Physical Therapy Staff
Marcia Miller, PT, DC, OCS
Marcia Miller Spoto received her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Daemen College, and her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Palmer College. She and her husband, John Spoto, established STAR Physical Therapy in 1983, which has been providing outpatient orthopedic services to the greater Rochester community for 22 years. Marcia has practiced physical therapy for over 25 years, with a clinical focus in the treatment of spinal conditions. Marcia is currently an Associate Professor of Health Science and Physical Therapy at Nazareth College. She teaches Kinesiology and Orthopedics, and is engaged in research in the realm of physical therapy diagnosis. She is certified in Orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
John Ciavaglia, PT
John Ciavaglia received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Daeman College in 1988. Upon graduating, he took a position as a staff physical therapist at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, New York. In June 1989, he became an employee of STAR Physical Therapy. John is currently a Senior Physical Therapist for our practice and has a special interest in orthopedic manual therapy. He has attended numerous continuing education seminars emphasizing the teaching of McKenzie, Cyriax, Mulligan, Maitland, Lazlett, Mennell and Travell. He is a Clinical Instructor at STAR for several college and university physical therapy programs.
Nanette Thompson, PT
Nanette P. Thompson received her bachelor of science degree in Physical Therapy, with a minor in biology, from Daemen College in 1993. She has practiced at STAR PT since 1993 where her special interests are in mechanical and manual therapies of the spine and extremities. She has expanded her knowledge in these areas by receiving extended training in the McKenzie approach, Mulligan, and Laslett concepts. She also specializes in evaluation and treatment of TMJ disorders. She has attended numerous sports medicine symposiums and continuing education courses to enhance her rehabilitation knowledge and treatment approaches. Nannette lectured at the 2010 Finger Lakes Sports Medicine Symposium on management of TMJ disorders. She is also adjunct faculty at Nazareth College in the department of Physical Therapy.
Anthony Mencucci, PT
Anthony Mencucci graduated from Daeman College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. Since graduating, he has been employed in private, orthopedic settings including clinics in Dover, Delaware and in Rochester, New York. He joined the staff of STAR Physical Therapy in July 1998. Anthony specializes in functional rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pathologies with concentration on closed chain eccentric strengthening for lower extremity injuries. He is active in the promotion of education as a clinical instructor and as a participant of continuing education seminars.
Valerie McGrath, PT
Valerie McGrath began working at STAR Physical Therapy as their first student in 1987. She was hired after obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Daemen College. Valerie is now a Senior Therapist who has studied extensively in manual therapy under the teachings of McKenzie, Mennell, Travell, and Mulligan. She is Center Coordinator of Clinical Education at STAR arranging affiliations with various accredited physical therapy colleges and universities and has been a Clinical Instructor for a number of students. Valerie is also the Director of the aquatics program at STAR which began in 1997.
Andrew Opett, PT, MS, OCS, CKTP
Andrew Opett received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from SUNY Geneseo (1996), a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from Nazareth College (2000), and a Master of Science degree from Nazareth College (2001). Andrew joined the STAR team in June of 2001. Andrew is a clinical instructor for student interns and is faculty in the Physical Therapy and Health Sciences department at Nazareth College and the department of biology at Monroe Community College. Andrew teaches course content that includes Differential Diagnosis, Pathphysiology, Human Anatomy, and Orthopedics. He is certified as a clinical specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). He is certified as a kinesiotaping practitioner by the kinesiotaping association of America. Andrew heads our satellite office in Greece.
Laurie Wiese, PT
Laurie Wiese received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy, with a minor in biology, from Daemen College in 1999. Laurie worked at Cuba Memorial Hospital in Cuba Memorial Hospital in Cuba, New York where she specialized in outpatient care and was the director of their aquatic physical therapy program. In January 2003, she became an employee of STAR Physical Therapy. Laurie has a special interest in orthopedic manual therapy of the spine and extremities, and aquatic physical therapy. She has attended continuing education seminars including McKenzie, Gary Gray and orthopedic based rehabilitation.
Kali Spoto, PT, DPT
Kali Spoto received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University at Buffalo in May of 2007. She is also an accomplished athlete having been a member of the Varsity 8 for four years on UB’s Division I crew team and has completed several marathons. In addition, she is coaching part time for her alma mater Pittsford Crew. She joined the STAR team in June 2007 and her professional interests include orthopedics, manual therapy, sports specific training, and injury prevention.
Lauren Mort, PT, DPT
Lauren received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University at Buffalo in May of 2008. She was also a member of the UB Division I Women’s Soccer team. Lauren joined the STAR team in June of 2008 and has particular interests in orthopedics, manual therapy, and athletic rehabilitation.
Phil D’Angelo, Personal Trainer
Phil is a graduate of Drake College (BBA), and Indiana Northern University (MBA). Certified by the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research (exercise fitness specialist/personal trainer, and the San Francisco Spinal Institute (Lumbar Stabilization specialist), He is a post rehabilitation conditioning specialist (special populations / sports & work related injuries), and has over 30 years experience in the fitness industry with 20 years in Sports Rehabilitation. Phil has administered fitness and performance evaluations to high school, college, and professional athletes. He helped design and implement 50+ and 60+ classes for Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Phil has taken numerous CEU courses and seminars specializing in resistance training, sports specific conditioning, rehab for sports specific injuries, sports nutrition, flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning, plyometrics, speed conditioning, and back rehab. Phil is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Assoc., Greater Rochester Track Club, American Running and Fitness Assoc., Past board member of the Genessee Valley Sports Medicine Council, past fitness consultant for WHAM Radio; Competitive 5K Runner, and has completed Marathons.
Steven Koch, PTA
Steve graduated from Genesee Community College in 1992, earning an A.A.S. Degree and has been a practicing physical therapist’s assistant for fourteen years. In addition to his college education, Steve has had further training in closed chain kinematics, McKenzie and has performed contract therapy and in-services for Visiting Nurse Service. In 2000 he joined STAR and in 2004 received certification through U.S. Weightlifting as a weightlifting and sports performance coach. He currently co-manages STAR Sports Performance.
Chris Nentarz, PT, CSTS, PES, CKTP
Chris joined the STAR Physical Therapy team in 2010 as the director of our Sports Performance Program and our new Starfit 24/7 fitness facility. He is an experienced lecturer, presenter, Physical Therapist, and Performance Enhancement Specialist who holds over 10 years of experience working with athletes of all ages and levels. Chris is currently a consultant with many professional and elite teams and athletes in Canada and the United States. He has presented at an international level on Physical Therapy and Sports Performance. He is adjunct faculty at D’Youville College where he specializes in instructing sports orthopedics and functional rehabilitation. Chris is also a certified Kineseology Tape instructor through Spider Tech.
Office Staff
Holly Lucas
Marsha Campbell
Nicole Foley
Tess Myers
Austin Bond
Alica Thurston
