Aquacare is proud to be a family-first organization where our focus is on providing exceptional care for our patients, delivering that WOW factor, and allowing our team to grow and thrive.
Cara Konlian, MSPT, CEO and Physical Therapist
Physical therapy has been part of my future since middle school. I applied to Thomas Jefferson University’s PT program in high school and was accepted. I attended Elizabethtown College for two years after graduating from high school in 1989. I then entered the PT physical therapy program at Jefferson in 1991. I quickly came to love Philadelphia and the collaboration with my peers forming lifelong friendships.
After graduating from PT school, I had the opportunity to work at a small orthopedic practice in an orthopedic surgeons’ office. It was this experience that helped me to develop the basis of my evaluation and orthopedic skills. I then had the incredible opportunity to obtain a position at the Center for Aquatic Rehabilitation in Philadelphia. It was there that I met my mentor – Robert Babb, PT, who led my journey in becoming passionate about aquatic physical therapy. Within two months, I was promoted to clinical director of their location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey with four pools, four depths, and four temperatures. It was at this position that I had incredible opportunities to be mentored by many special people that served as the beginning of my passion for leadership and marketing.
In 1997, Steve and I relocated to the Eastern Shore of Maryland with the immediate dream of opening a physical therapy practice. For six months, I worked at various locations, but knew my heart was in starting my own practice. In June of 1998, along with my husband and my parents we opened our first location at Milford Street. In the first week, we had over 25 evaluations! It was the creation of Aquacare with my parents and husband that has led to a visceral desire to create a “family” both for our patients and our team!
It was at this time I realized there was a need for a pelvic floor therapist in the region. I attended my first certification in New Orleans and the rest is history. We have maintained a reputation as one of the only pelvic floor therapy practices on the Eastern Shore with 14 pelvic floor clinicians!
Who I Am
It has been my desire for the last 25 years to develop a family environment for our patients and team members, getting patients back to what they love.
I am passionate in my pursuit of women’s health, pelvic floor therapy, and aquatic therapy. I am dedicated to developing a physical therapist team that focuses on leadership development and opportunities for specialization and career advancement. I believe that every team member is a leader and I strive to develop their leadership and entrepreneurial skills as part of the great Aquacare Physical Therapy team.
Steve Konlian, MD, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Konlian, MD, is the Chief Financial Officer for Aquacare Physical Therapy. Born and raised in New York, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York. He then went on and graduated with honors from Jefferson Medical College, followed by a surgical residency at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. A resident of Salisbury for the last quarter century, Steve retired from the practice of surgery to assist Aquacare’s founder, his wife Cara, in growing Aquacare from one location to 11 and counting! His focus is on maintaining the financial health of Aquacare through growth; while, at the same time, maintaining the identity of a treasured, patient-focused resource for communities throughout Delmarva.
Jennifer O’Neill, MPT, Chief Operations Officer
Bryan Morgan, Assistant Controller
Bryan, PTA, graduated with honors receiving the Sigma Cum Laude award from Delaware Technical Community College in 2019 with his Physical Therapist Assistant degree. Bryan has been with Aquacare Physical Therapy for more than six years performing a multitude of duties such as exercise specialist, physical therapist, administrative assistant, and finance and analytics specialist.
Bryan serves as our Assistant Controller utilizing his accounting and analytical expertise. Bryan’s vision as a Physical Therapist Assistant is to stay current with evidence-based research to be a well-rounded and informed clinician to provide patients with the best type of care, so patients can progress with their therapy and personal goals successfully. In his spare time, Bryan is an active golfer and is currently an 8 handicap!
Janice Baldwin, Regional Office Billing Director
Janice has been with Aquacare since the beginning, joinging the company 25 years ago.
She has grown in her responsibilites over the years and now oversees IT issues for all the offices, troubleshoots numerous issues with all of the offices, is in charge of all records requests, manages credentialing for all new providers and maintains the credentialing requirements.
She also works with attorneys to make sure they have everything they need for personal injury and workers comp cases.
Lori Anders Mitchell, Director of Operations
Lori Anders Mitchell, Director of Operations and Human Resource
Lori joined Aquacare Physical Therapy over 20-years ago as a Patient Coordinator while on break from college in the summer of 2003. While completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Salisbury University), Lori continued to work for Aquacare Physical Therapy throughout her educational journey, and after, transitioning to progressive roles including Office Manager, Regional Billing Manager, Business Manager, and in lastly in 2014, the Director of Operations and Human Resource.
Lori manages many operations for Aquacare Physical Therapy, including human resources, accounts payable, and daily operational functions.
Outside of work, Lori enjoys spending time with her husband and son on their farm in Easton, Maryland. Born and raised on a dairy and grain farm in Easton, Lori continues to be an advocate for her agricultural roots by serving as an officer and director for the Talbot County Farm Bureau Board since 2011.
Connor Drislane, PT, DPT, Regional Clinical Director for Delaware
Connor Drislane is a physical therapist, clinical director of Aquacare – Millville, and Regional Clinical Director for Delaware.
He graduated from Ithaca College in 2018 where he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy while minoring in Psychology. While at Ithaca, he played on the Division III football team and worked as a personal trainer. Dr. Drislane has completed 2 of 4 parts on his way to obtaining a McKenzie certification, which emphasizes advanced treatment for the spine and extremities.
He became a certified vestibular therapist in 2019, specializing in vestibular pathologies and concussion rehabilitation. He became a certified Titleist Performance Instructor in 2022, specializing in golf-specific injury assessment and rehabilitation.
Dr. Drislane has a special interest in working in sports medicine and general orthopedics, in addition to his specializations.