Meet Team PhysioFit
Each member of Team PhysioFit plays an integral role in who we are and what we do. From Physical Therapists to Pilates Instructors, our team is comprised of highly educated and skilled professionals offering comprehensive specialty physical therapy and wellness programs. If you are facing mobility challenges or simply want to stay fit, active, and healthy, we have the right solutions. Get to know Team PhysioFit.
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Physical Therapy Team
Kim Gladfelter, MPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Executive Director, Physical Therapist and Pilates Instructor
"He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything."
Every week, for more than a decade, hundreds of people have consulted Kim Gladfelter looking for answers to their debilitating back pain and stiffness. Kim is now a trusted health advisor to doctors and other healthcare providers in the area educating them about how to reduce their back pain in their line of work as needed. Kim decided she wanted to be a physical therapist as a teen when one of her classmates was severely injured and recovered through the use of physical therapy. Nothing is more satisfying to her than knowing she is helping her patients keep doing the meaningful activities they love to do.
Credentials & Teaching Experience:
- Graduated from UCLA in 1991 with a degree in Kinesiology.
- Received her Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1994 from Mount Saint Mary’s College.
- Completed a 1-1/2 year long residency program in Advanced Orthopedic Manual Therapy in 1998.
- Certified in 2001 as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS).
- Obtained Fellowship status in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT). Both certifications (OCS and FAAOMPT) represent recognition of advanced clinical proficiency in Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice.
- Teaching assistant for a highly regarded year-long course for manual physical therapists from 1999-2001, in addition to taking numerous long and short-term courses on various topics in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
- Certified Practitioner in Pilates Rehabilitation, including mat and equipment, through Polestar Education. She also has special training in the area of pelvic floor therapy.
- Graston Technique Provider.
TIP: Ask Kim about the time she shaved off half her eyebrow trying to imitate her Dad shaving or when she ran away from a fenced in dog and dislocated her kneecap.
5 Favorites
Vacation: Hawaii
Celebrity: Robin Williams
Book: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Team: my kids teams
Hobbies: jogging and dance
Kim Gladfelter, MPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
Executive Director
Physical Therapist
Pilates Instructor
Shalini Pachauri
Physical Therapist
“You must also give mental and physical fitness priority.” - Jim Otto
Shalini earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and is currently licensed in California as well as New York! Every day for Shalini is a new opportunity to support, care and help people. She is mindful of how challenging life can be for people who are in physical pain and is inspired to continue pursuing her career in health care. She looks forward to making a difference in people's lives by encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Physical Therapy degree from India
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from AT Still University
- Licensed in California and New York
- Focused on Manual Therapy and Graston Techniques
- Volunteered at Stanford, El Camino Hospital, with the Boy and Girl Scouts, and for the Cupertino School District
- Proficient in English, Hindi, and Punjabi
TIP: Ask her about her experience as a Preschool and Elementary Teacher 🙂
5 Favorites:
- Family and friends get together
- Classical music
- Traveling
- Family videos
- Creating happy moments
Shalini Pachauri, DPT
Physical Therapist
Janet Petarra Perrino, MPT
Physical Therapist
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live in."
Janet has embraced a life long love of learning, as evidence by her 40+ continuing education classes in physical therapy, and has been thrilled to apply her knowledge over the last 20+ years to clients of all walks of life and backgrounds. She is especially interested in using manual therapy to address orthopedic and sports-related issues, as well as treating clients with vestibular, post-partum, neurological or lymphedema issues. Janet possesses a strong base of experience in orthopedic and sports injury treatment.
- Undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology from Miami University in 1989.
- Master of Physical Therapy degree from Temple University in 1995.
- BA in Zoology (yes, we are animals) and Psychology.
- Worked for seven years in Chicago with Loyola University Medical Center treating orthopedic, vestibular, lymphedema, burn, amputee, and neurological disorders.
- Especially interested in using manual therapy to address orthopedic and sports-related issues.
- Graston Technique® Provider
TIP: Ask her why her BA in Zoology made for a great beginning as a Physical Therapist.
5 Favorites:
Place: New Zealand (never been but it is at the top of my list for dream places to visit).
Food: I love my husband's home made pizza best but I miss ethnic foods such as Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, and Middle Eastern since I have picky children.
TV Show: Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, and Game of Thrones.
Singer/Group: Annie Lennox to enjoy the music, Alanis Morissette when I want to sing loudly, Katy Perry to hang out with my daughter.
Sports: Dance and Ice skating.
Janet Petarra Perrino, MPT
Physical Therapist
Alison Fong, DPT
Physical Therapist/Pilates Instructor
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming
the things you once thought you couldn’t”
- Rikki Rogers
Alison has a passion for providing a holistic, individualized approach to physical therapy. She enjoys integrating osteopathic manual therapy with traditional and Pilates-based exercises to optimize movement and quality of life. .
- Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from New York University in 2002
- B.S. in Biological Sciences and Gerontology from Mount St. Mary’s College in 1999
- Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation (mat & equipment) through Polestar Education in 2007
- Training in Myofascial Release
- Training in Pelvic Floor physical therapy
5 Favorites:
Workouts: Spinning, Pilates, barre, yoga sculpt
Food: Sushi, burgers, breakfast burritos
Hobbies: Discovering new places to eat, traveling/exploring
TV: Anything on Food Network & Travel Channel, FBI/CIA shows
Movie: Sleepless in Seattle
Alison Fong, DPT
Physical Therapist &
Pilates Instructor
Keya Bhuptani, PT, CKTP
Physical Therapist
"Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can."
- Degree in Physical Therapy in 2008 from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences in Mumbai, India.
- Special interest in Orthopedic Manual therapy, treating a variety of dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system and treating patients with neurological conditions.
- Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner(CKTP), using the rehabilitative taping method to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce pain, enhance performance and prevent injury.
- Experienced in Aqua-therapy and enjoys educating patients on proper ergonomics.
- Continues to expand her expertise within these areas by attending numerous continuing education classes during the year.
- Graston Technique provider.
- Speaks fluent Hindi, Gujarati and a little bit of Marathi.
5 Favorites:
- Indian Classical Dance
- Traveling
- Spending time with family
- Dancing
- Watching movies
Keya Bhuptani, PT, CKTP
Physical Therapist
Anastasiia Rukavyshnykova
Physical Therapist
Anastasiia Rukavyshnykova, DPT
Physical Therapist
Priscilla Chi, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.”
Priscilla enjoys providing an individualized approach for each person based on their needs. She has a special interest in orthopedic manual physical therapy and appreciates working with patients of all ages. As a therapist and athlete herself, she particularly likes to treat athletic injuries. Her favorite part about being a therapist is seeing patients build confidence through their healing process, working as a team with patients to modify their activities to make them more achievable, and helping patients return to the things they love to do. Priscilla strives to brighten clients and co-workers’ days with her bubbly personality and positive attitude.
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Physical Therapist Assistant degree from Spokane Falls Community College in 2020.
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Training in Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy seminars for extremities and spinal mobilizations.
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Training in the Institute of Clinical Excellence Modern Management of Older Adults..
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Training in rehabilitative taping methods from Kinesio taping.
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Experience in utilizing instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques
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Focuses on the benefits of progressive loaded strengthening to return to normal activities or sports.
5 Favorites:
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Workouts/Sports: Weight lifting, softball, hiking, snowboarding, marathon running, Spartan races
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Mental and Spiritual health: solo trips, meditation, yoga, mobility, and stretching
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Places: Molokai, Hawaii, and Spokane, Washington
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Foods: all types of food, I am a foodie, particular favorites: are Mexican food and Japanese ramen
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Hobbies: making espresso drinks, reading in the book club, baking cookies, hosting friends and family
Priscilla Chi, PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant
Therapeutic Fitness Team
Lori Seymour
GYROTONIC®/Pilates Instructor-Teacher Trainer, Hanna Somatic Educator®
"Make the impossible possible, the possible easy, the easy elegant."
- Moshe Feldenkrais
After being told to stop dancing by several doctors, Lori came to Pilates as a young dancer and swimmer in 1988 to rehabilitate a chronic hip injury. Over the next 2 decades of her dance career, she used Pilates to rehabilitate her back and knee injuries.
- Obtained first Pilates certification from the Physical Mind Institute in 1998.
- Continuing education since includes scoliosis, osteoporosis, gait, vestibular issues, disk issues, various other joint conditions, and golf.
- 2009 Apprenticeship with master trainer Kathy Corey.
- 1999 she came across GYROTONIC® and fell in love. Certified in every aspect of GYROTONIC®, level 2 Pulley Tower, Golf, Scoliosis, Pelvis and is an approved pre-trainer of level 1 GYROTONIC®.
- Certified Hanna Somatic Educator®. HSE retrains the nervous system to turn down chronic tension.
TIP: Lori is especially fond of the city of love, Paris!
5 Favorites:
City: Paris
Movie: Farewell My Concubine
Singer: Billie Holiday
Sport: Hockey - San Jose Sharks
Animal: Cat
Lori Seymour, CHSE
Certified GYROTONIC®/Pilates Instructor-Teacher Trainer, Hanna Somatic Educator®
Alexis Iwasaki
Certified Pilates Instructor
Gyrotonic Apprentice
"When the body, mind and spirit are in harmony, happiness is the natural result."
-Deepak Chopra
Movement has been a lifelong passion of Alexis’. Her mission is to share that passion with her clients.
Alexis started taking dance lessons at the age of 3 and went on the train at San Francisco Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive. In addition to ballet, Alexis has studied classical Japanese dance, contemporary, and hula, among others. She danced professionally with the Oakland Ballet and Sacramento Ballet Companies.
Credentials:
- Bachelor of Science in Communications/Mass Media from New York University in 2002
- Certified Pilates mat and equipment instructor from the Kane School of Core Integration in 2006 and 2007
- Certified Buff Bones® Instructor in 2017
- Certified GYROKINESIS® Instructor in 2017
TIP: Alexis is a huge animal lover/advocate. Ask her about her amazing experience at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
5 Favorites:
Vacation: New Zealand
Singers: Ingrid Michaelson and Pink!
Movies: Whale Rider, The Garden State, Hula Girls, Old Boy and Slumdog Millionaire
Animals: Elephants, whales and dolphins
Hobbies: Hiking, dancing and reading, doing anything with my 5 year old son
Alexis Iwasaki
Certified Pilates, Prenatal Yoga, and GYROTONIC Instructor
Amie Wang
Certified Pilates Instructor
Gyrotonic Apprentice
“Breathing is the first act of life and the last, our very life depends on it.”
- Joseph Pilates
Amie first came across Pilates many years ago when she was traveling as a consultant. It was the first time she fell in love with a movement method. While she continued pursuing a career in product management and marketing, Amie often considered becoming a Pilates instructor. Then, life presented an opportunity - motherhood and moving to a different country where she couldn’t take her desk job - and she embarked on her movement education journey.
Since becoming a certified Pilates instructor and teaching, movement education has become Amie’s passion. As a mom of two energetic and life-loving boys, she has a deep desire to enjoy active play with them. This means keeping fit and strong, mentally and physically, through Pilates and complementary movement methods such as Gyrotonics/Gyrokinesis, and Yoga. Amie pays special attention to alignment and form in her teaching and specializes in working with women (including prenatal and postpartum) and kids. Her mission is to share her passion and knowledge with clients so they can develop their own body awareness and movement practices to lead active and play-filled lives.
Amie obtained her Pilates certification through STOTT Pilates in 2013. She takes multiple STOTT Pilates workshops and courses each year to keep her certification updated. To deepen her knowledge and satiate her curiosity of the body and its capacity for movement, she has taken workshops in Feldenkrais Method, Move Your DNA (Nutritious Movement), Gyrokinesis, and is planning to get certified in Gyrotonics.
TIP: Ask her about the time when a stingray thought she was food and actually tried to eat her leg. Luckily no teeth were involved. Geek out with her on neuroscience, anatomy, and movement. 🙂
5 Favorites:
- Spending time with her kids
- Getting together with family and friends
- Traveling and exploring new places
- Watching movies
- Reading and enjoying a yummy cup of coffee alone
Amie Wang
Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor
Karen Matison
Pilates Instructor
“Change happens through movement and movement heals.” - Joseph Pilates
Karen first encountered Pilates back in 1987 at St. Francis Hospital’s Center for Sports Medicine and Dance Medicine. She needed help with a chronic Achilles tendon injury and was curious to see if Pilates could help. She knew, almost immediately, that she had found a robust system to rehab her injury and that Pilates would alter the course of her life. She spent over a year focusing on simply being a student of the method, and then in 1989, she became certified in teaching Pilates through the Center for Dance Medicine with Patrice Whiteside. With the encouragement of her teachers, she opened the first Pilates studio on the Peninsula in Palo Alto in 1990.
Early on, Karen started getting referrals from osteopaths, doctors, Physical Therapists, and all kinds of practitioners looking for a safe way for their patients to overcome their issues. Things grew from there, and the next step was to train other teachers so that she could meet the demands of all the people who wanted Pilates sessions. She was part of The Institute for the Pilates Method’s first-ever Teacher Training Course. Mentoring other teachers were and are a strength Karen possesses. Many of the teachers Karen trained went on to open their own studios, or were recruited to develop Pilates centers in clinics all throughout California.
As the field of Pilates grew, so did all the populations who sought out Pilates. Pregnant women, people with scoliosis, serious athletes, people who needed to cross-train, tech workers, people with neurological conditions…
Working with all these populations made Karen grow and stretch and develop expertise in order to serve her clients. Karen has a voracious appetite for continuing education and study and has worked with some of the best
practitioners in the fields of movement studies, bodywork,
and medicine.
Karen’s teaching philosophy is to find “whatever works best” for each client rather than following a particular ideology She and each of her clients are in a collaborative process, learning from each other. She’s also a fan of practice and supports and coaches her clients as they develop their own practice.
She feels honored to be part of such a dynamic field and is in awe of the human body and the potential of each person to live joyfully in their body, able to do the activities they want.
She believes that most people can age beautifully.
Karen is also a poet, who teaches poetry & creative writing at the college level. She loves studying and taking movement classes of many kinds. Currently, her movement passions are hiking, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, Qigong, contact improvisation, and water exercise.
Karen Matison
Certified Pilates Instructor
Diana Broker
Certified Pilates Instructor
“Everyone is the architect of their own happiness." ~ Joseph Pilates
5 Favorites: Coming Soon!
Diana Broker
Certified Pilates Instructor
Divya Zucaro
Yoga Instructor
"Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are."
Divya is an inspired yoga and meditation instructor of 20 years. She introduces creative discussion of yogic philosophy as it relates to our modern lives, and encourages each person to come to the poses in balance of effort and ease. She hopes for you to deeply feel good, to laugh, and to find peace in every breath, not just in class, but as a means to engage with life. Wellness, after all, includes more than just the body.No matter how you look or feel when you enter the room, Divya’s community will welcome you warmly. Whatever your experience, please, come to yoga. Divya’s educational achievements include:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Multi-subject Teaching Credential
- Certified Yoga Instructor
- Meditation/ Stress Reduction Specialist
- Certified Hypnotherapist
- Certification in Guided Empathetic Meridian Tapping
TIP: Here’s the wild card. Even yoga instructors can be avid ice hockey fans who sometimes yell at the TV. Divya’s favorite goalie of all time is her teenage son. She also loves baking (and she’s been known to share).
5 Favorites:
Quiet activity: Colored pencil drawing
Smell: Redwoods on a warm afternoon
Book: House on Mango Street
Sport: Ice hockey
Beverage: Soy chai latte (You know...in case you're offering.)
Divya Zuccaro
Certified Yoga Instructor
Administrative Team
Tracy Tomita
Tracy Tomita
Operations Manager
"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."
A native of the Bay Area, Tracy joined the team at PhysioFit as it gave her the opportunity directly contribute to her local community. Tracy cares about our patients and works hard with the team to get them back to doing what they love. She's been a part of PhysioFit for so many years that both the staff and patients feel like a second family. In her spare time, Tracy brings the same spirit and love for physical well being to the Special Olympics.
TIP: I love learning foreign languages. Know any great sayings or idioms?
5 Favorites:
Vacation: Somewhere on a beach, lake or river or where there are lots of museums.
Team: Motevideo Piranhas (my nephew's swim team) first and Niners, Warriors and Giants are a close second.
Movies: My Fair Lady, Love Actually, Grease (the original)
TV Show: Almost any medical/science series and American Ninja Warrior
Animals: Dogs and sea turtles
Tracy Tomita
Operations Manager
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Ryan Guiterrez
Assistant Manager
“Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions.”
–Michael Jordan
Ryan has a huge passion for sports which inspired his dream to become an Athletic Trainer. He currently attends SJSU for a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. He plans on applying to the Athletic Training graduate program at SJSU in 2019, in hopes of achieving his dream of being on the sidelines of a professional sports team. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing video games and binge-watching shows on Netflix.
5 Favorites:
Sport: Football
TV Show: Impractical Jokers
Food: BBQ Ribs
Color: Blue
Teams: Atlanta Falcons (NFL), New York Yankees (MLB), and UNC Tar Heels (NCAA Basketball)
Ryan Gutierrez
Assistant Manager
Customer Success Coordinator
“The world's big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”
Spencer Howard
Customer Success Coordinator
Office Admin / Customer Service Rep.
Quote: You are what you believe you are - Miguel Ruiz
Kaylie Gladfelter
Office Admin / Customer Service Rep.
Brett Ungari
Marketing
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. - Wayne Gretzky” - Michael Scott
Brett was born and raised in San Jose, CA. He has always had a love for the outdoors and can often be found at the park with his dog.
If he is not with his dog or wife, odds are he is playing some type of game or sport like lacrosse, disc golf, basketball, pickleball, etc.
Fun fact: In college, Brett scared a bear out of his kitchen with a lacrosse stick.
Brett's Favorites:
His Dog: Charlie
Sports: Lacrosse & Hockey
Activity/Hobby: Camping
Show: Survivor
Movie: Free Guy
Brett Ungari
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Vito Curcuru
Marketing Coordinator
Customer Success Coordinator
Quote: Coming Soon
Justin
Customer Success Coordinator
Move Better. Live Better.
Our Vision
To empower you to move better, so you can live better.
Our Core Values
Deliver WOW service. Exceed expectations.
Actively listen to connect with others. Be open-minded.
Fun and positive team spirit.
Be humble and practice gratitude.
Take ownership. Everything is "figureoutable."
Pursue growth and embrace change.