Paula Giardina, PT, DPT
Director of Physical Therapy

Dr. Paula Giardina received her clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy from Seton Hall University and is currently the Director of Physical Therapy for Performance Spine and Sports Medicine, LLC. Her professional experience has gained her extensive knowledge in the functional rehabilitation of infants through adults. As a result, she uses functional and neurological treatment strategies coupled with traditional strengthening to help her patients regain their highest level of mobility. She has additional expertise in Reiki massage and is well versed in both yoga and Pilates – techniques she incorporates when applicable into her physical therapy practice.

A college athlete, she played softball at Villanova University where she attended undergraduate school prior to transferring to Seton Hall University. She has coached girls’ softball and was the founder and head coach of a competitive travel girls softball team in northern New Jersey. Besides loving the outdoors, hiking, biking and kayaking, she spent six months in trapeze school and is currently learning to figure skate.

Dr. Jennifer Mandell

Dr. Jennifer Mandell received her clinical doctorate from Seton Hall University in May 2010 and joined the staff of Performance Spine & Sports Medicine shortly after. Her undergraduate Bachelor’s degree was from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Psychology. Prior to pursuing her career as a physical therapist, Dr. Mandell worked as an employment counselor and welfare administrator in Littleton, Colorado.

During her graduate training, Dr. Mandell developed interests in orthopedics, pediatrics, and women’s health physical therapy. She completed clinical rotations in sports rehabilitation and pediatric neuro-rehabilitation. She enjoys working in the private practice setting because of the relationships she is able to form with her patients as she helps them through the healing process. She is currently pursuing certification in mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) from the McKenzie Institute.

Outside of work Dr. Mandell enjoys hiking, canoeing/kayaking, returning to Colorado for visits as often as possible, and spending time with her dogs, “Moose” and “Joey.”

Dr. Jim Tholany

Dr. Jim Tholany earned his clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy as well as his Bachelors of Science in Biology from Seton Hall University. He joined the Performance Spine team as a staff Physical Therapist in the summer of 2010. His passion is to develop and educate athletes to prevent injury and rehab them back to perform optimally on the field, track or court. He draws influences and incorporates treatments from the highly regarded Physical Therapists and strength and conditioning specialists. He recently completed the Spine Active Release Technique course in Austin, Tx and utilizes this along with other manual treatments and corrective exercise to allow patients to return to their best.
Outside of work Jim is an avid sports fan particularly tennis, soccer and basketball. His favorite athlete of all time is Rafael Nadal and he rarely, if ever, misses any of his matches. He currently resides in Princeton, NJ.