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.
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!
Michael Ward PT, DPT
Michael completed his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology from University of Delaware in 2008, and went on to earn his Master of Science in Applied Physiology in 2010. He completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2020 from Neumann University in Aston, PA.
Michael comes to The Back Clinic with experience in geriatric Physical Therapy in both short and long-term inpatient rehabilitation. Over the years, he has gained experience working with patients with a wide variety of chronic cardiovascular and neuromuscular conditions. An avid runner, Michael’s areas of interest also include Functional Endurance, Orthopedic Rehab, Sports Rehab, and Manual Therapy as well as a focus on stability and coordination between the core and the lower body.
Michael brings a patient-centered, compassionate, enthusiastic approach to Physical Therapy and is eager to help his patients achieve their goals.
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.
De’Ja Campbell, PTA
De’Ja Campbell originally started with The Back Clinic, Inc. in 2017 as a Physical Therapy Technician where she later went on to graduate from Delaware Technical Community College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant in 2021. After leaving The Back Clinic, Inc., she returned in 2024 with three years of outpatient orthopedic experience. She is dedicated to improving patients’ mobility, independence and overall quality of life through compassionate care and collaborative efforts with colleagues.
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.