Rehabilitation Team

Patty Capitano, MPH, PT
Patty is the Adult Rehabilitation Manager at St. Joseph's Hospital, specializing in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Patty graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and from the University of South Florida with a Master of Public Health. In her current role, she manages scheduling and treatment issues, ensuring that our patients have an outstanding rehabilitation experience. Patty has worked at St. Joseph's Hospital since 1984 and enjoys jazzercise, running, cross stitching and reading.

Therese (Terrie) Pelaez, PT, MTC
Terrie is a Physical Therapist at St. Joseph's Hospital, specializing in adolescent, adult and geriatric orthopedics, sports injuries/post-surgical rehabilitation, manual therapy and women's health. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and also has a Manual Therapy certification from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Therese customizes continuing care exercise programs for patients and helps them optimize their musculoskeletal function through muscle reeducation and postural retraining. She also specializes in injury prevention and post-surgical rehabilitation. She has worked for St. Joseph's Hospital for 32 years in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Therese is originally from Minnesota and enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, reading and baking.

Marie Coady, PT, MTC
Marie is a Physical Therapist at St. Joseph's Hospital, specializing in orthopedics for adolescents, adults and geriatrics, manual therapy, urinary incontinence, women's health and clinical instruction for physical therapy students. Marie graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor's in Physical Therapy. She also has a Manual Therapy certification from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Marie customizes continuing care exercise programs for patients and helps them optimize their musculoskeletal function in order to live a more functional and independent lifestyle. She has over 23 years of experience in the Physical Therapy field and has worked for St. Joseph's Hospital for over 15 years in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Marie enjoys spending time with family, the performing arts, zumba dancing, gardening and reading.

Steven Steinfeld, MSPT
Steven is Physical Therapist at St Joseph's Hospital, specializing in general orthopedics, neurological disorders, vestibular rehab and ergonomics. Steven graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science and from the University of Miami with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys sports and outdoor activities.

Carla Thomas, PT
Carla is a Physical Therapist at St. Joseph's Hospital. She specializes in oncology rehab, women's health and general orthopedics. Carla graduated from the University of North Florida in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. In her current role, she helps patients regain strength and function following surgery, injury and treatment of cancer. Carla has worked at St. Joseph's Hospital for 17 years in a variety of settings, including seven years in outpatient rehabilitation. She enjoys dance and scrapbooking and is a cancer survivor.

Marianela Daher, PT
Maria is a Physical Therapist at St. Joseph's Hospital who specializes in geriatric, adult and adolescent orthopedic, neurological and general physical therapy. She graduated with a Masters in Kinesiology and Physiatry from University of Buenos Aires in 1991 and moved to the United States in 1996. Maria helps her patients develop a personalized exercise program to improve daily function, learn about injury prevention and ergonomics at home and work, increase overall activity level and improve and manage pain. She is fluent in Spanish and has been working for BayCare Health System for 15 years.

Linda Gentile, PTA 
Linda is a Physical Therapy Assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital, with specialties in women's health, urinary incontinence, WalkAide and general orthopedics. Linda graduated from Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida with an Associate of Science degree. In her current role, she helps patients to incorporate exercise programs into their daily life and perform activities with correct posture. Linda has 14 years of experience in inpatient and outpatient rehab and skilled nursing. She enjoys sewing, party planning, travel, biking and other outdoor activities.

Kristina Porricolo, PTA
Kristina is a Physical Therapist Assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital, specializing in women's health, stroke rehabilitation and general orthopedics. Kristina graduated from Manatee Community College with an Associates of Science (PTA) and from State University of New York in Oneonta, New York with a Bachelors of Science in Business Economics. In her current role, she customizes exercise programs for patients, assisting them in improving their body mechanics. Kristina has worked at BayCare Health System since 1999 and enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, running, cooking and reading.

Marcy Biller, OTR/L, CHT, UE-CLT, RYT 
Marcy is an Occupational Therapist at St. Joseph's Hospital. She specializes in hand therapy and lymphedema for breast cancer patients. Marcy graduated from the University of Florida in 1991 with a Bachelor of Health Sciences. She has her Hand Therapy Certification, is a registered yoga teacher, a certified Kiniseotape Provider, and has a certification in Upper Extremity Lymphedema Therapy. In her current role, Marcy evaluates and treats hand or upper extremity problems or injuries. She teaches yoga to cancer survivors at St. Joseph's Hospital's Cancer Institute, and enjoys yoga, biking, walking and working out.

Michele Tison, COTA/L, CLT
Michele is an Occupational Therapy Assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital. Her areas of specialty include Lymphedema Therapy for adults and pediatrics, breast cancer rehabilitation, hand therapy and general outpatient rehabilitation. Michele graduated from Hillsborough Community College in 1998 with her Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant. She is also a certified Lymphedema Therapist. In her current role, Michele helps with education and management of lymphedema symptoms, custom arm/hand splinting needs and hand/upper extremity problems or injuries. She has worked at St. Joseph's Hospital since 1998 in skilled nursing, acute are and outpatient rehabilitation.

Arlene D. Suarez 
Arlene is the Lymphedema Monitoring Technician, Serial Casting Technician and Outpatient Rehabilitation Technician with the Rehabilitation program at St. Joseph's Hospital. She specializes in breast cancer patients, children with heel cord contractors and toe walkers. Arlene graduated from Tampa Catholic High School in 1980, and Hillsborough Community College. She has on the job training as a physical therapy technician and has worked at St. Joseph's Hospital since 2007. She enjoys fishing, Tampa Bay Rays baseball, biking and animals.

Darren Woodson, BA
Darren is a Fitness Specialist at St. Joseph's Hospital, specializing in rehabilitative and therapeutic exercise techniques, bariatric fitness, extended rehab and body weight exercise training. Darren graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana in 1995 with a Bachelor of Movement and Sports Science. He has over 16 years of experience as a personal trainer/fitness specialist and previously owned Healthy Investments, Inc. personal training prior to moving to Tampa in 2002. Darren enjoys strength training, bible study and vacationing with his wife and two children.

Chiang Chang, MA, BA
Chiang is a Fitness Specialist at St. Joseph's Hospital. He specializes in fitness evaluation and testing, exercises for the Bariatric program, orthopedic rehabilitation and sports injury prevention. He has expertise in Cybex, Nautilus and Stairmaster fitness equipment. Chiang graduated from Shandong Normal University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physician Education and Montclair State University with a Master of Arts in Exercise Science. Chiang was a lecturer in physical education and the head coach of the Women’s Volleyball Team in Shandong Normal University in China. He came to the US in 1985 and has worked in healthcare for 23 years. He joined BayCare Health System 12 years ago and has been at St. Joseph’s Outpatient Rehab since 2005. He enjoys reading, music, movies and traveling with his family.

Rose Arbisi
Rose is a Rehabilitation Volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital. She graduated from Hillsborough High School and retired from Hillsborough County Public Schools, where she worked in the purchasing department for 21 years. In her current role, she organizes patient charts for discharge and communicates with physician offices. Rose has volunteered in the Outpatient Rehabilitation Department for the past 20 years and has logged over 3,000 volunteer hours at St. Joseph's Hospital. She also volunteers at St. Mary's Catholic Church and the St. Mary's Quilters and St. Mary's Adult Club. Rose enjoys traveling, the beach, crochet, walking, exercise, yard work and reading.