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By Joanna DelBuono
Brooklyn Daily
Midwood
Put your hands together for Dr. Michael Mattia, the new president-elect of the New York Physical Therapy Association.
The physical therapist with hands of gold has been helping improve the lives of hospital patients for more than 20 years. In 2013 he was the recipient of a heart award presented by his peers in recognition for his compassion, dedication and ability to work well with others, as well as his advocacy on behalf of all physical therapists.
Our pal Michael will preside over approximately 5,000 licensed physical therapists, assistants, and students. He is a graduate of the State University of New York and City University of New York in Brooklyn, he received his doctorate from Temple University in 2006, and he holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from Ohio University and a master in science from Long Island University.
Michael has served for several years as legislative liaison for the New York Physical Therapist’s Association’s Brooklyn-Staten Island Chapter and has been a chairman on its advisory panel on legislation since 2011. In addition to working at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Brooklyn, he is the founder and chief executive officer of Mattia Physical Rehabilitation, and an adjunct professor at the College of Staten Island and Kingsborough Community College.
Mount Sinai Beth Israel Brooklyn [3201 Kings Hwy. at E. 32nd Street in Midwood, (718) 252–3000].
Brooklyn Heights
Put out the welcome mat
Greetings to Amelia Wilson. Standing O pal was elected to the Board of Directors at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy last month.
Nancy Bowe, chairwoman of the Conservancy, was delighted with the selection.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Amelia to the Conservancy’s team,” she said. “Her fresh perspective, energy, and enthusiasm will greatly enrich our efforts to support Brooklyn Bridge Park.”
Amelia — who originally hails from Australia, where she received a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Queensland University of Technology — is now a true-blue Brooklynite through and through.
In 2011, she founded Armstrong Wilson Advisory, where she advises nonprofit organizations on governance, management, and leadership best practices. Amelia, a former executive at Goldman Sachs, is chairwoman of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Girls Leadership Institute.
An active member of the community, she also serves on committees for the Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the historic Plymouth Church.
The woman of the hour is thrilled with her new post.
“I am delighted to join the Conservancy’s board, and look forward to being a part of the effort to steward our own, world-class, Brooklyn Bridge Park,” she said.
Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy [334 Furman St. at Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 802–0603]
Bensonhurst
Welcome to the chair
Standing O welcomes Sister Elizabeth Hill, alumna and former president of St. Joseph’s College, as the new chairwoman of Bishop Kearney High School.
Sister S. Helen Kearney, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph, had nothing but praise for Sister Hill.
“Sister Elizabeth Hill is dedicated to the education of the whole person to be a responsible member of our complex society,” she told Standing O. “She believes in the dignity of all persons and values developing their competencies, self-confidence and spiritual values to live fruitful and satisfying lives.”
Sister Kearney said the school looked forward to a wonderful partnership with Sister Elizabeth and the board, and with new president Dr. Margaret Minson and new principal Elizabeth Guglielmo.
Sister Elizabeth graduated from Columbia University and from St. John’s University School of Law. She worked as a staff attorney in the Catholic migration office in Brooklyn and served as an executive assistant to St. Joseph’s previous president, Sr. George Aquin O’Connor, from 1980 to 1997. In 2014, Sr. Elizabeth was the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Long Island Association.
Standing O wishes Sister Elizabeth a long and happy seat!
Bishop Kearney High School [2202 60th St. at Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst, (718) 236–6363].