Nicole Sansone, DPT, CLT-LANA

Nicole Sansone graduated from UMBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2000. She earned her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy at University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2003 and her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2004. Nicole developed an interest in lymphedema while working with oncology patients and pursued further education, earning certification in lymphedema therapy from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 2007. She began her specialization in lymphedema at the St. Francis Lymphedema Center in Midlothian, Virginia. Nicole achieved certification with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) in 2009. She joined the GBMC lymphedema team as a senior therapist in March 2009. Nicole brings her experience and enthusiasm to the Center’s lymphedema program and oncology rehabilitation program. She is actively involved in gathering data for outcomes measures, in providing inservices and in guiding students.

Kim Keller, PTA, LMT, CLT-LANA

Kim Keller graduated from Towson University in Maryland with a degree in Natural Science. In 2000 she became a licensed massage therapist and continued to develop her career with a degree as a physical therapist assistant in 2005. She has enjoyed working in pediatrics and has expanded the therapeutic setting to include the outdoors with a certification as a professional ski instructor specializing in teaching disabled skiers. Kim joined the Center team in February 2009 and earned her certification as a lymphedema therapist with Klose Training and Consulting, LLC. In 2010 she traveled to the Foeldi Clinic in Germany to continue her studies in advanced lymphedema treatment. Kim was certified with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) in 2011. She is highly skilled in soft tissue manual techniques and has applied this ability in manual lymph drainage and pain management.

Angela deBorja, PT, DPT, CLT

Angela deBorja graduated from University of Richmond in 1998 with a B.S. in Health Science and from University of Delaware in 2001 with her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She obtained her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in May 2009 from the University of Scranton and completed her lymphedema certification from Klose Training and Consulting, LLC in April 2009. After Angie’s experience in inpatient acute care and rehab, wound care, brain injury and lymphedema, she joined the team at GBMC in March 2012. Her past experience in wound care has included pulsatile lavage with suction, selective debridement, inpatient surveillance wound rounds and the management of venous, diabetic and surgical wounds and pressure ulcers. In addition to her expert, individualized approach to patients with lymphedema, her interest, experience and expanded coursework in wound care is a valuable asset to the program.

Claudette S. Cole, PT, DPT, CLT

Claudette Cole graduated from the University of New Hampshire with Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology, Business Administration and Nutrition. She received her Master of Science and Doctorate of Science degrees in Physical Therapy from Simmons College. Claudette has been a physical therapist since 2001 in various outpatient settings treating patients with orthopedic as well as women’s health issues. Claudette brings to GBMC a wealth of experience as well as specialization in treating pelvic floor disorders for both women and men, incontinence, pelvic pain, prenatal/postpartum concerns, prolapse management and overactive bladder, women’s health issues and lymphedema management. She has completed her pelvic floor training, Pelvic Physical Therapy levels 1, 2 and 3, through the Women’s Health Section of American Physical Therapy Association and her lymphedema certification from Klose Training and Consulting, LLC in 2012. She works closely with genitor/urinary (GU) as well as gastrointestinal physicians to pioneer GBMC’s pelvic health services for women and men. Claudette participates in the didactic inservice of GU medical residents as well.

Michael D. Wah, PT, OCS

Mike Wah graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy in 1982. He has provided care in all aspects of the rehabilitation continuum including hospital inpatient, sub acute, long term rehabilitation, home health and outpatient. He was board-certified as an orthopedic specialist in 1990 and recertified in 2000. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy candidate beginning in May of 2014. He employs evidence-based care and a wide variety of manual therapeutic techniques to meet the needs of patients with musculoskeletal conditions and soft tissue-related pain. In addition to “hands-on” care, he emphasizes patient education and active rehabilitation programs. He has many years of specialized experience helping individuals with work-related injuries and lends his expertise to GBMC’s Employee Health department.” Mike has received specialized training and has years of experience in treating individuals with vestibular disorders, dizziness and other conditions that can lead to abnormal gait and falls. Through clinical examination and specialized testing, he is able to discern the key factor(s) contributing to instability and fall risk. He is skilled in evaluation and manual treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). He is able to meet the rehabilitation needs of those with vestibular hypofunction, neurologic movement disorders and gait deficits related to musculoskeletal impairment.

Joseph Palmer DPT, OMPT, CSCS

Joe Palmer graduated from UMBC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He obtained his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland – School of Medicine. He furthered his education by becoming a certified orthopedic manual physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist. Joe provides unique training and experience in joint assessment and manipulation combined with exercise-based programs to achieve and maintain proper joint health. In the community, Joe focuses on youth injury prevention and management techniques for athletes of all ages.. He develops safe and effective sports-specific testing, training and strengthening programs and contributes to GBMC-offered Wellness Programs.

Emily Wood, DPT, ATC

Emily Wood graduated from Towson University with a degree in athletic training and practiced for two years as Towson High School’s head athletic trainer. Emily followed her interest to expand her knowledge and obtained her Doctorate of Science degree in Physical Therapy from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2012. Her background in sports injuries allows her to assist patients back to activity at all ages and stages of life. Emily enjoys working with the orthopedic and other musculoskeletal patient challenges and intends to earn advanced certification as an orthopedic manual therapist.

S. Lana Berkovich, MS, OTR/L, CLT

S. Lana Berkovich graduated from UMBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry in 1985. She earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Towson University in Baltimore in 1999. Lana spent six years working with patients in the Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn and Wound Center where she became interested in lymphedema. Lana volunteered with a group of Burn survivors for a number of years outside of work. She also pursued further education and earned certification in lymphedema therapy in 2009 from the Klose Training and Consulting, LLC. She has also received certification in wounds with lymphedema from Klose Training and Consulting, LLC later in 2009.

Lana worked closely with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Wound Clinic for almost six years treating patients with wounds and lymphedema before coming to GBMC. She joined the GBMC lymphedema team as a senior therapist in November 2014. Lana brings her extensive work experience and enthusiasm to the Center’s lymphedema program and oncology rehabilitation program. She has experience working with patients in an acute care, ICUs, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, TBI and multiple neurological disorders, as well as trauma, work-related injuries, lending expertise to the GBMC Employee Health Department, as well as burns and lymphedema in children to adults. She is actively involved in gathering data for outcomes measures, in providing in-services for physicians, medical providers and patients in the community as well as in guiding students. While working at the GBMC, she became interested and started treating patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Lipedema, as well as mixed diagnoses.

Lana has been trained in yoga for Breast cancer survivors since 2007 and became a Yoga instructor in June 2019, certified though Yoga Alliance of North America. She volunteers her time on a board of Maryland chapter for LE&RN and provides education about yoga benefits in the community.

Maureen G. Abenoja PT, DPT, CLT

Maureen G. Abenoja PT, DPT, CLT finished her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy at the University of City of Manila in 2001. She obtained her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2012 from Utica College, New York. She has vast experience working in different PT work setting, which includes acute care, in-patient rehabilitation, home care, & out-patient settings dealing with orthopedic, neurological, oncology, and other medical surgical patients. While working in the acute care oncology unit, she became interested in lymphedema leading her to pursue training in the field. She completed her lymphedema certification from Klose Training and Consultancy, LLC in April 2010. Maureen joined the lymphedema team at GBMC in June 2017. Since 2018, she expanded her interest and training in Pelvic Health.

Outside work, Maureen participates in dragon boat racing/competition where breast cancer survivor community has always had a large presence. She has been active in dragon boating since 2010 and has been a supporter of her club’s initiative in supporting and encouraging the breast cancer survivors succeed in the sports.

Kelly Keller, OTR, CHT, CLT

Kelly Keller is a graduate of Towson University with a degree Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in January of 1990. Her certifications include Certified Hand Therapist 1996 and Certified Lymphedema Therapy, 1998 from Klose Norton. Throughout her years of experience, Kelly has become exceptionally proficient at addressing a broad range of diagnoses including stroke, RSD, lymphedema, hand, nerve, and other various chronic and acute upper extremity injuries. She is skilled at custom, static, and dynamic splinting as well as fracture bracing. When GBMC became interested in lymphedema services in 1996, Kelly was part of the team of therapists getting trained and initiating that service in the East Pavilion. Kelly has returned to join our team in August of 2019 bringing her specialty of her CHT and expanding in her lymphedema program.