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 PT Office
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Physical Therapy Staff:
Personal Training Staff:
Support Staff: Michelle E. Wolpov, Owner, MBA, PT, ATC, CSCSMichelle graduated from Ithaca College in 1987, with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy. For the first six years she concentrated in the areas of sports medicine and orthopedics, completing a certification in Athletic Training (NATA) and becoming a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA). Working with athletes at all levels, Michelle held positions in private clinics, high schools, colleges (Montclair State), and with professional sports teams (NY Giants). In 1993, she became the director of a NovaCare clinic, coordinating its expansion and planning a turnaround strategy that would lead to over $3 million in annual revenues by 1998. From there Michelle moved on to a health care management company, where she worked with a team to develop three new outpatient rehabilitation start-ups in central New Jersey in 1999. At the end of 1999, Michelle left her position to pursue an MBA degree at Monmouth University, where she graduated #1 in her class, with a 4.0 GPA. In 2000, Michelle was nominated for the New Jersey Women in Business Award and was inducted into the national honor society for business students, Beta Gamma Sigma. This led to an induction into the national society for “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities”. Michelle remains active with Monmouth University’s Business Council and Alumni Society. In 2001, Michelle became the president and founder of Practice Management Consulting, a health care consulting business aimed at helping professionals with their business start-ups. Her ultimate dream would be to one-day combine fitness and wellness, with sports medicine and rehabilitation. As a health care professional, Michelle is committed to helping people in the community. She volunteers her time at races and sporting events held throughout the state. In the past, she has directed fundraising events to help individuals with muscular dystrophy, MS, arthritis and breast cancer. She has been on medical teams for the Garden State Games and the Special Olympics. Michelle is personally a sports enthusiast and enjoys golf, cycling, hiking and skiing. She typically gets involved as an athlete to help raise money for charities. And finally, Michelle volunteers at Big Brother, Big Sister of Monmouth County. In May 2002, Michelle realized her dream when she, as the sole owner, purchased Planet Fitness in Manalapan. She immediately started the company known as Professional Sports & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Associates, LLC and began the turn-around strategy to take a worn down gym and transition it into a state-of-the-art, functional sports training facility which now offers physical therapy, personal fitness training, monthly gym memberships, massage therapy and nutrition counseling.  Arlene Katz, B.S. PT, CSCSArlene has 22 years of clinical experience practicing physical therapy in numerous settings, including: acute care hospital rotations, private orthopedic practices, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, home-care, and in the school system. While working for an outpatient center, she developed the Back School Program for the treatment and education of clients with spinal injuries. She also restructured and developed an outpatient physical therapy practice in a physiatrist’s office. Arlene graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 1976 with a BA in biology and psychology and a minor in dance. After volunteering in the PT department at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York, she decided upon a career in physical therapy. She subsequently earned a BS in PT at NYU in 1980. Since then, Arlene has taken numerous continuing education courses in sports medicine, orthopedics, manual therapy techniques, and the diagnosis and treatment of cervical and lumbar spine disorders. She most recently passed the NSCA exam to become a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. While raising three wonderful children, she has participated in many school and community activities and organizations. She has coached her children in recreational and travel soccer for fifteen years, and has earned a brown belt in Kanzen Goju-ryu karate. She looks forward to working within her own community, and is dedicated to promoting health and fitness and affording everyone the opportunity to live and enjoy their lives to their fullest extent.  Cynthia LoCastro, MS PTCynthia has been a practicing licensed physical therapist for the past 7 years. She has had experience in various settings, with her primary discipline being in out-patient orthopedic and multi-disciplinary private practice. In addition, Cynthia is a school-certified physical therapist and has provided services on a part-time basis for the past 5 years, working with children of all ages. Cynthia underwent her undergraduate education at Ramapo College of New Jersey, graduating in 1983 with a BS degree in psychology. After serving on active duty in the United States Army in the early 1990s, she returned to college in 1995, attending Bergen Community College and New York University, then entered a physical therapy program at New York Medical College, to graduate with an MS degree in 1999. While attending NYMC, she and several classmates actively participated in the building of a playground in Westchester County, NY designed specifically for handicapped children. Cynthia regularly attends continuing education seminars and workshops to further expand her knowledge base and skills, in order to bring to her patients the professional dedication and quality of care they deserve. Being a proponent of fitness and encouraging active lifestyles, Cynthia is an avid cyclist and routinely participates in charity fund raising rides such as cancer, MS, and autism research, as well as environmental awareness and humanitarian concerns. Cynthia also enjoys mountain biking, kayaking and scuba diving, which is incorporated into her world-wide travels. Cynthia's dedication to physical health and global excursions has increased her awareness of other cultures and lifestyles as well as helping in maintaining her own.  Elizabeth McGlynn, PTA Stacey Palumbo, DPTStacey graduated with a doctoral degree in physical therapy from The University of Medicine and Dentistry in May 2005 and has been practicing since August 2005. She did her undergraduate schooling at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ where she graduated with a BS in Biology in December 2000. Stacey has been trained in myofascial release techniques and is excited to take classes to further her education. Her interests include orthopaedics and sports specific training. Stacey grew up in East Brunswick, NJ where she participated in several sports, including field hockey, basketball and softball, and also played Division III field hockey at The College of NJ. She continues to remain active with recreational activities, cardiovascular exercises and weight training.  Tiffany Spadafora, MPTTiffany has been with Game Shape since January, 2006. To say that she is a "Jack-of-all-Trades" might be an understatement! She used great work experiences and schooling and decided to attempt a career in Physical Therapy shortly after she was married in late 1996. She attended the College of Staten Island and took undergrad classes, all aimed at obtaining a spot in their Physical Therapy program. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New Hyde Park, New York in 1993, Tiffany worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan, and then at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Central Park South. She quickly climbed the ladder in the food service industry, becoming the Catering Sales Manager at the Ritz by age 22. Tiffany wanted to further her education, and desired a position in the medical profession. After her graduation from the College of Staten Island's Physical Therapy Program in March 2003, Tiffany spent some time at home with her husband and daughter, who incidentally was born in late December 2001….after six straight finals! Not to be outdone, at 8 months pregnant with her son, she passed the Physical Therapy boards in April, 2004. In that time, she has maintained a busy schedule. She is very active in her church's music department, singing in the choir and performing solo's. They even cut a gospel CD in 2005! She has a busy workout schedule, mixing weight training, cardio and spinning classes. She uses her knowledge and experience in the gym to help her clients. Tiffany also uses her experience in the kitchen to prepare healthy meals for the family, and caters all of her own family parties, sometimes up to 60 people! Tiffany did Internships at Silver Lake Nursing home, Staten Island, NY, in geriatrics, at BCS in Freehold, NJ in orthopedics, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ in the Cardiac Rehab division, and at JFK Hospital, Edison, NJ in pediatrics. She especially liked the Pediatric and Orthopedic fields. When looking for her first time position as a Physical Therapist, it was important for her to maintain her role as full time mommy and wife, so the part-time position at Game Shape was ideal for her and her family. She is a dedicated Therapist, and has a caring and gentle personality. But don't let that fool you, if you have a stuck trigger point, she'll rub it out! She looks forward to being active in her children's future scholastic and recreational activities, as well as continuing to advance in the Physical Therapy Profession, and whatever else God has for her life!  Michael Clancy, Jr., CPTMike grew up in Bricktown, N.J. where he attended St. Dominic's. During his early years, Mike participated in many sports, including: basketball, baseball, soccer and cross country. After graduating from St. Dominic's in 1992 he went on to attend Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River. During that time, Mike participated in wrestling, football and track and field. He also had the opportunity to serve as an assistant track & field and cross country coach at St. Dominic's. Mike held that position for two years working under the guidance of Mr. Rick Tully. This is how he got his start in weight training. Mike went on to major in Sport Management at West Virginia University and graduated in December 2000 with a B.S. in Sport Management. While in the Sport Management program Mike participated in the Sport Management Club for two years and was in charge of fundraising. In 1998, Mike volunteered with the Special Olympics and was certified to officiate in badminton. Mike also gained valuable knowledge at WVU's Stansbury Fitness Center where he trained in membership sales and facility management. In 2001, Mike worked for Nautilus Plus where he gained experience working as a personal trainer and at the front desk. Mike is currently pursuing a career in the fitness industry at Game Shape, where he will have the opportunity to pursue a variety of certifications in exercise and nutrition, and to learn how to operate a successful health club. In 2005, Mike was certified as a Nutrition Specialist through Dr. Jane Pentz and Lifestyle Management, Inc. Mike is a certified personal trainer through N.E.S.T.A. Mike is also an avid body builder. He has placed in all of his shows, and most recently placed 3rd in the Keystone State Super Natural in Oct 2004.  Lori Gerbereux, CPT, Nutrition ConsultantLori Gerbereux has been an athlete most of her life. It is easy to see why she is, today, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. She's a distance runner, a record setting power lifter and is presently a competitive all natural bodybuilder. She has a strong understanding of the importance of exercise and nutrition in keeping the mind and body healthy in today's fast paced, highly stressful world. Lori is dedicated to helping people develop a training and nutrition program that can fit into their busy lives. She also continues to strive to enhance her own life by currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Nutrition. Lori also volunteers at local hospitals, working with cancer patients during their chemo therapy treatments. She helps them maintain good nutrition and physical fitness during this time, thus lessening the effects of this harsh treatment. According to Lori, "happiness is a healthy body"!  Dan Greco, BA, NASM / WITS Certified Personal TrainerDan has extensive experience in the Sports and Fitness field. He's been a Health and Physical Education teacher for four years prior to becoming a Personal Trainer. Dan went to Cedarville University and obtained a BA in Health and Physical Education. He's coached basketball and soccer at the high school level and spent several summers coaching for a youth sports camp in Staten Island. He keeps active by playing hockey, baseball, golf, racquetball, and camping during his spare time. He's patient with clients and is confident he will help you achieve your fitness goals. Dan's areas of expertise include: functional strength and conditioning, core stabilization, balance training, and weight management.  Joanna Maidment, NSCA-CPTJoanna joined the Planet Fitness - Physical Therapy & Wellness Center in 2002 as a Physical Therapy Aide. She now divides her time between personal training and patient rehabilitation, working with many different populations, ranging from 8 year old children to 80 year old adults. Joanna has studied dance with various regional dance companies, including the American Reporatory Ballet Company (formerly known as The Princeton Ballet). Her athletic background includes competing in regional events as a racewalker and runner, winning numerous awards as one of the top 3 athletes in her category. Joanna has earned the distinguished NSCA-CPT credential for personal training through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, one of the leading organizations in the health and fitness industry for personal training and strength conditioning. Areas of expertise include: functional strength & conditioning, and core stabilization training.  Gregory Santo, NSCA-CPTGreg is a senior at Rutgers College majoring in Computer Science. He has been training and exercising for about seven years now and has been a personal trainer, and part of the staff, for over three years. Greg is currently studying Ninjutsu, the martial art of the Ninja. He owns a web design company he operates as a hobby. However, Greg's true passion, and hopefully future profession, is programming video games. Greg enjoys working with people of all ages and loves to help make exercise fun for those he trains. Greg has a thorough understanding of strength, power, and endurance training and also understands that a strong foundation (overall body stabilization) is the key to any successful training regiment. In the past Greg has worked with people of all ages, from early teens to mid seventies. He has even trained several athletes in a group setting for sport-specific exercises and drills. His strengths include core strengthening and stabilization, power and strength training, and circuit training. Support Staff
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