Our Team

Tenacious (adj.):
“Persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired”.

We at Leonardo physical therapy are patient care driven. We aim to be tenacious in helping even the most challenging patient conditions. We have a highly skilled and cooperative team of clinicians who share their experiences and abilities with one another in order to make this happen. We routinely meet for skill building sessions. And, our ongoing professional training with certified continuing education coursework helps us to serve you better.

James J. Leonardo, PT, MSPT a graduate of Boston University has been in practice for over 26 years and is the owner/clinical director of Leonardo Physical Therapy.  He is a published author in the field of physical therapy and has lectured professionally and in the community. He has been an adjunct instructor in the Physical Therapy Program at University of Massachusetts Lowell.  In 1999 he provided formal professional training and instruction internationally when he was invited to teach Spine Management to physicians and therapists for a hospital consortium in Gaziantep, Turkey.  Jim has benefited from advanced training in the area of spine, shoulder, ankle/foot and systemic hypermobility problems.  Also, as a former professional musician, Jim has provided unique care and insight for musicians and their related orthopedic problems.  Jim enjoys occupying his spare time doing outdoor activities with his wife, particularly mountain biking and snow sports as well as church work.

Sally Perkins, PT, MS has 23 years of orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation experience.  Sally is well versed in many settings and has experience with hospital inpatient, VNA as well as outpatient settings.  A graduate of Hahnemann University, Sally has advanced training and spinal treatments of both the neck and low back.  She enjoys a good challenge to her skills.  Outside of the clinic, Sally is forever busy with her rhododendron and rock garden, conservation and church work.

Kim McGuire, PT, MSPT Kim Maguire’s physical therapy career began in 1993 when she graduated with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.  During her Physical Therapy graduate work she also became a certified athletic trainer.  Kim spent two years working with collegiate athletes and rehabilitating them so they could return to athletic competition.  She has found that teaching others how to exercise in a way that is specific for their needs is very important and beneficial  to their rehabilitation.   Kim has enjoyed 14 years as a PT, helping people improve their quality of life by reducing pain, increasing function and educating them on how to take care of their bodies through exercise.  She looks forward to many years of continuing to help people and their rehabilitation needs.

Juli A. Hunt, PT, DPT, CSCS joined the team at Leonardo Physical Therapy in 2005.  She began her career as a physical therapist upon graduation from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2001.  Here she received a Masters of Science in physical therapy.  Prior to obtaining her Masters Degree she graduated with honors from Merrimack College.  In 2006 she returned to UMASS Lowell and fulfilled her academic aspirations, receiving a Clinical Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.  Julie has expanded her academic knowledge with special certification in Strength and Conditioning.  She is experienced and enjoys working with athletes of all ages.  Other skills that she has honed include manual techniques to address problems of the extremities and the spine.  Julie is also an accomplished figure skater and shares her talents by teaching figure skating to children of all ages.  When not engaged in her career, Julie enjoys spending her free time with her loving husband, beautiful daughter and rambunctious dog Roscoe.  As a family they enjoy exploring the great outdoors, hiking, biking and going to the beach.

Patience Trainer, PT , MS is a graduate of Simmons College where she received a Bachelors of Science/Certification in Physical Therapy, and holds a Masters Degree in Allied Health Education from Rutgers University.  Prior to working at Leonardo Physical Therapy, Patience worked with pediatric populations at the Professional Center for Handicapped Children and the North Andover Public Schools.  In addition, Patience worked with neurologically impaired patients at New England Rehabilitation and served as adjunct professor at Simmons College and Fisher College in Boston.  Outside of the work environment, Patience enjoys yoga, kayaking, bicycling and time spent in Maine with family and friends.

Michele Capistran, PTA is a 1989 graduate of North Shore Community College where she received her training as a physical therapist assistant.  She has been with Leonardo Physical Therapy for over 15 years and has a wealth of experience in treatment of orthopedic problems.  Michele has strong clinical skills specializing in the shoulders, knees and spine.  Michele incorporates her dancing and gymnastics expertise into exercise programs for her patients.  She is highly skilled in utilization of physioball and Pilates techniques for patients with a variety of diagnosis.  Michele's outside interests include spending time with her family while she enjoys all sports.

James McGloin, PTA, BS
"On November 23, 2007, I celebrated my 27th anniversary in the field of physical therapy.  Yes, that means I'm old.  But I am also experienced with the treatment of many different problems that you may have.  Most likely this is because I've already suffered through many of the same injuries you might have experienced.  I have an extensive background in sports injuries; as a former athletic trainer and soft tissue mobilization techniques.  At one time I had my own business in injury management through orthotic intervention and in massage therapy.  I've coached track and field at the university level with responsibilities for conditioning, weight training, plyometrics and injury prevention.  Here at Leonardo Physical Therapy I also specialize in custom orthotic fabrication, the treatment of sacroiliac joint/low back problems and thoracic outlet dysfunction."

Melissa DiTaranto, B.S., DPT has recently joined our team here at Leonardo Physical Therapy.  She graduated from Simmons College in 2007 in the Clinical Doctoral program in Physical Therapy.  She is currently teaching Adaptive Physical activity at University of Massachusetts Boston to spread her knowledge about health and fitness.  Prior to her entering  graduate school, she received a Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1994 and started her own personal training business shortly after.  She has a passion to educate and implement programs to stress the importance of fitness and health for both disabled and non-disabled people.  She is experienced and enjoys working with athletes of all ages. Melissa is also an accomplished soccer player and fitness competitor and continues to contribute her talents by training fitness competitors and helping children of all ages learn how to take care of themselves in a healthful, safe manner. When not engaged in her career, Melissa enjoys spending her free time exercising, biking, hiking, playing sports and spending time with her family and friends.

Connie Sweet, PT, CPUR, CSHE [Adjunct Clinical Staff Specialist]
Connie is a veteran physical therapist with 32 years of varied experience. She graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy in 1974. She worked for many years in the community setting in home care and as a consultant to nursing homes. Later she worked at community based hospitals in the surgical and medical ICU’s providing chest physical therapy and developing and teaching in pre/postnatal and oncology programs.  Connie received her Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from UMass-Lowell in 1995. Since then she has specialized in outpatient care with a concentration in Industrial Health and the worker’s compensation system focusing on prevention services, repetitive strain injury as well job coaching and ergonomic task analysis and onsite job assessments. She has attended many continuing education courses and uses her knowledge of manual therapy skills to provide comprehensive treatment to the patient.  In 2005 Connie obtained her certification as a professional utilization reviewer and in 2006 she received her certification as a specialist in health ergonomics. Presently she is an independent consultant in ergonomics.