Debra Sniffen

P.T., co-owner

Debra is a 1988 graduate of SUNY Buffalo. She adds a wide array of experience to our practice which includes sports/orthopedic, aquatic, manual therapy and home care physical therapy. She spent a portion of her professional career as a Director of Spine Rehabilitation at a prominent sports/orthopedic clinic in the Buffalo area. She has extensive continuing education course work in spine rehabilitation, manual therapy, sports, and aquatic therapy that brings an unprecedented level of expertise to West Side Physical Therapy.

Suzanne Skibinski

P.T., D.P.T, co-owner

Suzanne graduated as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2006 and B.S. in Physical Therapy in 1993 from the University of Scranton. She has dedicated all of her career to orthopedic, sports, and aquatic therapy. She has done extensive continuing education in lumbar spine McKenzie Techniques, shoulder and knee rehabilitation, as well as aquatic rehabilitation. Suzanne also worked as a Home Care physical therapist for 5 years. She provided care for patients returning home after a hospital stay for joint replacements, fractures, etc.

Joanna DeSantis-Fraley

P.T.

Joanna is a 1994 graduate of Daemen College in Buffalo. She received her B.S. in Physical Therapy, with minors in biology, history and government. She has been with West Side Physical Therapy since 2001. Joanna worked previously in a sub-acute/outpatient center, where she gained skills in orthopedic and neurological disorders. She has a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation, which is the treatment of patients experiencing dizziness and vertigo and associated balance disorders. She has been certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation through the University of Miami since 2000..

Tina Gauthier

P.T., A.T.C.

Tina is a 1989 graduate of Russell Sage College and has been a Certified Athletic Trainer since 1995. She has worked in a variety of settings ranging from a pediatric/school based program to home care. The vast majority of her experience is in orthopedic and sports medicine. She has done extensive continuing education in spine, knee, and shoulder rehabilitation. Tina's athletic training and rehabilitation background brings a unique functional dimension to our practice.

Jim Gauthier

P.T.A.

Jim is a 2000 graduate of Onondaga Community College's P.T. Assistant program. He has attended continuing education courses relative to hip pathology and rehabilitation including new techniques in hip arthroscopy and elbow pathology. Jim has been certified as a Strength Training Specialist by the International Weightlifting Association. His strength and conditioning expertise is utilized as he orients new Wellness Members to our gym. Jim has become a valuable member of our rehabilitation staff.

Caryn Lindsay

P.T., A.T.C.

Caryn is a 1999 graduate of Ithaca College with a degree in Athletic Training/Exercise Science and minors in both Health and Coaching.  She obtained her Masters in Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2003.  Caryn has been at our facility as a Therapist since 2005, but has worked at West Side as an Aide and Volunteer since 1998 as she completed her studies.  Prior to joining our facility as a Therapist, Caryn was employed with Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.  There she worked mainly in outpatient services serving a variety of different diagnoses.  Caryn has also worked as an Athletic Trainer for a variety of teams in the area, at both the High School and Collegiate levels.  She has attended various continuing education courses and has a special interest in the lower extremity.

Shannon Murphy

P.T.A.

Shannon graduated from Onondaga Community College in May of 2002, with an Associates of Applied Science as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Her clinical affiliations covered broad areas as geriatrics, acute care and pediatrics, but found most interest in an orthopedic outpatient setting. She has worked in our facility since 2000, initially as a P.T. aide and then as a P.T. assistant upon graduation. Shannon sees patients at both our Fairmount and DeWitt locations.

Kayley Brim

P.T.A.

Kayley has been with West Side since 2001, working first as an Aide and upon completion of her training as a PT Assistant.  She graduated from OCC’s PT Assistant program in 2003, and went on to finish her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Leadership Management from George Washington University in 2005.  She works in our Aquatic Therapy program in addition to treating patient in the clinic.