Professional Staff
Peggy W. Brill, PT, OCS
Peggy W. Brill is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy with 16 years of clinical experience. After receiving the “Award of Excellence” she gratefully accepted a scholarship from John F. Kennedy Medical Center which employed her upon graduating magna cum laude from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1989. JFK Medical Center offered diversified hospital rotations that included pediatrics, sub-acute traumatic brain injury, acute cardiopulmonary, chronic pain clinic, women’s health, outpatient orthopaedics and sports medicine. Peggy adopted an integrative treatment approach for assuring lifelong health and has made staying strong and living well a goal for every patient.
Now celebrating an eleven-year business anniversary, Peggy owns and maintains Brill Physical Therapy’s two Manhattan private practices which offer executive services that include two major Wall Street firms - Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse. In January 2004, Peggy completed her Advanced Masters in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from Touro College of New York.
As the proud author of two books - "THE CORE PROGRAM: 15 Minutes A Day That Can Change Your Life" (2001) and "INSTANT RELIEF: Tell Me Where It Hurts and I’ll Tell You What To Do" (2003), Peggy Brill has presented her books and work for the Today Show, CBS Special Report, CNN’s choice for "Unusual People in Business", Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business, California Governor’s Conference, Duke Center for Integrative Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine and Duke University men’s basketball team. Peggy has also been featured in numerous magazines-Vogue, Shape, Prevention, Fortune, Bottomline Health, and Fitness. She has successfully helped thousands to relieve pain and return to the joy of actively living.
Marta Mamos, MPT
Marta Mamos, MPT graduated with honors from the University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Poland in 2003 where she obtained the degree of Master in Physiotherapy. Marta has been a practicing physical therapist in the United States since January 2007 with a focus on orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. She has treated patients in all age groups, ranging from the weekend warrior to the professional athlete. Marta continually dedicates herself to professional development with a variety of continuing education courses to enhance her manual and orthopedic skills. She is particularly interested in McKenzie and Maitland assessments and treatments of orthopedic disorders. She is dedicated to providing personalized, quality care to all of her patients, encouraging active participation in a "joint effort" approach.
Lisa Gemmel, MPT
Lisa Gemmel, MPT, has 13 years experience as a clinical practitioner. She graduated with honors from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology, focusing in Exercise Physiology. She then went on to earn a Master's of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University. She began her career working at an outpatient rehabilitation hospital, where she treated a wide variety of patients with musculoskeletal and neurological diagnoses. It was here she co-coordinated the development of a protocol to treat patients with balance dysfunction. For the last seven years Lisa has worked as a senior physical therapist at a private practice , providing care to patients with orthopedic and sports medicine injuries, as well as post-surgical patients. She has done extensive course work in all parts of the body, with a concentration on lower extremity biomechanics. She is trained in many manual and soft tissue techniques and has experience in lymphedema care and orthotic prescription.
Andrea Minsky, DPT
Andrea Minsky, DPT, graduated from the University of Maryland in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2007. Andrea began her career at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, working in the acute care, acute rehabilitation, and outpatient settings. She has experience treating patients with a variety of diagnoses including musculoskeletal, neurological, and pulmonary disorders.
A member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 2005, Andrea is dedicated to her own professional development as well as her colleagues; be it enhancing her manual skills, providing clinical instruction for students, or by promoting health and wellness in the community by participating in health fairs and wellness lectures.
Andrea is a triathlete, having participated in Team in Training, and also enjoys rock climbing, hiking, winter sports and many other outdoor activities. She is also an avid traveler, most recently, heading into the jungles of Southeast Asia and the Patagonian Mountains of South America. As an athlete and an outdoors enthusiast, Andrea has a well-informed dedication to providing her patients with a speedy return to both day to day and extracurricular activities.
Russell Stram, PT, L.Ac.
Russell received a MS in Physical Therapy from New York Medical in 1999 and a MS in Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City in 2005. As a physical therapist, Russell has had experience in a range of settings, including hospitals and orthopedic outpatient clinics, treating patients following sports injuries and surgeries, balance and gait problems, pain syndromes, and occupational or repetitive strain related injuries.
After completing his training in acupuncture, Russell apprenticed with some of the top practicing clinicians in Tokyo and worked in integrative therapy clinics, where he could incorporate both acupuncture and PT to provide the best quality care. As a long time athlete, avid runner and martial arts enthusiast, he has always had a personal stake in learning the most effective treatments and is committed to educating his patients about posture and ergonomic considerations. He is very enthusiastic to teach about exercises and stretches that will restore strength and range of motion, as well as improve the overall functioning of the body.
Shelly Ambrose, PTA, Physical Therapy Assistant
Shell Ambrose, PTA is a New York State Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Shelly is a graduate of Maria College in Albany, New York. She joins us after working in the Capital District for seven years in a number of settings to include Geriatric Rehabilitation, Aquatic therapy, Women's Health (including pelvic floor dysfunction) and Out patient Sports Therapy. Shelly is also a certified personal trainer through ACE (American Council of Exercise) and has experience with Pilates-based therapy and continuing care from the rehabilitation setting to gym workouts. She is committed to providing personalized and individual care to assist Peggy Brill with patients from maximum recovery from injuries and overall well-being.
Dorota Majewska, Massage Therapist
Dorota Majewska is a professional New York licensed massage therapist that specializes in deep tissue therapy, body integrate issues, trauma and injuries. She attended The Swedish Institute in New York City and has a decade of practice with top wellness facilities in New York. She has wonderful hands for relieving pain and tension.
Donnell A. Henton, Certified Pilates Instructor
Donnell A. Henton, Certified Pilates Instructor, a native of Michigan with over 20 years of experience in the world of physical well being. Certified by the world renowned Power Pilates of New York City brings his vast knowledge to Brill with intent of developing the maximum of body awareness, control and results through the many facets of the Pilates training system.
Ki Joo Choi, Gyrotonics Instructor
Choi graduated from Kyunghee University of Seoul, Korea with a Masters of Physical Education. Choi combines his 20-year Mastery of Qi Gong and bodywork with his 15 years of Gyrotonics creating a unique blend of energy-enhancing, meridian-releasing, joint-mobilizing, and body-strengthening that make him a treasure for athletes, celebrities, and many types of dancers including the American Ballet Theater. Brill Physical Therapy is very excited to add Choi's bodywork and sports medicine techniques to assure our commitment to the lifelong health of all our patients and to extend our post-rehab services for improved fitness.
Lap Tsui, Acupuncturist
Dr. Tsui was a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years in Shanghai, China, where she studied Oriental Medicine and acupuncture along with Western Medicine. She has continued her studies in acupuncture since coming to the United States, and she was licensed by New York State as a graduate of the New York Institute of Chinese Medicine.
She has had great success using her acupuncture in pain management and in the treatment of various health conditions including gynecological and fertility problems. Dr. Tsui is a warm and nurturing caregiver who wishes to share the benefits of acupuncture with the people of her adopted home, New York.
