Back in motion

At UHS, recovery means more than healing—it means reclaiming moments that matter.

When you think of physical therapy, what comes to mind? Maybe a sports injury or a long hallway lined with handrails and stretching bands. But for two UHS patients—one a teenage cheerleader, the other a 75-year-old cyclist—physical therapy became something much more. It became the way forward.

At just 15, Kaylee Goodspeed already faced not one but two knee surgeries. Her most recent surgery wasn’t the result of an injury, but was taken as a preemptive step. Her doctor warned that her knee ligaments were dangerously loose—“a ticking time bomb,” as her mom, Jamie Goodspeed, put it. Jamie had gone through knee surgeries of her own and knew exactly how hard that could be.

After surgery, Kaylee started physical therapy at the UHS Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Endicott, working closely with UHS Physical Therapist Renee Marcyan, PT, DPT. “She was truly remarkable,” Jamie said of Renee. At first, Kaylee went three times a week, then two, and followed a strict home exercise plan in between appointments. Renee didn’t just show Kaylee what to do—she showed her that she believed in her.

Better than expected

Just three months later, Kaylee was back to her regular routine—much faster than the anticipated timeline for recovery. Her surgeon, Kristen Herbst, DO, UHS Orthopedics, was stunned. “She beat the timeline by months,” Jamie said. The difference? A great therapist; a strong, consistent home routine and a lot of heart.

And it wasn’t just about the physical healing, but the bond Kaylee developed with her therapist. “We were actually sad to see therapy end,” Jamie shared. “They joked with her, they talked about their weekends—it became something she looked forward to.”

Today, Kaylee is entering her junior year in high school and back to tumbling and cheering, pain-free and restriction-free. “I don’t even think about her knee anymore, although, for so many years, that was top of mind,” Jamie said.

Reclaiming the freedom to ride

Another transformative story comes from Jim McKenna. At 75, Jim has lived a full life—from stone masonry in the Finger Lakes to cycling thousands of miles a year. But chronic shoulder pain nearly took away one of his greatest joys: his bike.

“I loved cycling the moment I started at 60,” Jim said. “But the pain became unbearable.” After a long delay (and a lot of ibuprofen), he had shoulder replacement surgery at UHS Orthopedics performed by Dr. Herbst. Just weeks later, he began working with physical therapist Benjamin Dvorsky, PT, DPT—and that was when his comeback began.

Jim’s experience with shoulder rehab means he can ride thousands of miles without pain.

“I drove almost 50 miles for each appointment,” Jim said. “But Ben was great. He gave me everything I needed to do at home and trusted me to do it.” And Jim did—following his suggested regimen every morning and every night. “He was very dedicated. Jim supplemented his once-weekly PT sessions with consistent home exercises, which he credits for his accelerated recovery and return to independence,” said Ben.

By three months post-surgery, Jim was back in the saddle—literally. “I’ve ridden a couple thousand miles since the operation,” he said proudly. “Physical therapy was absolutely essential. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”

The UHS Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation team provided clear post-op expectations, timelines, and home exercise plans for both Kaylee and Jim, stressing the importance of independent at-home exercise as a key element of the overall care model for UHS Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation.

Here for You—In More Locations

Whether you’re helping your child bounce back from surgery, recovering from a joint replacement yourself or just hoping to move through your day with less pain—UHS Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation is ready to walk that road with you.
What makes physical therapy at UHS so effective isn’t just the treatment—it’s the team. With nine outpatient PT locations—including Binghamton, Endicott, Vestal, Greene and Owego—UHS therapists work closely with providers, athletic trainers and specialists to create a care plan tailored to each patient. In early April, UHS celebrated the expansion of these services with a ribbon-cutting at its newest location housed within UHS Senior Living at Ideal.

The UHS Orthopedic Center in Vestal

“We don’t treat just as a Physical Therapist or a Physical Therapist Assistant—we work in teams,” said Darrel Harvey, DT, DPT, director of Outpatient Operations, UHS Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation. “Our focus is on quality, access and making sure patients feel taken care of.”

That might mean custom home exercises for someone recovering from surgery—or advanced tools like blood-flow restriction cuffs to accelerate muscle recovery. It also means giving patients the confidence to reclaim their lives.

For both Kaylee and Jim, physical therapy wasn’t just about healing—it was about getting back to who they are.

For Kaylee, it was about cheering and laughing with her team again. For Jim, it was the freedom of an open road and the breeze in his face. For both of them, it was about the people—therapists like Renee and Ben—who treated them as more than just a diagnosis.