Join us for the 2020 Ocean Breeze Virtual Health & Wellness Series. Hosted by our own Melissa Kraker, each week a different guest speaker will discuss a wide-array of health & wellness topics based off their area of expertise. Melissa will host the Q&A session & then the guest speaker will answer questions for those on the call!

Sign-up at the link below. Registration is required & space is limited! For more information & any questions, contact Melissa at Melissa.Kraker@parks.nyc.gov

Registration
 

Guest Speaker	Date	Time	Topic
Heather Butts	Wednesday, July 22	1:00pm	Healthy Choices
David Dorsey	Wednesday, July 29	12:30pm	Nutrition & Exercise
Mario Ricca Jr.	Wednesday, August 5	12:30pm	Clean Air & Quality Hydration
Caren Cooper	Wednesday, August 12	2:00pm	Clean Eating
Melissa Terrusa	Wednesday, September 2	3:00pm	Body in Motion: Osteoarthritis

 








Heather Butts received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a Law Degree from St. Johns University. She received her Public Health degree from Harvard University and a teaching degree from Columbia University Teachers College. Heather is an Assistant Professor of Health Care; Administration and Law.

Dave Dorsey served in the US Coast Guard as a Chef and was selected as a Wellness Coordinator at several different units. He also designed basic nutrition plans to get members back in shape and trained Coast Guard members to pass their run test! Dave is a top notch runner, including a former Staten Island Triple Crown overall winner!

Mario Ricca Jr. has more than 35 years of experience in the health & wellness industry. He's' involved in health & wellness in various aspects, mainly air/water purification and treatment. Mario is also a runner/athlete for nearly 42 years, having accomplished numerous events for marathons, triathlon and cross training. Mario continues to promote quality health practices for both exercise and the benefits of good hydration and respiratory health.

Caren Cooper is a mom of two and is also a health & wellness nutritionist. She believes others can reach their health & fitness goals by changing their mindset and having an incredible nutrition program. Her motto is "being healthy is a lifestyle, not a life sentence!"

Melissa Terrusa received both her Bachelors of Science in Psychology in 2007, then her graduate degree Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010 from CUNY College of Staten Island. While practicing in an outpatient facility since 2010 she has also taken on several other opportunities through the years including accepting a positon at her alma-mater College of Staten Island as an adjunct professor from 2011-2018 where she predominately taught Kinesiology lab course to Physical Therapy students. In addition, during the years of 2013-2016 she was fortunate to have had the experience to travel with USA Rhythmic Gymnastics as their treating Physical Therapist for events in Germany, Canada and Lake Placid. Since then she has been in contact with USA Rhythmic Gymnastics and is a referring Physical Therapist they use for one of their local gyms.

Prior to graduating PT school, Melissa coached local basketball teams including being an assistant coach at the HS level. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and stages including athletes and helping them return to their sport to the best of her and their ability. However, Melissa truly enjoys working with her patients in general and helping them reach rehabilitative milestones and achieve their goals. She models her rehab programs with the idea that the body likes to and wants to move within functional patterns. With all that being said Melissa enjoys giving back to the community and hopes she can continue to do so in different ways for years to come!