As Clinic Director, Tony presides over the development and implementation of all activities associated with Physio Wellness Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Runners Clinic™, and the Sponsorship for Community Wellness’ Educational Outreach Program. He has been a practitioner in the fields of sport performance, healthcare and wellness for the past 37 years. For nine years ending June 1998, he engaged a full-time corporate career in the Information Technology industry as an analyst and consultant. During several phases of his corporate career he worked and studied simultaneously in the allied health field.
Tony earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree, with a major in Management Information Systems, from the University of Georgia. While at the University of Georgia, he served as the Strength and Conditioning coach of the Women's Gymnastics team, from 1987 to 1989. Tony worked with U.S. and Canadian Olympians and a member of the U.S. National Team. His conditioning regimen played an integral part in the team’s 1989 National Championship season.
Tony obtained a Master of Science degree, in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, with a clinical concentration in Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. His academic record was honored as he maintained Graduate Dean’s List status and was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (Graduate Division). At Brooklyn College, his literature review-based research focused in the area of clinically applied exercise physiology and associated physiological adaptations that assist in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of various states of diminished health and disease. Specifically, he reviewed applications of applied exercise physiology in preventive therapy and management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or Type II), osteoporosis, and elevated blood lipids (hyperlipidemia). Additional research was conducted regarding the relevance of prescribed physical activity in the management of hypothyroidism. His final graduate research project, Exercise Immunology: Immunoregulatory Enhancement in Response to Clinically Prescribed Exercise Training, addressed the enhancement of the immunoregulatory system via specific dose-response implementations of physical activity and highlighted a supporting basis for the use of clinically prescribed physical activity as adjuvant therapy, in conjunction with medical care, for the treatment of various cancers, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and other immunodeficient conditions. He completed clinical internships, as an exercise physiologist, in cardiac stress testing and out-patient cardiac rehabilitation at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn and New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center (The Hospital of Columbia and Cornell Universities), in Manhattan.
In pursuit of a greater understanding for the relevance of nutritional therapy in physical rehabilitation and the prevention and management of various disease states, Tony completed an additional Master’s degree, in Human Nutrition, at the University of Bridgeport (Bridgeport, Connecticut), in the Spring of 2004. His academic work earned him induction into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. His literature review-based research focused on biochemical responses to nutrient adequacy and deficiency that subsequently affect genetic integrity. His thesis, The Influence of Folate Deficiency on DNA Stability, Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Associated Disease States: A study of molecular hypomethylation and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, assesses the expanding field of research on nutrient-gene interactions and applications for viable nutrient therapy and adherence to sound nutritional practices in disease management and prevention.
With an enduring service-oriented resolve to provide effective care in physical rehabilitation, disease management, and wellness education, Tony completed the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed specialization coursework in adult neurological rehabilitation, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, and vestibular rehabilitation. Clinical internships were completed in:
- Geriatric and sub-acute rehabilitation (Cobble Hill Health Center – Brooklyn)
- In-patient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (Lenox Hill Hospital, Open Heart ICU – Manhattan)
- Vestibular rehabilitation (NYU Langone Medical Center, Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation – Manhattan)
- Orthopedic/sports medicine rehabilitation (Sports Physical Therapy of New York, PC – Brooklyn)
Tony is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and maintains ACSM professional certification. He is a member of the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN) Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): Practice Sections - American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT), Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Competing in events ranging from the 5th Avenue Mile to 24 marathons, at age 59, Tony is grateful to continue participating healthfully as an avid runner and active member and volunteer of New York Road Runners. He is a member of the Atlanta Track Club and a certified USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach specializing in performance conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation for sprinters, distance runners and field athletes. He has served on the medical staffs for the ING New York City Marathon, IRONMAN USA Championships, IRONMAN North American Championships (Mont-Tremblant, Quebec), New York City Triathlon, and USATF National Club Track & Field Championships, USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships, IAAF World Indoor Championships, World Athletics Outdoor Championships, and USA Track & Field Olympic Trials.
As a fortunate and inspired survivor of a rare neurovascular disease, requiring a cumulative seven years (2000 – 2006) of rigorous treatment, involving nine major surgical procedures, Tony’s compassionate intentions and caring demeanor are firmly grounded and guided by a deep-seated, persevering faith. His personal experience as a patient confronting a daunting health challenge provides profound insight and empathy in his professional care. Tony and his wife are Brooklyn residents and the proud parents of three industrious young men.