Combining passion and knowledge with a hands-on approach to help you heal
The Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine provides focused care in a number of unique and complementary areas. Its 10 advanced clinical skills team members provide a single source for comprehensive rehabilitation services.
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

Alan L. Kimmel, MD
Medical Director, GBMC Rehab Medicine
Internal Medicine

Alan L. Kimmel, MD
Medical Director, GBMC Rehab Medicine
Internal Medicine

Virginia Moratz, OTR, CHT, CLT
Administrator and Clinical Director
Virginia Moratz, OTR, CHT, CLT
Administrator and Clinical Director of the Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine - Virginia Moratz holds a degree in psychology and is a 1971 occupational therapy graduate of Boston University. She is a renowned therapist of 42 years experience, leader, innovator and educator. She has been a board-certified hand therapist since 1991 and has pioneered in areas such as functional fracture bracing, ergonomics, music medicine, post polio and spinal cord injured. She was trained in lymphedema management at Klose-Norton Training and Consulting in 1998 and has focused a program that addresses lymphedema for patients for reasons of trauma, cancer and obesity. She has a particular interest in moving forward with a GBMC program for children with primary lymphedema. Early in her career, she received the Recognition of Excellence Award, the highest honor awarded from the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association. Her vision is to create and provide comprehensive programs of excellence and innovation in the delivery of care and to model a collaborative, compassionate and accountable service. With this intent, multiple new rehabilitation programs and talented medical, therapy and office staff have been added to the Center. She is also committed to promote opportunities to engage all members of GBMC, recognizing every colleague's contribution and securing a rewarding work environment to retain a top notch team.

Kristen Stamathis
Practice Manager
Kristen Stamathis, Practice Manager
Kristen Stamathis earned a Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University in 2013. Kristen holds a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Management and Leadership Development and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing in 2009. Kristen’s experience supporting and managing the Center’s support staff since 2009 ensures a positive and collaborative experience for patients, providers and visitors. She strives to serve as a motivational leader for the Center’s team by providing support to foster an excellent and compassionate care environment to all of the Center’s patient population.

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.

Angela deBorja, PT, DPT, CLT
Angela deBorja, PT, DPT, CLT
Angela deBorja graduated from University of Richmond in 1998 with a B.S. in Health Science and from University of Delaware in 2001 with her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She obtained her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in May 2009 from the University of Scranton and completed her lymphedema certification from Klose Training and Consulting, LLC in April 2009. After Angie’s experience in inpatient acute care and rehab, wound care, brain injury and lymphedema, she joined the team at GBMC in March 2012. Her past experience in wound care has included pulsatile lavage with suction, selective debridement, inpatient surveillance wound rounds and the management of venous, diabetic and surgical wounds and pressure ulcers. In addition to her expert, individualized approach to patients with lymphedema, her interest, experience and expanded coursework in wound care is a valuable asset to the program.

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.

Michael D. Wah, PT, OCS
Michael D. Wah, PT, OCS
Mike Wah graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy in 1982. He has provided care in all aspects of the rehabilitation continuum including hospital inpatient, sub acute, long term rehabilitation, home health and outpatient. He was board-certified as an orthopedic specialist in 1990 and recertified in 2000. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy candidate beginning in May of 2014. He employs evidence-based care and a wide variety of manual therapeutic techniques to meet the needs of patients with musculoskeletal conditions and soft tissue-related pain. In addition to “hands-on” care, he emphasizes patient education and active rehabilitation programs. He has many years of specialized experience helping individuals with work-related injuries and lends his expertise to GBMC’s Employee Health department.” Mike has received specialized training and has years of experience in treating individuals with vestibular disorders, dizziness and other conditions that can lead to abnormal gait and falls. Through clinical examination and specialized testing, he is able to discern the key factor(s) contributing to instability and fall risk. He is skilled in evaluation and manual treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). He is able to meet the rehabilitation needs of those with vestibular hypofunction, neurologic movement disorders and gait deficits related to musculoskeletal impairment.

Joseph Palmer DPT, OMPT, CSCS
Joseph Palmer DPT, OMPT, CSCS
Joe Palmer graduated from UMBC with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He obtained his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland – School of Medicine. He furthered his education by becoming a certified orthopedic manual physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist. Joe provides unique training and experience in joint assessment and manipulation combined with exercise-based programs to achieve and maintain proper joint health. In the community, Joe focuses on youth injury prevention and management techniques for athletes of all ages.. He develops safe and effective sports-specific testing, training and strengthening programs and contributes to GBMC-offered Wellness Programs.

Emily Wood, DPT, ATC
Emily Wood, DPT, ATC
Emily Wood graduated from Towson University with a degree in athletic training and practiced for two years as Towson High School’s head athletic trainer. Emily followed her interest to expand her knowledge and obtained her Doctorate of Science degree in Physical Therapy from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2012. Her background in sports injuries allows her to assist patients back to activity at all ages and stages of life. Emily enjoys working with the orthopedic and other musculoskeletal patient challenges and intends to earn advanced certification as an orthopedic manual therapist.

Christina Penny, DPT, Lymphedema Therapist
Christina Penny, DPT, Lymphedema Therapist
Christina Penny earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Towson University in August 2009. She later received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in June 2012. Christina boasts outpatient clinical experience, from aquatic therapy and McKenzie-based treatment of the spine to Kincom/Isokinetic operation, vestibular rehabilitation and FCE. Prior to joining the Center’s team, she served as a full-time physical therapist at Hunt Valley Physical Therapy. She also gained clinical experience through Drayer Physical Therapy Institute in Aberdeen, Maryland; Baltimore Sports and Rehabilitation in Essex, Maryland; Active Life and Sports in Perry Hall, Maryland; and Accurate Rehab Technologies in Arbutus, Maryland.

Dawn Roelofs, BSN, RN, WCC
Dawn Roelofs, BSN, RN, WCC
Dawn Roelofs is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is currently pursuing an advanced degree at Drexel University. She has been nursing since 1999. Her career included serving in the United States Air Force. She obtained her certification in wound care (WCC) and is also a Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). After working at an inpatient oncology unit, she moved to the critical-care environment as a staff nurse and an agency nurse for more than a decade at various local hospitals. Dawn joined the Lymphedema Center team in February 2011 pioneering the role of the nurse in the delivery of lymphedema care. Dawn participates in the coordination of care with patients who have complex medical issues and provides patient education on minimizing lymphedema risk. She also enjoys participating in mentoring students. Dawn has a deep sense of community and is often involved with fundraising programs.

David Kitchen, CRNP, CWS
David Kitchen, CRNP, CWSC
David Kitchen graduated from University of Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1998 and has been working at Greater Baltimore Medical Center's Surgical Intensive Care Unit since. He received his Master of Science Degree in Nursing from University of Maryland in 2010. He earned his certification as Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in 2011 and began training in wound care that same year. He has worked as a nurse practitioner in wound management for a year and recently joined the team at the Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine working with lymphedema patients. He is using the knowledge and experience that he has gained from working with a wide variety of patients including medical, surgical, and critical care, as well as outpatient.

Nicka Pohl, BSN, RN
Nicka Pohl, BSN, RN
Nicka Pohl graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1996. Her career has included working as a cardiac/telemetry nurse and working in outpatient oncology. She also obtained her oncology certified nurse (OCN) certification in 2002. She enjoys volunteering, including a summer medical trip to San Quintin, Mexico. Nicka joined the Lymphedema Center team in March 2014, and she is excited to bring her oncology knowledge base to provide care and education to oncology patients facing lymphedema. Nicka loves learning and continues to expand her knowledge through opportunities, such as the 2014 National Lymphedema Conference.
Our Services
- Lymphedema diagnosis and 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.
Read Becky's StoryVestibular Disorders
- 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.
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.
Learn More
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