden retrievers, Boone and Molly.

Joi Boyd
Client Services Specialist, Athens

Joi Boyd is the Client Services Specialist for the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Center in Athens, Georgia. She has been in the Administrative field for over 13 years, working with major corporations as well as family owned businesses. She enjoys the opportunity of working in a therapeutic atmosphere, which is just as calming for her as it is for the patients. She has one son, Ryun, who keeps her heavily occupied when she's not busy here at Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers.

WINDER

Joe Avolio, PT
Center Director, Winder

Henry Pursner, PT, CYT
Physical Therapist, Winder

Henry looks forward to being a part of the team at Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers to providing high quality healthcare to his local community.

Jessica Rogers, PTA, CYT
Physical Therapist, Winder

Jessica is a graduate of Athens Technical College Physical Therapist Assistant program. During her education at ATC she was able to work with a diverse patient population in a variety of treatment settings.

Jessica is very excited about using her therapeutic yoga skills and the manual therapy techniques as part of Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers.

Cindi Paulin
Client Services Specialist, Athens

Cindi is the Client Services Specialist for the Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Center in Winder, Georgia. She has spent most of her life in the accounting field, but has enjoyed working in the healthcare field for the last five years. She has taught country western dancing and been a floor trainer at Curves. She enjoys her menagerie of pets and competes in country western dancing.