Meet the Staff
Marika Molnar, PT, Lac, President and Founder
Marika is a graduate of Columbia University, where she obtained her graduate certificate in physical therapy. She also holds a masters degree in dance education from New York University, a certificate in nutrition from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and holds a masters in acupuncture from Tristate College of Acupuncture.
In 1980 Ms Molnar was the first physical therapist to be hired on-site at a professional ballet company to care for the dancers of the New York City Ballet. She is presently the director of physical therapy services to the New York City Ballet and also director of physical therapy services to the School of American Ballet in New York. Ms Molnar is active professionally in a number of endeavors. These activities include clinical advisor to PhysicalMind Institute, rehabilitation editor of the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, and member of the Development Committee of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). Her previous IADMS committee work includes being a board member from 1994-1999, president from 1999-2001 and Chair of the Education committee from 2001-2003. Ms Molnar has lectured nationally and internationally for the past 28 years and has published in peer reviewed publications and also book publications related to rehabilitation of dance injuries.
Rocky Bornstein PT, Senior Therapist
Rocky has been a physical therapist working at Westside Dance since 2001 after receiving her degree from Hunter College. Before become a physical therapist she was a professional dancer for over twenty-five years performing, choreographing and teaching dance in New York and throughout the international community.
Andrea Zujko, DPT, COMT, Senior Therapist, Coordinator of Clinical Education
Andrea Zujko PT, DPT, COMT joined Westside Dance Physical Therapy in 2002. Prior to physical therapy, Andrea pursued a career as a professional dancer and certified Pilates Instructor and managed two Pilates programs in NYC and Chicago. Andrea graduated from Northwestern University with her DPT in 2002. She began her dance medicine career working at AthletiCo in Chicago treating dancers from The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Ballet Chicago. She completed her post-professional manual therapy certification with the North American Orthopedic Institute of Manual Therapy in 2010. As part of her work with WSDPT, Andrea treats dancers from the New York City Ballet and is the lead PT for the School of American Ballet. In 2010 Andrea became the Coordinator of Clinical Education and oversees both the volunteer aide and graduate student intern program. She is a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and has an active interest in the growth of the greater dance medicine community. She has participated in lectures, panel discussions and interviews with the New York City Ballet Wellness Program, New York City Ballet Workout, Pentacle and Dance Spirit Magazine. Her latest project focuses on the preadolescent dancer population and consists of a “Healthy Dancer” seminar series that is currently offered to the younger students at SAB.
Nadia Sefcovic, DPT, CMPT, Staff Therapist
Nadia has been a physical therapist at Westside Dance Physical Therapy since 2006, after graduating from New York Medical College Physical Therapy program. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University in 2002. She is currently working towards her Certificate of Manual Physical Therapy through the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy through Andrews University
Rebecca Blanchard, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Rebecca began studying classical ballet at the age of five and received her pre-professional training at various schools in CT as well as Boston Ballet. Deciding against a career in dance, she chose to study physical therapy in the hopes of aiding the dance community as a therapist. After graduating magna cum laude from James Madison University, Rebecca completed her doctorate in physical therapy on scholarship at Boston University. While studying in Boston she had the opportunity to work as an assistant to the Boston Ballet physical therapy department. Rebecca has been working at Westside Dance Physical Therapy and New York City Ballet since her graduation in 2006. Her knowledge extends into the areas of running and yoga through personal experience as a marathon runner and avid yoga practitioner.
Andrew Megginson, MSPT, Staff Therapist
Andrew earned his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Hunter College in May, 2007. He earned his B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992 and following that danced professionally in New York for ten years. He studied Trager Psychophysical Integration for three years and became a certified practitioner in 1996 and continues to see Trager clients. In early 2000, he studied the Pilates exercise method with Lana Halvorsen.
Dirk Hartog, MSPT, Staff Therapist
Dirk received a Bachelors degree in Health Sciences in 2007 and earned a Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in May 2008. Dirk has been involved with the sport of gymnastics competing and coaching the sport for over 15 years. He joined West Side Dance Physical Therapy in May 2009 and is currently pursing his interest in becoming a certified manual therapist through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.
Cameron L Gomez, DPT, Staff Therapist
Cameron was awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy with honors from the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in 2008. Prior to earning his DPT, Mr. Gomez obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Columbia University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and was the winner of the Phi Beta Kappa prize. Cameron is a former professional ballet dancer. He danced with the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, San Francisco Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre before retiring to pursue a career in physical therapy. In addition to working at WSDPT, Cameron is an assistant orthopaedic lab instructor in the Columbia University Program in PT and is currently working toward obtaining certification as an orthopaedic manual therapist through NAIOMT.
Marimba Gold-Watts, Pilates Instructor
Marimba Gold-Watts is a professional dancer who first began studying Pilates in 1999 to rehabilitate after a number of dance injures. She then went on to complete her certification at The Kane School of Core Integration, where she also completed workshops on Gait Analysis, Osteoporosis, The Psoas, and Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction among others. In 2010, she also completed the Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries (FAMI) workshop, a medical immersion course for movement professionals. Marimba is a graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University with a degree in Art History. She has taught Horton technique in the Professional Division at the Ailey School and at university dance programs throughout the country, as well as pilates at Kinected, The Kane School, David Barton Gym, Peridance, and Ballet Academy East. She has also completed the pre-training for Gyrokinesis and hopes to become a gyrokinesis instructor in the near future. Her goal is to help her clients rehabilitate their injuries and achieve fluid, strong, and articulate bodies.
Kenrick Miranda, Physical Therapy Aide
Front Office Staff
Sharon, Bonnie and Michelle will be happy to take your call to schedule your appointment or answer any questions you have about billing or the office in general.
