The Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine
Combining passion and knowledge with a hands-on approach to help you heal
The Center’s multidisciplinary team follows a model that includes a physician, nurses, occupational therapists and physical therapist assistants, all of whom have years of experience and advanced certifications. The Center coordinates closely with other renowned Centers at GBMC, including the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center, and women’s urogynecological services.
Our Team
Nicole Sansone, DPT, CLT-LANA
Nicole Sansone, DPT, CLT-LANA
Nicole Sansone graduated from UMBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2000. She earned her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy at University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2003 and her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2004. Nicole developed an interest in lymphedema while working with oncology patients and pursued further education, earning certification in lymphedema therapy from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 2007. She began her specialization in lymphedema at the St. Francis Lymphedema Center in Midlothian, Virginia. Nicole achieved certification with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) in 2009. She joined the GBMC lymphedema team as a senior therapist in March 2009. Nicole brings her experience and enthusiasm to the Center’s lymphedema program and oncology rehabilitation program. She is actively involved in gathering data for outcomes measures, in providing inservices and in guiding students.
Kim Keller, PTA, LMT, CLT-LANA
Kim Keller, PTA, LMT, CLT-LANA
Kim Keller graduated from Towson University in Maryland with a degree in Natural Science. In 2000 she became a licensed massage therapist and continued to develop her career with a degree as a physical therapist assistant in 2005. She has enjoyed working in pediatrics and has expanded the therapeutic setting to include the outdoors with a certification as a professional ski instructor specializing in teaching disabled skiers. Kim joined the Center team in February 2009 and earned her certification as a lymphedema therapist with Klose Training and Consulting, LLC. In 2010 she traveled to the Foeldi Clinic in Germany to continue her studies in advanced lymphedema treatment. Kim was certified with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) in 2011. She is highly skilled in soft tissue manual techniques and has applied this ability in manual lymph drainage and pain management.
Claudette S. Cole, PT, DPT, CLT
Claudette S. Cole, PT, DPT, CLT
Claudette Cole graduated from the University of New Hampshire with Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology, Business Administration and Nutrition. She received her Master of Science and Doctorate of Science degrees in Physical Therapy from Simmons College. Claudette has been a physical therapist since 2001 in various outpatient settings treating patients with orthopedic as well as women’s health issues. Claudette brings to GBMC a wealth of experience as well as specialization in treating pelvic floor disorders for both women and men, incontinence, pelvic pain, prenatal/postpartum concerns, prolapse management and overactive bladder, women’s health issues and lymphedema management. She has completed her pelvic floor training, Pelvic Physical Therapy levels 1, 2 and 3, through the Women’s Health Section of American Physical Therapy Association and her lymphedema certification from Klose Training and Consulting, LLC in 2012. She works closely with genitor/urinary (GU) as well as gastrointestinal physicians to pioneer GBMC’s pelvic health services for women and men. Claudette participates in the didactic inservice of GU medical residents as well.
S. Lana Berkovich, MS, OTR/L, CLT
S. Lana Berkovich, MS, OTR/L, CLT
S. Lana Berkovich graduated from UMBC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry in 1985. She earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Towson University in Baltimore in 1999. Lana spent six years working with patients in the Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn and Wound Center where she became interested in lymphedema. Lana volunteered with a group of Burn survivors for a number of years outside of work. She also pursued further education and earned certification in lymphedema therapy in 2009 from the Klose Training and Consulting, LLC. She has also received certification in wounds with lymphedema from Klose Training and Consulting, LLC later in 2009.
Lana worked closely with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Wound Clinic for almost six years treating patients with wounds and lymphedema before coming to GBMC. She joined the GBMC lymphedema team as a senior therapist in November 2014. Lana brings her extensive work experience and enthusiasm to the Center’s lymphedema program and oncology rehabilitation program. She has experience working with patients in an acute care, ICUs, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, TBI and multiple neurological disorders, as well as trauma, work-related injuries, lending expertise to the GBMC Employee Health Department, as well as burns and lymphedema in children to adults. She is actively involved in gathering data for outcomes measures, in providing in-services for physicians, medical providers and patients in the community as well as in guiding students. While working at the GBMC, she became interested and started treating patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Lipedema, as well as mixed diagnoses.
Lana has been trained in yoga for Breast cancer survivors since 2007 and became a Yoga instructor in June 2019, certified though Yoga Alliance of North America. She volunteers her time on a board of Maryland chapter for LE&RN and provides education about yoga benefits in the community.
Kelly Keller, OTR, CHT, CLT
Kelly Keller, OTR, CHT, CLT
Kelly Keller is a graduate of Towson University with a degree Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in January of 1990. Her certifications include Certified Hand Therapist 1996 and Certified Lymphedema Therapy, 1998 from Klose Norton. Throughout her years of experience, Kelly has become exceptionally proficient at addressing a broad range of diagnoses including stroke, RSD, lymphedema, hand, nerve, and other various chronic and acute upper extremity injuries. She is skilled at custom, static, and dynamic splinting as well as fracture bracing. When GBMC became interested in lymphedema services in 1996, Kelly was part of the team of therapists getting trained and initiating that service in the East Pavilion. Kelly has returned to join our team in August of 2019 bringing her specialty of her CHT and expanding in her lymphedema program.
Stanley Baylis III, BA, PTA
Alexander Maymon, PT, DPT, LSVT BIG, CSRS
Our Services
- Lymphedema management – Complete decongestive therapy for primary and secondary edemas
- Oncology rehabilitation – Promotes early intervention to enhance mobility and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) with emphasis on individual, coordinated care
- Head and neck cancer – Coordinated inpatient/outpatient program for the rehabilitation and resumption of ADLs
- Pelvic floor and women’s health therapy – Treats patients with urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, delayed emptying and pregnancy-related issues
- Injured worker – Physical/occupational therapy (PT/OT) assessments and treatment aimed at getting patients back to their regular lifestyles as soon as possible
- Vestibular rehabilitation – Evidenced-based PT differentiating and treating paroxysmal positional vertigo and unilateral nerve weakness
- General rehabilitation with special focus on:
- Spine – conservative and peri-operative care
- Sports injuries
- Certified hand therapy
- Neurologic and neurosurgical diagnoses
- Orthopedic conservative and peri-operative care
- Rheumatologic issues
From Sidelined to Back in the Field
I met with my therapist and explained my story. While I thought I had a back injury, she informed me it was actually a rotation of my pelvis, which she was convinced we could correct. She found remedies for all of my other ailments to help correct the injuries.
Vestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders refer to problems with the inner ear, often causing vertigo/spinning, dizziness and imbalance. The two main types of vestibular problems treated at the Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – BPPV occurs when particles get loose in the ear. This causes individuals to experience a spinning sensation when they sit up after lying down. A treatment called “repositioning” can be done at the Center and typically results in instantaneous relief.
- Vestibular hypofunction/vestibular neuritis – Vestibular hypofunction or neuritis occurs when a virus damages the nerve coming out of the inner ear. The damage can cause dizziness and imbalance. Experts at the Center teach patients exercises that essentially retrain the brain to “work better” with the inner ear, resulting in continuous and steady improvements.
During the initial visit, patients can expect to gain a better understanding of their condition and learn exercises (typically related to head movement) that they can do at home to alleviate their symptoms. The Center works closely with GBMC’s ear, nose and throat specialists, neurologists, and primary care physicians to help vestibular patients navigate the healthcare system easily if additional treatment is necessary.
Pelvic Health and Prenatal/Postpartum Therapy
Many people—men and women of all ages—do not seek treatment for pelvic conditions, such as pelvic pain, overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, because they are embarrassed or feel that it is a normal part of the aging process. Although these conditions are very common, it does not mean that they are normal. GBMC’s pelvic physical therapy team has specialized, advanced training in pelvic rehabilitation utilizing a vast array of services. Our therapists will work with you to design an individualized treatment plan to address your specific concerns.
