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Leadership

Meet our team of dedicated professionals devoted to Gymnastics Medicine and the continued studies of gymnastics-related injuries and prevention.

Dr. Elspeth (Elly) Hart

Founder

Dr. Elspeth (Elly) Hart

DScPAS, PA-C, MPAS, ATC, LAT

Our founder, Dr. Elly Hart, was only three years old when she began her gymnastics career. She competed in Region VI and was a Junior Olympic level 10 gymnast before attending James Madison University as a Division I athlete. During her time at James Madison, she studied Athletic Training & Sports Medicine with a minor in Biology and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science.

After graduation, Elly passed her boards and went on to practice as a Certified Athletic Trainer. During this time, she started competing again, qualifying and hitting four for four routines at level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships. She was one of the oldest gymnasts to do so at the age of twenty-three.

She obtained a Master’s degree in Physician’s Assistant Studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) and passed her Boards to become a Certified Physician’s Assistant. While practicing sports medicine, Elly made history by starting the country’s first Gymnastics Medicine Clinic. The clinic focuses exclusively on gymnastics injuries, diagnosis, education, treatment, and prevention. She has also written and published many research papers on the subject and is currently finishing multiple gymnastics-specific studies.

In 2019, Elly completed her Doctorate from MCPHS before founding Gymnastics Medicine: Education and Research. She is an avid snowboarder and surfer, and also competed in the 2021 National Ninja Warrior Championships and is currently ranked 3rd across adult, female ninjas.

Executive Board Members

Samantha Peszek

Samantha Peszek

With 21 years of gymnastics experience, Samantha Peszek has been fortunate enough to compete at every level the sport offers.

Read Samantha Peszek’s full bio

After earning a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics, she landed a coveted scholarship to compete at the University of California Los Angeles, where she became a 3-time NCAA Champion and 17-time All American. More recently, Sam has founded Beam Queen Bootcamp, a camp and community to help gymnasts navigate one of the world’s toughest sports, both athletically and emotionally.

Kerry Salerno

Kerry Salerno

As a mom to two young gymnasts, Riley (14) and Chloe (12), Kerry Salerno knows the dedication it takes to be a gymnastics family.

Read Kerry Salerno’s full bio

Based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, she and her husband Kevin proudly support their girls as they balance school with their commitments to gymnastics, softball, and field hockey, just to name a few. Kerry leads a successful professional life as well; after receiving her B.S. in Marketing and her M.B.A from Bentley University, Kerry now serves as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Babson College. With over 20 years of experience in higher education enrollment and marketing roles, she oversees all branding, reputation, and enrollment driving marketing and communication efforts for the college.

Riley Salerno

Riley Salerno

Riley is a high school student and gymnast who brings a unique perspective to the Executive Board.

Read Riley Salerno’s full bio

Riley is a Level 9 gymnast at Yellow Jackets Gymnastics in Middleton, MA and she is a member of the Central Catholic High School Gymnastics team. Riley has had two OCD surgeries (in both elbows) and successfully returned to the sport after each recovery. Along with her impressive athletic resume, Riley is a member of the National Honor Society and successfully balances the demands of athletics and academics.

Working Board Members

Kerry Bair

Kerry Bair

RD, LDN, MPH, CSSD

Kerry Bair is a registered dietitian and a gymnastics nutrition expert helping gymnasts fuel their bodies, prevent injuries, and reach their highest potential through proper eating habits.

Read Kerry Bair’s full bio

Kerry holds ten years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and families in utilizing nutrition to improve their health and wellbeing. Kerry is a former member of the Rutgers University Division I gymnastics team, where she also obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science, Public Health, and Professional Youth Work and a Master’s in Public Health, Health Education, and Behavior Science. Kerry is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics.

Dr. Alyssa Herrera-Set

Dr. Alyssa Herrera-Set

PT, DPT, SCS, NCPT

Dr. Alyssa Herrera-Set is a physical therapist, pilates teacher, and clinic owner. She’s been involved in gymnastics for 40 years. Of all the gymnastics roles she’s had – gymnast mom has been her favorite.

Read Dr. Alyssa Herrera-Set’s full bio

Dr. Herrera-Set obtained a Doctorate in Physical Therapy through the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and San Francisco State University (SFSU). She also earned her Sports Physiotherapy diploma from the International Olympic Committee. She is the owner of On the Move Physical Therapy and Pilates, co-founder of the gymSAFE non-profit, and a lecturer at UCSF. As a physical therapist, she is passionate about helping gymnasts develop good movement habits, an understanding of their anatomy, and an ability to communicate their needs as an athlete.

Jamie Broz

Jamie Broz

MEd, ATC

Jamie Broz holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Athletic Training and Exercise Science and a Master’s in Health Education and Promotion from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Read Jamie Broz’s full bio

She has used her certifications and qualifications in leadership roles for top-tier sporting events such as Extreme Sports, Olympic Sports, and Paralympic Sports. Her primary experience has been performing arts and gymnastics, working with organizations like USA Gymnastics and National Team Training Centers, with Junior Olympic Level 10 athletes being a top favorite. Currently, she serves as the Manager for Sports Medicine and PM&R departments at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Along with her medical professionals’ team, Jamie launched the Center for the Female Athlete at Dayton Children’s Hospital, serving the midwest with the only holistic clinic in the area. The center has seen over 500 athletes in the female athlete program, and continues to grow in providing the best care for our athletes.

Dr. Kaysha Bates

Dr. Kaysha Bates

PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

Kaysha’s background as an athlete, coach, and physical therapist gives her a unique perspective on the prevention, rehabilitation, and performance of young gymnasts.

Read Dr. Kaysha Bates’s full bio

Kaysha is a native of Washington State where she spent the majority of her childhood in the gym training as a high-level competitive gymnast. She started gymnastics at age three and went on to compete collegiately for Seattle Pacific University where she earned both academic and athletic honors. Kaysha graduated from Regis University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017. Afterwards, she completed a residency in Sports Physical Therapy at the University of Florida. She has been a board-certified Sport Clinical Specialist since 2019. She has experience working with athletes of different ages (elementary to collegiate level) and across several sports.Kaysha holds a special interest in working with gymnasts and has remained involved in the sport through coaching, researching, and providing educational workshops to athletes, coaches, parents, and medical providers. Her clinical interests lie in rehabilitation of the gymnastics athlete, with an emphasis on injury prevention and post-surgical rehabilitation. Her research interests lie in reducing injury rates and workload management of the gymnast. She aims to empower athletes through evidence-based rehabilitation bridging the gap between the early rehab and return to sport.

Board Alumni

Working Board

Dr. Shannon Bauman – Sports Medicine Physician

Dr. Emily Sweeney – Paediatric Sports Medicine Physician

Kelsey Griffith – Mental Skills Specialist

Dr. Diana Lattimore – Sports Psychologist, Certified Mental Performance Coach

Dr. Jenny Borda – Physical Therapist

Dr. Tenaya West – Podiatrist

Mallory Mickus – Athletic Trainer

Natalie Gurnett – Mental Performance Coach

Executive Board

Dr. Ellen Casey – Sport Medicine Physician

Dr. Thomas Gill – Orthopaedic Surgeon/Sports Medicine Physician

Cale Robinson – High Performance Gymnastics Coach

Megan Mistretta – Gymnastics Parent

Owen Mistretta – Gymnast