pdLIFE Team: Healthcare and Exercise Professionals
Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT
Brittany Wines, USA Boxing Certified Coach
Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT
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
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
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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 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
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
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Occupational Therapist @ Potentia Therapeutics working alongside Meredith to provide collaborative care to our PD community
Heather Herrema, DO
Heather Herrema, DO
Heather Herrema, DO
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
Heather Herrema, DO
Heather Herrema, DO
Jen is a physical therapist at Potentia Therapeutics. She specializes in dry needling and management of the orthopedic issues of our PD patients.
Steve Aradi, MD
Heather Herrema, DO
Cat Simmons, MS, RDN, CDCES
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Movement Disorder Neurologist and exceptional Parkinson advocate at USF.
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
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
Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator
Dottie Iwerks: Volunteer Coordinator
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
pdLIFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Payne
Brian Breseman
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
Brian Breseman
Brian Breseman
Ryan Smith
Brian Breseman
Ryan Smith
pdLIFE Team: Creative and Support Team
Scott Venkataraman
Scott Venkataraman
Scott Venkataraman
Physical Therapist, pdLIFE communications and partnerships.
Melissa Wolfe
Scott Venkataraman
Scott Venkataraman
Coach for life! She is our connector!
Advocacy Partners
PD Avengers
Me Over PD
