Meet the Pro Physical Therapy Staff

Mr. DeChello received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac College in 1987 and his Master of Science degree in Allied Health from The University of Connecticut in 1998.  He has over 20 years experience in out-patient rehabilitation.  Mr. DeChello has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since its start in 1998.  He has extensive experience in working with all aspects of non-operative and post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation.  He has worked closely with the physicians of The Orthopaedic Group, LLC to develop comprehensive rehabilitation protocols.   Mr. DeChello specializes in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders and has developed his own orthotic fabrication technique.    Mr. DeChello has traveled around the country for teaching engagements for other rehab clinicians.  Mr. DeChello is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Connecticut Physical Therapy Association.

Laura has 24 years of experience as a Physical Therapist and 15 years as a Certified Hand Therapist.  She graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee Physical Therapy program with a Master’s in Human Performance.  Prior to working with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC, Laura worked at Yale New Haven Hospital where she was Supervisor and Clinical Specialist for outpatient therapy.  Laura has also published and presented articles on the role of Physical Therapy and Workers Compensation.   Laura has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since its beginning in 1998.

Noelle is a graduate of the Quinnipiac University who obtained her Master’s degree at the University of Connecticut with a special focus on Allied Health Education.  She has been in the art and science of splinting for over 12 years.  She owns CJ Education and Consulting, LLC which is dedicated to providing quality clinical education for therapists around the country.  Noelle is co-author and co-editor of the book: Splinting the Hand and Upper Extremity: Principles and Process published by Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2003.  She co-authored the Jul-Sep 2004 article published in The Journal of Hand Therapy: “A comparison of high-profile and low-profile dynamic mobilization splint designs.”  In addition, she wrote the chapter “Wrist and Hand Complex” in the 4th edition of Joint Structure and Function (Levangie and Norkin) published by FA Davis in 2005.  She also co-authored “Orthotics in the Management of Hand Dysfunction” in 2nd edition of Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation (Lusardi and Nielson) published by Elsevier in 2007.  Noelle has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since its beginning in 1998.

Jen graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelors of Health Science in 2001, and then with her Masters in Physical Therapy in 2002. She has been a therapist for 5 years, where she has gained extensive experience in the areas of trauma and wound care at Yale New Haven Hospital, and has 4 years of homecare experience prior to joining the team at TOG. Jen played Division 1 Softball, and now enjoys applying her athletic experience to her patients in the outpatient setting. Jen has spoken at the CPTA conference, and she recently taught as an assistant instructor in Quinnipiac's graduate physical therapy program.

As a multiple academic award recipient, William J. Coon graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine in 2001. He is a Licensed Athletic Trainer, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He also serves as a Certified Examiner for the NATA Board of Certification and is a Clinical Instructor for Athletic Training/Sports Medicine students. William is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, National Athletic Trainer’s Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. He has specialty training in the Mulligan, Cyriax, and Kaltenborn Concept of joint mobilization/treatment techniques. He published two articles in 2007 with emphasis on the Mulligan Approach in treatment of the tibiofemoral joint and cervical spine.

Alyssa completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the College of Staten Island in New York in 1999.  In 2002 she received her Masters of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University.  Alyssa has broad range therapy experiences in inpatient care, home care and now specializes in outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation.  She has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC for 3 years starting part-time and recently moving a full-time capacity.

Gail Graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Gail received her certification in Hand Therapy in 1997 and is a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists.  She currently is an adjunct faculty at Quinnipiac University in the Occupational Therapy Master’s degree program.  Gail has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since 2002.

Kathy has 21 years of experience as a Physical Therapist and 12 years as a Certified Hand Therapist.  She graduated from Ithaca College in 1984 and worked for 10 years at Yale Hew Haven Hospital, where she specialized in Orthopedics, hand and plastics.  She also is an adjunct faculty member at Quinnipiac University where she teaches a wrist and hand treatment and splinting course.  For 4 years she has traveled to Central America on volunteer medical trips, serving as the hand therapist for surgical teams with both Healing the Children and Interplast.  Kathy has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since its beginning in 1998.

Lauren Murray is a 1987 graduate of Simmons College with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy.  She has spent many years employed at the Hospital of Saint Raphael as the Clinical Specialist in Industrial Rehabilitation.  With 20 years of experience primarily in outpatient orthopedics she has a concentration in manual therapy and functional assessment and training. 

Maria graduated from The University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy.  Prior to her career in Physical Therapy, Maria received an Associate Degree in Dance and spent many years as professional dancer and dance teacher before changing careers.  She enjoys applying those skills and experience as a dancer to her patients in the rehabilitation arena.  She specializes in orthopedic and sport rehabilitation.  Maria has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since its beginning in 1998.

Dave graduated from Naugatuck Valley Community College with an A.S. degree in physical therapy in 2000. He continued his education at UConn receiving a B.S. degree with focused studies on healthcare and occupational safety and health in 2005. He has been a physical therapy assistant for 10 years with much of his experience dedicated towards the orthopedic patient population in acute, sub acute, out-patient and aquatics settings. Through continuing education studies, Dave has advanced his knowledge-base in manual therapy techniques and is an accredited certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA. He has been with the Orthopaedic Group in their ProPT division since 2009.

Jonathan graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelors in Health and Science Studies in 2006 and then with his Masters in Physical Therapy in 2007.  He started with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC in 2004 as a physical therapy aide while pursuing his Masters Degree At Quinnipiac.  Jonathan’s participation in sports throughout his life as well as various athletic injuries have led him into the orthopedic field.  He has a particular interest in the treatment of shoulder pathologies.  Jonathan completed his clinical affiliations with a primary focus in outpatient orthopedics with extensive work in manual therapy.

Brian graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2004 with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.  Brian recently moved to Connecticut from Reston Virginia where he worked at Georgetown University Hospital.  Brian was an accomplished collegiate tennis player and has enjoyed teaching tennis since 1999.  Brian applies his sports background to the rehabilitation of his patients.  Brian has been with The Orthopaedic Group, LLC since moving to Connecticut in 2006.