Meet Us

Meet
OUR TEAM

ANTHONY AIELLO, PT, DPT

Dr. Tony Aiello is a physical therapist at the Murrysville office. He graduated from the University of Dayton with a B.S. in Health Science in 2021. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Chatham University in 2023. During his clinical education experiences, he worked with a variety of patient populations including neuro, sports, and chronic pain conditions both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. His clinical interests include orthopedics, return to sport training, and helping patients get back to what they love doing most. When not in the clinic, Tony enjoys watching and playing sports, exercising, camping, and hiking.

Anna Ellenberger — Murrysville, PA — Alliance Physical Therapy

JONI DIFONSO, PT, DPT, M. Ed, PSP

Dr. Joni DiFonso serves as Clinic Director of Alliance Physical Therapy. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012, her Master of Education in Exercise Physiology from the University of Virginia, and bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the Pennsylvania State University. Joni obtained a post professional certification as a Primary Spine Practitioner in 2018. Her experience ranges from pediatric to geriatric and with particular interest in pelvic health and rehabilitation and orthopedics. She has done 6 months of intensive study under numerous Women's Health specialists to engage in the best evidence for treatments in this population and to advance her skills in this arena. Joni also serves as an adjunct professor with the University of Pittsburgh and functions as an APTA Certified Clinical Instructor for students entering the profession. She has also served as a member of a Diversity and Inclusion team between healthcare professionals, working to improve access and equal opportunity healthcare experiences for all. When she isn't in the clinic, Joni enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and chocolate labrador while participating in a variety of outdoor activities.

Colin M. Gundling — Murrysville, PA — Alliance Physical Therapy

COLIN M. GUNDLING , PT, DPT, MTC, OCS, FDN

Dr. Gundling is a Co-Owner of Alliance and a treating therapist at our Murrysville Office. After completing his undergraduate degree at Allegheny College, Dr. Gundling attended the University of Pittsburgh earning his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. He is certified as an orthopedic specialist (OCS) by the American Physical Therapy Board of Specialists, and also as a Manual Therapist (MTC) and in Functional Dry Needling (FDN) by Evidence in Motion Institute of Health Professions. He is also certified in the Functional Movement Screen and is an Original Strength Clinician. He has a special passion for the management of endurance athletes and has focused much of his post-graduate education in this arena. This training includes publications in the field of management of the injured runner. Additionally, Dr. Gundling has had the unique opportunity to work with the best athletes in the world at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and with USA Gymnastics. Since 2019 he has worked at US Gymnastics Championships and Olympic Trials to provide care to elite male and female gymnasts. In addition to working with athletes his passion for people has led him down a path of finding special pleasure in helping patients with chronic pain take better control of their symptoms. This unique combination of training has allowed him to develop an evidence-based treatment style focused in optimization of human movement for all levels. When he is not working, he is likely to be found somewhere outside doing anything from mountain biking to bird hunting to relaxing with family and friends. His enjoyment of the outdoors and sports has led him to complete multiple endurance sport events, including the Boston Marathon, the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI, and the Shenandoah Mountain 100 Mile Mountain Bike Race.

John J. Sirianni — Murrysville, PA — Alliance Physical Therapy

JACLYN RUNCO, PT, DPT

Dr. Jackie Gargiulo is a physical therapist at the Murrysville office. She earned her B.A. in Dance

and a B.S. in Sports, Arts, & Entertainment Management from Point Park University. Jackie went

on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Chatham University in 2023 with clinical

experience ranging from outpatient rehab, acute care, and pelvic health. It was during that time

that her passion for pelvic health began, while working with fellow Women’s Health specialists.

Jackie has completed pelvic health courses and received certifications through APTA and will

continue to focus on this specialty at Alliance. When she is not in the clinic, she enjoys traveling

with her husband, Brad, walking her mini Bernedoodle, Lenny, and participating in yoga and

Pilates.

JAMES LIGHTNER, PTA

Jimmy is a physical therapist assistant at our Murrysville and Penn Hills locations. He graduated from Mount Aloysius College with Physical Therapist Assistant degree in 2022. He has a specific interest in return to sport rehabilitation and helping athletes recover. He believes laughing and a positive attitude is a key aspect of the rehabilitation process. Outside of work he enjoys recreational sports, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

HOLLY LOHR, PTA,OPTA

Holly Lohr is a physical therapist assistant at our Murrysville location. She graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with her associates’ degree in applied science for physical therapy in 2013. She is certified in orthopedics with Nxt Gen Institute and a certified Clinical Instructor for physical therapist assistant students with the APTA. With over 7 years of experience Holly enjoys helping individuals of all ages return back to sport or recreational activities that pain or injury has limited them from. Her specialties include but are not limited to balance issues, post-operative, pediatrics, and aquatic therapy. As an athlete herself Holly enjoys training for half marathons, sand and indoor volleyball, golf, hiking, fishing, and spending time at the beach.

MATTHEW SANCHEZ, PT, DPT

Dr. Matt Sanchez is a physical therapist at the Murrysville and Penn Hills offices. He earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton in 2018. During his time there, Matt was able to complete research regarding an archer’s draw cycle in their Human Motion and Ergonomics Lab. Matt went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Chatham University in 2022, with clinical experiencing ranging from inpatient acute care and long-term rehab to outpatient cardiopulmonary therapy. His clinical interests include orthopedics, sports, and manual therapy, and he particularly enjoys helping patients return to sport after injury as well as helping patients find relief from chronic conditions to enable them to return to active and healthy lifestyles. Matt also serves as a consultant for the ICAN Talk Clinic, providing assistance with wheelchair positioning for access to speech generating devices. When Matt is not busy in the clinic treating patients, he can be found outdoors enjoying one of the local state parks, hunting, shooting his bow, or hiking with his wife, Christine, and dog, Cooper, in Frick Park.

DAVID P. THOMPSON , PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, CCIP, AIB-VR, FDNS

Dr. Thompson is a Co-Owner and Physical Therapist at our Murrysville and Penn Hills offices. He earned a B.S. in Exercise and Rehabilitative Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degrees from Slippery Rock University. Dr. Thompson is credentialed by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) as an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). He is a Certified Manual Therapist (MTC) and Functional Dry Needling Specialist (FDNS) as credentialed by Evidence In Motion Institute of Healthcare Professions; and is Certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation (AIB-VR) by the American Institute of Balance. Dr. Thompson has taught orthopedic and manual therapy content as an Instructor at Slippery Rock University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and has served as a Clinical Instructor and Teaching Assistant at Chatham University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. He is also an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and has earned certification through the APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program; as he regularly mentors regional Physical Therapy students from various academic programs in clinic. He has practiced in the outpatient orthopedic/private practice sector of the Pittsburgh region and has managed small, medium, and large clinics. Dr. Thompson's clinical interests include orthopedic, sports, manual therapy, dry needling, balance, concussion and vestibular care. Dr. Thompson regularly manages spine, upper extremity, and lower extremity joint and soft tissue cases. In addition to rehabilitating traumatic, overuse, and post-operative conditions, he also treats headache, TMD (jaw), and wrist/hand disorders. In his spare time, he can likely be found outdoors with his family—Beth, David, and Emmy.

McKenna Yackovich, PT, DPT

Dr. McKenna Yackovich is a physical therapist at the Murrysville office. She graduated from Seton Hill University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2024. Prior to that, she attended Slippery Rock University and graduated in 2021 with a B.S. in Exercise Science. During her time at Seton Hill, she gained clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation as well as inpatient skilled nursing and acute care. Her clinical interests include orthopedics, return to sport training, balance, and helping her patients improve their overall quality of movement and life. McKenna also maintains a certification in USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coaching. When she is not in the clinic, McKenna can be found hiking, exercising, baking, snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with her german shorthaired pointer, Ziva.