Rhode Island Therapy & Wellness For Women | About Us

RITWW Leadership
	HENRY SISUN, RPH, MSPT, PRESIDENT Henry Sisun is the president and founder of Rhode Therapy and Wellness For Women. In conjunction with director Christy Ciesla and a full staff of specially trained health care practitioners, Henry’s mission is to offer an integrative and holistic approach to the treatment of women's physical health needs at RITWW. Henry has extensive training in the physical therapy field and functions as a consulting advisor and manager to the therapists employed RITWW. He holds patents in the area of transdermal polymer drug delivery systems used in the practice of physical therapy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Boston University.



	CHRISTY CAPUTO CIESLA, PT, RITWW DIRECTOR Christy is a highly experienced and dedicated women’s health specialist. She saw the need for providing specific women's health physical therapy services at RITWW because it was not being adequately addressed by mainstream physical therapy service providers elsewhere. Christy is passionate about furthering the mission of women’s health issues through cutting edge new therapies and modalities of care. She treats conditions such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction related to the pelvic floor, and musculoskeletal postpartum and prenatal dysfunctions. She is also a certified HypnoBirthing® practitioner. Christy has been practicing physical therapy since 1998, having graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University. Christy began working in Cranston in 2006 with a strong background in manual therapy that includes soft tissue work, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques. She also integrates spinal stabilization programs and functional exercise into her treatments, and has a specialty in treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction. She enjoys the study of biomechanics and how things move and function. Christy loves the gratification of seeing people return to their daily activities, relieved of pain, and has a quest for continual learning and exploration into the mysteries of the human body.



Meet The Staff

	JESSICA ADAMS, PT Jessica Adams has been practicing physical therapy since 1998. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University. Jessica began her career working with in-patient rehab, primarily stroke and spinal cord injury patients. In 2007, she completed the Level 1 fellowship program at the Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Woburn, MA. Jessica has a strong interest in manual therapy as well as aspects of women’s health care such as pelvic floor dysfunction. She feels there is always room to grow as a therapist and enjoys taking continuing education courses.



	CAROLINE FISH, PTA Caroline Fish is a certified physical therapy assistant who graduated from the Community College of Rhode Island. She also has a bachelor’s degree in human development & family services from the University of Rhode Island. Caroline treats patients with pelvic floor dysfunction and is interested in furthering the mission of treating women’s health conditions. In the future, Caroline plans to further her education in lymphedema and plans on taking continuing education courses on the various therapy methods used to alleviate pain for the patients who suffer from this condition.



	KRISTINA FITZGERALD, MSPT, ATC Kristina graduated from Northeastern University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and in 2002 she earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Rhode Island. Kristina treats pregnant patients and has developed a specialty in prenatal and postpartum physical therapy and pelvic floor dysfunction. Kristina has extensive experience in manual physical therapy and uses her athletic training background for exercise-based programs. Kristina is certified in prenatal and postpartum exercise instruction via specific training with Elizabeth Noble, founder of the obstetrics and gynecology section for the American Physical Therapy Association.



	DEB FRENZE, PTA Deb began working in Cranston after her graduation from the physical therapy assistant program at Becker College in 1996. She is also a 2000 graduate of Bancroft School of Massage. As a licensed massage therapist, Deb enjoys doing neuromuscular/deep tissue work and relaxation techniques, and is certified in pregnancy massage. As a physical therapy assistant, she enjoys working with core stabilization and retraining, as well as postural education. She feels blessed to have such a rewarding job and to be part of a great team. Deb loves the hands-on nature of the work, and helping people to become free of pain while achieving their goals. She says, "At the end of each day, I feel great satisfaction from my work."



	BRENDA LARRIVEE, PT, CLINICAL DIRECTOR FOR CRANSTON Brenda is a graduate of Boston University and has been a practicing physical therapist since 1980. Brenda is the clinical director for Cranston. Brenda is certified to teach the Lebed Method, a dance movement therapy, and Tai Chi through the Arthritis Foundation. Brenda has a strong background in manual therapy including craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and visceral mobilization. She considers herself a generalist and enjoys treating varied diagnoses including sports medicine, orthopedics, geriatrics and women’s health issues. Brenda treats patients with pelvic floor conditions and also runs breast cancer programs, oncology rehab, lymphedema management, and mentors new therapists coming into the center. She is active in continuing education and loves to learn new things/techniques to add to her "bag of tricks!"



	RANDI MARTEN, PT, CMLDT Randi has been a practicing therapist since her graduation from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989. She has been working at the Cranston since 1994. As a manual therapist, she combines many different techniques including myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and osteopathic and orthopedic physical therapy. Randi holds a master’s degree in holistic counseling and enjoys using her compassionate listening skills with her physical therapy patients due to her background in counseling victims of domestic violence. Randi is a specialist in women’s health and treats many conditions including pelvic floor dysfunctions, TMJD, headaches and fibromyalgia. Randi is certified in manual lymph drainage from the Norton School of Lymphatic Studies.



	LISA MEEHAN, PT Lisa Meehan has 22 years of experience in orthopedic physical therapy and sports medicine. Lisa conducts clinics for runners and golfers with a focus on injury prevention and performance enhancement. She also treats geriatric patients and specializes in functional therapy, pain management, and integrative care with extended care facilities. Lisa also treats women’s health issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction. Her approach to therapy is to maximize functional outcomes and encourage an overall wellness for her patients.



	JENNIFER MORELLO, PT Jen has been practicing physical therapy since her 1999 graduation from Quinnipiac College. She practices in the Cranston clinic where she combines manual therapy with exercise programs. She also has an interest in the aquatic programs and treats pregnant patients. She enjoys the rapport and interactions that she establishes with her patients while helping them to restore their physical well-being and overall function.



	KRISTIN MEURER, MA, OTR/L, CLT Kristen is a certified and registered occupational therapist who graduated from University of Southern California in 2005. She is also a certified lymphedema therapist. Her training with the Norton School of Lymphatic Studies includes complete decongestive therapy, manual lymph drainage, and certification in garment fitting. Her experience in occupational therapy includes treatment of the upper extremity and hand injuries, neurorehabilitation, and functional retraining. She enjoys helping patients to accomplish their goals and return to independent living.



	DANIELLE PELLETIER, MSPT Danielle is a graduate of Boston University and has been practicing physical therapy since 2003. She has a strong background in neurology (i.e. stroke care, multiple sclerosis), orthopedics, and aquatics, having worked previously in acute care, inpatient rehab, pediatrics, a skilled nursing facility, and outpatient. She also treats patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Danielle teaches aqua aerobics and the Lebed Method of dance therapy. She loves meeting new patients, helping them to meet their goals, and making a difference in people's lives through physical therapy.



	JOHANNA STOOS, MSPT, Certified Yoga Instructor Johanna graduated from URI in 2003. She is interested in working with athletes and has both coached gymnastics and worked with athletes at a local high school. She enjoys working one-on-one with patients and seeing them progress with treatment, as well as learning about them as individuals.



	JODI TETELBAUM, Women’s Health Administrator Jodi joined Rhode Island Therapy & Wellness for Women in 2009 as a women’s health administrator in the Saunderstown office. She has always had a strong interest in women’s health, wellness and holistic health. She is a graduate of Strong, Stretched and Centered, a holistic personal training school in Maui, Hawaii. Jodi is also a certified Reiki practitioner. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies.