Our Mission

We are foremost patient advocates, seeking to address their functional needs through proactive, cost-effective means. We will provide services to any person who has functional needs that are appropriately addressed through skilled services, and maintain the expectation of producing a lasting, objective functional improvement. We will utilize treatment and documentation practices that are in accord with all local, state, federal, and professional guidelines. We will provide services in the most expeditious and cost-effective manner without sacrificing the quality of patient care.

Our Team

John McLinden, MS, PT.

Liberty Physical Therapy President and co-founder.

John McLinden obtained his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 1993. He has worked in outpatient orthopedics since becoming a licensed physical therapist, with clinical interests including general orthopedics, spine and pelvic girdle rehabilitation, injured worker management, office and industrial ergonomics, soft tissue and chronic pain management. Mr. McLinden is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the URI Physical Therapy Department. He teaches in the musculo-skeletal and professional issues courses, and is the director of clinical services at the University of Rhode Island’s Physical Therapy Clinic.

Mr. McLinden is currently in the dissertation phase of Nova Southeastern’s PhD program in physical therapy. His research is focused on rehabilitation issues influencing overall costs in the worker’s compensation system. 

 

Mark E. Wurster, MS, PT

Mark is physical therapist licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Mark is a founding partner of Liberty Physical Therapy, Inc., a Rhode Island based corporation serving Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts’ healthcare needs since 1998.

Mark is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a BS in Adaptive Physical Education/Motor Development Therapy and received his MSPT from Sargent College- Boston University in 1988.

Mark specializes in occupational health and orthopedics; providing peer review for worker’s compensation cases as well as provider training for those working in the occupational health arena.

Mark is active in his professional organization, performing lobbying activities, providing testimony before governmental agencies, and supporting Q/A initiatives.

Mark is also an Elder/Pastor at Good News Bible Chapel in Attleboro, MA.

Mark resides in Rhode Island with his wife and children.

 

Elke Schaumberg, MS, PT

After 15 years of in the field of physical therapy, Elke remains passionate about the care that she provides her patients. A desire to empower her patient’s to manage their ailment, by giving them the tools necessary to manage their condition and restore their participation in their daily lives, drives her to continue her work in her profession. It is this ability to directly impact the quality of an individual’s life that leaves her feeling satisfied with her chosen career of physical therapy. Her commitment to provide the highest level of care has driven her to complete extensive post-graduate training with internationally recognized physical therapy providers. She has completed comprehensive training in the evaluation and treatment of spinal and extremity problems to include joint manipulation, soft tissue release, and the prescription of therapeutic exercise.

The post graduate training that she has received has shaped her treatment philosophy. She approaches each of her patients with the philosophy of continually progressing and advancing an individual’s function, within the specific confines of their healing process. With each client, her primary goal is to restore normal function at a joint and soft tissue level first. After establishing the best function possible on that level, her focus is then to design an exercise program directed specifically to the patient’s diagnosis and the activities they desire to resume. The final phase is preparing the healing client for a full return to their previous activity level. During each phase of rehabilitation the individual gains confidence regarding their ability to manage their issue and their ability to participate in the activities they have been unable to do.

Elke earned her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado after completing her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. As a licensed Physical Therapist, Elke has worked in California, Colorado and now in Rhode Island. She has worked primarily in outpatient settings providing treatment for: acute and chronic spine conditions, post-operative care of peripheral joint and spinal orthopedic procedures, sports injuries in high level and recreational athletes, injured workers attempting to return to a pre-injury level and women confronted with the complications surrounding women’s health issues.

Elke is married and has two children. Her interests include running, biking, tennis, reading and traveling. Elke and her family have adjusted nicely to life in the Ocean State and have recently added sea kayaking and long days at the beach to their list of interests.

Melissa Brunelle, PT

Melissa Brunelle P.T. attended Daemen College in Amherst N.Y. graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2001. She moved to the New England area and has been part of the Liberty Physical Therapy team since 2002.  She currently is practicing at their Cranston office. With over eight years of experience as a physical therapist,  Melissa is highly skilled in treating a variety of diagnoses and patient types.  She utilizes her manual skills, her extensive knowledge of therapeutic exercises, and her strong background in aquatic therapy to treat a variety of orthopedic conditions. She likes the challenge of working with patients to achieve a  high level of  functional performance. Melissa is also an active member of the Rhode Island American Physical Therapy Association and  she volunteers her time by serving on the Board as the Nominating Committee Chair.

Robin Katzanek, PT

Robin Katzanek, PT earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University, a Master of Arts degree in Sport Sciences and a PhD in Education from the University of Denver. She has over 20 years of aquatic and land based physical therapy experience in various physical therapy settings. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. She volunteers with local community organizations. 

Elizabeth Andrews, PT

Elizabeth Andrews, a practicing physical therapist in the state of Rhode Island, graduated from Northeastern University, Boston 2004.  Patient populations include: chronic pain, industrial rehab, and vestibular rehab.  Elizabeth wrote and published "Vestibular Rehabilitation, Dizziness, Balance, and Associated Issues in Physical Therapy" as a portion of home study courses provided through the American Physical Therapy Association in 2007.  She is a Certified Work Capacity Evaluator through Roy Matheson Associates.  In June 2008, Elizabeth completed an observation at Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington DC, where she had the opportunity to work with and observe physical therapists and audiologists who directly work with our injured soldiers in need of vestibular rehab.  Walter Reed uses a variety of equipment in addressing this patient population such as the NeuroCom and CAREN systems.    

Marge Lavoie

Marge brings 33years of hands-on physical therapy experience to Liberty.

She has practiced in a variety of settings: Hospital work for 20 years both on In and Outpatient units, Workman's Comp for 11 years  providing Ortho PT, Work Hardening and Aquatics Therapy. Marge now brings her experience and compassion to the Assisted and Independent living communities through Liberty.