Physical Therapists - Cranford, New Jersey - Advanced Physical Therapy Associates

David Van Brunt, who is a physical therapist, assisted by his wife Nancy, a registered nurse, first opened the office in 1978 at 15 Windsor Place in Cranford. Prior to establishing his private practice, Mr. Van Brunt was Director/Chief PT at Memorial General Hospital in Union, N.J. and Supervisor of contract therapists for the Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Union County.

In 1988, the corporation became known as Advanced Physical Therapy Associates. Mr. Van Brunt expanded his practice to include upper extremity rehabilitation, achieving a national certification in that field. In the fall of 1990, Timothy O'Kay, PT joined the practice and began to develop a specialty in industrial rehabilitation and worker's compensation. In 1991, APTA entered into an agreement with the Cranford Swim Pool Utility for use of its indoor swimming pool to begin an aquatic program. Linda Bernot, PT became part of the growing practice in 1992, taking over the aquatic program and later developing a new area in women's health. In recognition of their accomplishments, an announcement of Timothy O'Kay and Linda Bernot as clinical partners in Advanced Physical Therapy Associates was announced in September of 1994. The home office could no longer continue to accommodate the growing practice.

In September of 1993, APTA moved its practice to 340 North Avenue East. With the addition of pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation and the desire to add other specialties as well as a therapeutic pool, it was determined that another move was necessary. In January of 1996, land was purchased at 210 North Avenue for the construction of a new facility to better accommodate APTA's needs and the patients we serve. The move to 210 North Avenue was completed in May of 1997. This new state-of-the-art facility has enabled further program development, while keeping the Van Brunt’s emphasis of superior service to the community.

In 2000, Timothy O'Kay was named as Director of Advanced Physical Therapy Associates located at 210 North Avenue E. in Cranford, NJ. An integral part of the practice since 1990, he provides years of clinical experience and knowledge, always with a sense of great compassion. Besides excellence in communication skills and personal mentoring, Tim functions with skillful organizational abilities and understanding of human resources. As Director, his role has recently been expanded to include a second location at 525 Central Avenue in Westfield, NJ.

In 2010, Accent on Hands and Pediatric Advantage of Westfield joined the Advanced Physical Therapy Associates family. Accent on Hands remains at 525 Central Avenue, Westfield. Pediatric Advantage was moved to Cranford to expand the existing Pediatric Physical Therapy Program with Pediatric Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. Two fully equipped gyms are available to accommodate our pediatric patients.

Our Goals

We are dedicated to the goal of helping each patient achieve the highest possible level of personal performance, at home, school and work, and to providing the guidance that is essential to ongoing wellness and the prevention of future injuries. As both team members and individuals, we are dedicated to the achievement and maintenance of our own professional development goals, through participation in continuing education and in-service training programs, in teaching and mentoring professional and community service organizations.

In pursuit of these goals, we seek always and in every instance to conduct ourselves in a thoroughly professional and genuinely friendly and respectful manner, in person and on the phone, giving special attention to the human values that cornerstone the practice of Physical Therapy as an allied medical science, and that underscore our personal commitment to the service of others.