Our Clinicians
Cindy Lavigne
Per-Diem Hand Therapist
Education: Cindy graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1978 with a Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: Cindy became a Certified Hand Therapist in 1991. She has spent her career concentrating on the prevention and treatment of upper extremity injuries. Working closely with multispecialty physicians, she has worked in a variety of settings as a consultant, established the OT Department at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and currently is the Senior Hand Therapist at ProCare working with a great team of surgeons. She is a Clinical Instructor for the University of New Hampshire OT program. Cindy is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists, New England Hand Society and holds multiple certifications including Physical Agent Modalities and Kinesiotaping. She has presented at the New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association Annual Meeting and received advanced training in Manual Mobilization – Australian approach. To promote learning, Cindy regularly participates in Seacoast community student mentoring experiences.
Clinical Interests: Cindy takes a holistic approach to treating challenging and complex upper extremity conditions including musculoskeletal and sports injuries for professional and weekend warrior athletes. She employs a combination of manual therapy techniques, Kinesiotaping, cupping, instrument assisted techniques in addition to splinting, wound care and therapeutic exercise. Cindy has participated in several medical missions to Haiti and Costa Rica to set up Hand Therapy clinics and recruit ongoing volunteers.
“I consider it a privilege to use my gifts and talents to treat those under my care.”
On a Personal Note: Cindy values her family time with her husband, children, grandchildren and pets. Together, they enjoy a variety of activities including outdoor/water sports, gardening, Christian related activities, cooking, yard sales and decorating.
David Goldberg
Education: David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 1992 and has focused his career on the treatment and prevention of orthopedic injuries and conditions.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: In order to expand his knowledge base and skill set David regularly pursues continuing education opportunities. He has taken advanced courses in the evaluation and treatment of the spine and extremities. Some of the most diverse and effective coursework has included Functional Dry Needling (Kinetacore Certified Level 1), Kinesio Taping (Certification I and II), Myofascial Release (Barnes), Selective Functional Movement Screening (SFMA), McKenzie Approach (Levels A, B, C), Maitland (MT-1), McConnell Taping and Medical Exercise Therapy. David is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) including the Orthopedic Specialty Section. He is APTA certified as a Clinical Instructor and enjoys mentoring physical therapy students from the University of New England and Franklin Pierce University.
David takes the time to listen carefully to each patient in order to collaboratively develop and implement a personalized treatment plan, enabling a prompt return to all levels of function from daily life, work, recreation and sports. He is continually learning in order to bring the latest most efficient treatments, such as Functional Dry Needling, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, and Kinesio Taping to his patients.
Clinical Interests: David takes a multifaceted, individualized approach to patient care with a strong focus on education, manual therapy and functional training. He became interested in a career in physical therapy through his own experience as a patient:
“The therapists that treated me always took the time to listen carefully to my problems and explain my condition in terms that I could understand. They educated and motivated me in ways that I could help myself to relieve pain and restore function. My sincere hope is that every patient that I have the pleasure to work with has the same positive experience in rehab that I did.”
On a Personal Note: David enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, running, reading, cooking and listening to music.
Jennifer O’Donnell
Education: Jen graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2002 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: Jen is a Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) and an active member of the APTA Sports Medicine Section. She has received advanced training in Shoulder Rehab, Systemic Dry Needling, Cupping, Maitland (MT1 & MT2), Kinesiotaping (Certification I & II), Back-to-Sport Rehab and Athletic injuries. She has worked in a variety of clinics that have given her a very strong background in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. She has effectively utilized these experiences to successfully treat patients from weekend warriors to professional athletes. Jen has had the opportunity to work with some of the country’s top orthopedic surgeons and nationally recognized therapists, which has led to extensive exposure and training in the advanced treatment of the shoulder as well as the hip, knee and ankle.
Clinical Interests: Jen has volunteered in the Boston Marathon Medical Tent on multiple occasions. She has taken her passion for athletics and turned it into a career helping others return to their highest level of function. She has a personal drive to help her patients and believes that it is a joint effort and commitment between the therapist and the patient to achieve a successful outcome.
On a Personal Note: When she is not working, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as being outside as much as possible.
Kristen Schwaegerle, DPT, FAAOMPT
Education: Kristen graduated in 2018 with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont and completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (AAOMPT) in 2021 through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy.
License: New Hampshire and Maine
Prior Working Experience: Kristen has worked in hospital-based and private practice orthopedic outpatient settings working with a variety of diagnoses as well as post-total joint replacement rehab. She has prior experience working as an EMT.
Advanced Training/Certifications: In 2017, she traveled to New Zealand to participate in an advanced manual therapy training course. She is certified in Dry Needling, Spinal Manipulation, Graston Technique, and Diploma of Osteopratic, as well as being certified in Equine Rehabilitation (CERP). Kristen continues to pursue opportunities to advance her skills in manual therapy techniques, IASTM, dry needling, treating concussion and spine disorders, and physical conditioning, among others. Kristen maintains membership with the APTA and AAOMPT.
Clinical Interests: Kristen enjoys working with a range of musculoskeletal and orthopedic injuries and disorders, in particular, the treatment of headaches and spinal disorders. She believes in empowering the patient through education, and that physical therapy is a team effort to help each patient achieve their goals.
On a Personal Note: Outside of the clinic, Kristen enjoys riding and training horses, running, and traveling around the world.
Chris Daigneault, DPT
Education: Chis graduated in 2018 with his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
License: New Hampshire and Massachusetts
Advanced Training/Certifications: Chris has spent his post-graduate career working in outpatient orthopedic settings focused on musculoskeletal based injuries and disorders. He is continuing to pursue opportunities to advance his skill set to provide better care for patients. More recently, he has taken continuing education courses on Dry Needling and Spinal Manipulation to pair with his interests in manual therapy, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and exercise based interventions.
Clinical Interests: Chris prefers to utilize a patient first approach, gearing treatments towards achieving their goals whether that may be returning to sports, recreational activities, or restoring function. He believes strongly in providing patients with an educational experience to give them the confidence to achieve successful outcomes.
On a Personal Note: Outside of work, Chris enjoys getting together with family and friends, exploring New England, and watching his favorite Boston sports teams.
Lisa Burke
Education: Lisa is a 1987 graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: Lisa practiced as an occupational therapist for 9 years in her early career, and she developed a specialization in the rehabilitation of the elbow, wrist, and hand as a certified hand therapist. After raising her family, she returned to hand therapy in 2017 and worked diligently to successfully renew her hand therapy certification credential. She is skilled in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity injuries and conditions, including fabrication and fitting of orthoses, and is certified in Physical Agent Modalities. Lisa continually looks for ways to expand the range of treatment approaches available for her patients through education and hands on training. She is an active member of the New England Hand Society, the American Society of Hand Therapists, and the National Board of Certified Occupational Therapists.
Clinical Interests: Lisa joined the expert team of therapists at ProCare Physical Therapy and Hand Center in 2019. She appreciates the complexity of the design of the hand and upper extremity, and she prioritizes a collaborative relationship with her patients during their recovery process. She develops treatment plans with patients’ meaningful activities in mind, and she provides individualized education to help them reach their functional goals.
On a Personal Note: When the weather is warm, Lisa enjoys gardening, hiking, kayaking, and spending time at the ocean. In the winter, her favorite pastime is sitting by the fireplace for board games and puzzles with her family.
Kathleen Ab Pratt, MSPT, OCS, SCS, CWCE
Education: Kathleen graduated in 1993 from Simmons College with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: Kathleen has received multiple certifications in the practice of orthopedic physical therapy including: Dry Needling 2017 with Integrative Dry Needling, she received her Sports Certified Specialist (SCS) in 2016, her Othopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) in 2011, completed the level one IOMT Fellowship at the Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 2009, and her CWCE 1996 Matheson CWCE with Advanced Training 2000. She is an active member of the APTA as well as the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Clinical Interests: Kathleen’s goal as a physical therapist is to be a collaborative partner on your journey toward better health. Your bodies have an amazing capacity to heal; if you treat them well. She is here to help you do just that in order to meet your goals. She has spent 27 years of practice challenging herself to learn and master new skills that can assist patients in their healing. She focuses on using her expertise to analyze the root cause of your problem and empower you with a customized treatment plan. Her most rewarding moments are when patients realize they can positively impact their symptoms and health with a learned postural change, breathing pattern, muscle activation or stretch.
On a Personal Note: When Kathleen is not working she enjoys daily yoga practice, hiking in the white mountains, and staying active.
Lisa Fernandes, OTR/L, CHT
Education: Lisa graduated in 2000 from the University of New Hampshire with a Post Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: Lisa graduated from Syracuse University in 1992 with a degree in business. After working for a few years, she returned to school and obtained a degree in Occupational Therapy. Lisa spent a few years working in hospitals and acute care settings, which gave her a strong background to treat many different conditions. Eventually, she began working in an outpatient clinic that specialized in hand/upper extremity injuries and conditions. She became a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) in 2021. Lisa holds certifications in IASTM techniques (Graston); Dry Needling and in the use of physical agent modalities. She also has taken courses in Kinesotaping and Myofascial Decompression (cupping) which she implements in treatments as needed. She is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists.
Clinical Interests: Lisa’s treatments are centered around the patient’s goals and incorporate a combination of manual therapy techniques, dry needling; therapeutic exercise in addition to wound care and splinting.
On a Personal Note: When not working, Lisa loves spending time with her family and friends whether it be hiking; learning to play golf; attending her kid’s sporting events or just hanging out.
Kathryn Weegar, MSPT
Education: Kathryn attended Ithaca College, receiving her Bachelors degree in Clinical Science in 2001 and her Masters degree in Physical Therapy in 2002.
License: New Hampshire
Advanced Training/Certifications: Kathryn spent her early career working in Private Practice and was a traveling Physical Therapist. This allowed her to gain a vast amount of experience including geriatrics, oncology, neurology, occupational health, orthopedics and complex medical patients. Her area of expertise and passion lies in her ability to treat orthopedic conditions including repetitive strain injuries, post surgical patients and sports injuries.
She has received advanced training in Mulligan (upper and lower quarter), running injuries (gait assessment and treatment), Myofascial Decompression (cupping), Kinesiotaping (Certification I & II), Medical Exercise Therapy, Dry Needling (Certification level I and II) and IASTM. Kathryn attended a 1 year orthopedic fellowship program focusing on the integration of Manual Therapy and exercise therapy and that remains her overall treatment philosophy. Recently she has taken multiple courses through the Postural Restoration Institute which works to explain the science of postural adaptations, asymmetrical patterns and the influence of polyarticular chains of muscles. Kathryn is a Certified Clinical Instructor through the APTA and enjoys the process of teaching and learning from PT interns.
Clinical Interests: Kathryn is continuously amazed at how the human body functions; it is a truly fascinating machine. She finds great joy helping people mend their bodies so they can return to their lives without limitations. She believes in order to do that you must blend the appropriate amount of the correct type of exercise; the proper manual techniques and most importantly listen to the patient and meet them where they are.
On a Personal Note:When not working, Kathryn enjoys home renovation projects, running, hiking, biking, spending time with her family and tiring out her dog, Bentley.
Ryan Smith
Rehab Manager
Education: Ryan graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor degree in Physical Therapy from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.
Licenses: New Hampshire and Maine
Advanced Training/Certifications: Ryan has worked in a number of orthopedic settings including traveling therapy, private practice and Industrial Rehabilitation for companies such as LL Bean, MBNA, and Onsite Services at the State of Maine offices in Augusta. He has been the manager of ProCare since 2008 and has a great sense of pride regarding the clinic’s “Patient first” approach. Since 2007, Ryan has been an instructor for “Scorebuilders,” where he travels to colleges and universities around the country teaching a preparatory course for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant licensing examination. He is an American Physical Therapy Association credentialed Clinical Instructor and an active member of the APTA. Ryan holds certifications in the use of the Graston technique, Kinesiotaping (Certification I and II) and The Titleist Performance Institute as a Golf Fitness Instructor, and Dry Needling through the AAMT. Ryan has extensive continuing education and some of the preferred, more effective treatments he utilizes include: Spinal Manipulation, dry needling, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Cupping, the Norwegian approach to spinal evaluation and treatment as well as Strain Counter Strain techniques.
Clinical Interests: Focusing on complex musculoskeletal cases and spinal injuries, Ryan relies heavily on educating his patient’s regarding self-management and continued success after formal treatment is complete. Ryan’s philosophy is:
“Our job isn’t to simply make you feel better, it’s to help you get better.”
On a Personal Note: Outside of the clinic, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, camping throughout New England, mountain biking and is ultimately happy as long as he is outdoors.
“I’d like to say thanks to the friendly and professional staff at ProCare Physical Therapy. I turned to them after a recent knee surgery and I was back up and running, literally, just a couple of months later. My surgery was an unexpected interruption to my active lifestyle, and getting back to normal quickly and painlessly was a goal that ProCare understood and helped me meet with a very precise program of strengthening exercises and stretching. I returned to jogging on roads and hiking on trails just two months after surgery. I would be happy to recommend ProCare, not just for athletes but anyone looking for an amazing group of therapists and a thorough recovery plan.”