Meet the Stay In Step Team

Summary

Catalina was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. In 2008 she joined the United States Marine Corps and left for boot camp a week after graduating high school. After honorably serving for four years on active duty and being stationed in Yuma, Arizona, Catalina began her studies in business administration. With her degree in hand, she moved to Tampa, Florida, looking for a meaningful career. Catalina has years of experience working with non-profits and finds it rewarding. When she is not working, she is with her son and Dachshund D’Artagnan exploring Tampa.

Target Goals

My goal is to help grow the organization to provide advanced equipment and to accept more patients for rehabilitative services.

Education

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Millersville University
• Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University
• Florida Notary

Personal Mantra

“Hakuna Matata”

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

Daniel was born and raised in Plant City, FL. In 2014 he joined the United States Army as an Airborne infantryman at Ft. Bragg, NC. After Honorably serving five years, he moved back to Florida and helped his friend through an arduous recovery after a motorcycle accident. That piqued his interest in physical therapy.

Target Goals

My goal is to give back to the community by providing quality care and ensuring the health and welfare of the patients at Stay In Step.

Education

• Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant.

Personal Mantra

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

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

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

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.”

Summary

Benjamin Goodyard was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. He discovered his passion for serving others when he got his first job at Mcdonald’s at 16 years old. He continued to pursue this passion when he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a Rifleman between 2015-2019. Throughout this time, Ben learned how beneficial exercise is for the body and mind. He now aims to fulfill his passion for serving others through physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Target Goals

I am committed to bringing positivity and motivation to the workplace, and I will inspire all our patients to leave here better than they were before, both physically and mentally.

Education

• B.S. in Exercise Science – Keiser University (2023)

Personal Mantra

“Do not learn how to react; learn how to respond.”