Physical Therapy Locations

Kristin Banse, PT

Director

Port Jervis, NY|

Kristin Banse is a 1991 graduate of Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy. With almost 23 years of overall experience, she has been concentrating on orthopedic/sports medicine Physical Therapy for the last 15 years. She has a certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is an LSVT BIG^® Certified Clinician. She is a certified APTA Clinical Instructor. She has a duel license in New York and Pennsylvania. Also, she has completed coursework and is certified in Job Function Matching and administering Functional Capacity Assessments through DSI Work Solutions. This will enable Access to be more active locally in Industrial Medicine and injury prevention on the job. In her free time, she enjoys training for marathons and triathalons, as well as being very involved with the various activities and sports in which her 3 sons participate.

Certifications

• LSVT BIG^® Certified Clinician
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Gincy Thomas, PT, MS

Physical Therapist

Port Jervis, NY|

Gincy Thomas, PT, MS completed her undergraduate coursework at one of the top five medical colleges in Madhya Pradesk, India. She then earned a Master’s in Kinesiology from Lamar University, with a thesis on a historical review of rehabilitation of Hansen’s disease patients. Gincy has completed continuing education courses and conferences with the National Academy of Burns in India on Posture Management and Sitting in Neurological patients.

Gincy’s expertise is in rehabilitating a variety of orthopedic conditions to help her patients get back to their normal lives. She particularly enjoys working with the elderly population to help them achieve their maximum functional capabilities. As a physical therapist, she enjoys the ability to provide care and cure, as well as promote excellence in health care. She loves being able to make people move better, feel better, and have a better quality of life, enabling them to regain function and do the things they enjoy.

Certifications

• LSVT BIG
• APTA Certified Clinical Instructor

Julie Benzenberg, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Port Jervis, NY| Bon Secours Community Hospital|

Julie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science from Castleton University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Sage Graduate School.  She is a certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP), LSVT BIG^® Certified Clinician, and an APTA Certified Clinical Instructor.

Julie has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 2011.  She is a dedicated life-long learner who believes in implementing evidence-based practice with individualized care plans so that each patient is able to reach their goals.  Julie has a passion for athletics, having played Division III Softball for Castleton University.  She also enjoys biking, hiking, and trying new recipes.

Certifications

• Certified Mulligan Practitioner
• LSVT BIG^® Certified Clinician
• SFMA Level I
• SFMA Level II
• APTA Certified Clinical Instructor

Ellen Knapp-Hayden, PTA

Physical Therapy Assistant

Port Jervis, NY|

Ellen is a graduate of SUNY Orange, where she earned her Physical Therapy Assistant degree. In addition to being a PTA, she is also a registered nurse and has experience in acute care, acute rehab, long term, and orthopedic rehabilitation. Ellen is credentialed through the APTA as a certified clinical instructor.

After receiving a pacemaker in 2012, she became a fitness advocate and advocate for women’s heart health. She is passionate about helping others improve their overall fitness, and is a Certified Senior Fitness Specialist.

Ellen grew up in the Minisink/Slate Hill area and resides locally with husband Lenny and daughters Brooke and Shawn. In her spare time, she enjoys running and road biking.

Certifications

• LSVT BIG^® Certified Clinician
• Certified Senior Fitness Specialist

Michelle Becker O’Connell, PTA, CLT

Physical Therapy Assistant, Physician & Community Liaison

Bon Secours Community Hospital| Port Jervis, NY|

Michelle’s passion for helping others move better and with less pain began shortly after she began observing the Port Jervis ACCESS PT team over 17 years ago as a high school student. She learned how this group of therapists worked as a team to help patients of all ages meet their therapy goals, and wanted in! After graduation, she attended SUNY Orange and became a PTA so she could join this group of people who have a passion for helping others. While going to school, she continued working with ACCESS as an aide and at the front desk and then was hired on the clinical team!

Port Jervis is her hometown so she really enjoys meeting patients and helping ACCESS PT become their family physical therapy office. Over the years, Michelle learned that the community was in need of a lymphedema specialist, so she became certified.

In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out and hiking with her husband Colin, and their daughter Makayla.

Certifications

• Certified Lymphedema Therapist
• Oncology Care Certified

Kathleen Schindler, AT, WLS

Athletic Trainer

Port Jervis, NY|

Kathleen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sport Science & Sports Medicine, Athletic Training from East Carolina University. In her role as an Athletic Trainer, she collaborates with physicians and physical therapy staff at ACCESS PT to optimize activity and quality of life for student athletes. She is trained in recognizing concussions and Rock Tape.