Built by clinicians.
Driven by a deep belief that artists deserve better care.
AAHC was founded on the conviction that performing artists are elite athletes — and that the performing arts industry should treat them as such. Since 2022, we've been building the infrastructure to make that possible.
Our MissionAAHC is a performing arts medicine consultancy dedicated to clinical excellence, professional development, and the long-term health of performing artists. We partner with studios, arts organizations, and interdisciplinary clinicians to make evidence-based care a structural part of how the performing arts operate.
Leadership & Core Team
Melissa Buffer, MSPT, CNPT
Melissa Buffer, MSPT, CNPT is a physical therapist, performing arts medicine specialist, and the founder of the Artistic Athlete Health Collective. Over more than 20 years, her work in the clinic, backstage, and inside arts organizations has been a natural progression -- always moving toward a single conviction: that performing artists deserve the same standard of clinical care as any elite athlete.
Melissa specializes in dance medicine, backstage clinical care, and orthopedic sports medicine, and is an active member of IADMS and PAMA. She is also the owner of Buffer Trenouth Physical Therapy and Wellness, with locations in Cambridge and Jamaica Plain, MA.
A lifelong dancer, self-described musical theater geek, and mom of two girls and partner to THE Jason, Melissa brings both clinical precision and genuine love for the performing arts to everything she does.
Founder
Katerina Vujić
Operations & Health CoachingKaterina Vujić is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the operational heart of AAHC. She oversees day-to-day coordination and leads the ThriveBridge health coaching program — a virtual 1:1 coaching service designed to complement clinical PT care for performing artists navigating the demands of their careers.
A classically trained pianist, vocalist, and long-time performing artist, Katerina brings both the practitioner's perspective and the artist's lived experience to her role. She approaches every aspect of her work with precision, care, and genuine investment in the artists and clinicians she serves.
Our Clinical Network
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Mitzi Eppley, BFA, PTA
Onsite PT, Performing Arts Medicine
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Stephanie Heroux, PT, DPT
Onsite PT, Performing Arts Medicine
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Arianna Ciccarelli Shimits, MA
Sport & Performance Psychology
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Laura Pempkowski, DPT
Onsite PT, Vestibular & dry needling
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Kimberleigh A. Holman
Strength & Movement Arts
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Emma Nelson, PT, DPT
Onsite PT, Performing Arts Medicine, dry needling
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Katie Selig, PT, DPT
Performing Arts Medicine, Gymnastics & circus arts
As featured in
Pointe Magazine
Dance Informa
Dance Magazine
Boston Press Photographers Association
“The synergy of the dance health community is contributing to healthier dancers. The consensus is wonderful. Everyone’s saying, ‘Let’s get to the root of the problem.”
Want to bring AAHC into your organization?
Studios & orgs
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Clinicians
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Artists
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