Jay Bernasconi, DPT, OCS Ma. Lic# 5087
Owner - Furnace Brook P.T.

Jay has served the rehab needs of orthopedic, spinal and sports medicine patients in the South Shore area for more than 22 years, founding Furnace Brook Physical Therapy in 1987.

His work includes treating professional football, hockey and tennis players. His interests include lower back and neck post-surgical cases, and all phases of reconstructive joint surgery. He is the creator of "Raise the Roof," a conditioning program focusing on prevention of catastrophic knee injuries in the female athlete.

He earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in physical therapy from the University of Lowell; an Advanced Master's Degree in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Mass General Hospital-Institute of Health Professions and a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from Mass General Hospital-Institute of Health Professions. He is a certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and has served on the adjunct faculty of University of Lowell, Boston University and Simmons College physical therapy programs.

Additionally, Jay has published in the American Physical Therapy Association professional journal, and is an accredited peer-reviewer for both state and national Utilization Review Boards focusing on medical necessity questions and the role of physical therapy. His doctoral thesis, Analysis of a Modified Active Knee Extension Test, is published in Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, March 1992, Vol. 15, #3. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, certified by the American Red Cross in Water Safety, and is a Fellow in the American Back Society.

Erin Botelho, PT, OCS Ma. Lic.#17214
Staff Therapist, Quincy

Erin joined Furnace Brook Physical Therapy as in intern in January, 2005, before being hired as a full-time staff therapist in April, 2005, just after completing her Master's degree in physical therapy from Northeastern University. Her interests include sports related injuries with focus on knee injuries and Pilates-based rehab techniques. Erin also evaluates elderly patients who may be at risk to fall in our High Risk Fall Program. Having taken specialized coursework in this area, she identifies and implements strategies to help reduce the risk of falling through strength, balance, and functional training which may include assisted devices. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and is a certified Lifeguard by the American Red Cross.

Shawn Cray, DPT Ma. Lic.# 17916
Staff Therapist, Quincy

Shawn joined Furnace Brook P.T. after completing his final internship with us in early Winter, 2007. He is a May 2007 graduate of Northeastern University’s P.T. program where he received his entry-level doctorate degree in physical therapy. His interests include manual therapy techniques; working with the overhead throwing athlete, and helping patients learn to heal themselves through proper functional exercise. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and is a certified Lifeguard by the American Red Cross.

Samantha Hoffmann, DPT Ma. Lic.# 18677
Staff Therapist, Quincy

Samantha joins Furnace Brook P.T. after graduating with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in 2009. Samantha competed at the Division 1 level in college as a member of the Northeastern Swim Team, and has a special interest in sports medicine and recreational athletic injuries. She is a certified Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Leader. Samantha will be directing the Aquatic Therapy program for the clinic, and is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. In addition, she is certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) following 145 classroom hours from Klose Training and Consulting.

Jeanne Jacobs, PT Ma Lic.#18146
Staff Therapist, Quincy

Jeanne joined Furnace Brook P.T. through Northeastern University's co-operative education program in December, 2005. Upon completing her final internship with us in late 2007, she graduated with her Masters degree in physical therapy. Her interests include rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions in patients with underlying neurological dysfunctions or disorders, and sports related injuries with a focus on common running injuries. Jeanne has been a Big Sister volunteer for two years, and enjoys participating in annual fundraising events such as MS Society's Tour of the Vineyard and Brain Tumor Society's Ride for Research. She enjoys running marathons, triathlons, and assistant teaching in neuroscience and anatomy courses at Northeastern University. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Katie McGrath, DPT Ma. Lic. # 18435
Staff Therapist-Quincy

Katie joins the clinic staff after working at Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Boston. While there, she focused on stroke, spinal cord, musculoskeletal and brain injured patients. She graduated in 2008 from The George Washington University with her Doctorate in P.T. and was awarded a B.A. in Human Development through the Pre-Med program at Boston College in 2005. Katie’s interests include rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions in patients with underlying neurological disorders and in this regard, her background will serve to expand the scope of the clinic. She treats our patients in The High Risk to Fall Program by implementing strategies to help improve balance, strength, and functional training. Katie is an avid runner and has completed three marathons for local and national charities and is in training for her fourth. She is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Kristen Ross, DPT Ma. Lic #17181
Staff Therapist, Quincy

Kristen returns to Furnace Brook Physical Therapy after serving a clinical affiliation in 2003. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2005. Following graduation, she served a year-long internship at Children's Hospital Boston. As a result of this experience, she has developed a clinical interest in high school athletes and pediatrics. Being an avid softball and soccer athlete, she also has a keen interest in all aspects of sports-related injuries and rehabilitation, particularly knee reconstructions. Kristen is certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) following 145 classroom hours from Klose Training and Consulting in 2008. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and is a certified lifeguard by the American Red Cross.

Kate Werda, DPT, OCS Ma. Lic.# 16177
Clinic Supervisor, Quincy

Kate joined Furnace Brook Physical Therapy in September, 2002 after serving co-op and internship positions with Furnace Brook Physical Therapy from 1997 through 2001. She was awarded her Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in 2009 to compliment her Masters Degree in 2002. She manages her own clinic for the treatment of female pelvic disorders within Furnace Brook Physical Therapy. In February 2006, she returned from an internship in Chicago focusing on treatment of pelvic pain disorders with Rhonda Kotarinos, a nationally respected specialist in the field. Kate also became a certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in 2006.

Her interests include skiing, triathlons, spinal surgeries and functional restoration of the athlete. She completed her first triathlon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in August 2005. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and is a certified Lifeguard by the American Red Cross.