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    • Home
    • About Us
      • Our Story
      • pdLIFE News
      • Our Team
      • Contact Us
    • Classes
    • EVENTS
    • Resources
      • Support
      • Exercise & Support Groups
      • Learn
      • Medical Resources
      • For Providers
    • Get Involved
    • DONATE
      • Donate
      • Planned & Stock Donations
pdLIFE
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • pdLIFE News
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Classes
  • EVENTS
  • Resources
    • Support
    • Exercise & Support Groups
    • Learn
    • Medical Resources
    • For Providers
  • Get Involved
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Planned & Stock Donations

pdLIFE Team: Healthcare and Exercise Professionals

Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT

Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach

Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT

Parkinson's Disease specialist Meredith Defranco, providing Parkinson's physical therapy in Tampa.

Founder/ Executive Director of pdLIFE


Over almost 10 years at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurologic Diseases at the University of Florida, Meredith learned from the best in the Parkinson's field, including Dr. Michael Okun. 

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Meredith sees patients with Parkinson's Disease at Potentia Therapeutics. 

She is PWR! Certified, to power up our PD community. 

Michelle Hubbard, PT, DPT

Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach

Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT

Michelle Hubbard leads our Parkinson's exercise classes in Tampa. Certified in Rock Steady Boxing.

Doctor of Physical Therapy and instructor for our classes at Barksdale and Omar Lightfoot Senior Centers. She has years of experience teaching group fitness, yoga, and tai chi. Michelle is a certified instructor in PWR!, Rock Steady Boxing, and Total Parkinson's training programs. 

Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach

Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach

Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach

Brittany: a Parkinson's Disease exercise specialist. Leads our Parkinson's warriors exercise classes

Brittany is a personal trainer with advanced boxing and fitness certification. Leader of our high intensity training groups. The UpTOP group is calling her "Boom Boom!"...we like it :)

Joann Gallichio, PT, DSc, NCS

Joann Gallichio, PT, DSc, NCS

Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach

Joann is a neurologic physical therapist, pdLIFE board member and volunteers at our exercise classes

Joann is a board certified neurologic physical therapist who teaches the neuromuscular curriculum at Nova Southeastern University.

Cara Bryan, MA-CCC, SLP

Joann Gallichio, PT, DSc, NCS

Cara Bryan, MA-CCC, SLP

Cara Bryan is a Speech Pathologist providing Parkinson's speech therapy in South Tampa.

Founder of South Tampa Voice Therapy, speech pathologist, voice, and singing specialist. She provides Parkinson's speech therapy in South Tampa. 

Cynthia Marshall, OT

Joann Gallichio, PT, DSc, NCS

Cara Bryan, MA-CCC, SLP

Cynthia is an OT at Potentia Therapeutics providing Parkinson's occupational therapy services.

Occupational Therapist @ Potentia Therapeutics working alongside Meredith to provide collaborative care to our PD community

Heather Herrema, DO

Cat Simmons, MS, RDN, CDCES

Heather Herrema, DO

Dr. Heather Herrema, a Parkinson's neurologist and movement disorders specialist in St. Petersburg.

Physician practicing at Central Neurology St. Pete with fellowship training in Movement Disorders. She is a Parkinson's specialist and on the board of pdLIFE.

Jen Prugh, PT, DPT

Cat Simmons, MS, RDN, CDCES

Heather Herrema, DO

Jen Prugh is a physical therapist in Tampa.

 Jen is a physical therapist at Potentia Therapeutics. She specializes in dry needling and management of the orthopedic issues of our PD patients.

Cat Simmons, MS, RDN, CDCES

Cat Simmons, MS, RDN, CDCES

Cat Simmons, MS, RDN, CDCES

Registered dietitian nutritionist with a functional and integrative approach to gut-brain health.

pdLIFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Valerie Herrero: Treasurer

Valerie Herrero: Treasurer

Valerie Herrero: Treasurer

Headshot of Valerie Herrero, pdLIFE Treasurer and Parkinson's Disease Advocate

 

My professional working career experience was as an Accountant and Controller for Corporations in the Tampa Bay area.  I bring the administrative financial background for daily, monthly accounting records, strategic budgeting guidance to support our foundation’s position in its visionary goals to create a visible  presence and support to our Tampa Bay Parkinson’s Family Community. 

I volunteer at the pdLIFE wellness exercising classes.  I am a spinning instructor, Rock Steady Boxing certified and make a good cheerleader for our PwP.   I love seeing smiling faces at classes and take pictures for  sharing on our website.    

My personal connection to Parkinson’s has been in the role of being a CarePartner to my late husband for 13 years.

Jeffrey Edwards: Secretary

Valerie Herrero: Treasurer

Valerie Herrero: Treasurer

 With prior experience in analytical thinking both as a published financial analyst with a byline in Barron’s and as a trial attorney with the Florida Department of Justice, I bring a unique perspective to the Board. As a member of The Florida Bar I look forward to guiding ParkinsonLife Corporation as we forge ahead as a tax exempt non-profit with a mission and a purpose to bring a quality of life to the Parkinson challenged that allows for internal growth and new experiences for our members and their care givers. 

Heather Herrema, DO

Valerie Herrero: Treasurer

Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator

Dr. Heather Herrema, a Parkinson's neurologist and movement disorders specialist in St. Petersburg.

Physician practicing at Central Neurology St. Pete with fellowship training in Movement Disorders. 

Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator

Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator

Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator

Scott Payne

Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator

Brian Breseman

St Pete local that has been pushing the community to DO MORE NOW for people with PD and their loved ones! Delay the Disease Instructor and promoter. 


Brian Breseman

Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator

Brian Breseman

Ryan Smith

Mallory Diana

Mallory Diana

Mallory Diana

Mallory Diana

Mallory Diana

Born and raised in Tampa Bay, I bring over 10 years of experience as a Certified Medical Assistant working across multiple medical specialties in South Tampa, along with five years of experience as a dedicated personal caregiver. I am deeply engaged in supporting individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and the Parkinson’s community. I am passionate about representing the voices of patients and caregivers, advocating and helping build inclusive, supportive programs that foster connection and encouragement.

pdLIFE Team: Creative and Support Team

Emily Larrison

Emily Larrison

Emily Larrison

Administrative Assistant

Melissa Wolfe

Emily Larrison

Emily Larrison

Coach for life! She is our connector!

Advocacy Partners

PD Avengers

Me Over PD


Parkinsonlife Corporation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Copyright © 2024 Parkinsonlife Corporation - All Rights Reserved.

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