Sargent Clinical Advisory Board
David Ruchelsman (Sargent ’00)
Human Physiology Board Chair
Biography
Dr. Ruchelsman is chief of the Division of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and holds a sub-specialty certificate of added qualification in surgery of the hand and upper extremity. He is a clinical associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and the president and director of the Hand Surgery Research & Education Foundation. Dr. Ruchelsman has distinguished himself as an expert in the care of elite and professional athletes. He is a hand and wrist sports medicine consultant for the New England Patriots, Harvard University (Division I Ivy League), Boston College (Division I ACC), and several other regional Division I-III collegiate programs. He has also served as team physician for the USA National Maccabiah ice hockey and basketball teams.
Dr. Ruchelsman graduated from Boston University, summa cum laude. He received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases. He then completed the Harvard Medical School Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microsurgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
He is an invited consultant reviewer for several hand and upper extremity peer-reviewed journals, and he has published more than 60 scientific peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He was named a Young Leader in the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and has been selected for the 2013 and 2014 Guides to America’s Top Orthopedists.
Siisi Adu- Gyamfi & Gwen Taylor
Aphasia Resource Center
Aphasia
Biography
Gwen Taylor has been a member of the Aphasia Resource Center (ARC) since 2012. She enjoys participating in the cooking groups and book clubs offered by ARC and loves travel, baking, shopping and spending time with friends and family. The couple have two grown children and travel to Ghana regularly to visit family.
Daniel F. Bradley
President, Select Medical, Outpatient Division
President, Select Medical, Outpatient Division
Biography
Daniel F. Bradley, PT, serves as president of Select Medical’s Outpatient Division, the largest provider of physical therapy in the country. The national network is comprised of more than 1,800 centers in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Operating under 17 regional brands, most notably NovaCare Rehabilitation, Select Physical Therapy, Physio, RUSH Physical Therapy and Saco Bay Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Bradley is responsible for the division’s day-to-day operations and growth strategy.
He joined Select Medical in 1999 as part of the company’s acquisition of NovaCare, Inc. Over the next 17 years, Bradley’s responsibilities grew from serving as director of clinical operations to regional vice president, chief operating officer and the appointment of outpatient division president in 2004.
Before Select Medical, heheld various senior management positions at NovaCare, Inc. and prior to that, he was a staff physical therapist with Sports Physical Therapists, Inc. where he treated professional and college sports teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers. In addition, Bradley spent a year as the Philadelphia Eagles team physical therapist. He’s a published author on topics including, plyometrics and ankle rehabilitation.
Bradley proudly holds bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Boston University.
Dawn D’Alelio
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Randi Jacoby (Sa rgent ’80)
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Biography
Randi Jacoby, M.S.C.C.C., is a licensed and certified speech and language pathologist, who holds a master of science from Columbia University. She is the director of Jacoby Speech Therapy Associates, a private group practice in Manhattan, specializing in pediatric communication development and learning skills. Jacoby has served as a lecturer to both parents and educators at the 92Y Parenting Center and 92Y Nursery School for more than 20 years, as well as a consultant to many New York City private and public schools. She has been a contributor to New York Family magazine, as well as many parent education portals, including recent podcasts for both the 92Y and Health Matters at Boston University. As an alumna of Sargent College, Jacoby continues to play an active role in mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students in speech pathology. She was noted as one of the top therapists in her field by “A Parent’s Guide to Special Education in New York City.” Jacoby is an active member of the UJA Healthcare Division. Throughout her career, she has been an ardent advocate on behalf of children with developmental disabilities and learning disorders.
Bob Knox, Jr. ( CGS’08, SAR’10, SPH’12)
Health Policy and Management
Health Policy and Management
Biography
Knox works to apply new technology to population health with American Well, one of the top telemedicine and digital health companies in the world. Prior to joining American Well, Knox was a product manager at DCT where he managed the design and development of new products that use digital signals to detect cognitive impairment. Prior to joining DCT, he was a senior analyst at Opera Solutions where he designed and deployed machine learning platforms focused on revenue capture and operational improvement in hospital systems across the country. He also has experience as a health policy analyst with the New England Journal of Medicine and has worked closely with non-profit organizations like the American Diabetes Association. Knox earned his BS in health science and MPH in health management and policy from Boston University.
Nancy Clark McGrath (Sargent ’79)
Nutrition
Biography
Nancy Clark is an internationally respected and trusted sports nutritionist. She is a registered dietitian (RD) who is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). Her private practice is in the Boston-area (Newton, MA). Nancy counsels active people of all ages and athletic abilities from high school athletes to Olympians, helping them use food to enhance performance and health, as well as optimize weight. Her clients have included not only the Boston Red Sox, but also the Bruins, Celtics, and athletes from many colleges in the area including Boston College, Tufts, and Brandeis. Many of her clients struggle with disordered eating and eating disorders; she helps them transform their food fears into peaceful fueling.
Nancy enjoys writing as a way to teach people how to eat to win. Her best-selling Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook has sold more than 750,000 copies and is now available in its 6th edition. Nancy also writes a monthly nutrition column called The Athlete’s Kitchen, which appears regularly in 100+ sports publications and websites. Her nutrition advice and photo have even graced the back of the Wheaties’ box!
In addition to inspiring active people to fuel wisely for top performance, Nancy has also inspired many RDs to become sports dietitians. Both nationally and internationally, she has presented workshops on how to become a sports RD and has helped establish sports dietetics as a viable career path. She has also educated trainers, coaches, and other health professionals about the value of partnering with sports dietitians.
Nancy completed her undergraduate degree in nutrition from Simmons College in Boston. Her dietetic internship was at Massachusetts General Hospital. She received her master’s degree in nutrition with a focus on exercise physiology from Boston University. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American College of Sports Medicine. She has been a member of ACSM’s Board of Trustees. She has received many awards for her work.
Health and fitness are personal values for Nancy. She is a regular bicycle commuter, runner and gardener. She has completed several marathons, bicycled across America, and hiked in the Himalayas. She and her husband have two children (now adults) and live in the Boston-area.
Debra Meyerson and Steve Zuckerman
Aphasia Resource Center
Aphasia
Biography
Debra Meyerson and Steve Zuckerman co-founded and co-chair Stroke Onward, a non-profit devoted to providing stroke survivors, families, and caregivers with more resources to help them navigate the emotional journey to rebuild their identities and rewarding lives.
Debra Meyerson is an author, advocate, and a professor at Stanford University Graduate School of Education. Prior to her stroke in 2010, Meyerson’s academic work focused on feminism, diversity, identity, and organizational change. Her most recent book, “Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves after Stroke,” helps stroke survivors and those closest to them navigate the emotional journey that she has found very difficult—and rewarding. In addition to her work with Stroke Onward and her ongoing rehabilitation therapy, Meyerson serves on the boards of Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) and the Pacific Stroke Association (PSA). She received her BS and MS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a PhD in organizational behavior from Stanford University.
Steve Zuckerman is president of Self-Help Federal Credit Union and managing director of Self-Help’s California operations. Self-Help is a nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), whose mission is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for underserved communities. Zuckerman’s prior experience includes almost 15 years with McCown De Leeuw & Co, a private investment firm, and consulting with Bain and Co. In addition to his work with Self-Help and Stroke Onward, Zuckerman currently serves on the boards of Tides Foundation and Positive Coaching Alliance, as well as the New Market Tax Credit advisory board of Opportunity Fund. He earned a BA from Yale University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where Meyerson was his instructor.
Mary O’Donnell
Center for Neurorehabilitation
Center for Neurorehabilitation
Biography
O’Donnell has been a patient, panelist, and research subject at Sargent College since being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease in 2012. She has five children and seven grandchildren.
O’Donnell has a math degree from College of the Holy Cross. Upon graduation, she worked as a computer system consultant with Arthur Anderson and Citibank in New York City. This career shifted to her work as a mom, and she then returned to the workforce as a preschool teacher at Hingham Nursery School for 10 years. She retired from teaching in 2016. \
O’Donnell has served on six PTO boards and volunteers weekly at a woman’s shelter and Rock Steady Boxing. She has been named a Michael J Fox Foundation MVP six times. O’Donnell co-authored a children’s book with her daughter about Parkinson’s disease.
Lynn Safenowitz (Sargent ’84)
Occupational Therapy
Eric Steenburgh (CAS ’92, Sargent ’98)
Physical Therapy
Biography
Eric Steenburgh holds an undergraduate degree in biology with a specialization in marine science from Boston University and a master of science in physical therapy from Sargent College. He has had a 20+ year career in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and has practiced in Connecticut, New York, and Alaska. He has held distinction as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist since 2007.
Steenburgh founded Rebound Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy, LLC, in Anchorage, Alaska in 2006. Over the next 14 years, he directed the growth of the busiesss to include three clinics serving the South, East, and West Anchorage communities. Rebound is a multi-year winner of the Best of Alaska honor. The highlight of Steenburgh’s clinical work in Anchorage includes working with the ECHL’s championship-winning hockey team, the Alaska Aces, from 2004 through their dissolution in 2017.
Steenburgh recently sold his ownership in Rebound and is moving to the metropolitan DC area of northern Virginia. He is looking forward to his next project while also building a stronger relationship with Sargent College and the BU community.
Cristin E. Taylor (Sargent ’04)
Athletic Training
Biography
Cristin E. Taylor graduated from Sargent College in 2004 and obtained a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Miami in 2008. After practicing in active-duty combat amputee rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Taylor returned to school and obtained a master’s of science in health sciences in physician assistant studies from The George Washington University. After several years of clinical practice and research, she joined Smith+Nephew, an international medical device manufacturer, to lead global clinical strategy in the sports medicine franchise. In this role, Taylor was responsible for the design and execution of clinical research to support international regulatory approvals and reimbursement requirements.
In 2021, Taylor started her own consulting LLC. She is currently a senior staff clinical scientist for Beckman Coulter, leading clinical affairs in the artificial intelligence/medical device software business unit. She is also the senior vice president of clinical and medical affairs for Gelmetix, a start-up spine company based out of the UK. In addition to her academic degrees, Taylor also holds certificates in finance and artificial intelligence in healthcare from Harvard Business School Executive Education and MIT Sloan School of Management, respectively. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her husband, children, and dogs.
Steven Windwer (Sargent ’85)
Physical Therapy
Biography
Steven Windwer is a founder and CEO with extensive experience building, growing, and leading multi-specialty healthcare companies. He has developed high-performing teams, implemented management models, and established patient-centric cultures. He is skilled in chiropractic patient care and physical therapy and is dedicated to improving patient experience.
Windwer opened his first office in Quincy, Mass. in 1990. Firmly believing in the manager/partner model, he has established more than 70 physical therapy offices and 13 chiropractic offices across Mass., RI, and NH.
Windwer has a bachelor of science degree in physical therapy from Boston University and a doctor of chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College. Windwer is a past president of the South Shore Chiropractors Society. He has lectured extensively to local colleges, businesses, and community organizations on stress reduction, nutrition, and exercise, and telehealth, and he believes in a well-rounded approach for achieving optimal health. Windwer is a recipient of the International Chiropractor of the Year Award from The Master’s Circle, Inc.
Kevin Wright (Sargent ’93) Applied Physiology
Biography
Dr. Kevin Wright is an experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the upper extremities. He treats hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries as well as arthritis, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. He also treats knee and sports injuries along with breaks of any kind. Dr. Wright takes a conservative approach to orthopedic medicine, starting with non-invasive treatments like physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises before turning to surgical procedures. He is actively involved with his patients, taking time to help them understand their conditions and know what to expect during treatment. Working closely with outside specialists from therapists, to pain management experts he makes sure patients get the very best care and reach their full potential. Dr. Wright received his M.D. from the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine in 1997. He has completed a broad range of post-graduate training, including a General Surgery Internship at Georgetown University Medical Center, a Residency in Orthopedic Surgery at NYU’s Hospital for Joint Diseases, and a Hand Fellowship at the Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, NY. Highly respected in his field, Dr. Wright has published in The American Journal of Orthopedics, Spine, and the Journal of Arthroplasty. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.