Affiliations

Adolescent Athletes and ACL Injury Prevention Program

Dominick Mazza, ATC is on staff as an athletic trainer at Nightingale Bamford School on the Upper East Side. Dominic heads STAR's Adolescent ACL injury prevention program based on the successful results of the PEP ACL program. We have worked closely with the Athletic Departments of Xavier High School, NYC and Regis High School, NYC. Our staff is well trained and experienced in the unique demands of the adolescent athlete.

Baseball and Tennis

Our Hand and Upper Extremity Department specializes in the care of the overhead throwing and serving athlete. Our therapists have undergone extensive training in the unique demands of this population and have been published and have lectured on treatment techniques specific to the overhead athlete. Michael Fox, PT, SCS, MTC and Benjamin Gelfand, DPT, SCS were most recently published in James Andrews, MD's renowned textbook The Athlete's Shoulder. Our staff has cared for top ranked MLB and USTA players.

Basketball and Hockey

We have cared for numerous players of the NBA and NHL. Michael Fox, PT, SCS, MTC and Ben Gelfand, DPT, SCS have successfully treated New York Rangers for injuries such as ACL reconstruction and hip injuries. Michael Fox also plays and coaches competitive hockey in Fairfield County, CT.

Bodybuilding, Weightlifting & Strong Man

Peter Griffiths, DPT has been training and looks forward to his first body building competition next year. STAR has treated numerous high level bodybuilding competitors and helped return them to top form.

Dance and Gymnastics

We care for many of New York City's ballet and modern dancers, including the esteemed Amy Marshall Dance Company. Skills and knowledge of biomechanics and anatomy make our therapists the right choice to address the distinct physical demands of this population. Cathy Schnell, DPT was a NCAA Division 1 gymnast who competed up to level 10 as a club gymnast and Irene Lee trained in ballet for over 5 years.

Football

STAR has treated all levels of football: from high school to NFL Giants and Jets, from back and knee trauma to dysfunction of the throwing shoulder.

Golf and Lacrosse

Michael Fox, PT, SCS, MTC heads STAR’s “Golf Performance Center” featuring hands-on range of motion and power enhancing treatments designed to improve distance. STAR has treated many professional lacrosse players from MLL as well as athletes from top collegiate programs such as Princeton and Duke.

Martial Arts

Michael Fox, PT, SCS, MTC has over 20 years experience in martial arts practicing Tai Chi Chuan, Judo and Aikido. Keith Rosello, MPT is a 4th degree Dan in Aikido and a 3rd degree Blackbelt in Karate. He currently teaches and practices at the U.S. Aikido Federation headquarters in New York City. Jeremy Crow studied Tae Kwon Do for over 8 years and is a 1st degree Blackbelt.

Rugby

NYAC: We function as Team Physical Therapists for the elite Super League's New York Athletic Club (NYAC) Rugby team who own 3 national titles. Michael Fox serves as head physical therapist for NYAC rugby and Kevin Kay serves as team physio. We are proud to be a part of their success as 2005, 2008 and 2010 Super League Champions.

USA Rugby: STAR serves USA Rugby in the role of pre-season biomechanical screening and injury treatment and prevention for the New York area.

Michael Fox, PT, SCS, MTC played and coached rugby at Xavier High School in NYC and at Fairfield University in CT. As a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, he helps keep the NYAC and USA Rugby teams healthy and treats their injuries when they occur. Cathy Schnell, DPT cared for the US Coast Guard Academy Rugby team, including during their participation in the Armed forces Tournament. Irene Lee, DPT played rugby for Mount Holyoke College and still enjoys following the sport today.

STAR eagerly awaits rugby’s inclusion in the 2016 Olympic games.

Ski

Abby Karpinski, DPT heads STAR's "Skier Protection Program" that focuses on conditioning and injury prevention. She is an avid skier who has specialized in the treatment of these and various other sports related injuries. Dominick Mazza, ATC has been implementing skier conditioning programs for STAR’s clients for the past 11 years.

Soccer

Two of Abby Karpinski’s passions are soccer and marathon running. She played Division 1 soccer in college and continues to play in a city league today. Soccer is a part of the cross training that prepares her for marathon training. Victor Hermosillo, DPT plays and coaches soccer competitively in NYC. In addition, Irene Lee, DPT played competitive soccer all 4 years at Mount Holyoke College.

Swimming

Irene Lee, DPT has been an avid swimmer throughout her life, including certifications in lifesaving and scuba diving. Irene’s training gives her a core understanding when treating shoulder and spine ailments related to this sport, including in adolescent athletes.

Track and Field

We care for many of New York 's top runners. Ben Gelfand, DPT, SCS has run several marathons and triathlons. Abby Karpinski, DPT recently completed her 1st NYC Marathon, at which she also heads up a medical tent at the finish line each November. Irene Lee has volunteered at the NYC Marathon medical tent for several years now. Additionally, Peter Griffiths, DPT competed in Divison 3 track and field in college.

Accreditations

Ben Gelfand, Michael Fox, Jeremy Crow, Kevin Kay, and Rebecca Kalb are among the select few physical therapists in NYC that have been awarded Board Certification as Sports Clinical Specialists by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Michael Fox and Ben Gelfand are both Hospital for Special Surgery Credentialed Advanced Hip Clinicians.

Michael Fox and Ben Gelfand are both Adjunct Professors at New York University and Clinical Supervisors at SUNY Stony Brook.

Michael Fox is certified in Manual Therapy by the Institute of Physical Therapy.

Ben Gelfand and Jeremy Crow are both Certified Active Release Techniques (ART) Providers.

Danielle Kagan is a Board Certified Hand Therapist.

Jeremy Crow and Kevin Kay are Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists.

Jeremy Crow and Kevin Kay serve as Master Clinicians and guest lecturers at NYUs physical therapy program.

Dominic Mazza is a Certified ATC.