Physical Therapy Services
Our Staff
Rockville – Shady Grove Location
Katie Mills, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Katie Mills graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Elementary Education. After graduation, she served as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County and enjoyed working with children of different ages. She soon realized that her true passion was helping people and decided to return to school to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She entered a DPT program at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During graduate studies, she gained physical therapy experience in a variety of clinical settings, including orthopedics, in-patient, and school-based therapy.
After achieving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017, Katie moved back to the area to be close to her family and pursue a full-time physical therapy career. In her practice, she strives to be a comprehensive diagnostician and clinician and to provide her patients with the best care, utilizing an individualized plan of care for every patient. She uses a variety of treatments, including manual techniques, patient education, neuromuscular re-education, and therapeutic exercises, to achieve optimal outcomes for patients.
While working with Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Katie has further expanded her knowledge and treatment skills through continuing education, including in the use of manual trigger point release and other manual treatment techniques, which are integral components of her practice. Additionally, she achieved certification in Dry Needling from Myopain Seminars and utilizes this practice in her treatment of patients with a variety of neuromuscular, myofascial, and sensitization conditions.
I came to ARTS on the recommendation of my rheumatologist for my arthritis; in particular my right hip pain. As I moved from eval to treatment and home exercises, Katelyn always met me where I was. As I noted my progress, and learned about my body, she was “with me” all the way. Together, we saw progress and what needed more work. I was always supported and encouraged in my P.T. She and all the staff are warm and friendly. I received very useful instructions also from Darcy, Kwesi and Brendan. And I heard realistic info and nothing ‘sugar-coated’. Thank you all!
Sara H. (Patient)
Rockville – Shady Grove Location
Alex Thompson, PT, DPT
Dr. Alex Thompson received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Salisbury University in 2016. After completing undergraduate studies, he returned home to Gaithersburg, MD and joined Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates’ physical therapy team in the Rockville location, where he worked as a physical therapist aide for 3 years, gaining invaluable physical therapy experience prior to pursuing graduate studies. He then went on to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022.
Alex rejoined Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates’ physical therapy team, returning to the Rockville office, where he now applies his experience and expertise in biomechanics as a physical therapist. In his physical therapy practice, in the outpatient rehabilitative setting, Alex has cared for patients of diverse populations with a variety of acute and chronic disorders, mechanisms of injury, and pain conditions. He utilizes manual therapy techniques, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise prescription, and other evidence-informed treatment strategies, as well as education of patients on their conditions and treatment strategies, to effectively treat patients with a wide range of conditions spanning the degrees of chronicity, from acute injury to degenerative joint disease, arthritic conditions, and chronic pain diagnoses. He employs thorough movement analysis and evaluation techniques to identify the root causes of his patient’s pain and dysfunction and creates specialized plans of care and therapeutic exercise programs that are individualized to his patient and tailored to address the patient’s specific physical impairments, with goals of relieving pain, empowering his patient with the tools to independently manage their condition, and helping his patient to achieve functional independence and improve performance in activities of daily living, leisure activities, or sport.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys playing golf, spending time with family, and trying as many types of exotic foods as possible.
Chevy Chase Location
Danya Czarnolewski, PT, DPT
Dr. Danya Czarnolewski graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In her time as a physical therapist, she has practiced in a variety of settings, including the ICU, step-down unit, and outpatient orthopedic.
Danya enjoys treating patients of all ages and populations and has special interest in working with burn survivors, geriatric patients, and patients with various orthopedic conditions. She has expanded her practice with Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, effectively caring for a wide variety of patient populations, including those with arthritic, myofascial, and chronic pain conditions and orthopedic dysfunction and injury.
In helping her patients achieve their goals, she utilizes plans of care individualized for each patient, including therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, and manual therapy techniques to correct postural and muscular imbalances that cause dysfunction. Empowering patients through education on their conditions and treatment strategies is extremely important to her. She strives to clearly explain rehabilitation concepts and encourages patients to ask questions and provide feedback about their care, so that patients become active participants in their recovery.
In her free time, Danya enjoys working out, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
“I came in with shoulder and upper arm pain, Danya did a very thorough evaluation and instituted a plan for in-office therapy and at-home exercises. I saw improvement fairly quickly… Danya is very good at what she does. Very knowledgeable and has a good temperament for the job. The information/knowledge gained from Danya about how my arm/shoulder/body works and how to improve it (was most valuable).”
Anita R (Patient)
Chevy Chase Location
Gabrielle Dy, PT, DPT
Dr. Gabrielle Dy earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland College Park and proceeded to obtain her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Marist College in New York.
While completing her doctoral studies, Gabby gained valuable clinical experience providing care to adults with various neurological, musculoskeletal, and orthopedic conditions as well as pediatric patients with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and traumatic/acute brain and spinal cord injuries. She became particularly passionate about providing care to those with various chronic and degenerative conditions, including neurocognitive disorders, and devoted her time engaging with community health programs serving and providing resources and care to these patients. In her practice with Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, she continues to apply her experience and passion for patient care in the treatment of a diverse patient population with a wide variety of diagnoses, including arthritic, orthopedic, neurological, musculoskeletal, and chronic pain conditions.
Gabby’s experience caring for a wide range of patient populations and exposure to various conditions affecting patients across the lifespan shaped her treatment philosophy and approach to providing physical therapy care, viewing each patient individually and in their entirety and not merely treating the patient’s infirmity, but thoughtfully developing and conducting more holistic plans of care that consider the patient’s goals and interests and incorporate aspects of rehabilitation that are important to the individual. Gabby believes that a person’s progress is hinged on multiple factors, not only on their physical capacities. Her lighthearted and warm approach in treatment sessions boosts her patient’s motivation, which inspires greater collaboration and maximizes patient outcomes. By integrating holistic care with evidence-based techniques, she works collaboratively with her patients, leveraging her knowledge to create personalized treatment plans that address their overall health and quality of life.
In her free time, Gabby loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, hiking, and being the best caretaker to a highly active Mini Australian Shepherd named Blu.
DC Location
Jordan Arbuckle, PT, DPT
Dr. Jordan Arbuckle grew up in Northern Virginia and has spent most of her life in the Washington, DC area. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 2019 and then went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Shenandoah University in 2022.
Jordan has practiced physical therapy in a variety of clinical and rehabilitative settings, providing specialized care to patients across the spectrum of functional levels and with a diverse range of medical conditions and physical limitations. During her practice of home-based physical therapy with a geriatric-focused patient population, she gained invaluable experience developing individualized plans of care and tailoring therapeutic exercise programs, often with limited resources available in patients’ homes, to assist patients in improving safety and function for basic activities of daily living. While practicing sports-oriented physical therapy in a rehabilitative facility, she melded her expertise in strengthening and conditioning as a certified personal trainer with her specialized knowledge of biomechanics as a physical therapist to assist athletes of various skill levels in return to function and competition.
Jordan began practicing with Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services in the Chevy Chase office, and later transitioned her practice to the Washington, DC location, where she applies her expertise into the development and implementation of creative and comprehensive plans of care and therapeutic exercise programs to treat a wide-ranging patient population of all ages and functional levels and with various conditions and diagnoses. She utilizes different treatment methods, including manual therapy techniques, trigger point dry needling, and prescription of progressive therapeutic exercise programs, and emphasizes education of her patients on their conditions and self-treatment strategies to assist them in reducing pain, improving function, and achieving independence in symptom management and higher-level function. Jordan is passionate about empowering her patients, whether coping with hypermobility syndrome, arthritis diagnoses, or other chronic pain conditions or striving to return to leisure activities or athletics, to realize their true potential through movement and exercise. Jordan creates individualized treatment plans and exercise programs unique to each patient, using a blend of her physical therapy and personal training expertise, to help patients get back to doing what they love pain-free!
In her free time, Jordan enjoys activities outdoors, such as hiking, kayaking, and running around DC. She is also an avid weightlifter and a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles (Go Birds!).
DC Location
Nicholas (Nick) McGarry, PT, DPT
Nicholas (Nick) McGarry grew up in southeast Pennsylvania and spent an almost equal amount of time on the coast of New Jersey. He completed his undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. He subsequently achieved his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. During his graduate-level clinical rotations, he gained significant experience in different clinical settings, including outpatient orthopedics, acute care, and inpatient rehabilitation. In his career as a licensed physical therapist before joining Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, he gained extensive experience practicing in Pennsylvania and Virginia in various clinical environments, including SNIF, outpatient orthopedics, and sports and performance rehabilitation, which allowed him to hone his evaluative and clinical treatment skills in caring for patients with a wide variety of diagnoses and conditions and at different stages of the rehabilitation process.
Dr. McGarry’s diverse background and clinical experience provide him with the tools to effectively treat a variety of patient populations, including patients with chronic pain, as well as neurologic, neuromuscular, and orthopedic diagnoses. He incorporates functional myofascial trigger point dry needling into his patient’s plan of care as appropriate to address myofascial, neuromuscular, and sensitization conditions, having advanced his clinical practice with certification in Functional Dry Needling 1 through the esteemed Myopain Seminars. While providing skilled manual treatment and exercise instruction to improve his patient’s mobility and mechanics, Nick’s treatment approach emphasizes patient education to empower patients to independently manage and improve their conditions and make long-term, sustainable changes. Nick effectively strives to break down complex diagnoses into their component parts to facilitate patient understanding and success in rehabilitation.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time on the water, especially with friends and family.
Eunice Ahn, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Eunice Ahn is a native of the Montgomery County area. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She then earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. During her clinical rotations, she gained experience in a variety of settings, including outpatient orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation, inpatient cardiac rehabilitation, and surgical oncology rehabilitation.
In her years practicing physical therapy at Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Eunice has expanded her skill in treating a variety of patient populations, including patients suffering from acute and chronic pain conditions, general orthopedic and post-operative diagnoses, and balance and vestibular disorders. She believes in a holistic approach and will work with her patients to find the root cause of the pain, rather than treat just the symptoms. Eunice has her certification as a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT) through Myopain Seminars and uses dry needling in her practice to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction.
Outside of work, Eunice loves to find good eats in the DMV area. She also enjoys working out at the gym and playing with her dogs.
Rockville – Calhoun Place Location
Chun Yin Jethro Mak, PT, DPT
Dr. Jethro Mak completed his undergraduate studies at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. He enrolled in WVU Honors College and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology with Summa Cum Laude honors. He later earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD.
Jethro has experience practicing physical therapy in various clinical settings, including outpatient orthopedic, inpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facilities. He enjoys working with patients of all ages, as well as a variety of orthopedic and neurological conditions. Jethro believes it is important to develop customized rehabilitation programs, provide appropriate education, and utilize various treatment techniques to help patients achieve their best possible outcomes and prevent future injuries.
As a clinician, Jethro is certified in LSVT BIG, an evidence-based, intensive treatment program that helps people with Parkinson’s disease to improve mobility and function in activities of daily living. He has honed his treatment skills and methods through continued education focused on orthopedic physical therapy in his years practicing at Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services. Jethro is a strong believer in use of the Maitland approach, an evidence-based manual therapy technique, in treating his patients with various musculoskeletal issues.
Jethro grew up in Hong Kong and is a native speaker of Cantonese and Mandarin. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hiking, playing piano, traveling, and learning different cultures. His personal motto is to “rest in the highest excellence”.
Chevy Chase Location
Brooke Merriwether, PT, MPT
Brooke Merriwether obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science in 1999 and then went on to earn her Master of Physical Therapy degree in 2001, both from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She started her clinical practice in the outpatient physical therapy setting caring for a diverse population of patients, with specialization in sports medicine and orthopedic care. She cared for athletes at all levels of skill and competition, including recreational, NCAA Division I, and professional. During that time, she would also develop rehabilitation treatment protocols, in collaboration with local orthopedic surgeons, to more effectively treat patients undergoing complex shoulder surgeries, which led to standardization of treatment and improved clinical outcomes.
Brooke has gained extensive and invaluable experience over many years of clinical practice providing care to patients with a wide range of conditions and diagnoses. In March 2025, Brooke completed Johns Hopkins’ Orthopedic Physical Therapy Certificate Program, further expanding her expertise in orthopedic physical therapy. She excels in caring for patients with musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, chronic pain syndromes, and post-surgical conditions. She is dedicated to developing patient-specific plans of care and providing individualized treatment to her patients using therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques, in order to help her patients regain function, reduce pain, and restore quality of life. Brooke is passionate about educating her patients on their injuries and empowering them with strategies for self-management, so that patients may play an integral part in reaching their rehabilitation goals.
White Oak (White Oak office to open in early 2026).
Currently practicing at Rockville – Shady Grove
John Stasko, PT, MPT
John Stasko earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University in 1991. After several years working in corporate accounting, he transitioned to a career in physical therapy, obtaining a Master of Physical Therapy degree from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA in 1998.
Throughout his career, John has gained extensive clinical experience practicing across a range of settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), and home health care. He holds advanced certifications in ergonomics and clinical instruction and has served as a clinical instructor within an inpatient SNF, mentoring students and fostering professional development. John has also held leadership roles, serving as clinic director for an outpatient facility. In 2025, John was recognized with an Innovation Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for his design of a novel therapeutic chair.
John’s treatment philosophy is holistic, integrating both manual therapy and exercise-based techniques to assist his patient in achieving therapeutic goals. He believes that listening to the patient is the cornerstone of effective care and that providing patients the space to express their needs, concerns, fears, and goals can open the door to meaningful progress and recovery.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with family and friends and stays active by practicing what he preaches, maintaining his own physical wellness through regular exercise.
White Oak (White Oak office to open in early 2026).
Currently practicing at Rockville – Calhoun Place
Julie Rajasekaran, PT, DPT
Dr. Julie Rajasekaran earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from M.G.R. Medical University, India in 2006. Following graduation, she practiced physical therapy in a multispecialty hospital in Dubai, where she gained extensive experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. During her tenure there, Julie treated patients of a wide range of cases, including those in post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, neurological recovery, trauma management, and burn care. Those early years provided her a strong foundation in treating diverse conditions and a deep appreciation for how personalized care can make a real difference in people’s lives.
In 2015, Julie moved to the United States and went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Montana. Since then, she has practiced in a variety of outpatient physical therapy clinics, helping patients of all ages to reduce pain, restore mobility, strength, and confidence in their daily lives, and return to the activities they love most. Julie also completed her training for certificationinMyofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling, which she integrates into her treatment approach to relieve pain, improve muscle function, and enhance overall movement quality. Julie is passionate about providing her patients individualized, evidence-based care and empowering her patients to achieve their optimal functional potential.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys staying active, spending time with family, and continuing to learn new techniques to better serve patients.
Calhoun Place Location
Katerina (Katka) Vlckova, PT, MSPT
Katerina (Katka) Vlckova’s journey into healing began with a deep curiosity about how the body works. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences in 2003 from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD, where her fascination with anatomy and physiology took root. This passion led her to pursue a Master of Physical Therapy degree, which she earned from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 2007.
Since then, Katka has cared for patients in outpatient orthopedic and sports physical therapy clinics in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, MD. Her approach is gentle, thoughtful, and deeply effective. She is trained in the Maitland-Australian Approach to manual therapy, a precise and sensitive method particularly effective in treatment and management of chronic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. Katka is also skilled in treating patients with vestibular disorders and headaches, and she integrates functional dry needling into her practice to ease tension, reduce inflammation, and restore circulation and neuromuscular function.
What sets Katka apart is her commitment to understanding the why behind each patient’s pain or limitation. She looks beyond symptoms to uncover root causes, helping clients realign not only their bodies but also their relationship with movement and healing. Whether supporting patients through chronic pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, or joint hypermobility, Katka creates a rehabilitative space that is safe, empowering, and attuned to each individual’s needs.
Originally from the Czech Republic, Katka lives in Rockville, MD with her two teenage daughters. She maintains the same nurturing, grounded energy in her physical therapy practice that she brings to her family. In addition to English, she speaks Russian and some Spanish, allowing her to connect with a diverse community seeking compassionate, expert care.
White Oak (White Oak office to open in early 2026).
Currently practicing at Chevy Chase
Sergio Madrid, PT, DPT
Dr. Sergio Madrid grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia and completed his undergraduate studies at Eastern Mennonite University, achieving a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in 2017. He would go on to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia in 2022. Sergio moved to Northern Virginia in 2023, where his practice of outpatient physical therapy included specialization in orthopedics and vestibular and balance rehabilitation.
Sergio joined Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services in 2025, bringing his extensive experience and skill in treating active adults of all ages with general orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain syndromes and conditions, and vestibular disorders, as well as the geriatric population and those with balance disorders and heightened fall risk. He has special interest in treating patients with general orthopedic cases, focusing on improving strength, joint mobility, and function in areas of musculoskeletal limitation and alleviating pain. He believes in employing a comprehensive treatment approach that combines manual, hands-on therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and patient education to achieve positive outcomes and meet his patient’s goals. He is passionate about empowering patients with tools to improve their quality of life, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise for a healthy lifestyle, and assisting his patient in return to exercise and physical activity as a tool for symptom management.
Outside of clinic, Sergio’s hobbies include weightlifting, watching baseball, and hiking. He also enjoys exploring new food and hangout spots in Washington, DC as well as nearby parks and trails in Northern Virginia. Sergio is also fluent in Spanish.