Meet the GT Team

Gregory G. Bruno, DC

Dr. Bruno received his Bachelor Degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, CA, in 1979 and his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from New York Chiropractic College in 1985. Dr. Bruno has maintained a private practice in Connecticut since 1986. He also served as assistant Medical Coordinator for the Nutmeg State Games from 1994-2000. He has lectured extensively throughout the US on disc herniation and sports medicine and has completed an internship at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Shawn Burger, PT

Shawn Burger completed undergraduate studies at Pacific Union College, CA in 1995 and received his Bachelor of Science degree and Masters in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University, CA, in 1998.

He is currently the Vice President of Burger Physical Therapy, Inc and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of 14 outpatient clinic sites that provide physical, occupational and speech therapy to the greater Sacramento area. He is also the Outpatient Clinic Director for the Folsom site.

Shawn has particular experience and clinical interest in ACL, rotator cuff repairs, hamstring grafts and rehabilitation of total hip replacements. He has worked with many baseball pitchers using high level throwing rehabilitation techniques. He also specializes in post-operative and acute injury management.

Justine DeLuccio, MS, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Ms. DeLuccio received an Associate in Science Degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant in 1984 from Pennsylvania State University, Hazelton, PA, and her Bachelor of Science Degree from Long Island University, NY, as well as her Master of Science Degree in 1992. She has served as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

She currently provides clinical services for Physical Therapy Services in Morristown, NJ. Justine has lectured on the subject of back pain and has provided back education seminars for employees of Exxon Engineering Laboratory in Florham Park, NJ, and has published articles in both refereed and non-refereed journals.

Michael L. Dillon, MS, ATC

Michael received his Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training from University of the Pacific in 1999 and Master of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University in 2001. He currently is an Associate Athletic Trainer in the University of Washington Athletic Department.

Prior to moving to the Seattle area, he served as an Athletic Trainer for the entertainment department at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. Michael has also worked for University of California, Los Angeles, working specifically with women’s volleyball and track and field. Following graduate school, he completed a one year fellowship as an Athletic Trainer at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.

In addition to his service at Washington, he volunteers for the United States Olympic Committee as Athletic Trainer for international competitions. Michael has lectured around the country on the benefits of soft tissue mobilization as well as lumbopelvic dysfunction.

Gregory H. Doerr, DC, CCSP

Dr. Doerr received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University in 1994. He graduated from New York Chiropractic College in 1997. He is also a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and credentialed in Active Release Technique. His interest in the management of sports-related injuries and the enhancement of athletic performance gives him an excellent background as a GT instructor. He has served as Team Physician for many amateur sports teams and has worked with several professional sports organizations. Dr. Doerr has lectured nationally and internationally on behalf of Graston Technique®.

Edward Feinberg, DC, DABCSP

Dr. Feinberg received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California Berkeley, CA, in 1976 and his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic West, Sunnyvale, CA, in 1983.

He is currently a Professor and Chairman of the Chiropractic Procedures Panel at PCCW. DABSCP 1995….. and is also in private practice.

Dr. Feinberg has authored a number of papers that have been published in professional journals. His clinical interest is in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder girdle injuries and is present at many sports venues throughout the San Francisco Bay area as both a supervising and treating physician. Dr. Feinberg is revered as a mentor by his students past and present.

Ted Forcum, DC, DACBSP

Dr. Forcum received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Willamette University, Salem, OR, in 1984. His Doctor of Chiropractic Degree is from Western States Chiropractic College, Portland, OR, in 1988. He received his Diplomate from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. Dr. Forcum has been in private practice for eighteen years and is Director of Back In Motion Sports Injury clinic. He is a member of the Post Graduate Faculty at Logan Chiropractic College, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Palmer Institute, Western States Chiropractic College and Parker Chiropractic College.

He was selected by the US Olympic Committee to serve at the 2007 Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ted was also the Medical Director for the 2005 US Figure Skating National Championships in Portland, OR.

Warren I. Hammer, MS, DC, DABCO

Dr. Hammer received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Brooklyn College in 1955. He graduated from Lincoln Chiropractic College in 1958. He also holds an MS in Human Biology-Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. He is a former instructor in Spinal Biomechanics at New York Chiropractic College and has lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Far East. He is well published in the scientific literature and is the author of the text Functional Examination of the Soft-Tissues and Treatment by Manual Methods that is currently in its 3rd Edition. He is a contributing author on the subject of myofascial treatment for Dynamic Chiropractic. Dr. Hammer's enthusiasm for Graston Technique® and his teaching skills make him a valuable member of the GT teaching team.

Thomas E. Hyde, DC, DACBSP

After completing service in the US Marine Corps, Dr. Hyde received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Florida State University in 1973. He graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1977. He received his Diplomate from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians in 1993. He has served as the team physician for the Miami Dolphins, as a member of the Advisory Board of the World Olympian's Association of the Americas and was chiropractor for the US Olympic Committee, Medical Staff for the Pan American Games in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Hyde has lectured world wide and at many Chiropractic Colleges on GT and sports injury management. He is the co-author of the text Conservative Management of Sports Injuries (second edition) and has written many articles for various professional journals.

Matthew H. Kowalski, DC, DABCO

Dr. Kowalski received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Stonehill College, North Easton, MA, in 1986. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from National College of Chiropractic, Lombard, IL, in 1990 and completed a two-year residency in Orthopedics at the National-Lincoln School of Post Graduate Education, Lombard, IL, in 1992.

Dr. Kowalski is in private practice in Holbrook, MA, and was previously on the consulting staff as a Chiropractic Physician at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in Braintree,MA.

He is currently affiliated with the Osher Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.

He has lectured on the subject of spinal orthopedics throughout the United States and has been a guest lecturer for the Academy of General Dentistry as well as Harvard Medical School lecturing on the subject of acute low back pain.

His teaching skills and knowledge of orthopedics brings an exciting dynamic to the GT teaching team.

M. Terry Loghmani, MS, PT, MTC, PhD

Ms. Loghmani received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy and Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and is currently a doctoral candidate at Indiana University. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Indiana University Physical Therapy Program and has been associated with TherapyCare Resources, Inc. since 1994. Beside her teaching experience, she has made many presentations to professional groups as well as television appearances on the Graston Technique®. Her long-standing clinical experience with Graston Technique® has established her as an authority in the GT management of myofascial conditions.

Ralph A. Mangels, DC, DABCN

Dr. Mangels received his Bachelors of Science in Human Biology from State University of New York, Albany and his DC from New York Chiropractic College in 1990. He received his Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Neurology in 1993. He is a nationally registered Electrodiagnostic Technician. He serves as a chiropractic physician with the Chronic Pain Options of Long Island, a regional multi-disciplinary pain-neurology center. He is responsible for the co-management and rehabilitation of sub-acute and chronic patients. His daily experience in clinical neurology, coupled with his interest in rehabilitation, is a perfect fit for teaching the Graston Technique®.

Michael R. (Mike) Ploski, MS, MEd, PT, ATC, OCS

Mike Ploski received his BA in Chemistry from Wabash College, Indiana, in 1984 as well as a Masters of Education with a major in Exercise Physiology from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, in 1986. He also received a Masters of Science from the University of Indianapolis in 1988.

He is affiliated with Physiotherapy Associates in Indianapolis, IN, as an orthopedic clinical specialist. He serves as a secondary instructor in orthopedic manual therapy at the University of Indianapolis. His long-standing clinical experience with GT makes him a valued instructor. He has served as a PT and an athletic trainer for the PGA Tour and for Championship Auto Racing.

John W. Schrader, HSD, ATC/L

Dr. John Schrader received his Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education from Purdue University, IN, in 1972. He received his Masters Degree in Physical Education, Sports Medicine Option from the University of Washington in 1995 as well as a Doctor of Health and Safety (HSD) from Indiana University in 1993.

He is currently Coordinator of Athletic Training Education programs at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, as well as Clinical Professor (CP) for the Department of Kinesiology for the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

John was inducted into the National Athletic Trainer's Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

Jacqueline J. (Jackie) Shakar, PT, MS, ATC

Ms.Shakar received her masters in physical therapy from Boston University in 1983. She is currently completing a transitional doctorate in physical therapy degree at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA. She has been an athletic trainer since 1984. She received a certificate in massage therapy from the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, Worcester, MA, in 2001.

Ms. Shakar has maintained a clinical practice in musculoskeletal physical therapy for more than 25 years, specializing in manual therapy and lower extremity biomechanics including custom foot orthotics. She is a full-time professor at Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA, where she has taught anatomy, kinesiology, clinical orthopedics and evidence-based practice/clinical research for more than 20 years.

Ms. Shakar is an avid runner and works extensively with a number of elite and recreational runners, triathletes, as well as high school and college athletes in a wide variety of sports.

Christos Vasakiris, DC, DACAN, REDT

Dr. Vasakiris received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1984 and his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from New York Chiropractic College in 1989. He is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Academy of Neurology and has obtained status as a Registered Electrodiagnostic Technologist (REDT). He is in private practice in Lindenhurst, NY, and currently performs electrodiagnostic evaluations for two sports medicine clinics. He has been a Teaching Assistant at New York Chiropractic College and was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences at the University of Bridgeport, College of Chiropractic. He has a special interest in patient evaluation from a neurological perspective.