Athletic Training Staff

Jess

Jessica Testani Creem, MS LAT ATC  

Sacred Heart University, Bachelors in Exercise Science 
Shenandoah University, Masters of Athletic Training 

Certifications: 
American Red Cross Instructor 
FMS Certified

Areas of special interest: 
ACL rehabilitation 
Injury prevention 
Performance  
Sports Psychology 

Jessica found her passion in Athletic Training while suffering career ending injuries playing soccer at Sacred Heart University. She traveled down to Shenandoah University to study in one of the top Athletic Training master’s programs and graduated in 2012. Jessica has had the opportunity to work with sports medicine programs including Rutgers University football, DC United MLS, DC United academy, and US Soccer. After working and traveling across the country with DC United, Jess decided to head home to Connecticut and found a passion working with secondary school athletes. She is part of the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association as the secondary school chair and is the current vice president working with the executive board to enhance the athletic training profession and safety of secondary school athletics. Utilizing her education and experience gained as an athlete, coach, and health professional Jess is dedicated to assisting her patients in reaching their goals and to optimize both their health and performance. She was named the Connecticut Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2019 for her dedication and passion to the athletic training field and student-athletes. Jess joined the Advanced Physical Therapy team in 2022 and oversees our Athletic Training and secondary school programs. 


Adam

Adam Romano, MS LAT ATC  

Education: 
Central Connecticut, Bachelors in Athletic Training Central Connecticut, Masters in Physical Education/Exercise Science 

Certifications: 
American Red Cross Instructor 

Areas of Special interest: 
Injury prevention 
Strength and conditioning 
Tactical athlete care 

Adam graduated from CCSU in 2018 with his Bachelors of Athletic Training and has been dedicated to the field. He currently pursuing his Doctor of Athletic Training from Temple University. Adam was part of multiple division I teams at CCSU and traveled to Oregon for the NCAA baseball tournament with the blue devils. Adam is passionate about being a part of the entire injury process from on site care, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention. He works closely with our physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to bring a comprehensive approach to our patients and student-athletes. He has worked with tactical and industrial athletes and looks to continue this work. You can find Adam on a sideline of a Wolcott Eagle or Terryville Kangaroo game supporting the athletic programs as Head Athletic Trainer. He also is part of the Athletic Training program development team, bringing top programming to our communities to enhance the patient outcomes and goals of activity. 


Gyujin

Gyujin Kim, MSAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS

Education:  
Master of Science in Athletic Training in 2021, University of Connecticut
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 2019, Hanyang University

Areas of Special Interest: 
Injury Prevention
Performance Enhancement

Certifications:
Licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Graston M1 practitioner
American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor

Gyujin (Q-zhin) came from South Korea to pursue her passion for athletic training. She graduated from University of Connecticut with a master of science in athletic training in 2021. During her graduate studies, she participated in various research at Korey Stringer Institute and served in leadership roles as a student ambassador for National Athletic Trainers Association and a president of UConn Athletic Training Students. She enjoys writing articles in Korean on the latest evidence-based practices and guiding Korean clinicians who want to study in the US. She joined Advanced Physical Therapy in 2023 and is currently stationed at Maloney High School.


Caitlyn Murphy, LAT ATC

Education:  
Southern Connecticut State University, Athletic Training 

Areas of Special Interest: 
Nutrition  
Wellness

Cait comes to the Advanced Physical Therapy team with over seven years of experience as an Athletic Trainer at the collegiate, secondary school, and physician practice settings. Her variability in practice settings has given her a vast skill set to provide to her patients. After taking a step away from Thomaston High School to work alongside orthopedic surgeons, Cait returns to her student-athletes as part of the Advanced Physical Therapy athletic training team. Cait enjoys being the individual members of the school community and student-athletes can rely on. Her favorite thing about athletic training is teaching individuals small things that can really help them day to day. Her goal is to help more communities understand the important role athletic trainers have for secondary schools and to aid in each community having their own athletic trainer.


Julia Franzik

Education:  
Lasell College, B.S Athletic Training

Areas of Special Interest: 
Community Education

Julia found her passion for sports medicine as a high school and college basketball student-athlete. She has had positions in both the secondary school and physician practice setting. Julia looks to provide a safe and positive environment for patients and enjoys pushing athletes to reach for success. Her favorite thing about being an athletic trainer is the connections and friendships she is able to make with not only her own school community but fellow athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians she encounters along the way. Julia is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow her skillset and foundation of knowledge, whether it is through clinical conversations or in a surgery alongside orthopedic surgeons. Her goal is to spread as much awareness as possible to the public and student athletes in regards to safety in youth sports. When she is not providing care to her patients, Julia enjoys solo traveling, hiking, and volunteer coaching at her alma mater, Sheehan high school.


Salvatore Bozzuto ATC, LAT, CSCS

Education:  
Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training, Springfield College
Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning, Concordia University Chicago

Areas of Special Interest: 
Strength and Conditioning
Barbell Athletes

Sal graduated from Springfield College in 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training and later went on to earn his Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning from Concordia University Chicago in 2020. Sal’s favorite part about athletic training is helping athletes recover from injuries and connecting with other healthcare professionals to ensure proper care for the athlete. He also enjoys educating athletes on rehabilitation and working with them from the time of injury until they return to play. Sal enjoys connecting with the community and advocating the importance of athletic trainers. In his free time, Sal competes in powerlifting competitions and enjoys playing golf and chess.


Anthony Eacuello, LAT ATC

Education:  
Quinnipiac University, B.S. Athletic Training

Areas of Special Interest: 
Orthopedic Medicine
Injury Prevention
Surgical Interventions
Manual Therapy Techniques

Anthony comes to Advanced Physical Therapy after graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2024. He is currently in APT’s first Athletic Training Residency Program which features working as a secondary school Athletic Trainer and working alongside an Orthopedic Surgeon in clinic, in the OR, and on the sidelines. Anthony has worked under sports medicine staff for various teams across the country including Quinnipiac Hockey, Acrobatics and Tumbling, and Stanford Football. He is passionate about fostering relationships and connections with fellow medical professionals, ensuring that athlete care is enhanced through a collaborative, team-based approach. While not working, Anthony loves to golf and hike throughout New England.


Cheryl Dufault, ATC, LAT

Education:  
Quinnipiac University, BS in Athletic Training/ Sports Medicine

Areas of Special Interest: 
Taping/Bracing, Biomechanics

Having spent much of her career in a busy Orthopedic Surgery practice and college athletics, Cheryl comes to Advanced Physical Therapy with experience in injury evaluation and treatment including a specialty in taping/bracing/splinting as well as therapeutic rehabilitation for a wide array of surgical and non-surgical injuries. Cheryl has enjoyed traveling with collegiate teams throughout New England, including to multiple rounds of NCAA Division III tournament games in Women’s Soccer most recently. At present, Cheryl is looking forward to guiding high school athletes in becoming stronger, healthier athletes in their pursuit for personal development. When she is not on the field with athletes, she is enjoying time as an equestrian athlete herself with her horse, Artie.


Chris Lombardo, MS LAT ATC

Education:  
Quinnipiac University, Bachelors of Athletic Training
Central Washington University, Masters of Sport and Athletic Administration

Areas of Special Interest: 
Injury Prevention
Strength & Conditioning

Chris graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2022 with a Bachelors in Athletic Training. Looking to pursue a Masters degree while working in athletics, Chris accepted a Graduate Assistant position at Central Washington University, a Division II college in Washington State, earning his Masters in Athletic Administration while working as the Athletic Trainer for football, men’s rugby, and baseball. After spending the last two years gaining valuable experience while getting the opportunity to travel all over the west coast with teams and explore much of the beautiful Washington scenery, Chris returned home to the northeast looking for work in secondary school athletics. He joins the Advanced Physical Therapy team, working at Avon High School, where he is looking forward to connecting with his athletes and create a welcoming environment for them to grow both physically and personally.


Jesse Wylie

Education:  

Areas of Special Interest: