Directors

Donald J. Rose, MD, is Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon and Director of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, as well as Director of Ambulatory Surgery at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. He is Clinical Associate Professor at New York University’s School of Medicine and is the Orthopaedic Consultant to numerous dance companies including Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Buglisi/Foreman, Erick Hawkins, Cirque du Soleil, City Center and the Joyce Theatre, as well numerous dance schools including SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance and the Joffrey Ballet School. Dr. Rose has lectured nationally and internationally and written numerous chapters and papers on topics in sports medicine, dance medicine, and arthroscopic surgery. He is on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science and the Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Diseases. Dr. Rose is the 1997 recipient of the prestigious Documents of Dance Award and received the 2002 University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Distinguished Alumnus Award. For more information, log onto: www.donaldrosemd.com

David S. Weiss, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon in private practice in New York City, specializing in dance medicine.  He is Associate Director of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and is Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at New York University School of Medicine.  Dr. Weiss is Orthopaedist to Mark Morris Dance Group, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Parsons Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Ballet Hispanico, The Juilliard School and, for their New York engagements, Cirque du Soleil.  He has served as Orthopaedist for 30 Broadway and off-Broadway theatrical productions, including The Will Rogers Follies, Guys & Dolls, Miss Saigon, Cats, La Cage aux Folles, Grease and Riverdance on Broadway.  At present he serves as Orthopaedist to Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre, Shrek The Musical at the Broadway Theatre, 9 to5 The Musical at the Marriott Marquis Theatre, and Fuerzabruta at the Daryl Roth Theatre.  He is orthopaedic consultant to numerous other dance companies, university dance departments, dance schools and Broadway theatrical productions.  In all of these capacities, Dr. Weiss works closely with physical therapists, athletic trainers and acupuncturists who specialize in performing arts medicine.  He has served as President (2001-2003), Vice-President (1999-2001), Acting Treasurer (2001), Past President (2003-2005) and on the Board of Directors of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Medicine Association.  Dr. Weiss is Deputy Editor of the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Dance Research Foundation, publisher of Ballet Review.  He lectures frequently on dance medicine, nationally and internationally.  Dr. Weiss received his MD degree from Yale University School of Medicine in 1981. For more information, please go to: www.WeissMD.info

Joey C. Fernandez, MD, is an internal medicine/sports medicine physician interested in the injuries and medical problems of performing artists.  He is Staff Physician at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, and at the NYU Student Health Center, where he practices primary care and nonsurgical musculoskeletal medicine.  Dr. Fernandez completed his fellowship in primary care sports medicine at Cleveland Clinic.  He has provided medical services and event coverage for various professional performing arts companies and athletic teams.  Prior to his medical training at SUNY Downstate and his residency at University of Michigan, where he cared for collegiate dancers and conducted dance medicine research, Dr. Fernandez earned his BA in Music from NYU and performed as a vocalist throughout New York City.  He also studied dance and performed with the Joffrey Ballet School.  Dr. Fernandez continues to enjoy taking dance classes in New York City.

Marijeanne Liederbach, PhD, ATC, PT, CSCS, is a physical therapist and certified athletic trainer with a PhD in Biomechanics and Ergonomics. Since 1993 she has been the Administrative Director and Director of Research and Education for the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Liederbach headed the Dance Medicine Services for The Joffrey Ballet while serving as Supervisor of Sports Physical Therapy at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma at Lenox Hill Hospital and Instructor of Kinesiology at Columbia University. Dr. Liederbach has provided backstage therapy for hundreds of dancers, dance companies and Broadway shows and has authored numerous papers and chapters as well as lectured internationally on topics pertaining to the prevention and care of dance injuries. She is a member of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, the National Advisory Committee for the American Physical Therapy Association's Performing Arts Practice Analysis and the Dance USA Task force on Dancer Health. She is also an Affiliate Member American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a Founding Member and former Board Member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Chair of its Standard Measures Consensus Initiative. Prior to her career in Dance Medicine, Dr. Liederbach danced professionally for many years and worked as a choreographer. Her critically acclaimed work has been shown in Europe and throughout the United States.

Administrative

Leigh Heflin, MSc is the administrative coordinator at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, where she is the director of educational outreach programs including all continuing education courses.  She completed a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2001.  In 2006 she graduated with merit from the Laban Centre in London, UK with a Masters in Dance Science, where she completed a thesis studying somatotypes in contemporary dancers.  Ms. Heflin has danced professionally in contemporary dance companies in New York and California.  She has worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor for the past 7 years and has received 3 national certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.  Currently, she is working toward her Pilates certification through Pilates Method Alliance.

Debra Spina, is the Business Manager for the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.  Ms. Spina earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Pace University in 1978 and has been working in a medical management capacity ever since.  She began her employment at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in 1998 and joined the Harkness staff in February 2000.  Ms. Spina assists in the management of the daily operations at the Center, in particular working with the Center’s clients who are uninsured and in need of financial assistance.

Clinical

Alison Deleget, MS, ATC,attended Indiana University on scholarship as a ballet major before transitioning into athletic training. She completed both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Athletic Training at Indiana University, and served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Indiana University Ballet Theatre during her graduate studies. She is also a certified Pilates instructor through the Pilates Method Alliance, and is a certified Pilates rehabilitation specialist through Polestar Education. Ms. Deleget currently works for the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases as a Clinical Specialist, providing backstage athletic training services for various Broadway shows and elite dance companies in New York. She has lectured at international dance medicine conferences to her peers and also provides injury prevention assessments and lectures for the dance community at large. Ms. Deleget is on faculty at Dance Theatre of Harlem serving both as the on-site athletic trainer and anatomy instructor for the Ensemble Company.

Faye E. Dilgen, PT, DPT, is Senior Dance Physical Therapist at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases where she has treated dancers from a variety of companies and schools. She has provided backstage physical therapy for Merce Cunningham Dance Company and Molissa Fenley and has developed curricula for the Feld Ballet School and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Dr. Dilgen, DPT, received her graduate PT education and DPT from Long Island University, where she has served on faculty as Adjunct Professor of Cardiopulmonary Function. Dr. Dilgen has also served on faculty at College of Staten Island and was a PhD candidate in Pathokinesiology at New York University. Dr. Dilgen has been section editor for the Practical Applications column for the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science. She has presented her research at a number of professional dance medicine venues.

Sally Donaubauer, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist who specializes in Pilates-based rehabilitation and dance medicine.  She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1999 where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.  In addition, she was a dance minor and danced professionally for the University of Iowa’s touring contemporary dance company, Dancers in Company, as well as other local modern dance companies in Iowa City.  Upon graduation, Dr. Donaubauer, DPT, moved to New York City where she danced professionally for 6 years, for several NYC- based modern dance companies.  In 2000 she completed her Pilates certification at the Kane School of Core Integration, and served as a Pilates instructor and a member of the Kane School Pilates teacher training staff until 2005 when she entered the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Southern California.  At USC, she received the Academic Achievement in Basic Science Award and the Order of the Golden Cane Award, which is the highest honor awarded to graduates from the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.  Dr. Donaubauer is thrilled to be the newest team member at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. 

Amy Drum, PT, MPT, received a BFA in dance from the University of Michigan and earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree from Hunter College.  She is a physical therapist at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.  She routinely lectures on dance injury prevention as well as provides on-site physical therapy services to dance companies.  She is employed at the Hunter College physical therapy program, working as a Teaching Assistant.  She has performed professionally with many dance companies and co-founded the New York-based Artichoke Dance Company in 1995, where she continues to be active as a board member and outreach program coordinator.

Marshall Hagins, PhD, PT, attended North Carolina School for the Arts as a ballet major before moving to New York where he danced both on and off-Broadway.  Prior to accepting his current appointment at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, he served as company physical therapist for the White Oak Dance Project.  Dr. Hagins has published original works on clinical topics in dance medicine and has presented numerous papers before the International Association for Dance Medicine Science.  He is currently an Associate Professor with the Division of Physical Therapy at Long Island University and is the physical therapy consultant for the Mark Morris Dance Group. Dr. Hagins also owns a small private practice in the Mark Morris Dance Group Center called Brooklyn Arts Physical Therapy.

Marc Hunter-Hall, MPT,received a BFA in dance from Point Park University and a BA in music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania before coming to New York. Mr. Hall spent 12 years performing in musical theatre including the Broadway production of CATS and the national tour of OKLAHOMA! In 1997, Mr. Hall graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago with a Master of Physical Therapy, and received the 1997 Award for Clinical Excellence. He has served as Adjunct Instructor of Kinesiology at Columbia University and as Adjunct Professor with the Division of Physical Therapy at Long Island University. Mr. Hall specializes in manual therapy and Pilates-based rehabilitation and is a clinical educator at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. He is the senior physical therapist at PT Plus, P.C. in City Center and also owns a small practice, Encore Physical Therapy, specializing in providing on-site care for the Broadway community.

Erika Kalkan, PT, DPT, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who graduated from Temple University, a nationally recognized program of excellence.  Dr. Kalkan, DPT, currently works for the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases providing onsite physical therapy at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance as well as at PT Plus, P.C. in City Center.  She has worked backstage at numerous Broadway productions and has provided physical therapy services for the Paul Taylor Dance Company.   Prior to her physical therapy education, Dr. Kalkan was a modern dancer.  Being awarded the “Promising Artist Scholarship”, she attended the University of the Arts and graduated with a B.F.A. in modern dance performance with honors.  With over twenty years of dance training and performance experience with a focus of various styles of jazz and modern dance techniques, she has had the opportunity to perform in local venues in New York City and Philadelphia as well as with the dance company, Eleone Dance Theater. 

Vanessa Muncrief, PT, DPT,is a physical therapist specializing in manual therapy, dance medicine, yoga and pilates.  She danced and modeled professionally in NYC before receiving her Master of Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.  Dr. Muncrief, DPT, has served as on-site medical officer and anatomy instructor for Dance Theatre of Harlem and has worked backstage for companies like Merce Cunningham, Wicked, and Cirque du Soleil.  She is a Certified Pilates Teacher through the Pilates Method Alliance and is a Registered Yoga Teacher.  She received her teacher training at OM Yoga and has studied yoga for the last 14 years throughout the US and India.  Dr. Muncrief currently works with both the Harkness Center of Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and PT Plus, P.C. in City Center.  She has a small private practice integrating yoga therapy into the more traditional physical therapy model and acts as a contributing health consultant for Woman’s World magazine.

Megan Richardson, MS, ATC,is a certified athletic trainer (ATC) specializing in manual therapy, Pilates-based rehabilitation and functional training for performing artists. Ms. Richardson is on staff at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and PT Plus, P.C. She has provided backstage coverage to numerous dance companies and Broadway shows. Ms. Richardson has presented on issues related to dancer health and rehabilitation both nationally and internationally. Currently she sits on the Development Committee of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science and is a founding member of the Performing Arts Work Group of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Ms. Richardson attended George Washington University on scholarship for dance, where she received her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training. She earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology at Indiana University while serving as the primary ATC for the Indiana University Ballet Theatre. Ms. Richardson has performed with numerous modern dance groups in both New York City and Washington, DC.

Emily Sandow, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. She also provides on-site physical therapy services to many dance companies and Broadway shows. Dr. Sandow, DPT, holds an undergraduate degree from New York University in Mathematics, graduated with honors from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, and completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Columbia. She received the Columbia University faculty award for "Outstanding Student Research". Dr. Sandow has presented original dance-related biomechanics research at dance medicine and physical therapy conferences. She has been a consultant and model for Dance Teacher Magazine. Dr. Sandow trained in ballet and modern dance at the High School of Performing Arts and the School of American Ballet, and has performed in New York City.