By Jeff Bahr
Pro Staff Physical Therapy, a full-service provider of outpatient physical therapy, recently opened its newest center (the company has additional sites in Bloomfield and Passaic) at the former West Hudson Hospital in Kearny.
Touting “combined experience of over 65 years,” Pro Staff works to restore mobility in post-op patients and treats those suffering from a vast array of physical maladies. A grand opening event, held last Thursday, introduced the operation to the community and vice versa.
Pro Staff “fills a void” that was created when the former hospital shut down and took a physical therapy center along with it, explained Pro Staff spokesman Mike Maffucci.
“A lot of people in the community used to come here (for physical therapy),” said owner and physical therapist Frank Pavlisko. “We’ve seen some referrals from people who’ve said, ‘you’re open again?’ not realizing that a private person bought the building and it’s no longer a hospital anymore, just a private enterprise.”
In keeping with the care theme, that “private enterprise” has now morphed into what promises to be a fullscale medical professional building. In addition to Pro Staff and a handful of individual specialists, the former hospital will soon welcome the Hudson Surgical Center, according to Pavlisko, who adds that the business will likely provide referral service directly to Pro Staff.
“We treat everyone from pediatric to geriatric. Sports injuries, total hip and joint replacements, balance issues, young athletes – most everything from soup to nuts,” explained Pavlisko. “We have a lot of experience. A lot of the therapists here have thirty years experience.” At any given time, two therapists are on hand to provide services, and one full-time receptionist answers calls.
As far as equipment goes, “everything is state of the art,” said Pavlisko. “Nothing is missing. If anybody is in need of something, I’ll get it. (But) I believe I can cover (most) any kind of injury or any kind of problem with the equipment that we have.
At the grand opening ceremony, an extensive and tasty buffet was provided to attendees courtesy of Pro Staff’s marketing manager (and occasional chef) Elisio Rebelo. Afterwards, Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos officially got the enterprise rolling by cutting the tape and welcoming Pro Staff to the community.
A native of Kearny and graduate of Kearny High, Rebelo knows the town better than most. Before the event ended, he summed up Pro Staff’s mission and overall philosophy.
“First and foremost, we’re here to service everyone in this community,” said Rebelo with conviction. “We want to give back. … “Health is truly your greatest wealth.”
Pro Staff Physical Therapy (PSFT) is located at 206 Bergen Ave., 2nd floor, in Kearny. They can be reached by phone at: 551-580-7881, or online at: www.prostaffpt.com. PSFT works with all major medical insurance carriers including Medicare and AARP. They also accept auto insurance and lien cases.
