KENNETH KURTZ, P.T.
Ken, founder of Kenneth Kurtz
Physical Therapy and Associates, has
been serving the Western New York
community for over 26 years. Ken
integrates his manual skills with
functional exercises in order to help
his patients achieve their highest
goals, “it’s not where the
patient starts when they initiate
physical therapy, its how they
end.”
Ken has served on the Board of
Directors of Aspire (formerly United
Cerebral Palsy Association of Western
New York) for 13 years. He is
community minded and is a native of
Western New York.
Ken and his wife, Beth, have 4
children and enjoy being involved in
their children’s activities. Ken
enjoys skiing, any other type of
outdoor adventure and spending time
with his family and friends.
JEFFREY
T. PODRAZA, PT, OCS
Jeff is a 2000
graduate of Daemen College with a
B.S. in Physical Therapy and is
nearing completion of a dual Master
of Science degree at the University
of Buffalo in Biomechanics and
Applied Physiology. Jeff’s
research interests include throwing
mechanics/injury and mechanisms of
cruciate ligament injury.
He is nationally
board certified in orthopedics from
the American Physical Therapy
Association and serves as an adjunct
professor of physical therapy within
the Daemen College Doctor of Physical
Therapy program.
Jeff’s outside interests
include: baseball,
flyfishing/flytying, stockdog
training/trialing, gardening and
woodworking.
JIM CRAWFORD, P.T.
CHRIS MERK, P.T.A.
Chris has worked with the Kenneth
Kurtz Physical Therapy team since
1998. He received his Physical
Therapy Assistant degree from
Genessee Community College in
Batavia, New York. The majority of
Chris’ time is spent treating a
variety of patients in Aquatic
Physical Therapy.
Originally from New Jersey, Chris now
resides in Lancaster with his wife,
Kim. Chris enjoys many outdoor
activities such as: camping, hiking
and fishing.
RENEE PHILIPPONE, P.T.A.
A native of the town of Tonawanda,
Renee graduated from Niagara County
Community College in 2001 with an
Associates degree in the Physical
Therapy Assistant program. Prior to
joining the staff at Kenneth Kurtz
Physical Therapy, Renee gained
experience in sub-acute
rehabilitation, as well as,
outpatient orthopedic therapy.
Since coming on board in 2002, Renee
has become the instructor for Kenneth
Kurtz Physical Therapy’s
“Tai Chi for Arthritis”
program and continues to work with
patients as a Physical Therapist
Assistant. Renee, her husband, Joe,
and their young daughter, reside in
Niagara County.
DAVID ALVAREZ, L.M.T. &
P.T. AIDE SUPERVISOR
Originally from New Mexico, David
graduated from the University of
Arizona in Tucson where he met his
wife Karen. He has been a valuable
member of the Kenneth Kurtz &
Associates Physical Therapy staff for
over 13 years.
A Licensed Massage Therapist
since1999, David also serves as our
Physical Therapist Aide Supervisor.
He assists in patient care with
guidance from staff physical
therapists.
David and Karen have been married for
12 years and have two children. His
sport of choice is baseball. David
has coached baseball at St.
Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in
Buffalo for the past 9 years.
LINDA HARRIS, OFFICE MANAGER
Linda Harris is a native of Western
New York where she worked 14 years in
the pediatric field. She became an
employee at Kenneth Kurtz Physical
Therapy and Associates in 1996 and
assumed the position of office
manager in 1997.
Linda is active in her church, enjoys
reading, traveling and spending time
with her children and grandchildren.
