Physical Therapy Newsletter | Alumni Short-Takes

Gary Danziger and a young guest smile on a boat while holding a freshly caught fish.

Gary Danziger, Class of 1962

As part of my outreach efforts, I use my large boat to take people with disabilities out on the water. Sometimes we add a bit of fishing, but most of the time it’s a relaxing sightseeing tour through the calm intercoastal waters of South Florida. When the conditions are especially smooth, I even take them out into the Atlantic Ocean for about half an hour. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and it works beautifully. The guests are always thrilled, and we often have service dogs aboard as well. Seeing the joy and excitement on their faces is incredibly rewarding. After practicing for 48 years, this outreach has given me a wonderful way to reflect on the past and share something meaningful with others.

Elena Correnti, Class of 1988

Elena is livin’ the dream in Millsboro, Delaware! She’s semi-retired and spends her free time dabbling in woodworking and stained glass — she’s even tried her hand at welding!

Ben Gelfand, Class of 1988

Ben recently sold his practice and, as one of the founders of MOTION PT Group, is now enjoying the chance to collaborate once again with his best friend and former classmate, Gregg Solomon. In stepping away from practice ownership, Ben is excited for the next chapter—working for his daughter, Hannah, who recently graduated from NYU DPT and received the prestigious Elizabeth C. Addoms Award! He couldn’t be prouder. Ben is equally proud of his daughter, Marissa, an oncology nurse, and his son, Lee, a lieutenant and medical officer in the U.S. Army. And, of course, none of this would be possible without the love and support of his wife, Audrey.

Outreach and giving back have always been important to Ben. He has participated in medical missions to Haiti and South America with his brother, an orthopedist, and his children—experiences that reflect both his commitment to service and the power of family collaboration. He also takes great pride in serving his community as a Westchester County Sheriff.

Takumi (Tak) Fukunaga, Class of 2003, PhD 2025

Please join us in celebrating Tak, who completed his PhD in Physical Therapy Research here at NYU this year! A proud graduate of our DPT program, Tak has also contributed to our community as a Teaching Assistant for Biophysical Agents, a Master Clinician, and an Adjunct Faculty member—demonstrating his commitment to both education and patient care.

His dissertation, “Effects of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery on Lower Extremity Inter-joint Coordination During Cutting Maneuver Performance,” was chaired by Dr. Wen Ling, PT, PhD, with committee members Dr. Malachy McHugh, Dr. Richard Magill, and Dr. Smita Rao.

We are incredibly proud of Tak’s achievements and the impact of his research on advancing our understanding of ACL rehabilitation and movement science. Congratulations, Dr. Tak!

Laura Continetti, Class of 2009

Laura currently practices physical therapy at Town Center Orthopedics in Fairfax, Virginia, where she provides exceptional patient care and shares her passion for helping others move and feel their best.

Carolyn Baek, Class of 2014

Since graduating from the NYU DPT program in 2014, Carolyn has become an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and certified lymphedema therapist with over ten years of experience in oncology rehabilitation.

Recently, she launched a private practice in Westchester focused on cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema and lipedema care, and early detection. She is currently building a community lymphedema surveillance program and regularly speaks at cancer support groups.

Carolyn is always eager to connect with colleagues interested in collaboration, research, or referrals. For inquiries, please contact her at cbphysicaltherapyny@gmail.com or visit cbphysicaltherapyny@gmail.com

Alan Ng, Class of 2015

Alan is stepping into a new adventure with the Philadelphia Phillies as a Minor League Physical Therapist! He is looking forward to bringing his expertise to the field to help players stay healthy, strong, and able to perform their best throughout the season.

Lama Basri, Class of 2016

In 2018, Lama broke new ground by establishing a mobile sports clinic dedicated to empowering female athletes across the Middle East, bringing world-class care directly to those who needed it most. Today, she continues to drive innovation in sports medicine as the Founder and CEO of Khuta Clinic, a pioneering sports physical therapy center in Saudi Arabia known for its holistic and athlete-centered approach to performance and recovery. Beyond her clinical leadership, Lama serves as a board member on the Educational Committee at the Saudi Federation of Sports Medicine and plays an active role in supporting and advancing the Saudi Arabian Women’s Football Team, championing the growth of women’s sports at every level.

Justin Burr, Class of 2016

This year, Justin reached an incredible milestone — earning his PhD in Health Sciences from the University of South Dakota! A well-deserved achievement that highlights his dedication and leadership in the field.

Erica O’Connor (Quinn) Class of 2016

Erica is a proud mother of twin 5-year-old boys and a 1-year-old baby girl. With a passion for pediatric care, she has dedicated her career to supporting young children. Since graduating, Erica has gained extensive experience in sensory-based clinics and now specializes in home-based early intervention, with a particular focus on infants.

Daniel Nguyen-Vallejo, Class of 2018

Daniel completed his Orthopedic Residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in 2023 and is now a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. He recently presented his work at the 2025 APTA Combined Sections Meeting.

Dhruti Patel, Class of 2018

Dhruti recently graduated from Physician Assistant school and is preparing for her licensing exam! She is looking forward to beginning her journey in neurology, combining her clinical skills and passion for neuroscience to make a difference in patient care.

Gene Fu, Class of 2019

After four years at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Gene pursued and successfully completed his Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency at Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health in August 2024. He earned his Board Certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS) this past spring and has returned to NYU Langone Health, where he now focuses on vestibular rehabilitation.

Susie Lunardi, Class of 2021

Susie and her husband, Dan, welcomed their baby girl, Riley Mae Timpane, on Monday, September 1, 2025, at 9:11 p.m. She weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She is absolutely the best—and already getting a head start on her fitness!

Meaghan Gillespie & Jesse Slevin, Class of 2022

Congratulations to Meaghan Gillespie and Jessie Slevin, both from the Class of 2022, who tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony on Friday, October 3, 2025!