Locations
Watertown, CT
Southbury, CT
Phone: (959) 209-4318
Fax: (959) 209-4336
Voted "Best Physical Therapy" 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022
Maryann Mancini, DPT, OCS
Co-Owner, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Dr. Maryann Mancini has been practicing since January 2010. She graduated first in her 2007 undergraduate class at Quinnipiac University, with the highest scholastic standing of any of her peers. She received the Health Science Alumni Association Award and the President’s Scholarship Award. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Quinnipiac University in 2009. Maryann is also an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association. She is a Certified Kinesiotaping Practitioner as well as an Impact Trained Physical Therapist. She has extensive experience in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Additionally, Maryann has been an adjunct professor of Human Anatomy to the Physician Assistant program at Quinnipiac University since 2015 and has been an adjunct instructor at the University of Hartford's Physical Therapy Program.
Maryann resides in Watertown and loves spending time with her family and friends. She is a sports enthusiast, thoroughly enjoys spending her summers at the Jersey shore with her family, and is always eager to learn and advance her orthopedic knowledge.
Email: mm@connectphysicaltherapyllc.com
Amber Hayes, DPT
Co-Owner, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Amber Hayes has been practicing since February 2013. She graduated first in her undergraduate class at Quinnipiac University in 2010, earning the Health Science Association Award, having the highest scholastic standing in her class. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Quinnipiac University in 2013. She has earned several advanced certifications, including being a Kinesiotaping, Graston and ImPact Trained provider. She has years of experience in both outpatient Orthopedic and subacute care. She provides exceptional care and has passion for the treatment of patients with chronic pain and osteopathic treatment techniques.
Amber is a native to Connecticut and enjoys the New England life style. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She demonstrates enthusiasm about progressing her orthopedic knowledge, but when not learning she enjoys volleyball and running.
Email: ah@connectphysicaltherapyllc.com
Cherie Stankus, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinic Manager
Dr. Cherie Stankus has been practicing since July 2016. Cherie first attended the University of Rhode Island where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Cherie then completed her graduate studies at Boston University receiving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2016. Cherie spent her first few years practicing in an outpatient orthopedic clinic in the Boston area. During her time there, Cherie focused her continuing education on the spine, completing Part A of the McKenzie Method in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. She was also a volunteer with Boston Children's Hospital's program, the Adventure Challenge, which matches children with special health care needs and/or disabilities with trained volunteers to exercise in the community. In the summer of 2019, Cherie returned to her home state of Connecticut and began practicing at Connect Physical Therapy. Her leadership in the clinic and with patients has been impressive and she has served as clinic manager since January 2022.
Outside of the clinic, Cherie has been enjoying the opportunity to spend more time with family as well as explore the beautiful trails that Connecticut has to offer. She is looking forward to continuing her education of the spine through The McKenzie Institute education program in addition to expanding her general orthopedic knowledge.
Email: cs@connectphysicaltherapyllc.com
Marisa Castiglia, DPT, AIB-VR/CON
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Marisa Castiglia recently graduated in December 2021 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Marisa first attended the University of Hartford where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She then attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Marisa was inducted into the National Physical Therapy Student Honor Society which recognizes students who are in the top 25% of their graduating class and who demonstrate the core values of the physical therapy profession. Marisa was formerly a competitive cheerleader where she found her love for physical therapy from being a frequent patient where she saw first-hand how impactful physical therapists can be.
Marisa is originally from New Jersey and moved to Connecticut after graduating from Marist. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog. She also enjoys spending summer days at the Jersey shore and attending Yankees baseball games. Marisa is looking forward to expanding her orthopedic knowledge at Connect Physical Therapy.
Email: mc@connectphysicaltherapyllc.com
Maria Ricalton, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Maria Ricalton earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in October 2021 from Quinnipiac University. She also completed her undergraduate studies at Quinnipiac University with Summa Cum Laude honors, and was a member of the Alpha Eta Honor Society. Maria competed as a Division I athlete in cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track and field. Her personal experiences as a patient inspired her to pursue a career in physical therapy, in which she looks forward to assisting others to get back to doing what they love.
Maria is originally from Northern New York, where she gained appreciation for running, biking and hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. She loves to travel and spend time with family, friends and dogs. A sunset and ice cream is one of her favorite combinations. Maria is eager to grow her clinical skill set at Connect Physical Therapy.
Email: mr@connectphysicaltherapyllc.com
Weronika Lewkowicz, ND
Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Weronika is a naturopathic physician integrating nutrient and herbal treatment alternatives into the standard medical model, in order to provide the most integrative and comprehensive treatment options for her patients. She was born and raised in a small town in Poland, and emigrated to Connecticut back in 2004. Growing up in Poland exposed her to a more integrated medical system where a doctor can prescribe ginger tea as well as antacid medication, which is why she resonates with naturopathic medicine.
Dr. Weronika received a Bachelor’s degree in biology, minoring in Studio arts from Eastern Connecticut State University. She continued on with higher education at the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine, where she graduated Summa cum laude with her naturopathic medicine degree, along with being awarded a Certificate of Excellence in clinical medicine.
Her personal interests include watching criminal mysteries, running an organic garden, cooking, and taking care of all her animals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Dr. Weronika Lewkowicz works hard to find science-based, herbal alternatives to our current pharmaceutical treatments. “I approach disease head-on and run tests to get to the root cause. My goal is to help improve your health and symptoms by helping your body get the basics it needs.” Her approach combines looking at recent bloodwork, making dietary and lifestyle changes and adding in beneficial supplements / vitamins and minerals / herbs. Your body has amazing healing abilities if you support it the right way!
SPECIALTIES
While Dr. Weronika considers herself a family physician, seeing both men and women, she specializes in women’s health (menstruation, PMS, PMDD, fertility, PCOS, post-partum, etc). “I love helping you find your best, healthy self. Whether you feel like you are constantly bloated, fatigued, burnt out, or trying for a baby, I am here for you!” If you feel like you are not getting enough help from your care provider, she is here to listen to your problems and provide additional solutions. While most doctors may not have enough time to address all your concerns at your annual 15-min check-up, Dr. Weronika spends 60min with initial appointments, giving her time to really dive-in and help.
Her other specialty includes navigating the complexities of mental health (depression, anxiety, OCD, ADD/ADHD, ASD). It often feels overwhelming, so let her be a helpful guide in your world. While naturopathic physicians do not prescribe pharmaceuticals in the state of CT, she can offer complementary or alternative solutions to help improve your mental health.
All are welcome! Dr. Weronika is bilingual, speaking both English and Polish.
Email: ND@connectphysicaltherapyllc.com