Hello! My name is Ryan, and I am excited to be part of the family at Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy! 

I am originally from Sinking Spring, PA, which is located about 15 minutes outside of Reading. I am a 2015 graduate of Wilson High School, where I was a member of the indoor drumline and played baseball. I played shortstop and 2nd base mostly my entire career, from T-ball to travel ball to high school baseball. Can anyone guess which position I played in college? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

Initially, I was set on becoming an engineer until I realized how much math I would have to do (no thanks). My passion for physical therapy began when my dad tore his 2nd rotator cuff in a span of 2 years. I saw firsthand the pain and struggles he went through during this challenging time. More importantly, I got to watch him regain the function of his shoulders with the help of physical therapy! This led me to Lebanon Valley College, where I received my Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science in 2019 and my Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2021. 

During my time at LVC, I had the privilege of being part of the baseball team, where I became a sidearm pitcher! Did anyone guess correctly? Following my 4 years of eligibility, I stuck around and became a graduate assistant coach for my final 2 years of school. Fun fact: I have never had any serious injuries while playing baseball, but in 2 years of coaching, I got hit in the face by a baseball not once but twice! I had 3 stitches put in my left eyebrow the first time and 1 stitch put in my upper lip on the second occasion. Needless to say, I have retired from playing and coaching baseball for the foreseeable future! Time to focus on my golf game!

Speaking of sports, I am a huge Philadelphia sports fanatic. My favorite teams are the Flyers and the Phillies, but I enjoy watching all 4 of the major sports teams! If you get me started on the topic, you will most likely listen to me complain about these 4 points that I think all Philadelphia sports fans can agree on:

1.The never-ending struggles of the Phillies bullpen 

2.The Flyers hot/cold streaks and lack of goaltending

3.The never-ending injuries to Eagles players

4.The Sixers “process” that I’ve lost trust in 

My time at LVC also gave me the best gift I could ask for, my wonderful girlfriend! Another fun fact: my girlfriend and I became good friends during our first graduate school course, cadaver lab, where we were placed in the same lab group. When people ask how we met, we like to say that we “met over a dead body” (Ha-ha). My girlfriend is also a Doctor of Physical Therapy and works at Helen M. Simpson rehab hospital in Harrisburg! 

I completed my final clinical rotation with Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy at the Harrisburg clinic, and I am excited to join the team in Hershey full-time! I am very passionate about hands-on, manual therapy, and I am looking forward to healing you naturally and helping you achieve your goals!

Some quick facts about me:

• I have been to 6 Caribbean islands.
• I have been to 10 different MLB stadiums. My goal is to attend a game at all 30!
• I used to play the drums and currently dabble in guitar.
• I like to cook (sometimes).
• I enjoy drawing.
• My girlfriend proof-read this before I submitted it.

One of my fondest memories as a child was summer swimming at the community pool. Growing up in Harleysville, PA (outside of Philadelphia) I was shy and hesitant to try new things. But, there was something about crazy hat and tie-dye tee shirt day, hot heats, donut day and the overall team camaraderie, that made Towamencin Swim Team exceptional. Once I was hooked, I actually learned to love the competition and discipline that came along with swimming.

The sport went on to influence my studies. In high school, I took interest in physical therapy when I assisted my neighbor with her doctoral study on swimmers’ shoulders. I could not think of a more interesting job than being able to help swimmers prevent injury or regain full physical capability. Although I do not work with swimmers every day, I am now able to translate my years of PT training and knowledge of exercise to help people return to what they love to do.

I have been working at Madden Physical Therapy since 2017 and I love being a part of the Madden Physical Therapy family. In June 2020 (in the middle of the pandemic), I married my college sweetheart, Christian. In the spring of 2021, I became the clinical director at Madden and Gilbert Physical Therapy in Hershey, PA. I am excited to help people in the Hershey community to get back to normal naturally, without injections, medications, or surgeries. In addition to being a physical therapist, I help teach the hands-on techniques that we do everyday to physical therapists around the country through Breakthrough Manual Therapy and to final year PT doctoral students through the Manual Therapy Elective at Lebanon Valley College. Though I am teaching, I am also always striving to learn. I became a Certified Manual Physical Therapist in 2020 through NAIOMT and am now training for my Fellowship of Orthopedic Manual Therapy.

When you meet me, you will realize I’m no longer the shy person I was as a small child. People often say I’m a little too peppy in the morning, but there’s no hope in changing that after 15 years of swimming at the crack of dawn!

Fun Facts:

• I help coach the Lebanon Valley College swim team.
• I love research and research to discover the best treatment options.
• I have a published drawing in a physical therapy book.
• I love to be active, whether I am just lifting weights, swimming, or hiking.
• I enjoy painting (oil painting is my favorite) and expressing myself artistically.
• I am just about always cold.
• My favorite color is purple.
• I am half Japanese and half German—my grandparents were in Arizona internment camps during WWII.
• My husband and I have a running tally of board game wins/losses—I have mastered my winning dance.