Meet Our Team
We are dedicated professionals who are passionately committed to providing evidence based, scientifically sound services to achieve your lifestyle goals! Utilizing innovative, safe and effective treatment techniques, we offer complete preventative and rehabilitative programs to maximize performance.
Craig, a native of South Africa, brings a unique blend of experience to the Wellness Institute. Originally trained as an officer in the Airborne Forces, Craig retired from the military with the rank of Captain. He received a diploma in Business Management at Damelin® Business College in South Africa (Dip SBM) but decided that his interests lay in a different direction. He returned to university to study physiotherapy and graduated Summa Cum Laude receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (BSc). He obtained his national certification in Athletic Training (ATC), followed by a Master of Physical Therapy (M.Sc.). Craig has since undergone additional specialization and completed the Maitland Australian Physiotherapy program in Orthopedic Manual Therapy specializing in spine rehabilitation with emphasis on lumbar and cervical dysfunction (COMT). He received his doctorate from the University of St. Augustine, specializing further in manual therapy, and is certified in the use of Dry Needling (Cert DN) and Spine Manipulative Therapy (SMT). He furthered his education obtaining the credential of Diploma in Osteopractic Manipulation and been accepted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT) after completing his fellowship through American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. Craig has also been a guest lecturer at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus in Savannah. As a 27-year veteran in the game of rugby; Craig is the team physiotherapist for the USA Rugby developmental team, the Panthers (USA Rugby South). In his spare time, Craig enjoys the outdoors and an active lifestyle including competing in Ironman distance triathlons, tennis, golf and traveling internationally.
Andrea graduated from the University of Florida with a double major in microbiology and exercise physiology. She then continued her post-graduate training at the University of Florida, earning a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. She specializes not only in general orthopedic rehabilitation, but also an array of more sensitive therapeutic problems. Specifically, she treats women’s health, men’s health, pelvic pain, fecal and urinary incontinence, bladder re-training, and sexual pain. Recently, Andrea received her certification in oncology, lymphedema and edema program.
She has received specialty training in pelvic floor dysfunction through the American Physical Therapy Association. She has also completed specialty training in Maitland and Mackenzie methods for treatment of low back and cervical pain. Andrea is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA Section on Women’s Health, and the APTA Private Practice Section.
Andrea Schultz, PT, DPT, has become the first Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy (WCS) in the low country. She has also added a Certification in Dry Needling to her repertoire, allowing her to expand her treatment intervention options for both pelvic and orthopedic conditions.
She lives in Bluffton with her husband and her two sons who are a constant source of fun and adventure. Andrea enjoys running, spinning, and spending time with her family.
Jennifer Stevenson is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and Certified Personal Trainer with over 18 years of experience in the Outpatient Rehabilitation Setting. After receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology, Jennifer earned her PTA degree at South University. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through the Cooper Institute in Dallas, and is also a Certified Senior Strength Instructor. Her clinical interests include manual therapy and orthopedic injuries. Jennifer lives in Bluffton with her son, Ashton. When she is not working, she pursues an active lifestyle. She has competed in marathons and half marathons, enjoys playing tennis and golf, and loves spending time with Ashton.
Lauren graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and then received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland. She continued her education in manual therapy at the Virginia Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Institute in Charlottesville, Va.
Then, she went on to pursue fellowship training through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy with a focus on treatment techniques that include spine manipulation, dry needling, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and cupping. Her certifications in spinal manipulation and dry needling led to a specialization in treating a variety of orthopedic conditions as well as temporomandibular disorders. She has been accepted as a fellow into the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys running and playing with her miniature sheepadoodle, Charlie.
Richard grew up in the greater Atlanta area before attending Georgia Southern University where he earned both his Undergraduate Degree and later his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. His current focus is on orthopedic outpatient therapy with a special interest in treatment of the spine and manual therapy. Richard has prior experience in both in-patient and outpatient settings.
Jordan is a native of Hilton Head Island and returned to the area following the completion of her education to focus on providing outpatient physical therapy services to those in the Low Country. She earned her Undergraduate Degree at Charleston Southern University where she sustained an injury while playing competitive soccer for the University, leading her to pursue a career in the physical therapy/ rehabilitation field. She went on to attend Georgia Southern University where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Jordan’s area of interest includes orthopedic outpatient therapy, manual therapy, and vestibular rehabilitation.
Taylor’s desire to spread wellness and improve quality of life for others led her to pursue a career in the physical therapy field. She has been a Low Country resident for over 15 years and attended the Technical College of the Low Country where she earned her PTA degree. Taylor is passionate about assisting her patients and looks to further her skillset with specialty certifications in the near future.
Michelle grew up in Hertford, NC and earned her first degree from East Carolina University with a Bachelor's in Dance Performance and Minor in Communication Studies. Following a successful dance and performance career, she turned her focus to physical therapy, earning her PTA degree from Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC. Michelle's focus has been in manual therapy with additional coursework in the Maitland manual therapy approach.
Melinda Vinson-Richardson is a Texas native who lives in Bluffton. She attended Weatherford College and Tarleton State University, focusing her efforts in Early Child Development, which led her working to 10 years in the Texas school system. Melinda brings over 35 years of customer service experience to us. In her spare time she enjoys showing, breeding, training and judging dogs. Her love for dogs has allowed her to explore the U.S. and the world. Her true passion is being a Granny.
Amanda was born and raised in Beaufort where she played competitive soccer while attending Beaufort High and later the Technical College of the Low Country with a focus in Physical Therapy. She has been working in the physical therapy field for over 5 years and has both inpatient and outpatient experience as well as front office. It was Amanda’s time in competitive soccer that ultimately introduced her to the physical therapy field.
Denise is a native of Blair, SC. She has 15 years of experience in Front Desk and Billing Management in the Physical Therapy Field. She attended Morehead State University in Morehead, KY with an emphasis in Secretarial Studies. Denise enjoys spending time with my family – especially her grandchildren, walking and spending time on the beach.
Hope is from Reidsville, Georgia, and is recent graduate of Ogeechee Technical College where she received her Health Information Management Technology degree. She has successfully completed the requirements for certification and is recognized as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Hope’s goal is to further her education and earn her bachelor's degree in Medical Billing. She now resides in Pooler with her Shih Tzu, Maddie. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, binge watching tv shows, and spend time with friends and family.
Practice Administrator
Helen has masters degrees in biology and outdoor education; she is passionate about her animals and has spent the last 10 years in the veterinary field after studying elephants in Africa. Her knowledge of anatomy led her to become an athletic trainer in her collegiate years. Her love of the outdoors has culminated in many pursuits including rock climbing, hiking, triathlons, tennis and yoga.
Massage Therapist/ TPI Certified/ Myoskeletal Alignment
John Perez was introduced to massage therapy as a client and was able to see his golf handicap drop to single digits. It was with that success that he decided to go back to school and study massage therapy in Maumee, Ohio at Stautzenberger College. Upon graduating he worked at the Wellness Center in Findlay, Ohio under David Clinger who is an instructor with the Freedom from Pain Institute. John then studied and became certified in Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy under Dr. Eric Dalton who developed this therapy treatment method. John is Certified with the Titleist Performance Institute from Oceanside, California addressing golf specific mobility restrictions that inhibit a golfer from achieving their full playing potential. Additionally, he performs Sports Massage, Medical Cupping, Traction work with Inversion table, Kinesio/Rock taping, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Myofascial Release Techniques, and Full Body Golf/Sports Stretching. John lives in Bluffton with his wife Jennifer, a Nurse on Hilton Head Island and their 6 year old son Christian. John loves to spend time with his family, travel and golf.
Allie spent most of her childhood in southeast Michigan which is where she first developed her love for physical therapy after being a patient due to dance and soccer injuries. She attended Adrian College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Ready for some sunshine and a break from the snow, Allie moved down to Savannah, Georgia where she obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Georgia Southern University. After completing her degree, she moved to the lowcountry where she is living with her husband. She has interests in manual therapy as well as orthopedic injuries.
Scott is currently licensed in SC, FL, and PA. He specializes in Medical massage, Sports Massage, Orthopedic and Pain Management Massage. He is an instructor for the Kinesio Taping Medical and ACE massage cupping and medicupping.
Scott has been in private practice since 199. He works with clients step by step from injury to prevention, to managing acute and chronic pain and conditions into maintenance of optimal health and wellness.
Scott in an approved NCBTMB continuing education provider. He has been an instructor and educator for over 17 years at an accredited massage school in Pittsburgh, Pa. He currently teaches Sports Massage, Assessment skills massage and provides continuing education seminars in both Kinesio Taping and ACE massage cupping and Medicupping throughout the United States
