Occupational Therapist Month continues with JAG-ONE PT’s own And Shari Bensadoun! Join our conversation as we discuss Hand Therapy, the importance of faith when it comes to the healing process, and why mental health is a major part of the OT profession.

Shari Bensadoun is a licensed Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She is a graduate of Touro College School of Health Sciences with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008 where she earned a place in the Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society. After working as an Occupational Therapist and dedicating her time to continued learning she decided to further her career within the field of Hand therapy and become a Certified Hand Therapist in 2014. She specializes in post-operative rehabilitation and custom splinting and is certified in the Graston Technique. She also dedicates her time as a fieldwork supervisor for OT students.

For more information about the Downtown JAG-ONE PT Office visit www.jagonept.com.

April is Occupational Therapy Appréciation month and this week we will feature the amazing OTs from the Marine Park JAG-ONE Physical Therapy Office in Brooklyn, NY. Join the conversation as Maxcita, Krista, Esther share about our experience as Downstate Medical Center alumni, why being a certified hand therapist is so important, how mental health plays a part in the healing process, and a few tips on injury prevention.

As an Occupational Therapist specializing in Hand Therapy practice Maxcita Alverez's absolute passion has been to increase her patients' awareness/knowledge of their injuries.  Through understanding we are able to capture purpose and work harder to achieve goals. Patient education is essential in ensuring compliance and improvement.  Her growth as a clinician has been inspired by the most amazing group of therapists and physicians who have mentored and educated her through their outstanding and exemplary work.  Each day, Maxcita works to motivate and inspire her patients to do more than the day before.  She incorporates her patients' unique experiences, goals and purpose, as she works together with each individual patient to get them back to performing their daily life skills, while regaining mobility and strength.  Maxcita has worked throughout various hospitals/ settings including: St. Vincents/Mt Sinai Hospital, Private Practice and Outpatient Therapy. She's also a Downstate Alumni and the NY Lead Occupational Therapist for JAG-ONE Physical Therapy.

Krista Denaro is a licensed occupational therapist and recent graduate from SUNY Downstate. Her time at Jag One Physical Therapy dates back to 2016 where she was a volunteer and OT aide in hand therapy. Her interest in hand therapy continued as she completed her Fieldwork level 2 working under Maxcita leading to her current employment at JAG-ONE. Krista strives to work with each patient using a client-centered approach by understanding their needs and values while incorporating a unique plan of care that mirrors their daily activities. Her goal is to become a certified hand therapist as well as continue to expand her practice and knowledge to educate and rehabilitate her patients.

Esther Milina graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical Center with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2019. Esther completed her Fieldwork Level 2 placement with Maxcita Alvarez and which led to her career at JAG-ONE in 2020.  Esther is a Graston Technique provider, kinesotape provider and certified in LSVT-BIG. Esther is committed to serving her communities in South Brooklyn where she grew up and is fluent in Russian. She prides herself on use of humor in order to build relationships with her patients and assist them in reaching their goals. She is currently studying to achieve her goal of becoming a certified hand therapist.

For more information about the Marine Park office visit www.jagonept.com.

As Athletic Training Month comes to a close, our four part series concludes with our fourth installment looking at Athletic Training Programs in Professional and Collegiate Sports.  My Co-host for this week is Senior Director of Athletic Training at JAG-ONE and founder of the Catalyzingats Podcast Ryan Stevens! Our three guests on the show this week are as follows: 

Ayala, MS, ATC, CES CKTP (he/him) is an LIU Brooklyn alumnus and currently serves as the Rutgers Club Sports Head Athletic Trainer through JAG-ONE Athletic Training services where he provides AT services for 64 clubs sports teams. Since becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2016, Alexis has served multiple minor league baseball organizations (Somerset Patriots in 2020, Sussex County Miners and Can-Am League Champion New Jersey Jackals in 2021). Throughout his career outside of minor league baseball Alexis has been provided AT services as a part of multiple Division 1 athletic programs such as Marist University for Women’s Lacrosse and volleyball, St. John’s University for Men’s Lacrosse, and LIU Brooklyn for Baseball and Volleyball.

Patrick Zahn, ATC, NSCA-CPT received his Bachelor’s degree from Messiah College in 2019 and completed a Master's in Applied Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning focus) from Concordia University Chicago. Beginning as an AT with passing the BOC in late 2019, he has worked in multiple settings. As an extension of JAG-ONE Athletic Training, he serves Cairn University, providing care for Division 3 athletes with a focus on holistic care, and is passionate as a mentor to teach life-long positive health habits for athletes to use after their sports career is over. Outside of his typical AT responsibilities, Patrick is an Adjunct Professor teaching Exercise Science at Cairn University, and holds a Personal trainer certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Julianna M. Mangano ATC, EMT-B. (she/her) is a full-time Athletic Trainer with JAG-ONE Physical Therapy, serving as the head AT for the Atlantic League’s Staten Island Ferryhawks minor league baseball club. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, she is a 2022 graduate from Marist College (Poughkeepsie, New York) where she received her bachelor’s degree in athletic training. It was only fitting she secured a job working for the Ferryhawks post-graduation, affording her the ability to fall in love with baseball and delve deeper into her career. In January-February 2023 she had the opportunity to work as one of the athletic trainers for the California Winter League in Palm Springs, California, caring for 300+ baseball players alongside two athletic trainers over the course of 4 weeks. Julianna became certified as a New York State EMT in 2022 and since starting her career as an AT in 2022 has served other professional sports teams including the Metropolitan Riveters, NY Gotham FC, and Trenton Terror, as well as worked at Mount St. Michaels Academy secondary school in The Bronx.

For more information about Athletic Training Programs in your area visit www.jagonept.com.

As Athletic Training Month continues, our four part series continues with our third installment looking Athletic Training Programs across various spectrums.  Our four guests on the show this week are as follows: 

Lewandowski ATC, NREMT is an Athletic Trainer for JAG-ONE Physical Therapy and serves as the AT for both the Metropolitan Riveters Professional Women's Hockey team and Keansburg Public School District. After earning her Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from Kean University (graduated Cum Laude) Carly became both a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician in 2021. Carly has experience in secondary and professional settings, as well as experience in emergency medicine and care. Carly grew up as a multi-sport athlete, which she believes helps her exceed in her role as an athletic trainer. Being able to relate to the mindset of her athletes in all settings helps her connect with them and understand their desire to return to play as fast as possible, while being able to once again perform to the best of their abilities.

Dominique Peters, MS, ATC is a full-time athletic trainer with JAG-ONE Physical Therapy serving Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy in Trenton, NJ. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she moved to Lawrence, NJ, in middle school and attended Lawrence High School where she competed on the Lawrence basketball and Track and Field teams. Throughout her high school career, she was often in the AT facility, where she gained a significant interest in athletic training. Her interest in athletic training brought her to Rowan University, where she was able to continue both her athletic career and education. She graduated with a Master’s degree in athletic training in 2022.

Sean Doyle, ATC serves as a full time Athletic Trainer for JAG-ONE Physical Therapy serving the Somerville Public School District in NJ. Incorporating customer service into athletic training has always been the approach Sean has used in athletic training. Sean spent just under 10 years working in high end customer service jobs before starting his career as an athletic trainer in 2012. After starting his career at Holy Cross Academy, Sean joined the athletic training team serving Somerville High School through RWJBarnabas Health, and he took on an additional role coaching with the Performance Fitness team. This new added focus on fitness training helped Sean become a more balanced athletic trainer while still using his high level of customer service with every client. A graduate from the athletic training program at Rowan University, Sean is always looking to pursue furthering his education in every aspect of athletic training.

Joseph Savoia (Joe Sav oi ya), MS, ATC is an athletic trainer with 20 years of experience. Currently he serves as Associate Manager and athletic trainer for JAG-ONE Physical Therapy serving the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey where he tends to the medical needs of incoming State Police recruits.  He received his bachelors of arts in physical education with a concentration in Athletic Training from Kean University in 2003.  He continued his education at Kean and received his master of science degree in exercise physiology.  After graduate school he worked as an assistant athletic trainer at Montclair State University for 10 years.  In 2016 he made the transition from the traditional college athletic training setting to positions in occupational and industrial sports medicine.  Throughout his time at these various settings, he has had the opportunity to teach biology and athletic training specific college classes.  Joseph has lectured at the state, regional and national level on his work at using the Nintendo Wii as a rehabilitation tool.

For more information about Athletic Training Programs in your area visit www.jagonept.com.

Happy National Athletic Training Month. Join us for part one of our four part series highlighting various Athletic Trainers during the month of March. our first guest is Ryan Stevens MPS, ATC, CSCS.

Driven by his “why” to embrace challenge and growth opportunities, positioning himself to help others recognize, achieve, and celebrATe their potential leading to the collective growth of our profession, Ryan showcases passion and optimism as a specialty-trained leader, mentor, athletic trainer, and human performance expert. Ryan currently serves as Senior Director of Athletic Training for JAG-ONE Physical Therapy where he leads an AT service line serving over 225 partners across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.  Since completing his degree in Athletic Training at Penn State University in 2003, he has led AT programs for two large hospital systems, provided care in professional, college, secondary school sports and various emerging settings, developed start-up athletic training and fitness sites, and delivered numerous engaging educational programs. Uniquely trained in interpersonal relationship development, public speaking, business strategies, leadership, advanced communications, and marketing, he attained his Master’s Degree in Humanistic/Multicultural Education through SUNY New Paltz.  During the pandemic, Ryan served as the Staffing Lead for two RWJBarnabas Health COVID-19 Vaccine Megasites which played a role in delivering over 325,000 doses to central New Jersey communities. Outside of work, Ryan is a proud father of four and is the founder of "cATalyzing Athletic Trainers" (www.cATalyzingATs.com) and The cATalyzing Podcast for Athletic Trainers (found on social media as @cATalyzingATs).

For more information about Ryan and the Athletic Training Program, visit www.jagonept.com for more details. 

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Lawrence E. Adjah is a Community Builder and Host serving at the nexus of Business, Faith, and Community Wellness.   Lawrence builds communities and hosts conversations that unite, heal and transform lives. Lawrence serves as the Founder and Chairman of the Family Dinner Foundation whose mission is to connect the world as a family at and beyond the dinner table. Beginning with its first initiative, Our Family Dinner in 2008, which reached nearly 50K young professionals around the world, its work has expanded to empowering an ecosystem of initiatives dedicated to connecting brothers and sisters as a family beyond the dinner table.  In a time where many of us are mediating our lives behind a computer screen and are living in cities without strong pre-existing relationships, Lawrence became burdened by the sleeping giant of our time: loneliness.  Observing that we’ve become more digitally connected than we’ve ever been, yet more isolated and disconnected interpersonally than ever before, it became his mission to address this growing issue. He believes that we were never meant to do life alone and that it is vital for people to have a space where they can build lifelong, life-sustaining relationships.  Through his experience in business and community building, he became convinced the solution to this challenge is as much a spiritual matter as it is a civic, social, and technological opportunity. He pursued formal theological education and training and became an ordained Pastor and spiritual counselor who brings this foundation into every aspect of his approach to community building, business and life.  Lawrence currently hosts two shows, Watch God Work, a show featuring leaders from all arenas of business, entertainment, civic leadership and culture sharing their “God Stories” and A2D (Agree2Disagree) a weekly conversation that intentionally tackles the “the challenging conversations” in our community we are having or need to have in our families, friendships and/or romantic relationships.  Lawrence began his career as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company in its New York office, helping to serve some of the world’s largest professional sports organizations and media companies. Prior to joining McKinsey, he was a nationally ranked track and field competitor through college, where he entered as a National Champion & HS All-American.  After McKinsey, Lawrence served as the Senior Director of Business Development at a premiere sports and entertainment marketing agency in New York.  Lawrence has served as a trusted Executive Advisor and Counselor to business leaders, from C-suite executives to solo lead small business owners, with nearly 15 years of experience through his firm, Adjah.  He's also a licensed and ordained Pastor, a Prepare + Enrich Certified Marriage Counselor, and Spiritual Coach & Trainer, who also leads the world's first gospel-based spiritual gym, Foundation JC. Lawrence serves as an Advisory Board Member and Former President of the Board of Directors for The Harvard Black Alumni Society (HBAS). Lawrence also serves on the Board of Directors for the Urbanworld Film Festival and the national Board of New City Kids. He’s also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.  Lawrence holds a B.A., from Harvard University, an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, an M.Ed from The University of Texas at Austin with distinction and a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Episode 113 of the Be More Today show features Chef Nina Clemente. Born in Italy and raised in New York City, Nina Clemente realized the possibilities of transforming local ingredients into Southern Italian feasts by watching her mother make traditional, delicious, and seasonal cuisine.  These childhood experiences — in which food was the anchor for friends and family to gather around a table, share their stories and create memories — inspired her to make food her career.    After graduating from Brown University with a degree in anthropology, Nina began a successful stint as a private chef in Los Angeles.  She went on to work at Osteria Mozza, learning from the incomparable Nancy Silverton. She then worked at Maya’s restaurant in St. Barths, followed by time spent under the tutelage of Enrico Crippa at his three Michelin-star restaurant Piazza Duomo in Alba, Italy.    She continued on to work as Executive Chef for the The Standard Hotel in their Hollywood and NYC locations.  Followed by Andre Bolaz on a restaurant project in the Hudson Valley.    Today, Nina strives to bridge both cultures from her childhood by applying all her senses to preparing delicious food, and reveling in the memorable gatherings that her food inspires.  She cooks meals that are clean, colorful, and vibrant on the palate — food that nourishes, is beautiful to look at, and tastes amazing.  She currently lives in the Hudson Valley with her two children, Phoenix and Indigo and husband Wayne.  For more information visit www.bemoretoday.com.

Dr. David Bruton Jr. is a former athlete turned physical therapist, who graduated from the University of Colorado in 2021.  David is the founder of Bruton’s Books, a childhood literacy foundation, and Between the Lines Physical Therapy.  David was a former safety for the Denver Broncos for 7 years, and 1 year with the Washington Football Team.  During his tenure with the Broncos he was a captain for 3 years and won Super Bowl 50.

After retirement, David followed his heart towards a lifelong passion for the profession of physical therapy  and having a collaborative relationship with patients to help them return to their prior level of function and beyond.  David’s passion for providing great healthcare was ignited as a youth playing sports, where his PT’s throughout every stage of his playing career, helped him achieve and return to a high level of play.  That love was continuously reinforced throughout physical therapists throughout college and professionally.  Dr. Bruton Jr. has been dedicated in educating himself in order to provide the best patient care through multiple certifications and seeking further learning opportunities. He is also an active member of the Scholarship Endowment Board at CU and is Co-president of the CU PT Alumni Association.

Aside from his love of PT, David loves his wife and kids, cycling, working out, board games, snowboarding, and giving back to the community.

For more information about Between the Lines PT visit https://betweenthelinespt.com/

Check out our season finale with NY Giants legend Tiki Barber!  Best known for his time on the field, former NY Giants football player Tiki Barber serves as co-host of WFAN’s “Tiki & Tierney,” alongside Emmy winning broadcaster, Brandon Tierney. Tiki & Tierney airs Weekdays from 10a-2p on 101.9 FM/ and 66 AM.   After nine years on national radio, ex-Giants running back Tiki Barber and NYC-born Brandon Tierney have come home to WFAN to bring Tiki & Tierney exclusively to the Big Apple audience.   Barber is 1 of 3 NFL players in football history with at least 10,000 yards rushing and 5,000 yards receiving in a career. He holds almost every NY Giants rushing record – total yards, rushing yards, rushing attempts and is second in rushing touchdowns. Barber has been active in media and journalism with a variety of appearances. His broadcasting career includes WFAN, WCBS-TV, Sirius Satellite Radio, the YES Network and Fox News Channel.  Upon retiring, Barber signed a contract to work as a correspondent for NBC News and Sports, primarily for TODAY and Football Night in America, but also covering the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing for MSNBC. Barber is also an entrepreneur, co-founding Thuzio.com.  For more information about Be More Today visit our website www.bemoretoday.com or email us directly at [email protected].