Meet the PTs

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Syracuse University in 2006. She continued her education receiving a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009 from SUNY Upstate Medical University.  She became a Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities in 2016. She has previously worked for a large teaching hospital doing acute care Physical Therapy in the Intensive Care Units and Burn Unit, followed by outpatient Pediatrics and Adult Neurologic PT, utilizing specialty treatments including partial body weight supported treadmill training, functional electrical stimulation, and aquatics.  Jen loves expanding her knowledge by attending continuing education courses.  Some of her favorite courses include Kinesiotaping, Mary Massery’s courses including PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), the Breathing course, and “Braking Bad: Eccentric Control From Talking to Walking”. Pediatric Physical Therapy has always been Jen’s lifelong calling.  Working with children to help them reach their gross motor goals and successfully play with their peers is so rewarding. Outside of school Jen enjoys activities for every season in CNY, like the beach, hiking, apple picking, and skiing.  You will also find her exploring the many playgrounds across the County with her daughters. 

Erica received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Sport with a concentration in Athletic Training from SUNY Brockport in 2005. Continued her education at SUNY Upstate Medical University receiving Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009. She became a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist in 2023. She has worked in the outpatient orthopedic and pediatric field since 2009. Some continuing education courses have included McKenzie Method for Neck and Back, Total Motion Release Pediatrics, Kinesiology taping adults and pediatrics, Pediatric Yoga, Courses by Mary Massery including The Breathing course and PNF. She reports she enjoys providing Physical Therapy services because it directly impacts a person’s ability to functionally participate in life. In the Pediatric field of Physical Therapy a child’s function is to be able to play. Through play they can learn and develop necessary skills to participate in classroom learning. Erica also enjoys spending time with her 2 kids and husband with outdoor activities including exploring New York State Waterfalls. 

Kristen earned both a Doctor of Physical Therapy as well as a Bachelor of Science with a Health Science concentration degree from Daemen University where she graduated in 2004. She worked for three years in the outpatient orthopedic field including aquatic physical therapy where she first had the opportunity to work with the pediatric population. Since then, Kristen has worked primarily as a pediatric physical therapist in the Syracuse area providing home, community, and clinic based physical therapy evaluations and treatment sessions in the Early Intervention, Preschool, and school-aged populations. She enjoys expanding her knowledge through continuing education courses including topics such as Kinesiotaping, orthotics and prosthetics, Linking Play through Function, and many more. She became a Board Certified Pediatric Physical Therapy Specialist in 2023. Kristen enjoys bringing her dance background into the classroom, incorporating music and movement into physical therapy sessions. She has been choreographing Cato-Meridian’s high school musicals since 2009 and enjoys all that our area has to offer with her husband and two children.  

Amanda received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Health and Exercise Science from Syracuse University in 2016. She continued her education receiving a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2021 from SUNY Upstate Medical University. Since graduating, Amanda has worked in the Syracuse area as a pediatric physical therapist providing home, community, and clinic based physical therapy in the Early Intervention and Preschool populations. She loves to learn; expanding her knowledge and keeping up to date with research-based interventions through continuing education courses. One of her favorite parts of being a pediatric physical therapist is using her creativity to develop fun and engaging treatment plans to help children achieve their gross motor goals, participate with peers and be successful in their natural environment. Outside of school, Amanda enjoys staying active through various exercise classes, going to her favorite sporting events (Go SU!), dancing, skiing, spending time with her family and playing with her 2 cats. 

Jocelyn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from SUNY Oswego in 2014. She continued her education at New York Medical College where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In 2017, Jocelyn traveled to Haiti to provide physical therapy services to underserved children in clinics, hospitals, and orphanages. Since graduating, Jocelyn has been working in Onondaga County providing physical therapy services and completing evaluations for children in Early Intervention as well as both school-age and preschool students. Jocelyn loves working as a pediatric physical therapist because this job allows her to use her knowledge and skills to transform each therapy session into a mini play session. Jocelyn loves being able to experience the huge impact on each child’s growth during this critical period of development these services provide. She also has a love for learning and building her “physical therapy toolbox”. Some topics she has enjoyed continuing her education include primitive reflex integration, motor planning and praxis, toe-walking interventions, kinesiotaping and NDT. In her free time, Jocelyn enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and exploring the many beautiful parks in the area with her husband and two daughters. 

Cheri Rotelli, PT, graduated from Ithaca College with her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1986. She has worked for two different hospitals and spent 2 ½ years with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica.  In Costa Rica she provided Physical Therapy to underserved individuals, allowing her creativity to shine by building walkers and wheelchairs out of whatever materials she had available.  She was and still is McGuyver. She joined the North Syracuse Early Education Program over 28 years ago. While working full-time she received her Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Syracuse University in 1998.  Cheri is passionate about inclusion and has made it her mission to create a playground accessible and fun for all preschoolers.  The Play 2 Learn 2020 project was many years in the making, starting as Cheri’s dream, then finally becoming reality through her tireless efforts designing, fundraising, grant writing, supporting the construction crew with nutrition and hydration, and beautiful landscaping.  She has continued to improve the new play space by fundraising to add a shade structure.  In her free time Cheri can be found with power tools, gardening, quilting, Latin dancing with staff members, or helping a friend.  Cheri is now enjoying retirement but continues to support the PT department with all of her creativity.