MEET THE
WELLNESS TEAM
Geoff Uhal
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Geoff Uhal taught boxing as a Captain in the Army for 12 years. he suffered from an explosion in Afghanistan, after which he spent 18 months in Vestibular Rehabilitation learning how to walk again and regain his balance. Geoff utilizes his personal experience and dedicates six days a week to helping people with PD.
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Maggie Daniel
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Maggie Daniel trained under Geoff Uhal
since 2016 and has been an LDBF trainer since 2019. Graduating in July 2021 with a Psychology degree, Maggie is currently attending graduate school at Mercer University in Clinical psychology, with a focus on traumatic and cognitive processes.. Her goal is to provide support to CFMC members in relation to symptoms of depression, anxiety, apathy, and mental processes including cognition, memory, perception, and problem solving.
Kitty Chin
Kitty Chin, PT servers as a Volunteer Coordinator. The volunteers from Physical Therapy programs at Mercer, Emory, GSU, Philadelphia College of Medicine assist with Level 3/4 classes providing members with the one-on-one assistance offering a safer and more beneficial exercise experience
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Kitty is a retired Physical Therapist with specialization in Orthopedic Manual Therapy for Treatment of Spinal and Extremity Pain/Dysfunction, Fall Prevention in older adults, balance and gait disorders, dizziness, and vestibular rehabilitation, certified LSVT Big Clinician, Certified Parkinson's Wellness Recovery Therapist, Rocky Steady, CPR Certified.
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Valeria Gary
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Valeria Gary, Speech Language Pathologist teaches speech classes. She holds certifications in Speech language pathology, Brain Health Training, Behavior Change, Personal Training, and Health Coaching, LSVT LOUD, LSVT LOUD for Life, Speak OUT! McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program, Vital Stim, Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile. She owns southwest Parkinson's Speech Services LLC where she provides maintenance speech therapy services. Member of Allied Team Training for Parkinsons's and an active volunteer for the Parkinson's Foundation.
Niamh Tunney
Niamh Tunney is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Mercer University, Atlanta Georgia, where she has been a faculty member since M2010. Dr. Tunney completed her Master of Science degree at Georgia State University, her Doctor of Physical Therapy at MGH Institute of Health Professions, and she qualified as a physiotherapist at Trinity College Dubin, Ireland. She practiced full time in neurorehabilitation for 17 years, and part for 10 years while transitioning to full time academia. Her teaching focus is in the areas of the neurorehabilitation and neuroscience
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Day'Troy A Lyons-Lee
Coach Troy started his martial arts training at the tender age of 4 and gained a passion for teaching at the age of 12, instructing youth in the neighborhood. After high school, he started training Sanshou and other Chinese martial arts; he continued on to train in Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jujitsu, Muay Thai and wrestling; he continued on to competing in the sport of MMA.
Troy has dedicated the last ten years to perfecting his craft and sharing his knowledge of fitness, martial arts, and helping people reach their goals, whether it be through weight loss or competition.
William Goggins
William “Willy” Goggins is an MMA fighter, coach and personal trainer, experienced in cardio kickboxing is from Atlanta, GA. He holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under coach Gabriel Kitober. An accomplished wrestler, with 10 years under his belt.
As a strong advocate for physical fitness for self-care and therapy, he can be found researching nutrition and supplementation to provide those he trains with an optimal health experience.
When not at the gym, he can be found training his service dog.
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Dr. Amy Morse
Dr. Amy Morse graduated from Medical University of South Carolina with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009. She worked at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC for four years where she began working with people with Parkinson's Disease. Following this, Amy moved to Atlanta in 2013 and took a job with Emory Healthcare until 2021. During her time at Emory, Amy expanded and lead the Movement Disorder rehab program, was a mentor for Emory University Physical Therapy Neurological Residency program. She has spoken at many local and national community events and conferences including Emory's Udall Community Conversations, National Parkinson's Foundation "Living Well" and "Fitness Counts", and World Parkinson's Congress in 2016. She teaches the Parkinson's lab materials for Emory University and GA State's Physical Therapy students.
Dr. Brittney Hooker
Dr. Brittney Hooker graduated with her BS in Exercise Science from Southeast Missouri State University in 2014 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The University of Missouri in 2017. She completed her Neurologic PT Residency at Emory University in 2018 and was board certified as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2019. She worked as a PT at Emory Brain Health Center from 2018-2021, where she primarily treated people with Parkinson's disease and other Movement Disorders. During her time at Emory, she was also a mentor for the Emory Neurologic PT Residency Program. Additionally, she teaches Movement Disorder lectures/labs for Emory University DPT School. Brittney presented her research on PT for people with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy at National PT Conference in 2020.
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In 2021, Brittney transitioned to her current role as Co-Owner and PT at Synapse NeuroRehab and Wellness, where she continues to focus on improving the quality of lives of people with Parkinson's Disease and other neurologic diagnoses. Brittney also serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the Parkinson's Foundation of Georgia.
Jayme Astarita
Jayme Astarita is a Physical Therapist at Kennestone Hospital. She is certified in LSVT BIG and Parkinson's Wellness Recovery. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of North Georgia. She is also an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She enjoys bringing her physical therapy and fitness background to the boxing gym to empower members to continue to fight PD every day.
Jack Hullings
Retired Executive Director - AT&T. Lifelong competitive runner (retired) and volunteer to the running community. Certified fitness instructor beginning in the 1980s. Introduced to the LDBF Parkinson’s boxing program in 2015 and impressed by participants motivation and hard work. Favorite workouts: boxing, road and mountain biking, stationary cycling, functional strength and Pilates. Jack appreciates the opportunity to learn and share his experience to help others improve their quality of life.
Haley Hawkins
Haley Hawkins is a certified yoga instructor with a 200hr training from Lift Yoga Studio under Kim Saunders. She also holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Louis University, and is working on becoming a licensed therapist. Haley believes that yoga is truly transformative for the body, mind, and spirit, no matter what stage of life you are in. Her classes weave in themes of self-compassion and healing, helping you leave feeling capable and strong. She teaches chair, wall, and mat yoga, and focuses on making yoga fully accessible for everyone.
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