Core Conversations: Bringing Pelvic Health into Everyday Rehab Practice

Dr. Kendra-Lynn Bisconti, PT, DPT, PRPC is a pelvic health physical therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation at Care New England, where she specializes in pelvic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction. She is certified in pelvic rehabilitation and private practice management, with advanced training in pain neuroscience education. Kendra serves as Chair of Spaulding’s Pelvic Health Special Interest Group, where she leads interdisciplinary collaboration and promotes evidence-based practice. She is also a teaching assistant with the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and an active mentor to students and new clinicians. Kendra is known for her clear communication, compassion, and ability to make complex pelvic health concepts approachable and meaningful for both patients and professionals. She is passionate about advancing pelvic health awareness through education and community engagement.

Jennifer Blake, PT, MPT received her Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Physical Therapy at Simmons College. She has over 27 years of clinical experience treating patients in a variety of settings including large teaching hospitals and outpatient clinics. Jennifer currently works at MGB Spaulding Rehabilitation as a Clinical Supervisor leading pelvic health and mentoring her outpatient team in Braintree, MA. Jennifer is also a lab Instructor at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Institute of Health Professions. She completed a year-long residency program in Orthopedic Manual Therapy through the Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 2004 and earned her Certification of Advanced Practice in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) in 2020 and Certification of Advanced Practice in Obstetric Physical Therapy (CAPP-OB) in 2021 after completing rigorous clinical, practical and patient case report assessment through the American Physical Therapy Association, where she is also an academy member.

Melissa Bloch PT, DPT, OCS is a Level III Physical Therapist at Spaulding Outpatient Center in Malden. She specializes in orthopedics, dance medicine, pelvic health, and chronic pain management. Melissa is deeply committed to providing holistic and personalized care to diverse patient populations, with a special focus on individuals who experience barriers to accessing healthcare. Her practice integrates evidence-based rehabilitation with a compassionate, patient-centered approach that emphasizes movement, education, and empowerment. Melissa is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration within the healthcare community and mentoring clinicians in delivering inclusive, high-quality care. Through her work, she strives to make rehabilitation more accessible and responsive to the needs of every patient.

Lisa Charron, PT, DPT is a pelvic health physical therapist with 9 years of experience who specializes in the treatment of pelvic health concerns such as urinary, bowel, and sexual health dysfunction, pelvic pain, and perinatal care. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 2016 and has undergone specialized training in pelvic health through numerous organizations, including the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Additionally, she holds a certificate in Pelvic Health Sexuality Counseling through the Pelvic Global Academy. She is a Clinical Specialist at the Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital in East Greenwich, RI.

Danielle Ferguson, PT, DPT, OMT, PRPC is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certified physical therapist with over 14 years of experience in outpatient care. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from The Sage Colleges in New York and completed advanced orthopedic manual therapy training through a two-year fellowship at the Institute of Manual Therapy. Her clinical practice has focused on both orthopedic and pelvic rehabilitation, with particular interest in prostate health and the treatment of complex pelvic conditions. In 2023, she joined the Spaulding Rehabilitation team, where she continues to deliver individualized, evidence-based care aimed at improving quality of life through movement and education.

Katherine Johnson, OT, OTR, PRPC is an Advanced Clinical Specialist with a decade of experience in pelvic health and chronic pain. She holds PRPC, PCES, and CSOT certifications and specializes in treating pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and prenatal/postpartum conditions. At Spaulding Medford’s Functional Restoration Program, she works with patients facing complex pain. Katherine also serves as a Teaching Assistant with the Herman & Wallace Institute and is passionate about advancing interdisciplinary care in pelvic health.

Meghan McNierney, OT, MSOT is an Occupational Therapist with 8 years of experience in skilled nursing and inpatient rehabilitation hospital settings. Meghan graduated with an Accelerated Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of New England. Meghan’s clinical work has focused on a variety of geriatric populations with a focus over the last 3 years on pelvic health at Spaulding Cape Cod, an inpatient rehabilitation facility. 

Marina Nogueira, DPT is a licensed physical therapist with 15 years of international experience specializing in pelvic health and vestibular rehabilitation.  She is passionate about supporting individuals through pregnancy and postpartum recovery, and integrating manual therapy, movement, and behavior change strategies into her care.  Marina combines clinical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach, drawing from advanced training in pelvic floor therapy, exercise for the perinatal population and dry needling. She is dedicated to empowering her patients and advancing pelvic health through education and collaboration.

Yaling ” Maggie” Shen, PT, DPT is a graduate of the MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and was honored with the Ionta Clinical Excellence Award. With over 20 years of experience, Maggie has worked across a wide range of rehabilitation settings, including inpatient orthopedic rehab, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient care. Driven by a commitment to holistic and interdisciplinary care, Maggie joined the Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Center in Medford in 2017. She currently serves as an Advanced Clinical Specialist in the Pain and Functional Restoration Program and the Pelvic Health Program. Maggie is passionate about treating persistent pelvic pain through a whole-person approach, and integrating physical therapy with collaborative care to support long-term healing and functional recovery.

Jess Zager, PT, DPT, WCS, CSC (she/her) is an Advanced Clinical Specialist in pelvic health physical therapy at Spaulding Rehabilitation. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical University and completed a yearlong post-doctoral residency in pelvic health at Washington University in St. Louis. Jess is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy and a Certified Sexuality Counselor through AASECT. She treats individuals of all genders and sexual orientations for bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction, with a special focus on sexual dysfunction, transgender health, and LGBTQIA+ care. Jess is committed to creating safe, affirming, trauma-informed spaces where all patients feel seen, heard, and supported.