Ambulatory Rehabilitation Services at Brookline - Staff

Daniel Breeling, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist

Daniel graduated from the Simmons University Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2020 and began his career at a private practice, sports medicine clinic. He then transitioned to the New England Baptist Hospital where he gained significant experience practicing in the orthopedic department with a focus on chronic spine conditions and total joint replacement. Daniel joined the MGB team as a staff physical therapist in 2024. He holds certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and as Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is also certified in movement assessment techniques including the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). Daniel views patient care as a collaborative effort where the patient and provider operate as a team in pursuit of a common goal. He values the importance of the establishment of a movement related diagnosis and takes an exercise-based approach to minimizing pain and restoring function.

Tamara Elsamna, CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist

Tamara joined our speech team in January as a senior SLP.  Tamara received a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Rutgers University and a Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from William Paterson University. She completed her clinical fellowship at a skilled nursing facility in 2016. Tamara continued her work in acute care and specialized in traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury patients in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. She also has experience in the home health setting, working with the elderly population. Tamara is a board certified brain injury specialist and a LSVT-LOUD certified clinician. Tamara's professional interests include complex dysphagia cases, traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries, and aphasia.

Rachel Laufer, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Rachel Laufer received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY in 2014 and then completed an Orthopedic Residency at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT before earning her board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists in 2016. She joined the outpatient rehabilitation team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2019, and she is now the co-lead therapist at the Brookline clinic. She is an active member of the Rehabilitation Department Staff Development Committee and an APTA-credentialed clinical instructor. Her clinical interests include orthopedic injury and pain including for post-operative care, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, sports-related care, and cancer-related rehabilitation. Outside of her clinical work, Rachel has been a guest lecturer for various doctorate of physical therapy programs in New England.

Jodi Moore, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Senior Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist

Jodi is a Certified Hand Therapist with over 22 years of experience treating upper extremity injuries. She received her graduate degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and her clinical Doctorate from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, UT. Prior to moving to Boston, she worked at some of the country’s top hospitals including Johns Hopkins, Rehab Institute of Chicago, and Duke University. While at Duke, she was the primary therapist and treated North Carolina and Duke’s first hand transplant patient. Over the years, she has treated complex, traumatic, and repetitive injuries. She is proficient in orthotic fabrication from dynamic to static for multiple hand, wrist, forearm and elbow conditions. She has a published article in the Journal of Hand Therapy and has developed a mentoring program, The Upper Extremity Institute. This program is currently being implemented throughout the country by the American Society of Hand Therapists.

Jodi believes in collaborating with her patients and providing them with the most current treatment techniques to assist them with accomplishing their goals.

Derek Sople, PT, DPT, OCS
Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Derek received his Bachelors of Science in 2009 from the University of Rhode Island graduating summa cum laude and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2012. Derek was awarded the Marjorie K. Ionta Award for Clinical Excellence from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Derek is the Co-Lead therapist at the Brookline rehabilitation clinic, Chair of the BWH Rehabilitation Services Research Committee and is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.

Derek’s clinical interests include orthopedics and sports related injury, spine and post-operative surgical rehabilitation including joint replacement. Derek values a collaborative approach with the patient as well as the referring physician to best facilitate meeting your therapy goals.

Kira Synodis, PT, DPT
Senior Physical Therapist

Kira attended Bucknell University where she graduated in 2013 with a double major in Biology and Women’s and Gender Studies. She then received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Drexel University in 2017. Kira joined Mass General Brigham in 2024 after moving to the Boston area from San Francisco.

Her clinical interests include sports orthopedics, post operative rehab, pregnancy and postpartum rehab and injury prevention. Kira loves helping patients reach their goals and empowering them to take control of their health. In her free time Kira loves spending time with her family and friends, hiking with her dog Ronnie, trying new restaurants, reading and exercising.

Brittany Venuti, PT, DPT
Staff Physical Therapist

Brittany earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in 2019 preceded by earning her Bachelors of Science in 2011 from Colby-Sawyer College where she studied Exercise Science. She transitioned to the Brigham and Women's Brookline clinic from MGH. At MGH she gained primary experience working with patients suffering from traumatic orthopedic and abdominal injuries and with patients after orthopedic and cardiac surgeries. Brittany is a district representative for the APTA of MA and an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor. Brittany has clinical interests in orthopedics and sports-related injuries and enjoys working with patients after post-operative joint replacements. Brittany has experience working with these patient populations in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. Brittany is a recent two time Boston Marathon finisher and can relate to her patients who are also runners. She values the power of human movement and the relationship she establishes with her patients. She works closely with her patients to understand their goals, actively work toward their goals, and modify along the way as needed.