• HOME
• ABOUT US
• LOCATIONS
• OUR SERVICES
• TESTIMONIALS
• CONTACT US

Dr. Kascak is a local resident, having graduated from Trumbull High School in 1970, UConn in 1974 with a BA in Biology, and New York University in 1975 with his Physical Therapy Degree. He received an MBA in Management of Health Care Organizations from the University of New Haven in 1982. Most recently, Tom completed work for his Clinical Doctorate at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Institute of Health Professions.

Tom’s career began at Yale-New Haven Hospital where his interest in Hand Injuries started. His career progression took him through Park City Hospital in Bridgeport (Chief Therapist), Temple Medical Center’s Life Sciences in New Haven (Supervisor), and by 1986 had established Kascak Physical Therapy in Trumbull. He moved his practice into Sacred Heart University in 1996, continued his care for patients while adding teaching responsibilities in the SHU Physical Therapy Program. Teaching responsibilities in this Physical Therapy Program are concentrated in Musculoskeletal Diagnosis and Treatment, Hand Rehabilitation, and Risk Management. Tom has invested time in an extensive continuing education effort since he became a therapist. His course-work has focused primarily in upper extremity disorders of all types (sports, trauma, repetitive disorders, reconstructive surgeries) and care of spinal disorders.

Dr. Kascak has spoken at numerous sites regarding care and rehabilitation of the Back, Neck, Shoulder, and Hand. He has addressed the Yale University Surgical Hand Conference, CT Physical Therapy Association Educational Conference, and Yale University School for Physician Assistants. He has provided many local community talks on these and other topics of interest to the public.

He received his Board Certification in Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy in 1999, while continuing to care for General Orthopedic, Geriatric, and Skilled Nursing Home clients. During his Clinical Doctorate, he completed monographs in Physical Therapy Diagnosis and a Comprehensive Case Analysis of Thumb Arthritis: Conservative and Surgical Rehabilitation. Tom’s interests include golf, skiing and nature-photography.

Vic is the Clinical Manager of our Fairfield and Trumbull offices since 1996.  He is a 1976 Graduate from the University of Vermont with a Bachelors of Science Physical Therapy, and a 1985 graduate with a Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts. Vic has 24 years as a Department Head or Manager, in both Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. Early in his career, he worked in acute care physical therapy at Yale New Haven Hospital.  With an interest in sports care he joined the Yale University Athletic Dept as a physical therapist/athletic trainer.  Vic then began working in outpatient physical therapy with an expertise in General Orthopedics Rehabilitation, Amputee Rehabilitation, Sports Rehabilitation, and Foot Care.  He has attended numerous continuing education courses in Manual therapy and Manipulation techniques, amputee and prosthetic rehabilitation, knee, shoulder and spinal care.

As a very active member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association Vic is currently the Public Affairs committee chairman.  His past roles in the association include President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Finance committee chairman.  He has been actively involved in state and federal legislative issues. He led the successful effort to obtain the right for patients to have direct access to physical therapists in Connecticut. He was also instrumental in establishing mandatory continuing education in order to maintain licensure and in achieving licensure for physical therapy assistants.  For his efforts in this arena Vic was awarded the State Legislative Leadership Award by the American Physical Therapy Association. This annual award is presented to one or two recipients for outstanding leadership in legislative issues at the state level.  In 2007 the Class of 2008 in the Program in Physical Therapy established the Vic Vaughan Leadership Award.  This award is awarded to the third year PT student who demonstrates great leadership in student physical therapy association.

Since 1998, Vic is has also been an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program for Sacred Heart University.  He has taught in numerous courses in the areas of musculo-skeletal pathologies, neuromuscular pathologies, cardiopulmonary and acute care, amputee and prosthetic rehabilitation, and physical therapy practice and management issues.  He has given many lectures on amputee care, shoulder and knee rehabilitation and the use of isokinetics in rehabilitation.  Vic has published research on muscle atrophy following immobilization as well as physical therapy following arthroscopic menisectomy.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Sacred Heart University. Sheila has over 30 years of clinical and administrative physical therapy experience, graduating with a B.S. in Physical Therapy from Ohio State University, an MBA with concentration in health care from the University of New Haven, and an M.S. in Geriatric Rehabilitation and Wellness from Sacred Heart University.  Sheila began her professional career as an acute care physical therapist at Yale New Haven Hospital advancing to the level of supervisor for many years.  She joined the Sacred Heart faculty in 1998, providing clinical physical therapy services in a long-term care facility and instructional activities in the entry level Master’s and Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy.  She is also an instructor in the Geriatric Health and Wellness graduate program.  She was awarded the Alumni Leadership Award from Sacred Heart University in 2006. Sheila is Board Certified in Geriatric Physical Therapy and she is currently the Director of the Clinical Physical Therapy Residency Program in geriatrics at the Jewish Home for the Elderly. 

Sheila has presented on the state and national level.  Her research on exercise and cardiac risk factors has been presented on the national level.  She is active in the following professional association:  the American Physical Therapy Association, Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, The Gerontological Society of America and the Cultural Diversity Committee of the APTA Section on Geriatrics.

Dr. Austin is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Director, Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT (http://physicaltherapy.sacredheart.edu/). Dr. Austin completed his professional education with a B.S. in Physical Therapy in 1987 from the University of Connecticut and returned to earn a doctorate in Sport Science with a concentration in Sport Biomechanics in 1998. Dr. Austin teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the area of Musculoskeletal Examination and Intervention. He began his clinical career in a hospital based out-patient clinic and has more than 20 years of experience in the orthopedic, sports, and occupational medicine settings.

He is currently a Fellow-in-Training, Regis University Fellowship in Manual Physical Therapy and recently completed a Fellowship in Applied Functional Science with the Gray Institute for Functional Transformation. Dr. Austin has expertise in Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, Foot Care, Spine Care, and Functional Training and Conditioning for golf and baseball. Dr. Austin is a Certified Golf Fitness Instructor through the Titleist Performance Institute and consults with the Sacred Heart University Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams. Additionally, he is an active member the American Physical Therapy Association (Orthopedics, Sports, and Research Sections) and American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Dr. Austin has authored 4 book chapters, multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts and abstracts and has presented at state and national meetings. He is also a manuscript reviewer for several journals including Physical Therapy, Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, and Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  Awards include the APTA Margaret L. Moore Award for Outstanding New Academic Faculty Member and the Outstanding Physical Therapy Professional Award from the Neag School of Education Alumni Society of the University of Connecticut.

David is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Sacred Heart University.  He graduated in 1981 from Central Connecticut State University with a BS in Physical Education and Athletic Training.  He obtained his Physical Therapy degree from the University of Connecticut in 1983 and following that, a MA in Sport Biomechanics in 1995.  David graduated in 2007 from New York University, Department of Physical Therapy with a PhD in Pathokinesiology.  His doctoral research was “The Differences in Lower-Limb Stiffness During Jump Landing in Athletes With and Without Unilateral Chronic Ankle Sprain”.

David’s physical therapy career began at Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center of Waterbury.  His patient care responsibilities included outpatient orthopedics, therapeutic pool programs, a Back School, and Athletic Training services to local high schools.  From 1986 to 1996 David established and owned his own practice, Center for Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy in Manchester CT.  In 1996 David assumed a Clinical Assistant Professor position at Sacred Heart University teaching basic and advanced musculoskeletal examination and intervention.  Patient care continues as he participates in the outpatient faculty-based practice at SHU utilizing his expertise in manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for the management of spinal and lower limb dysfunctions.  He is now the Director of the Human Anatomy Laboratory for the College of Education and Health Professions and serves as Director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory.  His research interests continue in the arena of his doctoral work:  the influence of lower-limb injury on stiffness during vertical jump landing.

David has taken numerous continuing education courses in the Mulligan concept, Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes, and in sports medicine through the Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center.  He has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at state and national conferences.  In 1996 David received Board Certification in Orthopedics and recertified in 2006.  He has been certified as an Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1982.

David served as Chairman and Treasurer of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Associations’ Political Action Committee, and on the Legislative and Research Committees.  In 1991 David received the “Joseph Smey Outstanding Member Award” by the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association and in 2003 he was recognized as the Graduate Teacher of the Year at Sacred Heart University.

In addition to academic and research pursuits, David has kept his wresting interests alive since high school days as a state champion, by serving as the faculty mentor for Sacred Heart University’s wrestling team. He has competed in road races from 5K to the marathon distance and triathlons at distances equal to Ironman and Olympic competition.

Donna is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart University Doctoral Physical Therapy Program. She is a 1984 graduate of Northeastern University with a BS in Physical therapy and 2002 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a masters in Public Health. Donna was initially Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 1995 and recertified in 2006. She has extensive practice in both Birth to Three and School based PT systems, as well as inpatient and outpatient pediatrics across a wide spectrum. Her current clinical practice focuses on challenging pediatric cases particularly children with neuromuscular disorders. She is often tapped for inservice education and consultation to school based therapists in Fairfield county. Her research interests include health promotion/wellness in children and she has expertise in fitness and exercise for children with asthma and children with disabilities.

Adjunct Faculty SHU Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. Dr. Denninger graduated from Sacred heart University in 2005 with a Bachelors of Science in Human Movement and Sport Science and obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Sacred Heart in 2008. Currently, he is an Orthopaedic Resident in Sacred Heart’s Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. Dr. Denninger is co-author of “Examination of Balance Disability in the Stroke Population.” He is also a co-author of “Costs, Benefits, and Implementation Issues Associated with a Specialty Physical Therapy Program for Parkinson’s Disease.” Dr. Denninger currently holds the certification of Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is a former Sacred Heart University football player whose research interests include the rehabilitation of the spine and hip.

Adjunct Faculty SHU Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. Dr. Paschalides graduated from Hofstra University in 2003 with her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Sacred Heart University in 2008. Currently, Dina is an Orthopedic Resident in Sacred Heart University’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. Dr. Paschalides is co-author of “Most cost-effective strategy to implement a risk for falls screening program for community dwelling elders.” She is also the co-author of “Interventions for Joint Integrity in Children with Down Syndrome.” Dina is dedicated to continuing education and staying actively involved as a faculty member in Sacred Heart University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. Dina enjoys spending her free time developing and implementing programs for children within her community as well as fundraising efforts for those in need. Dr. Paschalides has been a co-chair of the St. George Annual Walk-A-Thon for three consecutive years, raising money both for a local church as well as the Whittingham Cancer Center located at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, CT. In her free time, Dina enjoys spending time with her family and friends.