Aquacare/Fitness Forum Physical Therapy

Katie Oakley, PTA graduated from Wor-Wic Community College with an Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant degree. In addition to this, Katie also has a Bachelor of Science – Exercise Science degree from Salisbury University. Katie has worked for Aquacare Physical Therapy in various positions, for the last six years while completing her degrees. More recently, Katie has gone on to receive her Dance Medicine Certification. Katie has danced competitively for 16 years where she trained at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, performed at Disney, and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Katie then transitioned into teaching and choreography. She has choreographed for James M. Bennett’s Rock n’ Roll Revival, Community Players, and the Theatre Department at Salisbury University. Katie believes the need for Dance Medicine Physical Therapy is imperative in our area with multiple dance studios, pre-professional ballet studios, theatre companies and universities.

Katie Weber, PT, DPT, CMTPT, COMT, has been an integral part of the Aquacare team since 2020, and serves as the Co-Clinical Director of our Salisbury location and as the Regional Director of Aquacare's Maryland clinics. In her role, Katie helps oversee operations, clinical quality and strategic growth and implementation across the Company. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2012. Since then, she has pursued advanced training and developed expertise in treating a wide range of patients, including those with sports injuries, geriatric conditions, joint replacements, and workers’ compensation cases. She is also a certified manual trigger point therapist (CMTPT) and certified orthopedic manual therapist (COMT), with advanced skills in dry needling. Katie is committed to delivering exceptional patient care and creating the “WOW Factor” for our community. She achieves this through her hands-on clinical excellence and by providing dedicated mentorship to Aquacare’s growing team of therapists. Specialties :

• CMTPT – Certified manual trigger point therapist
• TDN – Therapeutic dry needling
• COMT – Certified orthopedic manual therapist

Shannon Arnie, PT, DPT, has more than 13 years of experience with physical therapy for a variety of orthopedic conditions and dance medicine. She is certified in LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s Disease, a certified vestibular therapist from American Institute of Balance, and holds certifications in Concussion Management and TMJ Disorders. My philosophy of Care and Area of Interest includes customizing treatments for each patient through a combination of manual techniques and therapeutic exercises to maximize benefit of PT for each patient and return patient to prior level of function. Shannon earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Washington College (2008) and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UMES (2012). Shannon is a Clinical Instructor/mentor to PT and PTA students. Her vision is to continue improving manual skills as well as learning new treatment techniques to provide the highest level of care to all of our patients!

Ava Wright, PT, DPT, has joined Aquacare Salisbury - Milford Street to provide orthopedic rehabilitation for patients. She earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Holistic Health from Stockton University and then went on to earn her doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University. Ava has worked with patients in a variety of settings, and has found interest in general orthopedics as well as gait and balance disorders. Ava is passionate about setting her patients up for success and looks forward to working with a broad population of patients. When not at work Ava enjoys going on long hikes, going on boat rides, or generally anything outdoors.

Layne Gable, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT, sees patients Aquacare's Salisbury - Milford Street clinic and the Salisbury - S Curve clinic.. Layne has more than four years of experience working with pelvic health and lymphedema patients. She believes in treating every patient as a whole person, based on lifestyle, passions, and goals. She comes from Pittsburgh, where she earned her physical therapy doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a certified lymphedema therapist and certified women’s health specialist.

Megan Moss, PTA, CLT, spent the first nine years of her career as a massage therapist. After seeing the way that manual therapy benefitted her massage clients, Megan felt inspired to pursue something greater and decided to return to school to obtain her associate's degree in Applied Science from Carroll Community College. She loves being able to see her patients progress and return to function through the direct interventions provided in physical therapy. She has worked in both acute care and outpatient settings, and in 2021 became a certified lymphedema therapist.

Total Years’ Experience: 5 Philosophy of Care and Areas of Interest: To increase the function and well-being of our patients in a caring manner. Areas of interest include aquatics, vestibular rehabilitation, balance training and orthopedic treatment. Training: Delaware Technical Community College, Physical Therapist Assistant Program (2011). Completed continuing education courses include cervical, thoracic, lumbar and extremity mobilization as well as myofascial release and functional strengthening. Member of Wor-Wic Community College PTA program advisory committee and serves as clinical instructor to PTA students. Vision: To further pursue continuing education opportunities and training in new treatment techniques for improved patient quality of care.

Mel Blankensop, PTA, has more than 20 years of experience providing patients with a positive and educational environment to assist them in healing and being able to self-manage symptoms. She provides aquatic physical therapy, hands-on manual therapy, pediatrics, lymphedema, vestibular rehabilitation, general orthopedic rehabilitation and geriatrics. She graduated magna cum laude from Delaware Technical Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Health and obtained her MD and DE PTA license in 2014. She has taken several  Great Lakes courses, including Myofascial Release, Functional Strength, Treatment of Common Extremities, The Foot and Ankles, The Lumbar Complex,  Cervical, Thoracic and Rib Mobilizations, The Basics of SI Mobilization and Functional Anatomy. She also has taken several aquatic courses through The Aquatic Therapy Institute AND Aquatic University. She is a trained lymphedema therapist and has experience rehabbing and preventing injuries in the young athlete, and balance and vestibular training. She is also a credentialed clinical instructor.

Susan Conklin, MPT, CLT, has nearly 20 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Richard Stockton College (now Stockton University). She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (since 2011), specializing in treating this often-undiagnosed condition. Her background is in acute care, working with patients who have had strokes and illnesses, joint replacements, and fracture repairs. Her mantra is, "All gains, no matter how small they seem, are good gains," on the road to recovery. She is passionate about continuing to learn new skills in order to help her patients regain their independence and function so they can live their best lives.

Kristen Rollyson, PTA, graduated from Wor-Wic Community College with an associate's degree in Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science Allied Health with a Minor in Psychology from Salisbury University in 2017. Since graduating from SU, Kristen has worked with Aquacare as an exercise specialist, water aerobics instructor, and front office. Now as a PTA, she is proud to serve clients in the Salisbury - Milford Street office. As a PTA, she hopes to gain and absorb knowledge and techniques from her coworkers and peers. Kristen strives to provide the best care for her patients and hopes they feel they are on the way to accomplishing their goals.