We take pride in our dedicated, talented team of staff members. Each staff member makes up our
Medial & Sports Rehabilitation family.
Our Physical Therapy Team
C. Bruce Meert, PT
Bruce came to Naples in 1973 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy form Loma Linda University in California. He received his California license and subsequent Florida license. Mr. Meert worked for Naples Community Hospital for 2 1/2 years and the Naples Medical Center for 2 years before beginning Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center in 1977. He has been the chairman of the Southwest District of the Florida Physical Therapy Association. He has volunteered and has sent staff to a variety of health fairs and community services.
Bruce has attended over 80 continuing education courses with primary interest in neck and back rehab diagnoses and secondary interest in sports and orthopedic rehab. These classes have provided techniques to rebalance the pelvis, sacrum and spine, work with connective tissue in the body, cranio-fascial techniques and special techniques to address muscle problems. His training in specialized equipment allows for additional methods of treating damaged tissue in various ways including using acupuncture points. (License #: PT1402)
Ann Cates, MS, PT, Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
Ann has 20 years clinical experience in a variety of settings including: Adult Rehabilitation, Acute Care, Outpatient Care and Home Health. Ann graduated with a B.S. in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and received a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. Her extensive continuing education includes: McKenzie Spinal Rehabilitation and Upledger Institute training in Cranio-Sacral Therapy for adult and pediatrics. Ann recently completed a four year certificate program as a Brennan Healing Science Practitioner utilizing hands-on energy techniques.
(License #: PT21393)
Sonia Nigudkar-Rajani, PT
(Bio Coming Soon) License #: PT24621
Josh Passmore, MS,PT
(Bio Coming Soon) License #: PT24095
Irene Hujsa, PT
Irene earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of the Philippines. She is knowledgeable in outpatient orthopedics, both pre and post operative, including patients dealing with chronic pain. She is a certified ETPS instructor. (License #: PT6341)
Lee Lamey, PTA
(Bio Coming Soon) License #: PTA20483
Sue Avren, PTA
Sue has been in the physical therapy field for over 25 years. She is knowledgeable and experienced both in a hospital and outpatient clinical setting. For the last 13 years she has concentrated on the treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic related injuries. She also has experience in the treatment of neurological and acute care illnesses. Sue's continuing education has provided additional skills & knowledge in manual therapy techniques. When she's not busy treating patients she enjoys furthering her education through additional continuing education courses, spending time with her family, & relaxing at the beach. (License #: PTA18601)
Scott Frost, BS, PTA, CSCS
Scott Frost, B.S., LPTA, CSCS received a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts and an Associates degree in Applied Science from Newbury College in Brookline, MA. Scott has also been certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He has been actively working in the physical therapy field for over 17 years and is experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable in the treatment of most non-operative and post-operative orthopedic conditions. He has completed dozens of continuing education courses focusing on modalities, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and strength & conditioning. Scott is an active member of our community and has enjoyed many years of volunteer service as a coach for the youth hockey, basketball, and baseball teams. (License #: PTA3435)
Our Occupational Therapy Team
Tim Byers, OTR/L, CHT, CWCE
Tim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 1992. He is a Certified Hand Therapist and a Matheson trained, Certified Work Capacity Evaluator. Prior to joining Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center in October of 2002, Tim was the Director of the Return to Work Program and a Senior Hand Therapist with Pro Rehab-PC in Evansville, Indiana. He was also an instructor for the University of Southern Indiana Occupational Therapy & Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs for several years. His areas of interest include upper extremity rehabilitation, industrial rehabilitation, and sports medicine. (License #: OT8618)
Paul Zavala, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Paul Zavala, MOTR/L, CHT received his Masters of Occupational Therapy degree from Nova Southeastern University in January of 2001. He came to Naples, Fl in July of 2004 after working and receiving training in upper extremity/hand therapy in Orlando, Fl. There he was head hand therapist at two orthopedic outpatient clinics with CORA Rehabilitation. With passion and dedication to the field of hand and upper extremity therapy, he also helped develop and run the hand therapy clinic of Baker, Heard, Osteen, and Davenport, M.D. In January of 2007, Paul became board certified as a Certified Hand Therapist. He is bilingual with English/Spanish and is highly skilled and knowledgeable in the arenas of static and dynamic splinting, treatment protocols, the use of modalities, scar/edema/pain management, wound care, work conditioning, and impairment ratings based on the Florida Uniform Permanent Impairment Rating Schedule. On days off, he enjoys playing tennis and fishing. (License #: OT9990)
Sarah Yagelsi, MS, OTR/L
Sarah Yagelski, MS OTR/L, is the most recent addition to our hand center. She is an occupational therapist who spends her time between both of our offices. Sarah received her Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology from Ball State University. She then attended Indiana University (IU) and received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. During her time at IU, she worked as a medical assistant for The Indiana Hand Rehabilitation Center, where she spent her time assisting with wound care, modalities, and splint fabrication. Upon graduation, Sarah worked at the Chicago Center for Surgery of the Hand as a staff occupational therapist. This experience and time allowed her to develop her skills with static splinting and treatment protocols for a multitude of diagnoses, along with the use of modalities, and scar/edema/pain management. Sarah looks forward to furthering her education with lymphedema certification in the fall. She is currently working towards practicum hours and receiving mentoring for the certified hand therapy examination. During her time off she enjoys running, biking, and days at the beach! (License #: OT12976)
Our Therapy Support Team
Kelly Heather
Cristinia Taylor
Our Front Office Team
Colleen & Jane
Patient Coordinators for our Goodlette Rd Office
Marie
Patient Coordinator for our North Naples Office
