Health Specialists & Staff   

Bob Wright, M.A.T.
Bob is the Director of Education.  His goal is to provide guests with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions on personal health habits.  His expertise includes nutrition, weight loss management and disease prevention.  Bob has been educating Guests at Hilton Head Health weight loss spa for over 20 years and holds a Master's degree in Health Education from the University of South Carolina.

Beth Leermakers, Ph.D., CLC
Dr. Leermakers is Hilton Head Health's 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.

Cathryn E. Matthes, C.E.C
Certified Executive Chef, author and speaker, Cathryn "Chef C" Matthes has been polishing her craft for more than 35 years.  Overweight from childhood, she gravitated towards healthy cooking early on in her career and is now recognized as one of the "Top Ten Spa Chefs in the Southeast" by Southern Living magazine.  She has been honored twice by SpaFinder for her cuisine here at Hilton Head Health and has been featured in several prominent publications including The New York Daily News and The Atlanta Sports Journal.  She's hosted her own televised cooking program on WHHI and has been a guest chef on NBC's The Caroline Rhea Show.  In addition to her televised work, Chef C's composed two recipe collections, Recipes for a New Health Style for Sierra Tucson and Hilton Head Health Recipes.  As an educator, Chef C effectively communicates her passion for quality-fresh, local, seasonal and organic foods by delivering entertaining and informative cooking demonstrations, inspiring her audience to abandon dreary dieting schemes and come join her in Celebrating a Nourishing Life!®

Chef Marvis Hinson
Chef Hinson is a Certified Culinary Educator from the American Culinary Federation, Inc.  As Program Director for the Culinary Institute of Savannah Technical College for more than 25 years, she provides an excellent experience of food selection and handling skills, practical menu suggestions and cooking techniques for new and 'seasoned' home chefs alike.  Chef Hinson has won numerous awards in the areas of service, Educator of the Year, and food competitions through local, regional, and national organizations.

Adam Martin, B.S., ACSM Health Fitness Specialist®
Adam is the Hilton Head Health Fitness Director, responsible for Lifetime Fitness and the Internship Program. Adam provides education, weight and health assessment and programming, as well as individualized fitness training.  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 Specialist.

Amber Shadwick, B.A., M.S. 
Amber is Fitness Specialist at Hilton Head Health. Amber is responsible for conducting fitness lectures, teaching fitness classes and personal training sessions.  Amber graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and a Master’s degree in Health Promotion. While at the University of Kentucky, Amber was a fitness instructor at the UK Recreation Center, instructed various aerobics classes for the UK Employee Wellness Program as well as served as an aerobic trainer for the UK Women's Gymnastics Team. She is a certified Group Exercise Instructor through the AFAA.

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.  

John Schmitz, M.H.S.A.
John is the Owner and President 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.

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.

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 be providing Cooking Demonstrations and is available for private Chef Consultations.

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.

Amy Haynes, RD, Nutritional Culinary Specialist
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. 

Fitness Instructors

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.

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.