Rose was born in the Philippines. She graduated from CEBU Doctors’ College in May of 1985 with a degree in Physical Therapy. She immigrated to the United States in February of 1988 in search of a husband. Fortunately, she found a good one. She worked in New York for 16 years, and moved to Florida to escape the cold weather. She loves working, but when not at work, enjoys playing Tennis, Swimming, and Paddle Boarding.

Michelle Tagliente was born and raised here in Fort Myers, Florida. Michelle started her Medical career as a Medical Assistant for over 10 years, before transitioning to the administrative side of medicine performing medical billing and management. Following working as a Medical Assistant, she opened a fitness and wellness club which she owned and operated for over 10 years. Wanting to do more for the people she encountered on a daily basis, she went back to Hodges University to earn her degree as PTA. She has been a licensed PTA and clinical instructor for 4 years. In her free time, Michelle continues to study and gain certificates in manual therapy, kinesiology, taping, and myofascial release.

Aleida was born in Holguin, Cuba. In 2004, she immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities. In 2015, she performed her clinical internship at Optimum Wellness Center, where she eventually became employed after receiving an Associate in Science as a Physical Therapy Assistant through Broward College in 2016. Following her undergraduate education, Aleida has treated patients of all ages from children to geriatric, as well as a variety of clinical conditions including postoperative, work related injuries, and balance and vestibular disorders. She has continued her education and gained additional training in Orthopedic Manual Therapy and Self Care Techniques, Myofascial Release, Kinesio Taping Techniques, and others. She practices with a patient- centered approach, emphasizing therapeutic exercises, postural/core stability, functional movement training, and patient education. She has also been a clinical instructor for more than 2 years. Aleida is a full time mother of two beautiful girls. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two energetic daughters, and practicing aquatic sports.

Pilar was born in Santa Clara in 1986, and was raised in Guanabacoa, Havana City. At just 5 years old, she enjoyed participating in sports, dance, and modeling competitions. In 2005, Pilar graduated with an AA in Accounting, and in 2007, won a scholarship at the University of Havan de Biochemistry following a national test. In 2008, she emigrated to the United States looking for new horizons, and was determined to continue her studies. Language was a major obstacle that she had to overcome, however she wanted to graduate from college. In 2011, She started EAP classes, and was accepted into the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Broward College in 2017 due to her excellent grades where she later graduated. Aspiration, courage, and dedication have always been her driving force while working full time and studying to achieve her goals.

In 2017, Shelby graduated from Hodges University with her Physical Therapy Assistant degree with a minor in biology. For the last two years, she has traveled from New Jersey to Florida, working in a variety of outpatient clinics. As a traveling therapist, she has been afforded the opportunity to work with a variety of patients with athletes, geriatric, and postoperative patients. Shelby enjoys getting to know her patients and knowing the personal goals that they have to ensure that every patient she sees, receives quality physical therapy care. She believes all patients deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Her family is one of the greatest influences on her life, and she is a firm believer in treating her patients as family. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is being able to give patients the tools necessary to reach their goals and maximum functional potential. In her down time, she enjoys being outside and active! She loves working out, backpacking, and relaxing at the beach.

Sabrina was born and raised in Argentina, prior to moving to Maine. She spent 10 years in Maine prior to living in Florida, where she has resided for 5 years now. In 2015, Sabrina received her Bachelors in Athletic Training at the University of Southern Maine. She worked for two years at an outpatient clinic in the mornings, and at a High School in the afternoons prior to going back to school. In 2017, she graduated from Keiser University with her Associates in Science as a Physical Therapy Assistant. She has been working for 2 years in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, and has experience working with sports injuries, concussions, balance deficits, post-surgical patients, and more. In her free time, she enjoys working out, reading, spending time with her family, and taking care of her fur babies.

Mylissa Dalrymple was born on MacDill Air Force Base. Throughout her childhood, she traveled around the world with her family. She received her Associates in Physical Therapy from Broward Community College in 2005, and was awarded the Irene Fischley Award for Excellence. Mylissa then started working in Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Labelle and Fort Myers area over the last 15 years. She believes in applying a “whole body” approach to therapy, looking at the patient as a whole to achieve their goals. In her spare time, Mylissa is a 4H small animal club leader. She and her husband enjoy helping their son with his 4H critters, and going fishing on their boat.

Patricia is a Fort Myers native who currently resides in Lehigh Acres. Over the past 18 years, Patricia has been using her excellent organization and communication skills to enhance the daily operations of three outpatient therapy facilities in Lee County. She is the proud mother of three adult children, and grandmother of three. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and grandbabies. On the weekends, she volunteers at St. Rachael Catholic Parish as a Sunday School teacher. Her hobbies include crafting, and planning events and parties for her family.

Tania was born in Bolivia, and has two daughters. She studied Public Accounting prior to immigrating to the United States in 2002, where she spent the next four years in Paterson, New Jersey. After 4 years, she moved to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, before moving to Lehigh Acres in 2011. Tania has fought through a lot of health problems, but enjoys being a part of the Optimum Family, where she found a home for herself and her family. Tania works in the Fort Myers Office as the Secretary.

Annia was born in Havan, Cuba. In July of 2011, she graduated from college, where she was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Education, Specialty: English by “Ruben Martinez Villena” Higher Pedagogic Institute. This is the equivalent of the U.S. degree of a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language. In 2014, she came to the United States in search for a better life, and in 2015, started working at the Lehigh Child Care Center teaching three year olds. In 2017, she began working for Optimum Wellness Center as a secretary. Annia is the proud mother of two boys, Brandon and Brian. She feels blessed for her family, work, and life here.

Michaela has lived in Clewiston, Florida, for most of her life, prior to relocating to Lee County. She graduated from Clewiston High School in 2009, and Ultimate Medical Academy in 2016 with her Diploma in Medical Billing and Coding. She also earned her Associates of Science Degree in Medical Billing and Coding. Pursuing a career in the medical field, Michaela enjoys her role at Optimum. When she is not at work and spending quality time with her friends and family, she enjoys mudding and playing softball. She also enjoys watching college and professional football. Her favorite Teams are the University of Florida Gators (GO GATORS) and Minnesota Vikings (GO VIKINGS)!

Darnell holds a Certification in Personal Training, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has a background in health and fitness, as well as athletic performance training with over 20 years of certification and experience in the field. His passion for fitness began through his love of sports, and developed as a varsity athlete in Football, Baseball, and Basketball. His approach to fitness emphasizes age-appropriate programming with a specific focus given to cardiovascular and strength training in combination with balance and flexibility training, as well as fundamentals. He aims to be adaptable with his programming to help find the types of exercise and lifestyle changes that are exciting and manageable, to shape a path to achieve one’s goals. He establishes long-term client interactions with the goal of integrating exercise and optimal wellness into the demands of daily life. Darnell has been with Optimum Wellness Center for over 13 years, and also instructs cardio boxing classes, Bootcamp classes, and ABs/Glutes classes. His motto is Life well, feel young.

After many years of working as a medical assistant for an orthopedic surgeon, as well as a personal trainer, Debbie moved from Connecticut to Lehigh Acres 11 years ago. She began working at Optimum Wellness Center as a personal trainer, and has enjoyed working with people from all backgrounds, motivating and inspiring them to live a healthy and active lifestyle. While retired from the personal training aspect of her job after 10 years at Optimum, Debbie currently instructs 4 classes each week in the activities room. One of these classes include core strengthening, balance, and toning components, while also incorporating cardiovascular endurance. Another cardio, stretching, and weight training. Debbie often states that “it has been gratifying to see all of the gym members that I have worked with attend the classes and continue their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.” Debbie’s hobbies include gardening, and community service.

Nestor was born in Miami, but has spent most of his life living in Clewiston with his family. After finishing high school, he became a massage therapist and primarily worked in the Fort Myers and Cape Coral area. Because of his love of sports, and his desire to work with athletes, he decided to go back to school to become a physical therapist assistant. In 2019, he graduated from Hodges University with his PTA degree, and became licensed in May, 2020. He has worked at Optimum ever since graduating, and has enjoyed the experience that he has gained working with patients. His hobbies include playing video games, as well as basketball. In the future, he would like to continue growing as a PTA, and eventually take on an administrative position as he gains experience in the field.