Programs in Physical Therapy Alumni Association
The inaugural Alumni Association of the Columbia University Programs in Physical Therapy has officially been introduced. Below, you will find biographies of all our members, along with their respective roles on the Board of Directors. Additionally, you can view an information session conducted prior to the election, during which Dr. Fitzpatrick provides an overview of all the positions. Congratulations to all of the elected members!
Alumni Association Board of Directors
Shanna Rock, PT, DPT, Board Certified Neurologic Physical Therapist
- Chair of the Alumni Association
Dr. Shanna M. Rock, PT, DPT has spent over 20 years in the healthcare industry. For the first 15 years, she specialized in healthcare policy, advocacy, business strategy, and marketing communications. This work was done both globally and nationally while employed at large agencies culminating in leading the Healthcare Division as role Managing Director. In these various roles, she had the opportunity to hone her relationship management, team building, leadership, and operations skills to drive the development, execution, and implementation of communications platforms for patients, healthcare professionals, and the public. Throughout the last decade, she has been a practicing physical therapist working first at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell, and now as clinical faculty at the Columbia University. Her primary clinical focus has been with the neurological population, earning her Neurological Clinical Specialty in 2023. Additionally, she has been actively involved in various teaching opportunities at Columbia University including currently serving as the primary coordinator and teacher of three courses within the physical therapy program.
Shanna is an accomplished leader with the ability to develop a vision, set both short and long term goals to attain that vision, and encourage creative decision-making and solution generation, all with a get-it-done, positive attitude. In the role as Chair of the Columbia Physical Therapy Alumni Association, she will bring these skills as well as her passion for the physical therapy practice, development of current and future physical therapists, and ongoing development of the Columbia community through the resources, network, and opportunities that our graduates can uniquely provide.
James Sinodinos, PT, DPT
- Vice Chair of Events
In addition to being a proud alum of the Class of 2019, James Sinodinos holds degrees in Biochemistry and Social Sciences from the Stevens Institute of Technology. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, an EXOS Performance Specialist, and a Champion Performance Therapy and Training Specialist. He is certified by OnBaseUniversity, Driveline Baseball, and K-Motion. James has worked with professional athletes in the MLB, NFL, NHL, along with Division 1 Baseball and Soccer Players, and marathon runners, and youth athletes. He was founding therapist for a hybrid physical therapy startup company and most recently founded his own physical therapy company, Lifelong Strong Health, where he delivers rehab and training services to his clients in their homes, private gyms, and virtually. James particularly loves to work with older adults by helping them gain strength, balance, and confidence in order to not just improve their lifespan, but their health span! James embraced his role of driving community engagement while working for Kins, which included keeping therapists up to date with company news, product launches, and continuing education events. James also thoroughly enjoyed deepening the social connections between therapists in the Kins community. As a solo practitioner now, James misses engaging with a motivated community of professionals, and would be honored to serve as the Vice Chair of Events!
Marie Frolich, PT, DPT
- Vice Chair of Alumni Outreach & Engagement
Hi everyone! My name is Marie Frolich and I graduated from the CUDPT program in 2021. I currently work at NYU Langone Hospital in the acute care setting, but am transitioning soon to their outpatient neuro and medically complex facility. Outside of work, I am a big NY sports fan, enjoy working out and traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and my adorable dog Augie. I have always said that my three years at Columbia as part of the PT program provided me not only countless resources and opportunities in my career, but also a second family. I had the opportunity to serve as my class president, and I am grateful for the connections and friendships I have made not only with my own class, but with other class cohorts. As someone who prioritizes organization, responsibility, and adaptability, I would love the opportunity to serve as a team member and leader on an alumni committee and would eagerly work hard to help grow the newly revamped CUDPT alumni program.
Amy Cooper, PT, DPT
- Vice Chair of Mentorship
I work in pediatrics with experience in many settings including early intervention, school age home care, aquatics, private practice and work primarily in a school-based setting with children with multiple disabilities. I have mentored DPT students, new grads and therapists in new settings for 14 years, creating a strong network of pediatric all over the tri-state area. I believe that my vast experience as a CI and CCCE as well as my work with the Pediatrics course at Columbia make me uniquely suited to a role in the Mentorship section of the CUDPT alumni association.
Don Wagner, BS, MHA, LFACHE, HFAAMA
- Vice Chair of Development
Don Wagner completed his education at Columba University in 1952 and was commissioned into the USAF during the Korean Conflict as a Physical Therapist. In 1955, during his active duty, he developed an interest in Hospital Administration and transitioned into that field. Pursuing further education, he enrolled in Baylor University Graduate School in 1958 and obtained a master's degree in Hospital Administration in 1960. Over the course of 30 years, Don held various executive roles in USAF healthcare, serving as Administrator in facilities ranging from 25 to 1200 beds. In 1979, he was promoted to the role of Deputy Surgeon General for Operations, USAF. Departing from active duty in 1982, Don took on the role of Administrator at the M D Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He later joined Memorial Healthcare System (now Memorial Hermann), initially serving as CEO at Memorial Southwest Hospital, and then transitioning to a Corporate role as Internal Consultant for the system. In recent years, Don has continued to contribute to Houston's healthcare landscape through diverse Interim Healthcare Operational roles and as a Governing Board member.
