Mellissa Higgins PT, DPT

Mellissa has been part of The Back Clinic, Inc. team since May 2012. Mellissa, and her husband Noah Pascarell, became the owners of The Back Clinic, Inc. when her mentor and long time owner, Ellen Levine, announced her retirement in July of 2024.

Mellissa earned her BA in Psychology from Widener University in 2008 and continued her education there to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy with a certificate in Health and Wellness, graduating in 2011.

Mellissa has continued her education concentrating on functional manual therapy and back education through The Institute of Physical Art completing courses in Functional Mobilization, Core First Strategies, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. Most recently, Mellissa earned her Advanced Functional Dry Needling Certification in November 2019.

In the clinic, Mellissa places a strong emphasis on collaborating with her colleagues to provide the most efficient and highest standard of care for her patients. She is dedicated to improving patient’s pain and function with manual therapy and is always looking to improve her practice with continuing education.

Ellen Hassert Levine, PT

Ellen became Director after the retirement of her mentor and founder of The Back Clinic, Helen M. Abrams, Med. P.T.   Ellen is a 1979 graduate of the University of Delaware. She has been practicing physical therapy for over 35 years.  She is Bylaws chairperson for the Delaware Physical Therapy Association.

Ellen recently attended “Female Sexual Medicine for the Women’s Health Therapist” at the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute in Annapolis, MD on December 7th, 2013.  She is one of the therapists with a specialty in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders.

Mary Kate Monaco PT, DPT

Mary Kate completed her Bachelors of Science in Biology in 2018 and went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton in 2021. She then completed a 13-month residency in Orthopedics with Luminis Health where she worked weekly with the orthopedic surgical teams learning about management of routine and complex conditions.  In 2022, she sat for the exam and became a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.  She has pursued continuing education in the specialty regions of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and ribs as well as rehabilitation of the injured runner.  She currently treats a wide variety of diagnoses in the back clinic, and has loved getting to know her patients and seeing them get stronger over time!

Danielle Tadeo PT, MPT

Danielle completed her Master’s of Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s of Health Sciences in May 2000, graduating from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.  Since her graduation, Danielle has worked in many clinical settings that include Home Care, Outpatient Orthopedics, Long Term Nursing, and Short Term Rehabilitation. The experience of these diverse settings has allowed Danielle an opportunity to focus on evaluation and treatment of patient’s with a holistic and whole body approach.

Danielle has focused most recently on Pelvic Health, taking an orthopedic approach to assessment and treatment of the female and male pelvic floor.  Joining the staff at The Back Clinic, Inc not only offers Danielle the opportunity to continue to focus on her area of interest, but it allows the community continued access to an important specialty of health care.

Carole Jennings, PTA

Carole Jennings is our Senior Physical Therapist Assistant. She has been employed at The Back Clinic, Inc since 1989, celebrating over 30 years of service to the clinic. Carole is a 1989 graduate of Delaware Technical and Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. Carole’s special interests include aquatic exercise therapy, vestibular/balance therapy and strain/counter strain techniques. Carole is also certified as a pool operator by the State of Delaware.

Shannon Minshall

Shannon graduated from St. Mark’s High School in 1992. She started at The Back Clinic, Inc. in 1993 as a Physical Therapy Technician and moved into the position of Administrative Assistant over time. After leaving The Back Clinic, Inc. in 2005, she returned in 2012 as Administrative Assistant and has since moved into the position of Office Manager.

Shannon is here to help facilitate patient care from intake to discharge, helping coordinate patient schedules and insurance benefits to allow for a seamless experience here at The Back Clinic, Inc.