Executive Team

Dan Rootenberg, PT, DPT, CSCS
Dan Rootenberg headshot
Dan Rootenberg, PT, DPT, CSCS
CEO & Co-founder
Dan Rootenberg is the CEO of Spear, the only two-time National Practice of the Year award winner. Dan co-founded Spear in 1999, working out of a small treatment room in midtown Manhattan armed with a singular vision for combi...
Ryan Kitzen, PT, DPT
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Ryan Kitzen, PT, DPT
Chief Operating Officer
DPT, PT
Ryan Kitzen is Spear’s Chief Operating Officer. He is a licensed and registered Physical Therapist with a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He is a member of the Orthopedic section of the APTA. Ryan received his d...
David Endres, PT, MS
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David Endres, PT, MS
Co-founder & Physical Therapist
MS, PT
David Endres is the co-founder of Spear Physical Therapy and practicing Physical Therapist. After graduating from Touro College with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy, Dave worked for the NYC Board of Education treatin...
Lisa Yirce, PT, DPT
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Lisa Yirce, PT, DPT
Regional Director
DPT, PT
Lisa Yirce is the Regional Director of Spear’s Empire Region. She graduated summa cum laude with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Stony Brook University. Lisa has extensiv...
Austin Afshar, PT, DPT, CSCS
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Austin Afshar, PT, DPT, CSCS
Regional Director
CSCS, DPT, PT
Austin Afshar is the Regional Director of Spear’s Brooklyn region. Austin earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York University after obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science from the Indiana Univers...
Joe Costello, PT, DPT, SCS
Physical Therapist Joe Costello headshot
Joe Costello, PT, DPT, SCS
Regional Director
DPT, PT, SCS
Joe Costello is the Regional Director of our Freedom Region. He received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Joe received his undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Busine...
David Block, PT, DPT
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David Block, PT, DPT
Regional Director
DPT, PT
  David Block is the Regional Director of our Liberty Region. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy with distinction from the New York Institute of Technology. While at NYIT, David received the Benjamin Morey Commi...
Amir Rand, PT, DPT
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Amir Rand, PT, DPT
Director of Talent Acquisition
DPT, PT
Amir Rand was the Regional Director of our Gotham region for five years before transitioning into his current role as Talent Acquisition Director. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy with distinction from The New York...
Jeremy Crow, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, ART
Jeremy Crow headshot
Jeremy Crow, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, ART
Director of Clinical Services
ART, CSCS, DPT, PT, SCS
Jeremy Crow is the Director of Clinical Services at Spear. He received a B.S. in Exercise Science with a Sports Medicine emphasis from Florida State University in 2000, where he was a scholarship Student Athletic Trainer. Jer...
Lauren Carleton, PT, DPT, CHT
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Lauren Carleton, PT, DPT, CHT
Clinical Director
CHT, DPT, PT
Lauren is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Tribeca – Chambers Street location and a Certified Hand Therapist. Lauren moved to NYC in 2010, where she attended and graduated from Columbia University with a Doctorate in Phys...
Ninia Agustin, PT, DPT
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Ninia Agustin, PT, DPT
Director of Performing Arts
DPT, PT
Ninia Agustin is the Director of Spear’s Center for the Performing Arts. Ninia earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware. During her time there, she was the fundraising chair for her class...
Nicole Surach, PT, DPT, PCES
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Nicole Surach, PT, DPT, PCES
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Nicole is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Brooklyn – Williamsburg clinic. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Miami and her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryla...
Ryan Coye, PT, DPT
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Ryan Coye, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Ryan Coye is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Midtown – Plaza Hotel location. Ryan earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University. During his time there, Ryan served as Co-President of his class and ...
Joshua Rieders, PT, DPT, CSCS
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Joshua Rieders, PT, DPT, CSCS
Area Director
CSCS, DPT, PT
Josh Rieders is the Clinical Director of Spear’s NoHo location. Josh received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from New York University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Health & Exercise Science from Syracuse ...
Benjamin Kraus, PT, DPT
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Benjamin Kraus, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Benjamin Kraus is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Flatiron location. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Bachelors in Clinical Health Studies with a minor in Nutrition Promotion from Ithaca College. Benjami...
Tom Barcia, PT, DPT, ATC
Tom Barcia Headshot
Tom Barcia, PT, DPT, ATC
Clinical Director
ATC, DPT, PT
Thomas Barcia is the Clinical Director of our Westchester Armonk location. Tom earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Tom’s clini...
Sebastian Altomarino, PT, DPT
Sebastian Altomarino headshot
Sebastian Altomarino, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Sebastian Altomarino is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Forest Hills location. Sebastian received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Sacred Heart University in Fai...
Donald Squire, PT, DPT
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Donald Squire, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Donald Squire is the Clinical Director of SPEAR’s Brooklyn – CityPoint location. Don earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania, where he also received his Bachelor’s D...
Timothy Caputo, PT, DPT, TPI L1
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Timothy Caputo, PT, DPT, TPI L1
Clinical Director
DPT, PT, TPI Level 1
Timothy Caputo is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Financial District – 70 Pine Street location. Tim earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science fro...
Ashley Rozek, PT, DPT, CSCS
Midtown NYC Physical Therapist Ashley Rozek
Ashley Rozek, PT, DPT, CSCS
Area Director
DPT, PT
Ashley Rozek is the Clinical Director of, and Physical Therapist at, Spear’s Grand Central – 3rd Ave location. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York University and her Bachelor’s degree in Human...
Michael Virgile, PT, DPT, CSCS
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Michael Virgile, PT, DPT, CSCS
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Mike earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science from Northeastern University graduating with magna cum laude honors. His clinical experience includes orthopedics, rehabilitation...
Kate Esler, PT, DPT
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Kate Esler, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Kate is a passionate, patient-centered therapist who received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University and her Bachelor’s in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology from Wake Forest University. ...
Elana Jonas, OTR/L
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Elana Jonas, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
OTR/L
Elana earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Seton Hall University and obtained her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from CUNY Hunter. During her time at Seton Hall, Elana served as a board member of the St...
Patrick Watson, PT, DPT
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Patrick Watson, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Patrick received his Bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Hofstra University and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York Medical College. Patrick focuses on the treatment of orthopedic and sports injuries. Whi...
Jamie Golubitsky, PT, DPT, OCS
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Jamie Golubitsky, PT, DPT, OCS
Clinical Director
DPT, OCS, PT
Jamie graduated summa cum laude with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Drexel University after receiving her degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Applied Kinesiology from Rutgers University. She is a member o...
Michelle Rooney, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Michelle Rooney headshot
Michelle Rooney, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Clinical Director
CSCS, DPT, OCS, PT
Michelle is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Prospect Heights – Barclays location. Michelle attended Utica College in New York, where she graduated from the accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She also com...
Alyssa Reyes, PT, DPT
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Alyssa Reyes, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Alyssa Reyes is the Clinical Director of our Upper West Side-W 92nd St location. Alyssa earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Masters in Anatomy and Clinical Health Science, and Bachelors in Exercise Science from the Univ...
Vivek Sukumaran, PT, DPT, TPI Level 2
Vivek Sukumaran headshot
Vivek Sukumaran, PT, DPT, TPI Level 2
Clinical Director
DPT, PT, TPI Level 2
Vivek received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College, a Master’s degree in Communication from Ioana College, and his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Connecticut. During clinical rotat...
Jeffrey Smith, PT, DPT
Jeffrey Smith headshot
Jeffrey Smith, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
DPT, PT
Jeff Smith is the Clinical Director of Spear’s FiDi clinic at 30 Broad Street. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania where he also earned a Bachelor’s of Scien...
Kevin Zheng, PT, DPT
Kevin Zheng headshot
Kevin Zheng, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Kevin earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College Manhattan, as well as his Bachelors of Arts in Biology from Columbia University. Kevin was inspired to pursue physical therapy as a career due to his athletic ...
Andrea Kwok, PT, DPT
Andrea Kwok headshot
Andrea Kwok, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Andrea Kwok is the Clinical Director of Spear’s West 67th Street location. Andrea earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware. During her time there, she completed a graduate assistantship in th...
Jason Kang, PT, DPT
Jason Kang headshot
Jason Kang, PT, DPT
Pediatric Program Director
DPT, PT
Jason Kang, Director of Spear’s Pediatrics / Adolescents program, received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton. Jason participated in various...
John Mackarey, PT, DPT
John Mackarey headshot
John Mackarey, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
John Mackarey is Clinical Director of, and Physical Therapist at, Spear’s Long Island City – CityView clinic. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health...
Kyle Stupi, PT, DPT, CSCS
Kyle Stupi Headshot
Kyle Stupi, PT, DPT, CSCS
Clinical Director
CSCS, DPT, PT
Kyle Stupi is the Clinical Director of our Westchester – Athlete’s Warehouse clinic. He received his BA in Neuroscience from Columbia University, MS in Exercise Physiology from Long Island University, and his Doct...
Eric Finkelstein, PT, DPT
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Eric Finkelstein, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Eric Finkelstein earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College,  where he also received his bachelor’s degree in Clinical Health Studies with a minor in Exercise Science. Eric’s clinical experience include...
Tom Anderson, PT, DPT, CSCS
Tom Anderson headshot
Tom Anderson, PT, DPT, CSCS
Clinical Director
CSCS, DPT, PT
Tom is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Long Island – Great Neck location. Tom earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree from Springfield College and his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science from Bingha...
Derek Lee, PT, DPT
Derek Lee headshot
Derek Lee, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Derek Lee is the Clinical Director of our Cobble Hill location. Derek received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Oklahoma and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Texas Wom...
Ryan Grunseich, PT, DPT
Ryan Grunseich headshot
Ryan Grunseich, PT, DPT
Clinical Director
DPT, PT
Ryan Grunseich is the Clinical Director of Spear’s Westchester Dobbs Ferry location. Ryan received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from New York Medical College. Prior to that, Ryan attended Colby College in Watervill...
Michelle Dearwater, PT, DPT
Michelle Dearwater Headshot
Michelle Dearwater, PT, DPT
Talent Acquisition Manager
DPT, PT
Michelle Dearwater was the Clinical Director of our W 75th Street location, but now acts as a Talent Acquisition Manager. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University in New York City. Michelle has ...
Named the nation's top physical therapy practice (twice).
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