Joy Mazzio Masefield, PT, RN Co-owner

Joy has been the co-owner of Masefield & Cavallaro Physical Therapy since 2003. She has practiced in the outpatient setting since earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Hunter College in 1993. Joy has been an active member of the New York Physical Therapy Association, serving several terms as treasurer, district director and member of the board of directors. She was also an adjunct lecturer at the College of Staten Island, Long Island University and Hunter College. Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Joy worked as a registered nurse at Long Island College Hospital. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from St. Francis College.

Vincent J. Cavallaro, PT Co-owner

Vincent has owned and operated a private physical therapy practice since 1989. He also practices in various clinic settings, including inpatient rehabilitation and acute care at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn. He has clinical expertise in electromyography, as well as orthotics and prosthetics. Vincent has been an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1980, and the Brooklyn/Staten Island district of the New York Physical Therapy Association since 1984. He has been adjunct lecturer at Long Island University, SUNY Downstate, and New York University. He has also served as an arbitrator for the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Vincent is a graduate of SUNY Downstate College of Health Related Professions.

Michael Masaracchio, PT, PhD, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist Orthopedics and Sports
Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Associate Professor
Coordinator of the Anatomy Lab
Long Island University
Department of PT
Brooklyn/SI NYPTA District Director

Dr. Michael Masaracchio has been a practicing physical therapist for 15 years. He is currently an Associate Professor and Director of the Anatomy Lab at Long Island University’s Department of Physical Therapy. Clinically, Dr. Masaracchio is the senior staff physical therapist at Masefield Cavallaro Physical Therapy, where he specializes in the examination and treatment of orthopedic and sports related pathologies. He is board certified in orthopedics and sports from the American Physical Therapy Specialization Council and has recently been appointed to the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for the sports physical therapy examination. He has recently completed his Fellowship in Manual Therapy from Regis University and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Dr. Masaracchio has co-authored 6 articles and a textbook. He has presented at local, national, and international conferences on the examination and treatment of various orthopedic and sports related pathologies, as well as health services research. Dr. Masaracchio has recently received a 300,000 grant from the NYPTA to conduct a study with his colleagues called “The Timing and Sequencing of Physical Therapy on the Costs of Care in NYS. At MCPT, the physical therapist implements an individualized manual therapy approach that facilitates and encourages efficient movement patterns through the active participation of the patient. This approach is founded in strong scientific evidence and places the patient at the center of the treatment paradigm.

Katarzyna Niebrzydowska, PT, DPT, MTC, CFC, CKTP, PRPC
(MTC – Manual Therapy Certified,
CFC – Cranio-Facial Certification
CKTP – Certified Kinesio Taping Practitoner
PRPC – Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner)
Fluent in Polish and conversational Russian

Kate joined our staff in 2008. Her specialty areas include manual, cranio-mandibular, head, neck, facial pain, myofunctional and pelvic therapy. She is also skilled in the use of kinesio tape, a pain relief method popularized during the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Kate earned her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 2001 from the Academy of Physical Education in Poland, and completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of St. Augustine for Health Science in Florida in 2011. To follow newest treatment techniques Kate has completed over 600 hours of continuing education classes in her specialty areas. She has been teacher assistant during Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute seminars. At the moment Kate is working on becoming Cranio Facial Therapy Academy – CRAFTA and Diastasis Detective certified therapist. She is the owner of KTS Physical Therapy, where she treats patients with incontinence and pelvic disorders. In her native Poland, she competed on the national synchronized swimming team and coached synchronized swimming and skiing. Free time is spent with her three children and husband.

Lisa Baiada-Miller, PT, DPT

Lisa joined our staff in June 2012. Lisa is a graduate of Long Island University-Brooklyn in 1995 with a combined BS/MS in Physical Therapy. She then received her DPT from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Newark in 2005.Lisa has 20+ years of clinical experience in acute and outpatient rehabilitation settings. She has served as an adjunct faculty and as a clinical instructor for several local PT programs.

Lisa spent the early part of her career in an acute care setting, providing her with knowledge and understanding of various medical, neurological and orthopedic conditions and the impact that overall health and wellness can have on the rehabilitation process. She has taken extensive continuing education courses in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the Spine and the use of Kinesiotape as adjunct to Physical Therapy.

Jason DeGenaro PT, DPT

Jason has been a member of our staff since 2013. Jason earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of Staten Island. He received an award for Highest Academic Honors upon graduation. Jason is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and is registered for the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA. Jason has taken continuing education courses on the examination and management of foot, ankle, knee and shoulder. Jason has begun studying for his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist advanced certification.

Jason places the utmost importance on communication and education. Jason enjoys being a clinical instructor and mentoring graduate students on their clinical. Jason also believes that patient education is a key component to having successful outcome with physical therapy. It is important to foster communication regarding diagnosis, prognosis and how a patient can work to achieve their goals and maximal functional outcomes.

Stephen Fallon, PT, DPT, CSCS, USAW-L1SP
(CSCS – Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
USAW-L1SP – USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sport Performance Coach)

Stephen joined our staff in 2015 after graduating with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Hofstra University and has been a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association since 2012. Stephen has an interest in sports-related injuries and has worked with various athletes ranging from youth and high school athletes to D1 collegiate athletes as both a physical therapist and a strength & conditioning coach. He has taken a number of continuing education courses focusing on corrective exercises and manual therapy to decrease pain, improve movement, and optimize athletic performance. Stephen was also trained in Graston Technique ® in 2016.

Leandra Manfredini PT, DPT

Leandra joined our staff in July 2014 after graduating with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of Staten Island. At graduation, she received the physical therapy department’s Award for Outstanding Service. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biopsychology from Wagner College. Following PT school graduation, Leandra worked as an assistant professor for the Neurological Interventions course at her alma mater. Leandra mostly enjoys working with pediatric patients and has taken continuing education courses to better suit their needs. Leandra also has a background in dance and enjoys teaching Zumba classes in her spare time.

Tean Chai, PTA (Physical Therapy Assistant)
Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese

A staff sergeant in the US Army, Tean served two tours in Iraq with Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division. During Tean’s second deployment, he was wounded by enemy fire and received the Purple Heart. In 2009, he became an active member of the Wounded Warriors Project, which aides wounded service members as they transition back into civilian life. Tean has also participated in several physical therapy programs for veterans. He was highlighted in an article in the July 2012 issue of Advance Physical Therapy magazine, which focused on rehabilitation in the military. Tean is a graduate of the physical therapy assistant program at Kingsborough Community College. He is studying for his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Mercy College in Manhattan.

To read Tean’s story in Advance Physical Therapy Magazine click here.

Patricia Assante, PTA

She joined our staff in July 2013 with a BA in psychology from St. Francis College and an Associates of Applied Science in Physical Therapy from Touro College. Tricia has worked in an outpatient setting since graduating in 2009. Tricia knew from a young age that a fulfilling career would be one where she’d help better the lives of others. She is very personable and compassionate, making all patients feel at ease throughout their treatments. She enjoys getting to know the whole patient and not just their diagnosis and often uses her sense of humor to help. She has taken continuing education courses on geriatric taping techniques and fall prevention to name a few. In her free time she enjoys being a new mom and running.