Clinic Staff
Jill Tomasello, PT, OCS, FADBA, Cert. MDT
Founder and Director
Jill is a 1987 graduate of Quinnipiac College. She has earned distinction as a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics, a Fellow of the American Board of Disability Analysts, and is one of only 5000 therapists world-wide Credentialed in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment. She is a member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, the Orthopedic and Sports Section of the APTA, American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists, McKenzie Institute, and the Occupational Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Society.
Jill specializes in sports medicine, industrial medicine, spine care, and pediatric-orthopedics. She is also a consultant in injury prevention for athletes, coaches and industry.
In addition, Jill was inducted into the Connecticut Volleyball Hall of Fame and the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame. She participates in karate, women's ice hockey, biking, reading and writing.
Maureen "Mo" Meehan, PT, Cert. NDT
Senior Therapist
Mo is a 1988 graduate of the University of Kentucky. She has earned distinction as a Certified Neuro-Developmental Therapist. She brings extensive experience in geriatric and neurological experience from past positions in Honey Hill Care Center in Norwalk as well as Norwalk's Hospitals Advanced Center for Rehab Medicine outpatient facility. Mo's primary focus is in the area of geriatric, post stroke care, prosthetic training, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, as well as other movement disorders.
Mo is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Connecticut Physical Therapy Association. Her interests include gardening, walking and outdoor leisure activities. She is also a founding member of "The Friday Girls Team" whose fund-raising efforts benefit the Bennett Cancer Center.
John Chmielewski, MSPT, C-PWPE
Senior Therapist
John attended Sacred Heart University where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Biology in 2001 and his Master's of Science in Physical Therapy in 2003. For graduation, he performed research in evaluating balance outcome measures. John brings years of experience from the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island where he specialized in aquatic, orthopedic, neurologic, sports and industrial rehabilitation. He is a Certified Physical Work Performance Evaluator and is currently pursuing his Board Certification in Orthopedics and Certifications in the Mulligan Method and the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment.
John is a member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and the Orthopedic Section.
He is fluent is Polish and participates in karate and Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
Melissa Walsh, MSPT
Melissa is a 2007 graduate of Springfield College where she earned her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy. She performed research entitled "The Effect of Ergonomic Keyboards on Productivity Amongst Experienced Typists." Her specialties include orthopedics, pediatrics, and spine care. She is currently pursuing her Board Certification in Orthopedics and Certifications in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment.
Melissa is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Connecticut Physical Therapy Association and Orthopedic Section.
Her interests include working out and dance.
Brittany Finch, MSPT
Brittany is a 2007 graduate from the University of Scranton where she earned her Master's of Science in Physical Therapy. She performed research in "Developing an effective exercise program to prevent ACL injuries in women collegiate basketball players". She specializes in orthopedics, pre- & post-natal care, pediatrics, and spine care. Brittany is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree and Certification in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment.
Brittany is a member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopedic Section and Performing Arts special interest group.
Her current interests include painting, drawing, and exercising.
Sharmila Anugu, PT, MSPT
Sharmila is a 2001 graduate from the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences in India where she earned her Bachelor's of Science in Physical Therapy. After graduation, she served as a Therapy Instructor guiding students with evaluating and treatment techniques. She came to the US in 2003 and began working in outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine centers in New York. She went on to complete her Master's in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2005. She specializes in spine care and orthopedic rehabilitation. Sharmila is currently pursuing her Board Certification in Orthopedics and is currently pursuing continuing education courses in sports medicine and pediatrics.
Sharmi is a member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the Orthopedic Section and the Indian Association of Physical Therapists.
Her interests include meditation, cooking and playing with her young child.
Tara Dariano, DPT
Tara graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science in 2004. She then attended and graduated from Widener University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2008. While at Widener, Tara had a specialty focus in Health and Wellness.
Tara enjoys working in orthopedics and sports physical therapy. She has furthered her knowledge base, taking continuing education courses in the McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as the Mulligan Technique for the lower extremity and the Wilk approach to the shoulder. As with all the Physical Therapists at APTC, Tara will continue to refine her skills with future continued education.
Tara is a member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association and the Orthopedic Section.
Her interests include various outdoor sports and recreation activities.
Dahlia Baron, PT
Dahly graduated in 2002 from Emilio Aguinaldo College in Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physical Therapy. While in the Philippines, she rendered physical therapy services in charity clinics providing free outpatient care. Dahly enjoys working geriatric and orthopedic patients.
Dahly is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Orthopedic Section and Connecticut Physical Therapy Association.
Dahly enjoys traveling, web surfing and listening to music.
Philip Prior, MSPT
Philip graduated from the University of Scranton in 2007 where he earned his Master's of Science in Physical Therapy. He brings years of experience from Metropolitan Spine Institute in New Jersey where he specialized in orthopedics, manual therapy, sports, and spine care. Philip is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree and Maitland Orthopedic Manual Therapist Certification.
Philip is a member of the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and Orthopedic Section.
He is fluent in Portuguese and has a working knowledge of Spanish. His current interests include martial arts, running, and cars.