Category: News

Pinnacle Rehabilitation Network Announces the Retirement of Founder Karen Natario and Welcomes New President Dan Fleury

Pinnacle Rehabilitation Network is proud to announce the retirement of its founder, Karen Natario. Karen was one of the original visionaries behind Pinnacle and has led the organization since its inception. Through her dedication, leadership, and passion for high‑quality patient care, she helped shape Pinnacle into one of the most well‑respected outpatient physical therapy providers in the nation.

Throughout her tenure, Karen was directly involved in every aspect of the business. From operations and partner development to cultivating a strong organizational culture, she played an essential role in building Pinnacle’s high‑performing, self‑directed workforce. Her influence can be seen throughout the network — in the professionalism of its teams, the strength of its partnerships, and the consistently exceptional patient care that has become Pinnacle’s hallmark.

As we celebrate Karen’s remarkable career and wish her a joyful retirement, we are equally pleased to announce that Dan Fleury will assume the role of President of Pinnacle Rehabilitation Network.

Dan brings deep experience in physical therapy leadership, operational excellence, and clinical innovation. He has built a reputation for empowering clinicians, strengthening partner relationships, and driving meaningful improvements in patient outcomes — values that align perfectly with Pinnacle’s mission and the culture Karen has cultivated over the years.

In his new role, Dan will focus on:

• Supporting and strengthening partner relationships across the network
• Enhancing operational and clinical performance through innovation and best practices
• Driving Pinnacle’s strategic growth initiatives to support both clinicians and the communities we serve
• Preserving and building upon the culture of collaboration and excellence established by Karen

Karen’s legacy provides the strong foundation on which the next chapter of Pinnacle will be built. Dan’s leadership will continue to carry the organization forward with the same commitment to quality care, partnership, and innovation that has defined Pinnacle from the beginning.

Please join us in celebrating the extraordinary career of Karen Natario and in welcoming Dan Fleury as the new President of Pinnacle Rehabilitation Network. The future is bright, and we look forward to this next chapter with gratitude and optimism.

Plaistow NH:

Pinnacle Rehabilitation Network is proud to announce the addition of three outpatient physical therapy facilities. Breakthrough Physical Therapy in Saco Maine is spearheaded by Bryan Cloutier PT, DPT, Waypoint Physical Therapy in Freeport Maine with Kim Wallingford PT, DPT, and Somersworth Physical Therapy of Dover NH with Dan Lombardi PT, DPT and Katie Rolfe PT, DPT.

We are beyond proud to promote these outstanding clinicians to partner. Each one of these new clinic owners rose through the ranks at Pinnacle from staff member to partner! They are a testament to our goal of supporting physical therapists in independent private practice.  More facilities coming soon, be on the look out for announcements.

Atlantic Physical Therapy’s Jennifer Mitchell, PT, named US Equestrian Team Physical Therapist.

Falmouth, ME: Atlantic PTs own Jennifer Mitchell is returning from Herning, Denmark where she was providing physical therapy support, and high performance physical therapy, for the US Equestrian Team at the ECCO FEI World Championships of Dressage and Showjumping.  This International competition from August 6-14, not only crowned the Team and Individual World Champions in Dressage, Showjumping, Vaulting and Para Dressage, but was also the first Qualifying Event for Dressage and Showjumping, for the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France.  US Dressage was able to secure their spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics, placing 6^th overall in the Team event.

While onsite at competitions, Jennifer provides not only injury management and maintenance to these athletes, but more importantly advanced treatment techniques to optimize performance of the riders in the competition arena.  Equestrian sport at the Olympic level is a sport where the difference between Gold and Silver can be 0.01 points in the Dressage arena, or seconds in a showjumping round.  Postural symmetry and control, neuromuscular control, stability, balance, and correct muscle activation is crucial in equestrian high performance.  Jennifer, being an equestrian herself, as well as having trained with the former US and Team GB Physio and High Performance Advisor, is able to utilize manual therapy techniques, muscle facilitation, and corrective exercise in order to achieve optimal rider performance for training and competition in the Elite athletes of the US Equestrian Team.

Next up for Jennifer Mitchell, PT and US Equestrian is the FEI World Championships of Eventing, where Jennifer will be providing physical therapy support and high performance physical therapy for the US Eventing Team in Pratoni, Italy, September 15-18, 2022.

Plaistow, NH: Pinnacle Rehabilitation Network is proud to announce that another of of its therapists has achieved full Fellow status. Amherst Physical Therapy’s Dave Grams can officially add FAAOMPT after his name! Pinnacle Co-President Dan Fleury adds ” earning the Fellowship status is no easy task! This achievement takes several long years of hard work and dedication. We admire Dave for his commitment to being the absolute best. It was an honor to mentor him through the process!”

Dave Grams joins Pinnacle’s fast growing trend of Board Certified Clinical Specialist and Fellowship trained clinicians. Grams says ” We have a serious commitment to practicing at the highest levels of our license. Our number of OCS and FAAOMPT trained therapists is growing rapidly because of that commitment. One of the hardest aspects of achieving Fellowship status is finding a mentor that is a full Fellow, who is willing to commit to about 500 hours of dedicated mentoring time with a candidate. The more Fellows we have in the network, the easier it is for us to meet this part of the program and assist our team in reaching the next level.  I  am already looking forward to my role as a mentor!”

Portsmouth, NH- Our Portsmouth Physical Therapy clinic has opened a second location! Portsmouth Physical Therapy has responded to the needs of their patients and medical community with the addition of a facility located at 233 Vaughan St Portsmouth, NH. Partner Cecile Younes PT, DPT had this to say about her decision to open another location. “Major economic development coupled with a competitor moving out of the downtown area left a void that needed to be filled. We were contacted by both patients and providers urging us to open a facility in this area. Our other facility located on Pease International Tradeport  is very convenient for those living and working in Dover, Newington, Greenland, Stratham, Newmarket but we had patients from Downtown Portsmouth, Rye, Kittery and Eliot Maine in need of services more convenient for them. Further, nobody wants to go into a hospital environment for outpatient care anymore. The cost and risk are too high. We help to fill that need as well and we do it in a lower cost, higher quality, and safer environment.”

When asked about the new Portsmouth location, Pinnacle Vice President Dan Fleury said “We are very proud of Portsmouth PT. They have such a tremendous reputation that its opening doors for them. Pinnacle is rebounding steadily after a rapid downturn due to the Covid Crisis of 2020. Pinnacle is seeing tremendous growth opportunity for the second part of 2020 into 2021. We are being approached by medical providers and health systems for collaboration and partnership opportunities.  Our structure and our forward thinking team have put us in position for a very successful future!”

For more information visit www.portsmouthpt.com and www.pinnaclerehab.net