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The Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine
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Combining passion and knowledge with a hands-on approach to help you heal
The Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine provides focused care in several unique and complementary areas. Its 10 advanced clinical skills team members provide a single source for comprehensive rehabilitation Services.
The center’s Rehabilitation team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists’ assistants with extensive experience and advanced certifications. In addition, the Center collaborates closely with the Comprehensive Wound Center/Lymphedema Center to support specialized care needs. The Center also coordinates 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.
The center’s Rehabilitation team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists’ assistants with extensive experience and advanced certifications. In addition, the Center collaborates closely with the Comprehensive Wound Center/Lymphedema Center to support specialized care needs. The Center also coordinates 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
Linda Abey
Ambulatory Operations Manager
Linda Abey
Linda Abey is an Ambulatory Operations Manager at the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at GBMC, where she oversees outpatient therapy operations and supports the delivery of high-quality patient care.
She has extensive experience managing clinical operations, including scheduling, patient access, insurance compliance, and staff onboarding. Linda is recognized for improving workflows, strengthening communication across teams, and implementing processes that enhance both patient experience and operational efficiency.
Throughout her role, she has led initiatives focused on optimizing front-end operations, addressing complex scheduling challenges, and supporting the integration and development of new clinical staff. She plays a key role in maintaining compliance with regulatory standards while ensuring the department runs smoothly in a high-volume environment.
Linda is a collaborative and solutions-focused leader who values accountability, teamwork, and clear communication. She is committed to fostering a supportive work environment and continuously improving outpatient rehabilitation services.
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 earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology, Business Administration, and Nutrition from the University of New Hampshire, followed by both a Master of Science and a Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy from Simmons College.
She has been practicing as a physical therapist since 2001, with extensive experience in outpatient settings treating a wide range of orthopedic and women’s health conditions. At GBMC, Claudette brings specialized expertise in pelvic floor rehabilitation for both women and men, including the treatment of incontinence, pelvic pain, prenatal and postpartum conditions, prolapse, overactive bladder, and lymphedema.
Claudette has completed Pelvic Physical Therapy Levels I, II, and III through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health, and she obtained her lymphedema certification through Klose Training and Consulting, LLC in 2012.
She collaborates closely with physicians across gynecology, urology, obstetrics, colorectal, and gastrointestinal specialties to support the delivery of comprehensive pelvic health services for patients at GBMC.
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.
Alexander Maymon, PT, DPT, LSVT BIG, CSRS
Alex has been a physical therapist working in a variety of settings since 2018, when he graduated from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University with a doctorate in physical therapy. He is certified in stroke rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, and LSVT BIG for Parkinson's disease. He enjoys treating shoulder and knee pain, both of which are issues he has personally experienced. He finds joy in helping patients improve their function and reduce their pain. Alex believes aging is not a reason to stop doing the things you love. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, skiing, and all things sports related.
Ngoc Gia Tran, PTA
Ngoc graduated from Hunter College with a BS in Human Biology and from Kingsborough Community College with a AAS in Physical Therapist Assistant. Ngoc developed an interest in the Physical Therapy field while volunteering at NYU hospital. In addition, without therapy services for her grandma in Viet Nam, her conditions quickly declined. Since 2020, Ngoc has treated a variety of diagnoses such as post-op surgeries, chronic pain, orthopedic injuries, and pelvic floor issues. Ngoc enjoys helping patients improve their discomfort to be able to perform their daily activities and hobbies. Ngoc always wants to make sure therapy is fun for the patients, so they enjoy coming to the therapy session. In her free time, Ngoc loves spending time with family, doing outdoor activities such as hiking, and making dessert for family and friends.
Natalie Robinson-Donze
Natalie Robinson-Donze graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Assessment and Promotion in 2002. She earned her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2005. Natalie developed an interest in treating oncology shortly after starting her career as a physical therapist and pursued further education, earning certification in lymphedema therapy in 2010. Natalie has worked as an experienced lymphedema therapist at multiple facilities in the Baltimore, Maryland area including Johns Hopkins Hospital. She joined the GBMC lymphedema team in September 2024. Natalie brings her experience, enthusiasm, and calming nature to the Center’s lymphedema program and oncology rehabilitation program.
Frances Ngo
Frances graduated Cum Laude from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She later completed her post-graduate degree from Utica College in 2015. She has been a practicing physical therapist since 1998, with extensive experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient therapy. She completed her Lymphedema Specialist certification through Klose Training in 2018 and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (ACBIS). She has completed some manual therapy courses including John F. Barnes Myofascial Release (MFR) coursework, Kinesio Taping training, and APTA Clinical Instructor certification.
Frances currently serves as a Full-Time Lymphedema Physical Therapist Specialist at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. She brings decades of clinical expertise from working in major hospital centers across Maryland in treating patients with orthopedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary, oncologic, and complex medical conditions. Frances provides compassionate, individualized, evidence-based care to help patients who have lymphedema and/or cancer with other complex medical conditions restore function and improve quality of life. She believes in advocating her patients and works closely with physicians and multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient recovery and wellness. Her passion with specializing in lymphedema and oncology rehabilitation was inspired by years of competitive dragon boating and friendship with breast cancer survivors from the Annapolis dragon boat club and the Baltimore dragon boat club.
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
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.
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