A Rise Above Occupational Therapy Services

Each person that enters the clinic has a unique story, and Jesse’s treatment philosophy is centered around getting to know these stories, as he feels this is integral in the success of a patient’s physical therapy treatment. He aims to address the root cause of dysfunction and restore optimal brain, body, and functional health. Dr. Buggey's research has even been featured in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). Jesse is a graduate of Temple University, earning his Doctorate of Physical Therapy after earning a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. Jesse completed his residency training in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s University Health Network, where he worked closely with clinical experts in orthopaedic physical therapy. He is also a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. Aside from orthopedic conditions, Jesse also has extensive experience and training in treating patients who suffer from vestibular system dysfunctions, vertigo, headaches, balance issues, spine and joint disorders, as well as sports, work, and recreational activity related injuries. His care approach centers on treating each person individually, as every case is one of a kind. Outside of physical therapy, his personal interests include playing ice hockey, photography, playing guitar, telling dad jokes, and spending time with his wife, kids, and friends.

Dr. Meghan Chemidlin, OTD, MS OTR/L, CBIS, ASDCS helps kids, teens, and adults with neurological conditions think, move and perform everyday tasks better even if they feel like they plateaued or never even got identified. Meghan is an occupational therapist who believes in helping every individual reach their greatest potential. She believes that everyone is a unique individual who should be treated that way. Meghan takes a holistic approach to treatment, taking into account every aspect of the child, teenager or adult. Through her own experiences, Meghan understands what it’s like to suffer from a concussion and wants to be there for you as you work together to get back to feeling like yourself. She also gets how kids can fly under the radar or fall through the cracks. She aims to treat every child in a way that makes them feel comfortable and heard. Dr. Chemidlin graduated from Elizabethtown College with a B. S. in Health and Occupation and then with a Master's Degree of Science in Occupational Therapy. She later received her clinical doctorate from Elizabethtown College with a concentration in Trauma Informed Care and Interdisciplinary Autism Support. Meghan is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, a Functional Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, an Autism Spectrum Certified Clinical Specialist and a LSVT BIG Certified Clinician and is trained in both the Alert Program and Interactive Metronome. She has also had the privilege of presenting alongside Kelly Mahler, developer of the Interoception Curriculum and has published with her an Interoception Curriculum for individuals who have sustained concussions. In her free time, Meghan enjoys playing tennis, hiking, eating ice cream and spending time with her puppy.

Alexia DeNardo, MS OTR/L, CFVRS is a dedicated and compassionate occupational therapist who is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals through personalized and holistic therapeutic interventions. Lexi has spearheaded research initiatives aimed at harnessing the potential of smart home technology solutions to empower individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, and aging-related challenges. Since starting with A Rise Above Occupational Therapy Services, she has achieved her certification as a Functional Vision Rehab Specialist and is working toward her Functional Capacity Evaluation Certification. Lexi holds a B.S. in Health Science from The University of Scranton, where a developed passion for helping others inspired her to pursue a career in occupational therapy and receive her Master of Science from Scranton in 2023 as well. Lexi’s expertise lies in developing and implementing innovative strategies that integrate smart home devices into therapeutic interventions, enabling clients to maximize their independence and participation in meaningful activities. At the core of Lexi’s practice is a belief in fostering independence, resilience, and well-being through personalized and compassionate occupational therapy for pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. In her free time, Lexi enjoys being outside, reading, baking, and spending time with loved ones.

Savannah Fehnel, MS OTR/L, born and raised in Easton, PA, is a recent occupational therapy graduate student from Moravian University. Her excitement for occupational therapy began in nursing school, where she quickly made a career change to focus on each patient as a whole. What she loved most about the OT profession was the ability to connect with her patients and truly understand their wants and needs. She values the rapport that can be built with each individual and believes that trust is the true foundation to treatment that will guide the road to recovery. Savannah is working towards her certification as a Functional Vision Rehab Specialist and her Functional Capacity Evaluation Certification. In addition, she is interested in concussion baseline testing and helping athletes achieve their goals. Professionally, Savannah has a wide range of experience within the geriatric population, and more recently specialized in interventions for neurological deficits among all age groups. During her free time, she enjoys CrossFit, exploring local vegetarian dishes, and spending time with her friends and family.

Karly Fitzpatrick, MS OTR/L, is an occupational therapist committed to helping individuals lead independent, satisfying lives. Through the implementation of creative and customized treatment plans, Karly works to help all patients improve in various activities of daily living. Karly received a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from James Madison University in 2021, and then earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Towson University in 2023. At Towson, Karly gained a great deal of hands-on experience through her clinical fieldwork placements, helping her develop a strong foundation in therapeutic practices and patient care. Karly is working towards her certification for administering Functional Capacity Evals and becoming an ADHD Certified Rehab Service Provider. She also has a strong desire to use interoception awareness techniques with those struggling to regulate when overwhelmed. Karly fulfilled a student work placement in outpatient pediatrics, where she developed client-centered goals and group therapy interventions for kids experiencing various disabilities including hemiparesis, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and autism. She also brings skills from JFK Inpatient Rehab where she provided evidence-based care to individuals recovering from significant brain injuries. Her dual experience equips her with a unique perspective and a holistic approach to therapy. ​Outside of work, Karly enjoys skiing, running, golfing and spending time with her family.

Brianna joined A Rise Above in 2024 as our front desk receptionist. She soon transitioned into the role of in-house biller and now serves as our Office Manager, where she combines her experience in both areas while also providing key operational support to keep our practice running smoothly. Prior to her time here, Brianna was a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley. In her free time, Brianna enjoys camping, being outdoors, reading and spending time with her wonderful husband and their 2 boys.