Our dedicated athletic trainer, Sara Woodring, LAT, ATC, is on hand to focus on the prevention, recognition, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and appropriate referral of injuries.

Sara is a NovaCare Athletic Trainer at Merion Mercy Academy. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at Duquesne University where she had clinical experience with collegiate and high school athletics. She worked with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 

After Sara graduated from Duquesne, she pursued her Master of Science in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion at George Mason University. While there she served as the head athletic trainer of Beville Middle School in Prince William County School District. Also at Mason, Sara focused her thesis on the characterization of head impacts in boys’ youth lacrosse by collecting accelerometer data and conducting video analysis. She also acted as a teacher’s assistant for CPR and First Aid courses for undergraduate students.

Sara is a nationally certified athletic trainer through the Board of Certification and licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. She also holds her American Red Heart Basic Life Support Instructor certification to teach first aid, CPR, and AED courses on campus. 

Effective treatment for athletes of all ages

NovaCare Rehabilitation takes a proactive approach when managing sports injuries for high school, college athletic programs and professional sports. Our athletic trainers work as an extension of your team focusing on injury prevention, management and performance for your athletes.

Assisting your athletes

NovaCare Rehabilitation provides the best sports medicine support to your school.

At the high school level, our athletic trainers are focused on three things:

• Being on-site, visible participants: We manage injuries, safety, performance and health of your athletes. We take care of injuries on the field, whether it’s first aid, head or neck injuries, cardiac issues or emergency care. We are proactive and make safety recommendations. 

• Managing the athletic training room: We are on-site, order necessary supplies and create emergency action plans. After school, we evaluate students to determine who needs quick care, further evaluation and a referral to a physician or specialist. We also manage concussion programs to ensure your athletes receive concussion evaluation and treatment quickly.

• Coordinating appropriate care: If an athlete needs additional care or support, our team will connect them to physical therapists, physicians, nurses or psychologists. 

Our athletic trainers are connected to a local center and have the support of physical and occupational therapists. We enhance that clinical connection with physical therapists who visit your school and act as a backup therapist providing informed, thoughtful advice on your program.

Justin Lavo, P.T., DPT, SCS, Center Manager- NovaCare- City Line

Justin is a multi-site center manager for NovaCare's Bala Cynywd and King of Prussia centers. He has treating expertise in sports medicine where he uses his on-and-off-the-field experience to aid with injury prevention and return to sport services. Justin also enjoys working with the diverse patient population in the outpatient orthopedic setting.

 

 

 

Kevin Deley, P.T., DPT, ATC- NovaCare- City Line

Kevin received his bachelor's in athletic training from West Chester University and went on to earn both his master's degree in anatomy and clinical health sciences as well as his doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Delaware.

 

 

Emily M. Levy, MD, Supervising Team Physician

Dr. Levy is a board-certified primary care sports medicine specialist providing care for a wide range of musculoskeletal-related conditions. Her clinical expertise includes diagnosis and nonsurgical management of musculoskeletal conditions and sports-related injuries. She is trained in minimally invasive therapies, including ultrasound-guided joint injections and soft tissue procedures. She has an avid interest in helping athletes of all ages achieve peak athletic success and rapid recovery from injuries. Dr. Levy has been a team physician for multiple collegiate teams in the area, including Drexel University, Chestnut Hill College, and Penn State Brandywine.

 

Christopher R. Kester, DO

Dr. Kester is an orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy and orthopaedic surgical sports medicine. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed fellowships in Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine at Orthopaedic Research of Virginia. Dr. Kester specializes in diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of acute and overuse injuries in athletes of all levels and active individuals aged 12 and older. He personalizes treatment plans to optimize functional outcome, taking the least invasive approach appropriate for each patient. He provides all postoperative care and oversees rehabilitation.

*Members of the Main Line Health medical staff are affiliated with Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Medical Center, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital. Membership on the medical staff of any of our hospitals does not constitute an employment or agency relationship.