Our Professional Staff

Barbara Cuffe P.T., D.P.T..

Gerard Cuffe P.T., D.P.T.

Mark Garcia P.T., A.T.,C.

Nicole Hastie P.T.A.

Charissa Mikesh P.T.A.

Samantha O'Reilly P.T.A.

Scott Reither O.T, C.H.T.

Noel Starzyk O.T., C.H.T.

Heath Tong P.T.

Patrick Zell P.T., O.C.S.

Barbara Cuffe P.T., D.P.T.
Licensed Physical Therapist

Barbara graduated from the City University of New York at Hunter College in 1979 with a B.S. in physical therapy. She graduated from Shenandoah University in 2008 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Her doctoral thesis was entitled “Rehabilitation following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Case Study”. She is a native of Long Island and relocated to the Hudson Valley in 1981. She was employed in inpatient and outpatient settings, prior to founding Kingston Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, P.C. with her husband Gerry in 1984.

Barbara has completed numerous continuing education courses, concentrating on orthopaedic physical therapy (adult and pediatric),sports physical therapy, manual therapy, osteoporosis management and women’s health, balance and vestibular therapy. When not in the clinic, Barbara is an avid walker and hiker and loves the outdoors. She enjoys cooking, gardening and playing classical piano. She res ides in Saugerties with her husband Gerry.

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Gerard Cuffe P.T., D.P.T.
Licensed Physical Therapist

Gerry graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1979, summa cum laude, with a B.S. in physical therapy. In 1984, he was elected a member of Alpha Eta, the national honor society of allied health professionals. Gerry graduated from Shenandoah University, August 2008, completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. His doctoral thesis explored new exercises for high functional level total hip arthroplasty patients. Gerry also has a B.A. in economics

from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is a native of Bayside, Queens, and moved to the Hudson Valley in 1980. Gerry was employed in a variety of inpatient, outpatient and sports medicine settings early in his career. He, and his wife Barbara, founded Kingston Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, P.C. in 1984. Gerry has completed more than 700 hours of continuing education concentrating on manual therapy, orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. When not in the clinic, Gerry enjoys many interests and hobbies. He is an avid bicyclist, riding about 2000 miles per year. He enjoys hiking, landscaping, forestry and regularly works out with weights. Gerry has been involved in competitive shooting. He was the Department of New York Marine Corps League rifle champion in 2000, and the Marine Corps League National postal individual rifle champion in 2001, when he was a member of the Ulster County MCL Detachment first place rifle team. He resides in Saugerties with his wife Barbara.

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Mark Garcia P.T., A.T.,C.
Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer Certified

Mark is a licensed physical therapist and certified athletic trainer. He is a native of Saugerties and attended Columbia-Greene Community College before transferring to SUNY Cortland. He graduated from SUNY Cortland in 1992 with a B.S. in Education and a minor in Athletic Training, receiving two awards for academic achievement and potential in the field of athletic training: the NYS Buffalo Bills scholarship and the Eastern Athletic Trainer’s Association – District II – Joseph Abraham

Scholarship. Mark graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Physical Therapy in 1999. While a student in NYU’s physical therapy program, Mark was awarded the Elizabeth C. Addoms award for academic achievement in the field of physical therapy. As an athletic trainer, Mark has treated members of the New York Rangers hockey team as well as other professional athletes. He currently assists the Kingston High School Football team, offering athletic training services during the varsity football season. Mark also presents annual clinics for local coaches and community programs for sports injury prevention. Mark is currently working on his Doctorate in physical therapy from Shenandoah University. Mark joined the practice in 2002 and became a partner in 2004. Mark resides in Clermont with his wife Elizabeth and their two sons.

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Nicole Hastie P.T.A.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Nicole graduated from20Endicott College in Beverly, MA in 1999 with an A.A.S. degree Physical Therapist Assistant. She joined the practice in March of 2000. Nicole has completed various continuing education courses focusing on topics such as geriatrics, orthopedics, balance training, vestibular rehabilitation, gait assessment and treatment, lumbar stabilization and neurorehabilitation, breast cancer and pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation. When Nicole is not working she enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, cooking, snowmobile riding and being with her family. She resides in Willow with her husband Greg and their daughter Natalie..

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Scott Reither O.T., C.H.T.
Licensed Occupational Therapist

Scott graduated from Downstate Medical Center in 1986 to compliment his degree in Physical Education from the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Reither did his clinical training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Hands and Orthopaedics and was employed as a staff and senior level therapist in charge of Hands and Orthopaedics from 1986-1990. While in Baltimore he worked privately in Work Hardening and Ergonomic  Training. He has extensive training in sport and non-sport related custom

splinting and bracing. Scott has worked closely with a nationally known medical supply company with his splints featured in their catalog. In 1990 he and his family relocated to the Hudson Valley. He was responsible for the development of the Occupational Therapy and Hand Rehab program at the Kingston Hospital where he was supervisor of OT for 15 years. Scott is board eligible for the national hand certification exam. When not in the clinic he enjoys coaching, participation in competitive soccer, woodworking, gardening and landscape design, skiing/snowboarding, golf and traveling with his wife and children.

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Noel Starzyk O.T., C.H.T.
Licensed Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist

Noel graduated from Mercy College in 1992 with a BS in Marketing and in 1997 with an MS in Occupational Therapy and a BS in Health Sciences. Noel was employed as a staff therapist at The Kingston Hospital from 1997 to 2002, then went on to Vassar Brothers Medical Center to develop the inpatient and outpatient Occupational Therapy programs. In early 2004 Noel left VBMC to develop the outpatient Occupational Therapy program for Northern Dutchess Hospital's

satellite office in Hyde Park. Noel joined The Kingston Hand Therapy Center on a part-time basis in 2004.
Noel has completed many continuing education courses in upper extremity management as well as manual lymph drainage. In 2003 Noel completed a one year certificate program in Hand and Upper Quadrant Rehabilitation at Drexel University College of Medicine and passed the national exam to become a Certified Hand Therapist. When not in the clinic, Noel enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and spending time with her husband and their three children.

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Heath Tong P.T.
Licensed Physical Therapist

Heath graduated from Daemen College in 1989 and has completed over 300 hours of continuing education, including courses in geriatric therapy and a certification course in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics assessment. Heath joined the practice in July of 1990 and became a partner in 1993. He is the instructor of our Back School program and brings to the practice a background in medicine, which started while in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Heath grew up in Saugerties and

returned to Ulster County after almost 5 years in the military. He graduated from Ulster County Community College before going to Buffalo and graduating from Daemen College. He currently working on his Doctorate in physical therapy from Shenandoah University. Heath resides in West Hurley with his wife and has three children. He is very involved in the Scouting program in the community. On weekends and weeknights, you can find him either at a sports field, Boy Scout activity, camping or traveling to visit with the family.

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Patrick Zell P.T., O.C.S.
Licensed Physical Therapist.

Patrick graduated from Daemen College, in Buffalo, in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Patrick has completed continuing education courses in shoulder, knee, spine, and sports rehabilitation, along with manual therapy courses. The American Physical Therapy Association in June 2005 recognized him, as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). He currently working on his Doctorate in physical therapy from Shenandoah University.  Patrick was born and raised in

Hurley, and attended Kingston High School. Patrick joined the practice in 2004 and became a partner in 2007.  When not at work he enjoys sports, exercising, and playing golf. Patrick resides in Kingston with his wife Jennifer. 

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Last modified: October 23, 2009