Meet the South Bay Staff

Maria A. Salonia, D.Sc., P.T., C.S.C.S.
Dr. Maria Salonia, is the creator and owner of South Bay Sports & Physical Therapy. She is a licensed physical therapist with a Doctorate of Science degree in physical therapy earned from Rocky Mountain University. As an award winning gymnast and with over 20 years experience, she is an expert in treating sports related injuries.  Maria is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a U.S.A. weight lifting club coach. She is also compassionate in dealing with non-sport related injuries which is evidenced by her ability to return injured employees safely to work.  She also possesses a certification in disability examinations and works with companies like UPS to minimize employee injuries. She writes a monthly column for local papers and magazines as well as being published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research magazine.

Anthony Davis BS PT: Graduate of SUNY at Stony Brook with his bachelor's degree in 1993. Has extensive training in manual therapy including specific approaches in treating mechanical back and neck pain. Teaches the monthly Neck & Back class and provides aquatic therapy. 

Ewa Bhola, P.T.
Ewa earned her Masters in PT from the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland. Her professional experience includes treatment of a variety of ortho-pedic, sports, post-surgical and geriatric diagnoses. She is accomplished in a variety of hands-on techniques and manual therapy, including classical massage, soft tissue and joint mobilizations, myofascial release techniques, manual stretching and muscle energy techniques. While pursuing her Masters degree, Ewa worked as an aerobics and recreation instructor in health clubs, specializing in overall physical fitness and various forms of gymnastics.

Susan Natoli, BS PT:  Graduate of Hunter College with a bachelor's degree in 1980 and has almost 20 years of clinical experience.  Area of special interest is functional manual therapy and neurological rehabilitation.

Stephanie Sepe, DPT: Graduated from Springfield College with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2009, and continued her education at Sage Graduate School where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010. She has a strong interest in orthopedics and sports physical therapy. She had the opportunity to do a clinical affiliation at Champion Sports Medicine in Alabama with the renowned Dr. James Andrews and Kevin Wilk, PT, DPT. Stephanie is a certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner, as well as uses a variety of techniques such as Myofascial Release, McKenzie, Strain-Counterstrain, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and many others. Stephanie has enjoyed gymnastics since she was 4, and went from being a competitive gymnast to gymnastics instructor. She also enjoys softball and a variety of other sports, loves watching the Yankees, and enjoys photography.

 Caryn Blum, MPT: Caryn earned her B.A in psychology from Binghamton University in 1994 and Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 1996. Her areas of special interest include Balance and Vestibular therapy. Caryn was trained at Rusk Institute in Vestibular therapy and certified through Emory University. Caryn is also interested and educated in the areas of hands on manual therapy and neurological rehabilitation.

Deborah Young, P.T.A Graduate of Suffolk County Community College with an AAS in 1999.  Areas of special interest include orthopedic rehabilitation.

Liz Silverbloom, P.T.A. Graduate of Suffolk County Community College in 1999 with an AAS  with distinction, Phi Theta Kappa. Liz is also an ACE certified Personal  Trainer. Her special areas of interest include orthopaedic & sports injury rehabilitation.

Amy Kachinas, P.T.A. Graduated from  SUNY Farmingdale with an Associates degree in Bio-Technology. Amy then graduated from Nassau County Community College where she earned her Associates degree in Physical Therapy.

Lisette Barrientos, P.T.A. Graduated from Hofstra University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. In 2008 Lisette graduated from Nassau Community College with an AAS to be a certificed Physical Therapy Assistant. She has a strong interest in orthopedics and sports physical therapy. 

Vickie Volpe, P.T.A. Victoria graduated from Nassau County Community College in 1986 where she earned her Associates Degree in Physical Therapy. Her professional experience in Physical Therapy includes orthopedics and neurological rehabilitation. Victoria continued her education and became a certified Lymphedema Therapist in 2003, and a licensed Massage Therapist in 2006. Victoria specializes in Myofascial Release Techniques and Active Release Techniques.

Maria LiCalzi, P.T.A

Michele Sharkey, P.T.A: Graduated from Nassau Community College in 1998

where she earned her Associates Degree in Physical Therapy. Michele's areas of interest include Aquatic rehabilitation and Orthopedic and sports physical therapy.