Physical Therapy Locations

Joseph Rifino, PT

Regional Director

Cortlandt Manor, NY| Fishkill, NY| Pleasant Valley, NY| Yorktown Heights, NY| Rhinebeck, NY|

Joe Rifino is a graduate of North Salem High School. After graduation, he attended the University of Connecticut, and then earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Therapy from SUNY Stony Brook in 1999. He currently treats in Yorktown Heights and serves as Regional Director for our Cortlandt Manor, Fishkill, Pleasant Valley, Rhinebeck, and Yorktown Heights locations.

Over the course of his career, Joe has participated in extensive continuing education courses emphasizing manual therapy techniques and spinal mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, concussion, and biomechanics. He has a wide range of clinical experience including all demographics and orthopedic conditions. Joe’s strong manual therapy skills combined with a mechanical approach to treatment allow him to help his patients achieve superior outcomes.

“It’s extremely rewarding to earn a patient’s trust upon first meeting them at their initial evaluation, help them understand the cause of their injury and how to successfully treat and resolve it, and be the person they can rely on to help with future injuries not only to them, but to their friends and family as well. I have many patients that I have treated for over 10+ years, and seeing them come back to the clinic is like treating family.”

 

When he’s not working, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife, snowboarding, playing basketball, and exercising at the gym.

Certifications

• Blood Flow Restriction Training
• Graston 1
• Maitland 1-4

Neselle Mae Hernandez, PT, DPT

Director

Fishkill, NY|

Neselle Mae Hernandez, PT, DPT attended New York Medical College, where she earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Although she has clinical experience in treating a wide range of orthopedic conditions, she particularly enjoys working with post-operative patients and the geriatric population.

As a physical therapist, Neselle enjoys the fact that therapy can improve people’s every day lives, and that she can help patients recover from injuries, aches, and pains. She thinks it is important for patients to feel they have someone they can trust because they often feel as though no one understands their pain before they come to therapy. Neselle enjoys the process of building connections with patients and learning about their unique needs, treating them with care and compassion, and ultimately helping them get back to the activities they need and want to do.

Karen McCarthy, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Fishkill, NY|

Karen McCarthy received her bachelor’s degree in Health Science in 2009 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2012 from the University of Florida.

She began her career in the acute care setting while living in New Jersey. Working primarily in the ICU department, she successfully implemented protocols for early mobilization based on current research. After getting married, Karen moved to the Hudson Valley area and joined the Access Physical Therapy & Wellness family in early 2017 to further her career in outpatient orthopedics.

Karen’s clinical experience is primarily in orthopedic, vestibular, and geriatric physical therapy. She has a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation, and has completed continuing education coursework in that area. As a physical therapist, she loves making a difference in her patients’ lives and getting to know them on a personal level.

In her free time, Karen likes to relax and visit her hometown on the Jersey Shore.

Zeel Mehta, PT

Physical Therapist

Fishkill, NY|

Zeel Mehta, PT earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from Gujarat University followed by a Master’s of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida. Her clinical expertise encompasses a wide range of patient populations, including the geriatric, those with neurological conditions, and those with general orthopedic concerns. Zeel takes great pride in her work as a physical therapist, finding fulfillment in being an integral part of her patients’ healing journey and helping them achieve their rehabilitation goals.