Hilton Head Health Institute Program Presenters

Bob Wright, M.A.T.
Bob is the Director of Lifestyle Education.  His goal is to provide guests with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions on personal health habits.  His expertise includes nutrition, weight management, and disease prevention.  Bob has been educating Guests at H³I weight loss spa for over 20 years and holds a Masters Degree in Health Education from the University of South Carolina.

Beth Leermakers, Ph.D., CLC
Dr. Leermakers is the H³I Wellness Counselor.  She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida, preceded by a B.S. in Psychology from Duke University.  She is a Certified Lifestyle Counselor in Weight and Stress Management.  With more than 15 years of experience in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of obesity, Dr. Leermakers specializes in motivating individuals to change behaviors, thoughts and feelings that affect eating and exercise.

Adam Martin, B.S., ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor®
Adam is the H³I Fitness Director, responsible for Lifetime Fitness and the Internship Program. Adam provides education, assessment and programming, as well as individualized fitness training.  He also co-facilitates the intensive week-long specialty program, Next Level Fitness.  Adam graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in Exercise Physiology/Biomechanics and is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health Fitness Instructor.

Jen Welper, B.S.
Jen is the H³I Chef, responsible for menu development, gourmet dinners, and cooking demonstrations.  Jen graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Nutrition from Johnson and Wales University of Providence, Rhode Island.  Using healthy cooking techniques, recipe modification, and other culinary skills, Jen ensures a nutritionally sound and wonderfully satisfying meal plan for H³I guests. 

Melissa Petitto, RD
Celebrity Chef Melissa Petitto is H³I's featured speaker.  Along with H3I Chef Jen Welper, Chef Melissa graduated from the prestigious Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island.  With her passion for nutrition and healthy cooking Chef Melissa has forged a career as a Registered Dietitian and Chef to the stars, working with Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few.  Chef Melissa will be providing H3I Cooking Demonstrations and is available for private Chef Consultations.

Jessica Lynn B.S., ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor®
Jessica is the H³I Director of Program Development.  With a bachelors degree in Exercise Science from the Honors College of Ball State University, Jessica is a certified Health Fitness Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine and is also certified in Mat and Reformer Pilates, as well as a Functional Training Specialist.  

Marion O'Neill, Ph.D. ABPP
Dr. O'Neill, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, specializes in adult, marital and family therapy.  One of her roles is to help guests recognize defeating thought patterns keeping them from success.  She is available for Individual Consultations.  In addition to her therapy practice, Dr. O'Neill has a life long love and appreciation for the benefits of regular exercise.  On any given day you may find her rollerblading, biking or kayaking.

Johanna Smith-Ellis, M.Ed, C.A.S.
Johanna Smith-Ellis is a Certified School Psychologist and Counselor in private practice and has taught a wide range of pyschology courses at the college level for 15 years.  Johanna has practiced in a variety of settings including schools, mental health facilities, residential treatment programs, and outpatient addiction services.  Her special interests include depression and anxiety, alcoholism, and both attention and eating disorders.

Emily Van Buren Mulcahy, Psy.D.
Dr. Mulcahy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist.  Her specialties include stress management, personal development, anxiety disorders, pain management and clinical hypnosis.  Dr. Mulcahy’s goal is to assist guests in making behavior changes that are right for them.  She is available for Individual Consultations.

Carole Sorg, Psy.D.
Dr. Sorg has her doctorate in clinical psychology and has completed post graduate work as a Jungian Analyst.  She specializes in adult, couples and family therapy.  Her presentations include information on eating styles and mindful eating exercises.  Dr. Sorg is available for Individual Consultations.

Elizabeth Huggins, MESS, RD, LD/N, CDE
Elizabeth is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Exercise Physiologist.  Her specialties include nutritional counseling, diabetes education and clinical exercise prescription.  Elizabeth provides regular presentations for H3I weight loss spa Guests, and is available for individual consultations.

Roger Sargent, Ph.D.
Roger is a retired professor at the University of South Carolina, School of Public Health in the Department of Health Promotion and Education.  He holds a Ph.D. in Biology and has completed post-doctoral studies in nutrition.  He has been a consultant to the Hilton Head Health Institute weight loss spa since 1983.  Roger is a well-published author in the field of Health Promotion.

Alfred Olivetti, Ph.D.
Alfred is the H³I athletic footwear consultant.  His expertise lies in foot strike analysis, athletic shoe fitting, and triathlon and marathon training.  Alfred will provide guests with a detailed foot strike evaluation and direction toward shoes that are most appropriate.

John Schmitz, M.H.S.A.
John is the Owner and President of Hilton Head Health Institute and has provided leadership for the organization’s development as a serious weight loss destination. He has also been successful in his personal efforts with weight loss and lifestyle modification and serves as an inspiration to many guests. John has held various national and international positions with private and publicly traded healthcare companies and holds a Master’s of Health Service Administration from Arizona State University.

Linda Lisko, B.S., NETA
Linda has been teaching a variety of classes for H3I since 2005.  She is certified through Phi Pilates, WaterFit, and National Exercise Trainers Association which makes her versed in pilates, water aerobics, group exercise, personal training, and yoga.  She enjoys bike riding and beach walks in her free time. 

 
Roxane Joseph, ACE, AFPA
Roxanne has been a part of the H3I Fitness Team since 2001.  She is a certified group fitness instructor through the American Council on Exercise and American Fitness Professionals and Associates.  Roxanne teaches a variety of classes, but her favorites are step and floor aerobics.  Aside from teaching, Roxanne also enjoys tennis (she is a highly ranked amateur) and being a new grandmother. 

Susan Dorsey, M.S.N.
Susan is certified in The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and Primordial Sound Meditation, both by the Chopra Center.  Susan obtained her Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of California.  After being in nursing care many years, Susan decided to slow down the pace and teach what she really loves.  This being Yoga!  She still enjoys working for Hospice care part time, but also loves playing tennis and teaching yoga.

Suzanne Brown, B.S., AFPA
Suzanne has been a fitness instructor at H³I since 2004.  With a certification in group fitness from the American Fitness Professionals and Associates, Suzane teaches a variety of classes.  Her favorite classes to teach are Treading and Fitball Aerobics.  She also enjoys running and traveling.  

Jennifer Ciliento, B.S.
Jennifer has been with H³I since 2004.  She is certified through Water Art as a Fundamentals Instructor.  Besides teaching fitness, Jennifer also enjoys the beach, knitting, and being with her family.

 Christine Varano, B.S., AFPA
Chris has been in the fitness field for over 10 years and joined H³I in 2005 with certifications in pilates instruction, group exercise instruction, and personal training through the American Fitness Professionals and Associates.  Chris obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University and is currently working on her Masters. 

Cindy Seely
With H³I since 1994, Carolina native Cindy Seely has instructed a variety of fitness classes for more than 15 years.  She is certified through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) as an aerobics instructor and personal trainer and through Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) as an aquatics instructor.  Her favorite classes include Fitball Aerobics and water classes

Karen Gardner, M.P.H., ACE, AFAA
Karen is the most recent addition to the H³I Fitness team and has been in the industry for 10 years.  She is certified through the American Council on Exercise, AFAA, and YogaFit.  Karen obtained her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from University of Toledo and  a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Hawaii.  

Tia Casady, B.S., AFAACertified through AFAA as a primary group fitness instructor, kickboxing instructor and personal trainer, Tia has been working in the fitness industry for 8 years.  After graduating from Columbia College, she moved out west and worked for the University of California, San Diego in the fitness department.  For the last four years, she has been blessed to live on beautiful Hilton Head Island and is currently working towards her masters degree.