Meet the team

Dr. Reilley, owner of Reilley Physical Therapy, is a NYS licensed Physical Therapist with a passion for helping aging adults maximize their quality of life and age optimally. She has 6 years of experience working with the geriatric population in the hospital, home care and outpatient physical therapy settings prior to launching Reilley Physical Therapy in September 2020. In addition to her experience working as a PT, she has extensive experience working as an exercise professional in several different medical and fitness settings offering classes, personal training and group coaching to older adults including working for SUNY Upstate Medical as an Exercise Physiologist prior to her PT career. She specializes in working with older adult patients with functional mobility, balance and gait limitations that are associated with a wide range of cardiopulmonary, neurological, oncological and orthopedic conditions. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Cardiopulmonary and Geriatric Sections. She serves as a Clinical Liaison for the APTA Geriatric Section Balance and Falls Special Interest Group locally on The Tompkins County Long Term Care Committee and the Fall Prevention Task Force and has been a leader in organizing and offering community-based fall risk screenings and fall prevention programs in the community. She has presented regionally and nationally on topics related to balance, frailty, COPD and older adult fitness.

Education:

• Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Upstate Medical University (2014)
• Masters in Science: Exercise Science (2011)
• Bachelors in Science: Kinesiology and Fitness Development (2007)

Certifications:

• APTA Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)
• Certified FallProof! Balance and Mobility Master Instructor
• Certified American Council of Exercise Group Fitness Instructor
• Certified Otago Balance Exercise Program Instructor

Amanda Reilley graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wellness Management and Health Science. She worked for more than 10 years in healthcare as an Office Team Leader prior to joining Reilley Physical Therapy in 2021. She has prior experience working in Radiation Oncology as well as Fitness Instruction and Wellness. Amanda has expertise in insurance compliance and billing and coordinates the practice’s compliance program, scheduling and billing.

Education:

• Bachelors in Science: Wellness Management and Health Science (2011)

Certifications:

• American Council on Exercise Certified Health Coach

Dr. Brian Burns is a NYS licensed Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer with an interest in optimizing physical function and mobility in older adults. He utilizes his background in orthopedics, sports medicine and strength and conditioning to promote active aging. His focus is on creating individualized treatment plans and empowering his patients to help them restore function, improve fitness levels, and achieve their goals. He has special interests in total joint replacements as well as spine, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pathologies. He also has experience treating a variety of neurological and pulmonary conditions. After completing his undergraduate degree at Ithaca College, he continued his graduate work at SUNY Upstate Medical University before moving back to Ithaca in 2020, where he worked in an outpatient orthopedic office prior to joining Reilley Physical Therapy in July 2021. He is an APTA Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist, a certified Golf Fitness Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and a Lecturer in the Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training at Ithaca College. He is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Geriatric Section.

Dr. Penny Smith is a NYS licensed Physical Therapist with a special interest in health promotion and empowerment of the older adult. This is reflected in her practice through use of individualized patient education, strength and conditioning principles, and implementation of up-to-date research and evidence. She has clinical experience in areas of chronic pain, orthopedics, post-surgical rehabilitation, frailty, balance, and falls.  She utilizes her skills and interests within the Physical Therapy field to prioritize the patient experience, maximize function and help each patient achieve their rehabilitation and fitness goals! Penny joined Reilley Physical Therapy in December 2022 after completing both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Ithaca College. She is passionate about community outreach and giving back to the diverse Ithaca community.  

Dr. Alexandra Howell is a NYS licensed Physical Therapist with experience and special interest in working with the older adult population to promote healthy aging. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Health Studies and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College.  Prior to joining Reilley Physical Therapy in January 2024, Ali worked with older adults in the subacute rehab, nursing home, and retirement community settings in both Maryland and New York.  She has a background in Pilates instruction and a passion for incorporating fitness and wellness into her Physical Therapy practice. Ali is a native of Ithaca and enjoys raising her three children in this special area.    

Dr. Alison Barkee is a NYS licensed Physical Therapist with years of experience working with the geriatric population in the home health care setting. She has clinical expertise in post-surgical rehabilitation including total joint replacements, frailty, deconditioning and balance training. Alison focuses on patient centered care utilizing a variety of techniques to maximize functional outcomes and independence. She has a background in strength and conditioning and returning to sport training and uses this along with her passion for and experience working with the geriatric population to help her patients improve fitness and age well. She provides high quality physical therapy to patients in her community and surrounding areas in southern Seneca County and Tompkins County. Alison completed her undergraduate and graduate training at Daemen College in Buffalo, NY and completed 2 years of travel Physical Therapy in a wide range of settings before settling down in her hometown of Lodi, NY in 2012. She then worked as a home health Physical Therapist for 11 years before joining the Reilley PT Team in May of 2024. Outside of practicing Physical Therapy, Alison enjoys playing recreational sports, especially pickleball and basketball, and spending time with her family and 2 young sons.