Rehabilitation - Outpatient Staff

Susan Allen, PT

Susan graduated from the Ohio State University in 1969 and has practiced for the past 40 years. She enjoys treating patients of all ages. She has worked in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics in the surrounding Washington area. She has been a physical therapist for The Washington Hospital for 17 years and is a graduate of Trinity High School.

Susan Alrutz, PT

Sue graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. She has worked clinically in both inpatient and outpatient settings over the years. Sue has been in a management role at The Washington Hospital since 1991. She has been the Director of Rehabilitation Services since 1997 and currently manages more than 50 staff members.

Cynthia Ault, MSPT, OCS

Cynthia graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor?s Degree in Exercise Science in 1988 and a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Beaver College in 1991. She became a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 1998. Over the past 18 plus years, she has practiced primarily in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine.

Sandy Brown, PT

Sandy graduated from Slippery Rock University and the Army Baylor Physical Therapy Program. She has more than 25 years in the physical therapy field and has worked with patients of all ages and various diagnoses. Sandy has extensive experience and interest in outpatient orthopedics.

Don Bywaters, PTA

Don graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 2007 where he received his Physical Therapist Assistant Degree as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Management. During his career, he has practiced primarily in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine. Don is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a Certified Emergency Medical Technician in Pennsylvania. In his free time, Don enjoys bowling, hunting and ice hockey.

Annette Chop, MOTR/L, CHT

Annette graduated from Carlow College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1987 and is a registered nurse. She continues to work as a cardiac nurse in the Pittsburgh area. Annette graduated from Duquesne University in 2001 with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. She has specialized in Hand Therapy since 2004 and received her Certification in Hand Therapy in 2007.

Judith Denault, COTA

Judi graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the Community College of Allegheny County in 1998. She has extensive experience in various settings including inpatient acute care, outpatient hand therapy and work hardening.

Ken Fritch, DPT

Ken graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 2001 with a Physical Therapist Assistant Degree.  He worked for 2 years as a PTA in orthopedic outpatient before returning to school in 2003.  He completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pre-Osteopathic Medicine/Biology from California University in 2006, while continuing to work full time as a PTA.  Ken was accepted into the Graduate Program at Chatham University in 2008 and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010.  He joined The Washington Hospital Rehab Team in March 2011 and has covered in both inpatient and outpatient areas of the Rehab Department.  Ken was a certified IFPA Personal Trainer for 10 years and enjoys football, weight lifting and body building.

Matt Guarino, DPT

Matt graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005 with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree. Matt has extensive experience in treating orthopedic injuries in children, adolescents, teenagers and adults. He has presented numerous educational programs to the community on a variety of sports medicine topics. In addition, Matt has extensive experience and training in aquatic therapy and incorporates it into many of the outpatient treatment programs.

Sara Knabb, MOTR/L

Sara graduated in 2011 with her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University and joined the Washington Hospital staff following graduation.  She graduated from Ohio University in 2006 with her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and was also a member of the Women's Soccer team.  Sara has experience in various settings including acute care, work hardening, outpatient hand therapy and inpatient and outpatient pediatric rehabilitation.  Sara's personal interests are in playing soccer, singing, and going fishing with her husband. 

Roger Marino, MPT

Roger graduated from Chatham University in 2000 with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. During his nine years of experience, Roger's primary focus as a clinician has been treating orthopedic patients, both in a Level I Trauma Center and at the outpatient level. Roger has an extensive manual therapy background with specialization in treating both shoulder and spine injuries. Roger is part of The Washington Hospital management team and is the manager of outpatient rehab services at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center.

Laura O'Neil, DPT

Laura graduated from Gannon University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2009.  She has special interests in aquatic therapy, geriatrics, and Progressive Neuro-degenerative diseases.  She enjoys volunteering with adaptive water and snow skiing programs in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.  Her hobbies include skiing, swimming, aerobics, Pilates, and traveling.

Kathy Potisek, PTA

Kathy received her Physical Therapist Assistant Degree from the Community College of Allegheny County in 1998. She has been in the physical therapy field since 1975. Kathy has extensive experience in outpatient PT. She is also trained in aquatic therapy.

Susan Raimondi, M.S., CCC/SLP

Susan earned a Master?s Degree from Penn State University in Communication Disorders in 1991. She has more than 18 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders. She is certified in the use of Vital Stim, which is used in the treatment of various swallowing disorders.

Kelly Reasbeck, MPT, CLT

Kelly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy in 1999. In 2008, she completed a two-week certification course in treating lymphedema from the nationally recognized Norton School. She currently specializes in treating patients with lymphedema in the upper and lower extremities. Kelly is also a certified Pilates instructor at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center.

Claudia Roberts, OTR/L

Claudia is a 1995 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor?s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Prior to becoming a therapist, she served in the US Army as a German Linguist. Claudia has extensive experience in various settings including home health and inpatient and outpatient OT working in hand therapy and work hardening. She is in the Army Reserves and in 2009-2010 has been deployed overseas working to assist injured soldiers in their recovery.

Nathan Romesburg, DPT, CSCS

Nathan graduated from Slippery Rock University with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree in 2007. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Nathan's professional interests include sports medicine, orthopedics and manual therapy.

Sheryl Ruffing, M.S., CCC/SLP

Sheryl graduated from California University in 1996 with a Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has more than 13 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders. Sheryl is certified in the use of Vital Stim, which is used in the treatment of various swallowing disorders.

Paula Schoeneweis, PTA

Paula graduated in 1990 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Speech Communication and Theatre and in 2001 from Community College of Allegheny County with an A.S. degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant.  Paula enjoys working with patients with a variety of diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Paula's special interests include coaching gymnastics and soccer.

Lisa Shook, PT

Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. She has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings and enjoys working with a wide variety of patients. In addition, she has extensive experience and training in aquatic therapy and incorporates it into many of the outpatient treatment programs.

Danielle Violette, MA, ATC

Danielle graduated from Duquesne University in 2000 with a degree in athletic training.  She received her Master's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  After working for seven years for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, Danielle joined The Washington Hospital in 2009.  She has worked with the wellness center staff performing member consultations and special programming and with patients in outpatient rehabilitation.  Currently, Danielle serves as the Sports Medicine Coordinator for the Department of Orthopedics and Neurosciences and facilitates the ImPACT Concussion testing program in outpatient rehabilitation.  Danielle enjoys sports and staying active with her husband and their daughter.