...Meet Our Therapists

Dr. Michael Russo, Physical Therapist. Michael graduated from New York Medical College in 2007 with a Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Manhattanville College with Biology as a minor.  His clinical experience consists of: inpatient and acute rehabilitation at Saratoga Care Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, Pediatric Early Intervention in Newburgh, NY, and Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation in Santa Monica, CA and Poughkeepsie, NY. Michael was awarded  the 2007 Clinical Excellence Award at graduation from New York Medical College. Michael's interests include playing hockey, golf, softball, snowboarding, and many other recreational activities.

Mia Azcue graduated from Hunter College in 1989. Mia has previously worked for Northern Westchester Hospital Center and Katonah Physical Therapy before primarily working with NWPPT in 2005. Mia specializes in anatomy/physiology and manual therapy techniques. She has devoted 20 years to studying and teaching yoga and continues to do so. Mia holds various certificates both as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist and has also been involved in training people to become yoga teachers. She is very interested in dance, traveling, different cultures and meeting people from all walks of life. She loves animals and nature and hikes regularly with her dog.

Marianna Beck graduated from Touro College, Dix Hills NY in 1996 with a Masters in Physical Therapy. She worked for two years at Phelps Memorial Hospital and the past 8 years at NWPPT. Marianna has been married now for fifteen years and has two sons.

Maureen Curtin graduated from SUNY Health Science Center with her bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy in 1991 and graduated from Long Island University with her Masters in Physical Therapy in 1997. Maureen has done home care therapy for 3 years and has previously worked for Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Maureen has been an employee here at Northern Westchester-Putnam Physical Therapy since 1997. She has experience in various areas of Physical Therapy including Orthopedic and Neurological Rehabilitation and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. She enjoys spending time with her family. Together they like to go skiing, bike riding, swimming and traveling.

Richard J. Foley graduated from Columbia University in 1977. He has been a therapist for 30 years. His experience includes: St. Josephs Medical Center for 8 years, Director of Physical Therapy Services for the Putnam Hospital Center for 12 years, and Assistant Director for Northern Westchester-Putnam Physical Therapy for 10 years. He is married with three children and has been a resident in Mahopac, New York for 23 years. His wife is a registered nurse for 23 years at Putnam Hospital Center. Richard has two sons, one is a physical therapist and the other is a lawyer. His only daughter is attending college.

Ed Kast graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 1990. Ed has previously worked for Burke Rehabilitation Center, Marc Chashou, MA, RPT, and Abramson Physical Therapy. He is now one of our senior therapists here at NWPPT and began working with us in 1992. Sports injuries and manual therapy techniques, especially deep tissue massage and myofascial release are among his special interests with the physical therapy program. Ed enjoys playing and watching sports including soccer, basketball, softball, football, and tennis/racquetball. He is in the process of becoming certified in Dance Injury Management.

Christopher Kennedy graduated from New York Medical College with a Masters in Physical Therapy, has a Bachelor's in Psychology from SUNY Purchase, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Chris feels that physical health can influence emotional health. The inability to perform at a level that one is used to because of injury or disease, can be both discouraging and frustrating. He believes that through the combination of a hands-on approach and appropriate exercise, a person will more quickly return to their desired level of activity and prevent future injuries.

Carol Mitchell is a graduate of New York University's Physical Therapy school, and holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Pace University. She is currently enrolled in the University of Saint Augustine's doctoral program, and expects to earn her DPT in 2008. Carol has been working as a physical therapist for 17 years. She is the former Assistant Director of St. Agnes Hospital's Rehabilitation Medicine Department, and has been working as a full-time therapist at NWPPT for 11 years and is one of our senior therapists. Carol is also the co-owner (with husband Noah) of Mountain Stream Budo Martial Arts (Okinawan weapons), and a 1st degree black belt in Japanese ju jitsu. She is the mother of two boys, Stephen and Gavon. She enjoys traveling, reading thrillers, attending rock concerts, and superhero movies. She is also specially trained in the evaluation for and provision of custom-molded orthotics.

Elizabeth Mallon graduated with her Physical Therapy Certification from New York Medical College in May of 1999. She worked at Burke Rehabilitation from June 1999 through 2001, and Mount Sinai from June 1999 through July 2001. In addition to her continuing education in physical therapy, Elizabeth has over 20 years of dance and fitness experience including certifications in Stott Pilates and ACE (group exercise).

Matthew Russell, graduated from Orange County Community College with his associate's degree in applied sciences. Matt received his Physical Therapy Assistant certification in 1991. Matt has been a full-time employee with Northern Westchester-Putnam Physical Therapy since 1991.

Anne Schechter graduated from Russell Sage College in 1976 where she received her bachelor's degree as well as her Physical Therapy degree. Anne has been an employee here at NWPPT for several years and has a special interest in manual therapy techniques including Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Technique, Visceral Manipulation, Strain Counter Strain Technique and Somato Emotional Release. Outside of physical therapy, Anne is an animal lover, enjoys outdoor sports and all types of handcrafts.

Susan Schulz graduated from Ithaca College in 1988 with a Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy and minored in Gerontology. Her professional experience includes working at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and Mount Kisco Sports Medicine. She is a member of the American Physical Therapist Association (APTA) - Orthopedic section and Oncology section. She has been an employee here at NWPPT since 1996. She enjoys coaching youth basketball and soccer in Mahopac and has done so for several years.

Judy Teague has been an employee here at NWPPT since 1984, first starting as a Physical Therapist technician and then becoming a full-time Physical Therapist in 1991. She is one of our senior therapists graduating from Stony Brook for her undergraduate degree and from Touro College for her masters in physical therapy including pediatric physical therapy.