Meet Our Vermont Based Physical Therapists
Expert medical professionals that lead you to your best health with hospitality and heart.
Healing On-Site and Online
Dr. Emelia P. Brogna
Founder & Doctor of Physical Therapy, BS, DPT
Specialties include: Chronic Pain, Orthopedics, Trauma, Craniosacral Therapy, Vestibular Rehab
Emelia began her career at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where she helped patients of all ages from very diverse communities. Her focus was on acute injuries, surgical recovery, and breast cancer rehabilitation.
When she transitioned to outpatient practice she had the unique opportunity to study with a world-renowned therapist, Igor Burdenko, learning firsthand the Burdenko Method of aquatic therapy.
After moving to Vermont in 2009, Emelia further extended her range of therapeutic skills to include Myofascial Release in the John Barnes Method, while at the same time pioneering an innovative rehabilitation standard of care program for Lyme Disease, supporting the vast need here in Vermont.
With a desire to treat the most challenging cases and further augment her manual therapy skill set, Emelia went through the demanding multi-year coursework to be certified in Craniosacral Therapy.
Most recently Emelia became certified in Vestibular and Concussion Rehabilitation with the American Institute of Balance. She particularly enjoys treating BPPV (Vertigo) and Vestibulopathy.
Dr. Brogna helps patients reach their goals by setting a clear intention for recovery and developing a shared commitment to the best plan of care. Because of her talents, training, and vast experience, she consistently heals patients that others can not.
Her unique mix of skills and shining personality enables patients to smile through their journey.
When not helping patients, Emelia loves to sail, swim, cook, ski, and travel with her husband Tony, and daughter Grace.
NOTE: Dr. Brogna is ONLY accepting new self-pay patients at this time.
Dr. Laura Bristol
Doctor of Physical Therapy, BS Nutrition, DPT, Pilates Instructor
Specialties include: Chronic Pain, General Orthopedics, Shoulder, Foot & Ankle Disfunction, Running Injuries
Laura is dedicated to creating an understanding and compassionate environment to help her patients find their way through their healing journey. Treating a wide range of orthopedic diagnoses from sports-related injuries to post-surgical, and chronic pain keeps her sharp and on the cutting edge of therapeutic recovery needs for a large population.
A native Vermonter, she received her B.S. in Nutrition and Food Sciences in 2010 and Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2013, both from UVM.
Collaboration with the patient to meet them where they are helps her develop a unique and specialized treatment approach for every individual, which enables them to reach their goals. Her patients feel empowered and hopeful during their PT process so they can get back to enjoying all their daily activities.
Laura began her career with a focus on aquatic and traditional land-based physical therapy while working in an integrative office where she collaborated daily with chiropractors, massage therapists, and MDs. She completed her Polestar Pilates™ comprehensive training in June 2019 and teaches Pilates classes as a complement to her medical therapy skills.
She is currently furthering her skills in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating a variety of foot and ankle conditions through comprehensive training with Gait Happens.
Her passions include hiking, spending time at her family camp on Lake Champlain, skiing (beginner alert), knitting, long walks with her dog Bruin, traveling, and enjoying fine food with her boyfriend Jim.
Dr. Liza Joseph
Doctor of Physical Therapy, B.S. OSHAS, DPT
Accepting New Patients
The newest Wayfinder, Liza is dedicated to partnering with each patient to reduce physical burdens and foster functional growth for both body and mind. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based treatment and patient education, Liza ensures that every individual feels informed and empowered in their recovery journey.
She earned her B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health Applied Sciences from Keene State College (4.0 GPA) and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont.
Her professional background includes experience in sports-specific settings, general outpatient practice, and skilled nursing facilities.
Liza also brings in-depth knowledge via deep research into fall prevention outcome measures for the elderly, RED-S Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports, and the treatment of sacroiliac dysfunction. Her capstone research paper focused on the validity of telehealth physical therapy (editors note: it’s valid!).
Liza's approach to physical therapy is true to the Wayfinder ethos: rooted in compassion, kindness, and empathy, ensuring that every patient encounter is both genuine and inclusive.
She is committed to providing safe and sensitive care to individuals of all identities while being intentional about protecting patients’ psychological well-being to create the foundation for healing. She is especially passionate about working with athletes, weekend warriors, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Liza is involved in community service, volunteering with organizations such as Here to Help, Where to Wheel, and Vermont Ski Adaptive. She comes from a family of healthcare practitioners, which has deeply influenced her passion for the field.
A true New Englander, Liza has lived in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont!
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Roo, exploring new restaurants, karate training (as a 3rd-degree blackbelt in Shaolin Kempo Karate!), and relaxing by the ocean or Lake Champlain.
Dr. Daniel Ellis
*ON INDEFINITE MEDICAL LEAVE*
Doctor of Physical Therapy, BS Exercise & Movement Science, DPT
Dan personifies Wayfinder’s spirit of grit and grace through his academic, professional, and personal history of high performance and overcoming personal health challenges.
A native Vermonter, he excelled at the University of Vermont with a 4.0 GPA while earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Movement Science in 2013, and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015.
Not content with his hard work at UVM, postgrad, Dan moved to Eugene, Oregon to pursue an 18-month manual therapy residency with global experts at the Institute of Physical Art’s Functional Manual Therapy program.
He has enhanced these skills while healing patients in Chittenden County with active listening, compassion, and caring to help patients quickly return to their highest level of function - a fundamental approach that aligns with Wayfinder’s ethos. He has a great track record of healing a broad range of sports-related injuries including soccer, basketball, equestrian, cycling, running, swimming, and triathlon.
He greatly enjoys treating patients of all ages and abilities, coming up with unique solutions for individual problems, and allowing people to return to a better quality of life. It has always been about meeting people where they’re at and coaching them through the rehabilitative process. With open communication and trust, much can be achieved.
When Dan isn’t helping patients he pursues his passions of road cycling, swimming, hiking, and enjoying life with his wife Nicole, and their two dogs.
Dr. brogna with Jarret Berman
A note from one of our happy patients:
“The team at Wayfinder is much more than doctors, physical therapists, or wellness professionals. They are healers, whose deep understanding of both people and the human-machine helps them work through the toughest physical challenges.
They synthesize hard science with progressive therapies to find lasting, holistic solutions. And, they are whip-smart - I learned something new every time I walked into the office.
Best of all, they really connect with their clients, creating a fun, safe, and authentic space, where true rehabilitation can flourish.
They have had a profound impact on my life and on those I love. They are far and away the best physical therapists I’ve known - and so much more.”