Meet the Stay In Step Team

Summary

Nicole was born and raised in Suffolk County, New York. She has had a heart for serving non profits since her time in India where she spent 10 years learning, developing and running multiple businesses. She moved back to the states in 2018 and made it her moral compass to only be involved with organizations where she felt was of benefit to the community. After a few years of searching for the right mission that felt close to her heart, she finally found Stay In Step and was grateful to be offered a position on the team where she could share her gifts of business administration. Outside of work, she devotes her time to her husband and two children and is heavily involved in ministry where she serves her church on multiple ministry teams.

Summary

Erika was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She moved to the states in 2014. She has over 20 years experience working in the medical billing field. She loves what she does and is very excited to be with Stay in Step. Outside of work she is a wife, mother of 3 beautiful children and very proud grandmother of one!

Summary

Cynthia has been a physical therapist since 2015. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University. She enjoys working with clients across the lifespan, but has a special interest in neurorehabilitation. She joined Stay in Step in August of 2021 to use her skills and expertise to help clients take a step towards recovery. She is dedicated to providing the best care possible to her clients to help them achieve their goals.

Target Goals

My goal is to provide physical therapy services to the community and have a positive impact on peoples’ lives.

Education

• Bachelor’s in Health Sciences from University of Central Florida
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University

Personal Mantra

“Be kind.”

Summary

Bethany Biles was raised in South Texas and attended Texas A and M university for her bachelor’s degree in biology. She used this background to attend physical therapy assistant school at Rasmussen University in Land ‘O Lakes Florida. She completed one clinical rotation at an inpatient setting where she learned to manage complex medical cases and help people get back on their feet following injuries and surgeries. She then came to Stay In Step and completed her last clinical rotation where she was able to gain hands-on experience treating individuals with spinal cord injuries, strokes, and traumatic brain injuries. After she graduated from her program, she accepted a job at Stay In Step as a Physical Therapy Assistant and now is able to participate in the implementation of activity based therapy and utilizing innovative approaches to best serve our clients and help them take a step forward towards recovery.

Target Goals

I am dedicated to improving the quality of life of every person I meet.

Education

• B. S. in Biology – Texas A & M University (2017)
• Associate of Physical Therapy Assisting – Rasmussen University (2020)

Personal Mantra

“Push harder than yesterday if you want a different tomorrow.”

Summary

George Palang was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. It was from both his parents that George learned the value of hard of work and developed his willingness to help others. In 2012, George moved from Pensacola to Orlando, FL to pursue a degree in Exercise Science at the University of Central Florida. While in his last 2 semesters of college, George took an internship at Project Walk Orlando where he learned more about the spinal cord injury population and how to apply the various methods and techniques of activity-based therapy. It was also in Orlando that he made a friend in Romulo “Romy” Camargo, founder and owner of Stay In Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center. He had no idea that meeting Romy would lead to something bigger in the near future but in 2015, George relocated to the Tampa Bay Area and is now the Lead Activity Based Exercise Trainer at Stay In Step. George helped develop the New Hire Training Protocol and serves as the Training Educator for new employees. He has created various exercises that have been implemented into the Stay in Step recovery program that challenges individuals in unique ways to help them take a step forward towards recovery.

Target Goals

I am dedicated to using my knowledge and experience to serve, educate and make a positive impact for everyone that travels through the doors of Stay In Step.

Education

• B. S. in Exercise Science: Human Performance – University of Central Florida (2013)

Personal Mantra

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.”

Summary

Jose J. Lopez, born and raised in Venezuela came to The US in 2009 at the age of 15. He gained a lot of experience during the last years helping Romy with his daily rehabilitation therapy at home. His experience combined with his enthusiastic spirit, commitment, and dedication, made him a good candidate to help the Stay In Step’s clients take a step toward recovery.
Jose’s drive, knowledge and ability to connect with all clients made him the perfect candidate for the vacant Trainer position. In this new role, Jose will use his talents and expertise to lead therapy sessions and guide our clients toward their personal recovery goals.

Target Goals

I plan to attend Full Sail University to study video game design

Education

• Warton High School (2013)

Personal Mantra

No matter what you do, do your best. Aim high.

Summary

Nick Bartkus was born in Dunedin, Florida, attended Florida State University, home of the greatest college football team in the state, and graduated in 2017 with his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology. After graduating, he wanted to find a job in the physical therapy field and gain experience before applying to graduate school. During this time, he decided that he wanted to go back to school and obtain his PTA license. He plans on applying to PTA school this year and furthering his education and knowledge in the field.

Target Goals

Obtain my PTA license

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology – FSU (2017)

Personal Mantra

“I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it.”

Summary

My name is Jake Sweeney and I’m from a small farm town just outside of Chicago, IL. Growing up, I naturally fell in love with physical activity. I always would spend my time outside playing sports, riding bikes, fishing and exploring. Through middle and high school, I gained a lot of unhealthy weight and it started to give me anxiety and affected my physical performance. I knew I needed to fix it early with a lot of health diseases running in my family. After 2 years I was able to lose a lot of extra bodyfat doing various activities and wanted to make a career out of it. In college, I decided to study Exercise Science so I could do that via personal training and physical therapy. After graduating college, I moved to Florida with the love of my life to continue to grow in a new setting. First, living in cocoa beach I taught group fitness classes and held one-on-one PT sessions. Now I live in Brandon and I’m gaining experience in the physical therapy field at SIS.

Target Goals

• Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Compete in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting

Education

• Associate of Science (Kishwaukee Community College)
• Bachelor of Exercise Science (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)

Personal Mantra

“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

Summary

Sultan Carter was born in Philadelphia, PA. He spends most of his childhood in South Carolina, which is his parent’s home state. In 2005, he joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 21, in which he served for 10 years. During his military service, Sultan has gained attributes that has carried over to both his professional and personal life. One attribute is the eagerness for being of service for others. Sultan separated from active-duty military in 2016 and in 2017, he become a full-time student to eventually earn a B.S. in Exercise Science in May 2021. In the same year, Sultan received an opportunity to join Stay in Step’s mission to continue to provide activity-base therapy for the military veterans and civilians.

Target Goals

• To earn a Physical Therapy Degree

Education

• B. S. in Exercise Science – Keiser University Lakeland (2021)

Personal Mantra

“You can be great, and you will be great if you persevere and work hard.”

Summary

Edwin was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. In high school, he enjoyed wrestling where he found his love for fitness after winning state championship in his senior year. After graduation, he decided to pursue his love of fitness, and warm weather, and relocate to Florida. He is currently enrolled in St. Petersburg College and in his free time he enjoys concerts.

Target Goals

• Finish with school and run my own gym

Education

• Enrolled in St Petersburg College
• Alexis I DuPont High school 2014-2018
• ACE Certified in Personal Training

Personal Mantra

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Summary

Anique Williams was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. From the age of 13, she knew she wanted to become a Physical Therapist and run her own wellness center to create a much needed safe space in health care. In 2016, Anique moved to Daytona Beach to pursue a degree in Health and Exercise Science at the great Bethune-Cookman University, where she became a proud member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. During her senior year she took and internship with Select Physical Therapy to apply her new found knowledge and learn more about all of the hard work it would take to fulfill her dream. In 2020, she obtained her CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) pushing her one step closer. Anique then, while preparing for graduate school heard about the positive impact Stay In Step was making in the community and just knew she had to be apart of the innovative approach they were taking to health care. She now serves in her role as a training aide assisting trainers and physical therapists in their goal to challenge and guide individuals toward recovery.

Target Goals

• I am determined to enter to learn using my eager mind and excitement for providing quality care to bring hope to each and every face that comes through these doors. One day departing to open my own wellness center to serve my community.

Education

• B.S. in Health and Exercise Science – Bethune Cookman University
• CSCS – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Personal Mantra

“You can’t have rainbows without a little rain.”