Brad Gilden, PT, DPT, CSCS, CFMT
Managing Partner
Doctorate in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from Drexel University
Masters in Physical Therapy from New York Medical College
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through NSCA
Member of American Physical Therapy Association
Certified Functional Manual Therapist through the Institute of Physical Art (IPA)
Dr. Brad Gilden has been practicing orthopedic & sports physical therapy since graduating from New York Medical College in 2000. He has worked in a variety of settings treating patients with various neurological, orthopedic and sports injuries. In 2004, he completed a clinical doctorate in upper quarter & hand therapy from Drexel University. He joined Elite Health Services as a managing partner and rehabilitation coordinator in 2005.
Dr. Gilden follows the approach of a Functional Manual Physical Therapist treating movement dysfunction. His focus is on restoring normal mobility and strength while integrating patients back to their highest level of function. He enjoys working with all diagnoses and has extensive experience treating both pre- and post-surgical patient populations. In 2010, he completed an intensive certification in functional manual therapy through the Institute of Physical Art.
Dr. Gilden has worked with many professional athletes as well as collegiate and recreational. He is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, as well as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy. He lectures throughout the community on injury prevention and ergonomics while promoting a healthy lifestyle. He is training to become faculty with the Institute of Physical Art. He enjoys a multitude of sports and completed his first NYC Marathon in 2008.
Michael J. Racca, PT, MSPT
EHS Director of In-Home Physical Therapy
Master of Science in Physical Therapy from University of Miami School of Medicine
Previously a Senior Physical Therapist at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Former Director of Physical and Occupational Therapy at NYCONN Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Specialists
Member of the American Physical Therapy Association
Michael Racca, MSPT is a Licensed Physical Therapist in New York and Connecticut with over 10 years of diverse clinical and management experience in both hospital and outpatient settings. He has extensive experience working with clinic and in-home patients of a wide variety of diagnoses to help them restore their full potential level of function. He has given community lectures on a variety of topics including back education, total joint replacements, injury prevention, and sports performance. Mike has most recently specialized in treating the post-surgical orthopedic outpatient population and has helped many local students and nationally recognized athletes return to their prior level of competition following injury and surgery. He has worked directly with Orthopaedists, Podiatrists, Spine Surgeons, and Pain Management Specialists to insure his patients have a reliable continuum of care. Mike continues to complete progressive continuing education courses focusing on manual therapy through The Institute of Physical Art and The Center for Integrative Manual Therapy Solutions. He has completed 2 triathlons, is a recreational ski racer, and an avid fisherman. Mike was formerly a volunteer coach for the West Point Junior Alpine Ski Team and is a Certified Professional Ski Instructor.
David Potucek, MSPT
Master of Physical Therapy from Springfield College, Springfield, MA
Post-Graduate Doctorate in Progress
Member of the American Physical Therapy Association
David Potucek, MSPT has been practicing orthopedics and sports physical therapy since graduating with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Springfield College in 2004. David has worked in a variety of practice settings, treating a multitude of orthopedic, sports, and neurological patient populations. David joined the EHS Physical Therapy Team in 2008.David began his career working for the physician owned practice Orthopedic Specialty Group in Fairfield County. He treated a variety of post-operative, sports, neurological and orthopedic patients. David continues to expanded his clinical skills by taking many post-graduate continuing education courses.David has worked as a personal trainer allowing him to further develop his knowledge of exercise based strength training. He was a collegiate athlete participating in gymnastics, which has given him the discipline and insight into what it takes to succeed on a competitive level. David continues to take continuing education courses from the Institute of Physical Art, and from The Center for Integrative Manual Therapy to broaden his manual therapy skills. Some of the manual techniques include Muscle Energy, Strain/Counterstrain, Functional Mobilization and Myofascial Release. In addition, David will be working towards a Doctorate in Physical Therapy this coming year. David is an avid reader of anything related to the health field.
Suzette Harris, PT
Maters in Pathokinesiology, New York University
Bachelor of Science: Physical Therapy, City University of NY- Hunter College
Suzette Harris, PT is a licensed physical therapist in Connecticut and New York State. Suzette joined the EHS team of physical therapists in 2010, bringing with her over 20 years of knowledge and experience working with various orthopedic conditions and neurological disorders in a number of rehabilitative settings. Suzette continually sharpens her clinical skills by taking several post-graduate continuing education courses. Suzette is the mother of three and an active member of the Greenwich community. She is an avid tennis player and enjoys all water related sports.
Matthew Silvaggio, MSPT
Master of Physical Therapy from Nazareth College
Member of the American Physical Therapy Association
Matt Silvaggio, MSPT has been practicing across a broad scope of physical therapy settings since graduating from Nazareth College of Rochester, NY in 2003. His experience has been shaped by working in acute rehabilitation, home health, orthopedic private practice as well as sports medicine settings. This includes working for Howard Head Sports Medicine and working directly with the physicians of Steadman Hawkins Orthopedics in Vail, CO where he provided PT services to athletes and patient’s from around the world. Through full time positions as well as contract work as a traveling physical therapist, Matt has been fortunate enough to perform what he loves in places including San Diego and San Francisco, CA, Chicago, IL, Vail, CO, South Hampton, NY and West Palm Beach, FL to name a few. Through these experiences along with a constant commitment to professional growth and excellence, he brings his experience and enthusiasm to the EHS team.
The foundation for Matt’s physical therapy practice comes from the Institute of Physical Art, which he is currently preparing to take their extensive manual physical therapy examination in August of 2012. He is currently a member of the American Physical Therapy Association as well as certified as a personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2004.
Heather Whiting, DPT, CSCS
Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University, 2011
Bachelors of Rehabilitation Sciences from Northeastern University, 2010
Dr. Heather Whiting joined the EHS team of physical therapists through the post graduate program started by the Institute of Physical Art (IPA). Heather graduated from Northeastern University with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a minor in Spanish. In addition to her academic pursuits at Northeastern, she was also a member of the women’s varsity swim team earning All-CAA Conference honors and was voted team captain. During her NCAA Division I swimming career she was a valued member of multiple record breaking relay teams.
Heather continued her dedication to swimming by joining the varsity coaching staff as an assistant coach following her final year of team eligibility and then she became a coach for the university’s club swim team. The valuable insights she has gained over a 17 year swimming career have become an integral part of her approach to physical therapy. She takes advantage of an in-depth understanding of swim stroke mechanics, best practices for training at a high level for long sports seasons, and valuable insight in effective coaching techniques.
Dr. Whiting grew up in Steamboat Springs, CO where the founders of the IPA call home. She had the opportunity to shadow and study under the clinicians at the renowned Johnson and Johnson Physical Therapy Clinic (JJPT). She became intrigued by their pioneering therapy techniques and created a clinical affiliation at JJPT. Heather took many post graduate educational courses provided by the IPA before graduating in 2011 with her DPT. Throughout her academic career, Heather has had the opportunity to work with patients that have orthopedic, neurologic and cardiopulmonary dysfunctions and has worked with a variety of patients from orphans in Ecuador to politicians in Boston and actors from Hollywood. She is looking forward to bringing her experiences, thirst for knowledge and friendly personality to the EHS family.
For more information on EHS Physical Therapists services, or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 203-983-5748. You can also use our online Request an Appointment form.
