Staff Bios
Gail Winston, RN, MSN
Director of Health Promotion/The Wellness Center DeKalb Medical
Registered Nurse, Master of Science in Nursing
Philosophy of care: "After 10 years of emergency nursing at DeKalb Medical, I had the pleasure of becoming The Wellness Center’s first health educator just three months after the center opened. I am very proud that I have played a part in growing the center ever since. I became director of The Wellness Center in 2003 and I believe what allows us to stand apart from all the rest is our staff: here you will find people with excellent customer service skills plus fitness and nutrition knowledge solidly grounded in science.”
Kami Sowder, RN, LMT
Wellness Center Massage Therapist
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Indiana University; Graduate of Academy of Somatic Healing Arts in Atlanta with certifications in Swedish, Sports, and Neuromuscular Therapy; also certified in Thailand in traditional Thai Massage; licensed in the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse and Massage Therapist.
Philosophy of care: "I use my training to provide holistic and individualized care and therapeutic touch to promote health, rejuvenation, and pain relief.”
Ken Fogel
Wellness Center Massage Therapist
L.M.T- Ga. Licensed Massage Therapist
Philosophy of care: “I enjoy working in partnership with people to help achieve greater relaxation, ease of movement and balance, utilizing a variety of modalities. It's great to see someone feel better.”
Dennard Wright
Wellness Center Fitness Technician/Personal Trainer
Exercise Science Alliance (ESA) Certified, Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science
Philosophy of care: "I've been personal training for 5 years now and enjoy helping clients reach their goals and educate them as well. I believe fitness should be a way of life and should become habit. Fitness is my passion and my purpose for training is to stimulate not only the body, but also the mind. I've also done boot camps, sculpting classes as well as Ab classes, and I assist in a program for overweight kids and their parents.”
Curtis J. Williams
Wellness Center Exercise Physiologist and Personal Training Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, AFAA Certified personal trainer, CPR/AED certified
Philosophy of care: “Helping clients to achieve their fitness goals, and overcoming challenges along the way is my passion. ‘Reaching those goals won't always be an easy hike, but when you've reached the top of the mountain, you'll enjoy the view.’”
Daryl Madison
Wellness Center Personal Trainer
ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer, AMA (American Heart Association) CPR and Heartsaver first aid certification.
Philosophy of care: “To borrow from Chair-a-cise site, ‘I educate my clients about the appropriate intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity to achieve an improved fitness level for their needs.’"
Chavonne Shorter
Wellness Center Personal Trainer
American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) Certified Personal Trainer; Wellness Coordinator/Equipment Manager at Spelman College
Philosophy of care: “1.The longest journey begins with the first step. 2. If you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do… the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”
Akiko M. Jones
Wellness Center Personal Trainer
ACSM Personal Trainer, Yoga, Yoga Therapy & Pilates mat certified, Certified Massage Therapist
Philosophy of care: “My work is to motivate, instruct, and inform the client. The process involves clearing the path of obstacles, allowing the client to reframe the picture of themselves that they have and teaching them to use breath, body and mind to achieve short and long term goals in the most productive way. The results are a stronger body, an improved outlook, and a better sense of well-being.”
Debbie Vinson
Wellness Center Water Personal Trainer
Certified Swim Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer in the Pool, Water Fitness Instructor, Certified Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Instructor Lifeguard, Swim Instructor
Philosophy of care: “Each client is an individual; independent in mind, body and soul, allowing me the joy of helping them discover better health, peace and tranquility through the healing powers of the water.”
Pam Bips
Wellness Center Water Personal Trainer and Swim Instructor
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Trainer, Lifeguard
Philosophy of care: “When it comes to sinking or swimming, I prefer swimming!”
Anita Johnson
Wellness Center Personal Trainer
Certified By American Fitness Professionals: Personal Trainer, Children's Exercise Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist, Post Rehabilitation Specialist, Group Fitness Instructor
Philosophy of care: "Restoring the union of body and soul. Life is defined as the union of body and soul. My mission is to help people of all ages understand that without exercise the quality of life will depreciate each day. This will eventually cause the separation of body and soul.”
Kathy Lach
Wellness Center Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor, Aqua Instructor, newsletter editor, and community volunteer AFAA Personal Trainer, Kickboxing Instructor, and Group Fitness Instructor; Johnny G Spinning and YMCA of USA Cycling Instructor; Reebok Flexible Strength Instructor (Power Yoga); SCW Tai Chi and Qi Gong Instructor; YMCA Water Exercise Instructor, Advanced Exercise Instructor, Strength Training Instructor, Pilates Instructor
American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue Certified; American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Emergency Oxygen Administration (and AED) Certified; Personal trainer and fitness instructor since 1986; founder, MKL Enterprises, LLC.
Philosophy of care: “Acknowledge the integration of mind, body and spirit: When one breaks down, they all break down; when one heals, they all heal. Wholeness isn’t lost as much as it is forgotten.”