John Schmitz, M.H.S.A.
John is the Owner of Hilton Head Health 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.
Robert MooreRobert is the President & CEO of Hilton Head Health. With over thirty years of management experience in hotels, as well as travel and hospitality companies, Robert brings extensive experience in superior guest services to H3. As a CPA/MBA, he understands the financial side of the business as well, creating significant improvements to the facilities and program offerings.
Jessica Lynn, B.S., ACSM Health Fitness Specialist®
Jessica is the Hilton Head Health Director of Program Development. With a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the Honors College of Ball State University, Jessica is a certified Health Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine and is also certified in Mat and Reformer Pilates, as well as a Functional Training Specialist.
Ben Brown
Formerly the senior planner for the town of Hilton Head, Ben acts as Director of Plant Services, the primary representative on our construction projects. He provides leadership and acts on behalf of the company with architects, engineers and contractors to ensure a timely, cost effective completion of our projects. He also oversees the housekeeping and maintenance staffs to ensure a clean and well-maintained campus.
Allison Adams
Allison is Hilton Head Health's Guest Services Front Desk Manager. Allison graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She oversees all Front Desk responsibilities and activities, as well as coordinates Guest housing. Allison joined the H3 Team in June 2008.
Beverly Perfect, B.A., AFAA, NBFE
Certified personal trainer through AFAA and NBFE and certified group fitness instructor through AFAA, Beverly has been working in the fitness industry for 10 years. Her group fitness certifications include aerobics, weight lifting, kickboxing, interval training, water aerobics, Pilates, yoga, spinning, hip hop dance and belly dancing. In addition, Beverly is also a certified bicycling instructor and figure skating instructor. Beverly obtained her B.A. from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys participating in races and triathlons.
Christine Varano, B.S., AFPA
Chris has been in the fitness field for over 12 years and joined Hilton Head Health 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, AFAA, AEA
Cindy has been with Hilton Head Health since 1994, Carolina native she 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.
Erin Butler, AFAA, MA, CPT
Erin is a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor through the AFAA, as well as the National Endurance Sports Trainers Association. Erin has been teaching group fitness for over 20 years and holds a Medical Assisting degree from the Bryman School of Medical Assistants in San Francisco, California.
Gretchen Spiridopoulos
Gretchen is a Certified Group Exercise Instructor through AFTA, as well as a Certified Aerobic Dance Clinician, Trainer and Instructor. She is also currently enrolled in Bender Ball Pilates and Chakra Movement courses. Gretchen teaches Water Fitness classes, Core Strength, Step Aerobics, Body Sculpt and more! When she's not at H3, you can find her playing with her grandchildren, running on the beach or biking.
Karen Verechia
Karen is a certified and registered yoga alliance instructor through the Asheville Yoga Center. Originally from New Jersey, Karen has lived on Hilton Head Island for 24 years. Known for her passionate and inspirational style of teaching, she blends a flow of yoga practice with concise alignment and provides individualized attention with specific exercise modifications. Continuing her education last year in Costa Rica, she attended a Thai Yoga Certification Retreat. Karen also teaches a college course at USCB and enjoys sharing the yoga experience with her university students. Karen's teaching style is fun, laid-back and challenging, yet accessible to all.
Katie Hilovsky, B.S., AFAA
Katie began her fitness career as a Program Intern at H3 in 2007. She is a certified Group Exercise Instructor through AFAA. She teaches a variety of classes, but especially enjoys teaching aquatics classes. Katie graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Health Science/Health Assessment and Promotion. In her free time, Katie likes to spend her time at the beach and running in distance races.
Linda Lisko, B.S., NETA
Linda has been teaching a variety of classes at Hilton Head Health 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.
Louise Lund, AFAA
Louise is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor through AFAA. She has been working in the fitness industry for over 25 years. Louise specializes in safe instruction for multiple populations. Louise obtained a B.S. in psychology from the University of South Carolina and has worked in fitness throughout her career. She teaches low impact aerobics, toning, strength training, FitBall aerobics, stretch classes, and is also a Certified Personal Trainer.
Molly Carrington
Molly has been a Tai Chi instructor at Hilton Head Health since 2004. She is a certified Tai Chi instructor for arthritis under Grand Master Dr. Paul Lam. In her free time, Molly of course enjoys and practices Tai Chi and Qui Cong (Chinese Breathing Exercises), time with her four rescue dogs, and kayaking with her husband Ben.
Suzanne Brown, B.S., AFPA
Suzanne has been a fitness instructor at Hilton Head Health since 2004. With a certification in group fitness from the American Fitness Professionals and Associates, Suzanne teaches a variety of classes. Her favorite classes to teach are Treading and Fitball Aerobics. In her free time, she enjoys running and traveling.
Guest Facilitators & Speakers
Don Burroughs, MA, LAPC
Don Burroughs leads Mindfulness groups in various settings - business, wellness forums, mental health, social and marital. With a Master's degree in Professional Counseling and experience in both Cognitive and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Don has helped individuals, groups and organizations go from surviving to thriving for more than 20 years. Don provides Individual and Group Mindfulness Coaching.
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 psychology 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.
Chef Melissa Petitto, RD
Celebrity Chef Melissa Petitto is Hilton Head Health's featured speaker. 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 provide cooking demonstrations and is available for private Chef Consultations.
Chef Amy Haynes, RD
From Dallas, Texas, Chef Amy brings a southwest flare to Hilton Head Health. With more than 17 years experience in the food industry, her most recent experience comes from instructing Culinary Nutrition at the Art Institute of Dallas Culinary School. Further experience in cafe management, fitness and nutrition counseling, and being a mother of two keeps Amy stocked with real-life skills and tips for cooking healthy for the whole family.
Annell St. Charles, PhD, RD, LDN
With a bachelor’s degree in Human Behavior from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s and Doctorate in Nutrition Science from the University of Tennessee, Annell’s educational background establishes an excellent foundation for her as a Nutritionist and Registered Dietician. Her clinical, educational, research and administrative experience over the past 30 years is evident through her presence as a speaker and a nutritional coach. Annell is available for Individual Nutritional Consultations.
Nancy Boothby, RD
With a degree in Dietetics from the University of Dayton, Nancy has an extensive background in nutrition consulting and eating disorders. Nancy has provided her services in a variety of settings - hospitals, residential facilities, out-patient facilities and large weight loss companies, such as Nutri/System and LA Weight Loss. Nancy is available for individual Nutrition 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 Hilton Head Health Guests and is available for Individual Consultations.
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.
Alfred Olivetti, Ph.D.
Alfred is the Hilton Head Health 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.
Hart Baker
Hart received a BS Degree in Marketing (Professional Golf Management) from Ferris State University located in Big Rapids, Michigan in 1991. He was elected to PGA of America in 1996, where his desire for teaching grew quickly. While on internship from college, Hart learned the basics from renowned Golf instructor Tom Tomasello. Hart was an assistant professional at several premiere golf facilities on the east coast. In 1998, he was hired as Head Golf Professional at Marion Lake Club in Marion, NC. While there 10 years he was director of all junior golf programs as well as teaching golfers of all skill levels. In November of 2007, Hart accepted a position as golf instructor with the PGA Tour Academy located in Hilton Head Island, SC.