Staff

Brian is a Concord area native who received a BS degree in physical therapy from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He later earned a CAS in Orthopaedics and a DPT degree from Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Brian spent the early part of his career in Beckley, West Virginia, where worked and assisted in the development of an outpatient Sports Medicine Clinic that provided services to the area high school and college sports programs.

In 2000, Brian returned home and worked for a local hospital as a clinical specialist. Aside from patient care, he worked to establish rehabilitation guidelines for post-operative care of multiple orthopedic surgical procedures. Brian founded Granite State Physical Therapy in 2004 to develop an outpatient physical therapy clinic which offers a full continuum of care for his patients. Brian continues to work with area high schools, including Bishop Brady, Pembroke Academy, John Stark High School, Laconia High School, and Gilford High School.

Brian enjoys treating patients with multiple orthopedic injuries and post-operative diagnoses to include musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the upper and lower quarter and spinal dysfunction. Brian is a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT), American Society of Shoulder and Hand Therapists (ASSET), and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He is certified in Thrust Manipulation of the spine through the SWODEAM Institute. Brian is also a Certified Level III Medical professional with the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) and offers Golf Fitness and Rehabilitation programs throughout New Hampshire.

Scott Underwood was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. In 1981, he graduated from Barrington College with a BA in Biology. In 1986, he graduated from the United States Army/Baylor University Program in Physical Therapy with a Master of Physical Therapy degree.

Scott was stationed at Fort Hood for two years, where he earned credentialing as a Physician Extender. This allowed him privileges for advanced assessment and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions. He later served at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1988-1990 as Assistant Chief of the Physical Therapy Department. He also served as the team Physical Therapist for the Army Soccer Team.

Scott came to New Hampshire in 1990 and worked for Concord Orthopaedics until 1998 when the practice was acquired by Concord Hospital. He served as Director of Outpatient Physical Therapy at Concord Hospital until 2005 before leaving to partner with Brian Verville, DPT, at Granite State Physical Therapy’s Concord location. Over the years, Scott has continued to pursue excellence in the treatment of patients from all ages and interests who are in need of quality outpatient orthopedic and neurologic physical therapy services.

Mark earned a Physical Rehabilitation degree from Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts. While at Springfield he also played intercollegiate basketball. He gained his Physical Therapy degree from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.

Mark has been practicing in the greater Concord area for almost 20 years. He currently treats patients with TMJ dysfunction, cervical, mid back and low back malfunctions, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot functional deficits. He has attended numerous continuing education courses concentrating on treatment for the knee and ankle. Part of his training included orthosis fabrication and implementation.

Mark is certified with the Titleist golf company as a TPI medical golf instructor. He is also the preferred provider in central New Hampshire for the Steadman Hawkins Orthopaedic Institute of Vail, Colorado.

Frank received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Plymouth State University in 2020. Prior to entering the Doctorate program, he attended the University of New England and received his BS in Athletic Training.

Frank is a New Hampshire native who grew up in the Concord area and graduated from Hopkinton High School. Through his own personal experiences from sport and injury, he developed a passion for returning patients to activities they may enjoy. He enjoys treating active individuals throughout the lifespan ranging from post-operative diagnoses to musculoskeletal strains/sprains.

When not in the clinic, you may find Frank covering local sporting events, on the lake, or snowboarding/hiking a local mountain.

Granite State Physical Therapy was happy to welcome Kelly to our team. Kelly brings over 20 years of experience to our group. Kelly eared her BSc in Exercise Physiology from UMass Lowell in 1993. She continued on to her MPT from UMass Lowell in 1995. Kelly has built her Career committed to providing the highest quality evidence-based care her patients.

Kelly has received advanced training in sports Medicine and orthopedics as well as women’s Health, vestibular rehabilitation, FCE’s, ergonomics, foot and ankle biomechanics, and aquatic therapy. Kelly is also a Graston Certified Specialist. Kelly has 16 years of clinical Management experience at clinics in MA and RI. She has worked in and gained skills in a variety of settings to include outpatient orthopedics, acute rehab, inpatient, and home care. Kelly offers a strong knowledge base to provide care for the professional athlete to the weekend warrior and general Orthopedic population.

Kelly’s vast experience as mainly focused on honing her skills in outpatient orthopedics and sports Medicine. Professionally, Kelly maintains a special interest in treating endurance athletes. Personally when not working with patients Kelly enjoys ultra-distance trail running, boating, and paddle boarding.

Melissa earned her Master of Science in physical therapy from Husson University in Bangor, ME in 2006. She was raised in the Manchester, NH area and upon graduation moved back to NH where she’s worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinical setting.

In 2010, she earned her Doctorate of physical therapy degree from Husson University and later joined Granite State Physical Therapy in April 2013. She enjoys treating patients of all ages with a variety of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders as well as post-operative diagnoses.

Melissa is certified in vestibular rehabilitation and is a member of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA). Vestibular rehabilitation includes treatment of dizziness and imbalance, positional vertigo, and vestibular loss or dysfunction.

Kim is a New Hampshire native who started her career in physical therapy as a PT assistant for a decade before she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Franklin Pierce University in 2006.

Kim received her Orthopedic Certified Specialist certificate in 2012. Kim enjoys treating a diverse patient population including neuro, pediatric, cardiac and ortho cases. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time outside, mountain biking, and being with her family and two dogs.

Riley St. Hilaire is a New Hampshire native who grew up in Nashua. She had always been involved in sports, seven to be exact, which peaked her interest in a career involving athletics.

Riley first began thinking about physical therapy after she spent time with her friend’s younger brother who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy; she witnessed his functional progress over the course of a few months and was intrigued and inspired by the possibility of helping others to achieve their best quality of life. After spending time shadowing in various physical therapy clinics while in high school, she decided that it was a great fit for her because she would be able to combine her love for teaching and promoting physical activity.

Riley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island in 2018. She then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Plymouth State University in 2021. Riley joined the Granite State Physical Therapy team in 2021. She is eager to continue to grow as a clinician and to provide individualized treatments to her patients to ensure they are meeting their goals. She enjoys working with post-operative patients and those with various musculoskeletal conditions. Riley is always looking to learn more in her continuing education so that she may be able to expand her treatment skills.

When she's not at the clinic, Riley can be found teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding at the Nashua and Merrimack YMCAs, which she has been doing since she was 16 years old. She also enjoys volunteering with the Special Olympics of Nashua with their ski/snowboard and golf teams.

Bruce comes to Granite State PT with more than 24 years of experience as a physical therapist. Bruce completed a BA in Leisure Services in 1979 and a Master’s in Fitness and Health Promotion in 1985. Bruce then took a leave from the health care field and worked in Corporate Training and Staff Development for Nordstrom, a nation-wide clothing retailer.

Bruce was injured in a skiing accident that required physical therapy, and he decided that physical therapy was what he really want to do. Bruce decided to go back to university and pursue a new career in physical therapy. Bruce was fortunate enough to be accepted to the Physiotherapy Program at Rober Gordon University in Aberdeen Scotland.

After completing the program, Bruce and his wife stayed in Scotland for another year. Bruce worked at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in a variety of settings, including neuro/cardiac, outpatient, care of the elderly, and the surgical unit. They had a wonderful experience living in Scotland, working in the NHS system, enjoying the culture, and traveling all around the country.

Bruce and his wife then returned to Seattle, WA, where they are both originally from to be close to family and settle down. Bruce worked for four years in skilled nursing and then moved to a clinic specializing in orthopedic outpatient and industrial rehabilitation (workers comp). After four years, Bruce transitioned into managing the clinic and treating clients for the next 14 years.

Bruce assisted in growing the business to have 16 therapy staff and 5 front office staff. He says it was challenging and rewarding at the same time. Bruce was able to build and develop strong and lasting relationships with many of the clients due to the extended period of time spent in PT.

In Bruce’s eyes, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a PT is developing relationships with your patients, helping them to improve their lives and get back to the things they love to do in a pain-free manner. It requires a great deal of empathy and understanding of what your clients/patients are going through. Often you are just listening to what they are telling you.

Last year Bruce, decided to make a change and move across the country to Concord, NH. Bruce and his wife both have ties to the Capitol area from when they were young, so it felt natural to investigate new opportunities in NH. Bruce and his wife had an exciting drive across the country with their two dogs and have settled into their new home in New England. Bruce is very excited and happy to be with Granite State PT as he truly believes in the values and mission of the company.

Grace was born in New Jersey, but moved to Montana at the age of 7. She grew up competing in gymnastics, skiing, rodeo, and pole vault, where she learned about physical therapy through her own injuries.

Grace started her undergraduate degree running track at UNH before transferring home to University of Montana to finish her degree. She returned to NH to study and obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Plymouth State University.

Grace enjoys working with all type of patients and loves the variability in GSPT patients’ goals. In her off time, she can be found trail running, hiking, golfing, and reading with her pup, Finnegan.

Abby was born and raised in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and is a graduate of Gilford High School. She left to pursue her degree in exercise science at Towson University in Maryland. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Abby returned home to her family, friends, and beloved Lake Winnipesaukee. Abby worked as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and rehabilitation technician at an outpatient clinic while earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Plymouth State University.

Abby is passionate about health, wellness, and helping athletes to return to higher level activities. Abby also enjoys working with patients struggling with balance, gait, and other orthopedic injuries. Abby has experience working with all ages and abilities and is avaiable to see patients at the Gilford location five days a week.

Sophia earned her Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from SUNY Brockport in 2020 with minors in dance and biology. She then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University in 2023 and joined the Granite State PT team upon graduating.

She enjoys treating patients of all ages and has a passion for helping people accomplish so much more than what they are truly capable. While in school, Sophia spent time studying in Sydney, Australia, focusing on a biomechanical approach to treatment, which she is eager to incorporate into her practice. Sophia is excited to grow as a clinician and continue to learn new treatment techniques to help her patients regain their quality of life.

Outside of the clinic, you can find Sophia trying to hike the NH 48, spending time with friends and family, or baking new recipes.

Kara brings a wealth of experience to the Granite State Physical Therapy team, spanning both clinical and administrative roles. With more than 30 years in the field, Kara's expertise covers outpatient care, acute rehabilitation, home care, aquatic therapy, neurological rehabilitation, vestibular therapy, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. She has worked extensively with patients across all age groups, from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Her approach focuses on engaging patients in activities that expedite their return to previous levels of function, employing a holistic perspective that views individuals beyond their injuries. Kara believes in restoring her patients to a sense of wholeness, enabling them to resume their favorite activities as quickly as possible.

Outside of her professional life, Kara finds immense pride in her family, having raised five children. Kara and her family enjoy athletic adventures, including Nordic skiing, mountain biking, and figure skating. She also enjoys tending to her garden, sewing, and embroidery.