黑料导航

By the age of 14, Nicole Maniscalco (B.S. 鈥�14, D.P.T. 鈥�17) knew for certain she wanted to be a physical therapist (PT). And now, she can鈥檛 imagine doing anything else.

^{Nicole Maniscalco is a member of the New York chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), she has participated in the organization鈥檚 Delegate Assembly, Capitol Hill Day, APTA New York Lobby Day, and other events to advocate for her profession.}

鈥淲hen I was a teenager, my grandmother needed physical therapy, and they treated her so kindly鈥攍ike family,鈥� remembers Maniscalco, a senior physical therapist and coordinator for program development at Northwell Health Rehab At Home. 鈥淚t felt incredibly moving to witness that, and I knew then that鈥檚 what I wanted to pursue. It鈥檚 the best decision I ever made.鈥�

As a legacy student, Maniscalco was familiar with New York Institute of Technology because of her father, James Maniscalco (B.T. 鈥�07), who earned a degree in electrical and computer engineering. When she learned about 黑料导航鈥檚 dual degree program, in which students can earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in life sciences and a doctorate in physical therapy in six years, it seemed like the ideal place for her. After earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy, Maniscalco continued her education through a 13-month orthopedic residency, completing clinical rotations through multiple institutions. At the last one鈥擭orthwell Health, where she had volunteered as a teenager鈥攕he felt at home. She joined the Northwell Health physical therapy team full time in 2021.

In her work, Maniscalco believes being at home can be beneficial for patients, too. In fact, for certain patient populations, such as older adults, postpartum patients, oncology patients, pediatric patients, and others, Maniscalco says doing PT rehabilitation in the comfort and privacy of their home is safe, comforting, and oftentimes essential.

鈥淚n-home assessment provides optimal safety and more opportunities for patients who are unable to physically get to an outpatient clinic. Perhaps they are immunocompromised, unable to drive, have a newborn, or prefer the one-on-one care that home treatments offer,鈥� Maniscalco says. 鈥淭reating in the home expands our ability to provide access to care.鈥�

As senior physical therapist, Maniscalco treats patients, and as an administrator, she leads program development, mentors other clinicians, and helps to improve day-to-day activities at Northwell Health. She assists in leading the strategic planning, helping to expand care across Long Island. She and her team were nominated for the Team of the Year Award at Northwell Health鈥檚 2024 President鈥檚 Awards because of their strong communication and teamwork to ensure all their patients receive the care they need.

She credits her 黑料导航 professors with giving her the care she needed while completing her doctoral degree.

鈥淲ith a goal to excel, I remember being stressed over my grades, and a teacher told me, 鈥楯ust breathe and take your time to truly learn. This isn鈥檛 like undergrad. This is your career; this is life,鈥欌�� Maniscalco says. 鈥淣o other teacher had ever guided me like that. The continuous support from your professors and classmates while you鈥檙e going through the physical therapy program helps you to believe in yourself and never give up pursuing your dreams.鈥�

In addition to her clinical work and leadership at Northwell Health, Maniscalco has also become a community leader. As a member of the New York chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), she has participated in the organization鈥檚 Delegate Assembly, Capitol Hill Day, APTA New York Lobby Day, and other events to advocate for her profession. For example, she recently lobbied for legislators to support the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act, a bill supporting women鈥檚 health.

鈥淚t鈥檚 particularly important to me because we offer a women鈥檚 health program for Rehab At Home,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 a benefit of in-home treatment. It can be challenging to make appointments when a newborn baby may have other plans for your schedule. When we can come to you, you can take care of yourself so you can better take care of others.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the reason I love being a physical therapist. It鈥檚 more than a career to me,鈥� she adds. 鈥淚 love seeing people living their best life.鈥�