Maryland Physical Therapy - Friendship Heights Staff

Friendship Heights Physical Therapy of Maryland Meet Our Staff
Our physical therapists are what makes Friendship Heights the best choice when looking for a physical therapy program in Maryland or the Metro DC area.
Executive Director: Therese Rodda, PT Therese (Terri) graduated from the State University of New York in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She has spent her entire career working in the Washington, DC metropolitan area in a variety of settings, hospital, outpatient and home care. As the owner of Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center and Director of Clinical Services, she is committed to hiring the highest quality staff to provide excellent rehabilitative care with an emphasis on wellness. She was a former Community Health Professional of the Year nominee by the Maryland National Home Care Association. Terri’s diverse background enables her to work with all age groups and diagnoses. However, she has a special interest in the problems that develop as a result of lung disease and problems faced by the aging senior.

Clinical Director, Silver Spring: Andrea Jacobson, PT, DPT Andrea graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2005 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Andrea has focused primarily in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. Andrea uses a combination of manual therapy (ex. trigger point release, strain-counterstrain, myofascial release with dry needling), biomechanical analysis, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise, running assessments, ergonomic assessment and core strengthening/retraining and intramuscular trigger points injections with the use of evidence-based physical therapy to provide patients with individualized care and effective treatments suited to their specific needs. Her areas of expertise include neck, back, shoulders, knees, sacroiliac (SI) joint, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the vestibular system (balance problems, dizziness and vertigo) and foot and ankle. Andrea spent 2008-2010 working along side a well known Podiatrist to treat multiple foot and ankle conditions as well as post-surgical cases.

Staff Physical Therapist: Melissa Adler, PT Melissa received her Masters degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 2003. She has spent the past four years working in a variety of outpatient clinics developing her skills in manual therapy and core stabilization. Melissa spent time working in a back education and training program. She uses these strengths to treat a variety of post-surgical, orthopedic and spinal related injuries. In her spare time, she plays tennis and golf.

Coordinator of Clinical Education: Sara Squires Davis, PT, DPT Sara graduated from the University of Maryland – College Park in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She then went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2001. Sara uses a combination of manual therapy (ex. trigger point release, strain-counter strain, myofascial release with dry needling), biomechanical analysis, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise, running assessments, ergonomic assessment and core strengthening/retraining and intramuscular trigger points injections with the use of evidence-based physical therapy to provide patients with individualized care and effective treatments suited to their specific needs. As the Coordinator of Clinical Education, her responsibilities include teaching students from physical therapy programs from throughout the country in their clinical internships, organizing continuing education courses for the therapists on staff and giving community lectures on a wide range of wellness topics. As a former college basketball player, she enjoys treating athletes and patients of all ages and abilities on their road to a healthier more active lifetstyle.

Staff Physical Therapist: Jason Dring, PT, DPT Jason graduated from The George Washington University in 2008 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Jason has completed post-graduate continuing education courses in manual therapy from the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Jason enjoys treating patients of all ages and with a variety of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries and illnesses, with a focus on the health and wellness of the active elderly. In addition, Jason is enjoys treating patients with cardiopulmonary disease. He is an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Staff Physical Therapist: Cailin Slattery, PT, DPT Cailin received her BS degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Drexel University. Cailin enjoys treating both pediatric and adult patients with a variety of diagnoses. She has a special interest in treating pediatric patients with neurologic conditions. She is a valuable member of the pediatric team. her free time she enjoys staying active, reading and traveling.

Staff Physical Therapist: Joseph Elbert Villamor, PT Joseph received his degree in Physical Therapy from De La Salle University in the Phillipines. He has been practicing as a sports physical therapist for over ten years. He enjoys using his manual skills to help treat athletes and patients of all ages and abilities from students to professionals with a variety of musculoskeletal injuries. Joseph uses a combination of manual therapy (ex. trigger point release, muscle energy, myofascial release with dry needling), along with evidence-based physical therapy to provide patients with individualized care and effective treatments suited to their specific needs.Joseph has a special interest in biomechanics and uses that interest to develop his skills as a therapist. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys numerous sports especially basketball.