Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Health & Wellness Center

Bios

• Dan Charak

  Fitness Manager

  Dan was always an active person; playing a variety of sports, including college tennis. It was a serious back injury that motivated him to learn more about health and fitness. Dan graduated from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in Kinesiology. His concentration was Injury Prevention and Corrective Exercise. His passion for educating clients and teaching individuals about health and fitness brought him back to school where he earned his Masters of Arts degree in Physical Education and Health. From personal training, coaching, to teaching; his main concentration has always been to educate his clients to help motivate them for a healthier lifestyle. Degrees and Certifications:M.A.T. In Physical Education and Health. B.S. in Kinesiology. NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. IHSA Certified Coach. American Red Cross Certified. “Training the body is easy, it’s educating and convincing the mind that is the challenge.”

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• Sharon Smith

  Group Exercise Coordinator

  Fitness and health have been a part of Sharon’s life since she was a child.  She is very excited to bring her passion for health and fitness to all the members of Kishwaukee Health and Wellness! Involved with gymnastics, ice-skating and ballet, she eventually focused on ballet, which she has been teaching for 22 years.  Sharon teaches numerous water exercise and land classes and had taught dance and exercise to developmentally disabled children and adults. Sharon has worked as a Ballet Program Coordinator, Outreach Program Coordinator, Dance and Exercise Coordinator, and the Arts Enrichment Coordinator at various schools in the community. Degrees and Certifications: M.S. Biology/Ecology, B.S. Ecology, Ethology and Evolution. NETA Certified Personal Trainer, NETA Group Exercise Instructor, Arthritis Foundation Land and Water Program Leader. Certified Water in Motion Instructor, Silver Sneakers Instructor, Precor/Queenax Instructor, and American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard. AEA- Aquatic Exercise for Rehabilitation. “I believe exercise is a means to improve many areas of life – physical, emotional and intellectual.”

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• Melissa Romano

  Registered Dietitian

  Certifications: RDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, LDN Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, CDE Certified Diabetes Educator, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified Education: M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics, Northern Illinois University, B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics, Northern Illinois University, Dietetic Internship, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and 2 daughters, Embracing outdoor activities whether it's hot or cold Specializations: Nutrition, Weight Loss, Sport & Event Specific Training, Circuit & Small Group Training, Lifestyle & Behavior Change

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• Megan Bell

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified Education: B.S. in Exercise Science, Aurora University Hobbies: Working out, Cooking, Activities outdoors Specializations: Health & Wellness, Sport Performance, Injury Prevention, Weight Loss, Lifestyle Development

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• Davon Granderson

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified Education: M.S. in Exercise Physiology, Northern Illinois University, B.S. in Kinesiology, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Basketball, Tough Mudders, Video games and eSports Specializations: Sports Performance, Cardiovascular Conditioning, Weight Loss, Strength Training, Injury Prevention

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• Tamara Smith

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified Education: B.S. in Psychology, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Doubles volleyball, Running 5k’s to half marathons, Baking and creating healthy recipes for my family, Any sport or outdoor activity that challenges me Specializations: Education and Motivation, Lifestyle Improvement, Sport and Event Specific Training ,Corrective Exercise , Knee and Back Injury Prevention

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• Aaron Ontjes

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Lifeguard/CPR/AED/First Aid Certified Education:B.S. in Kinesiology, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Exercise, Working on mechanical objects, Video games Specializations: Strength, Weight Loss, Muscular Hypertrophy, Sports Performance, Muscular Endurance

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• Aly Bartolomei

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified, Certified American Heart Association CPR Instructor Education: B.S. in Exercise Science, Illinois State University       Hobbies: Hiking, Reading, Cooking/Baking Specializations: General Fitness, Sports Performance, Strength and Conditioning, Weight Loss

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• Daniel Lutsch

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified Education: B.S. in Kinesiology, Northern Illinois University; M.S. in Exercise Physiology, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Watching TV, Playing Hockey, Spending time with my girlfriend and our puppy Specializations: Injury Prevention, Corrective Exercise, Functional Fitness, Sport Performance Training, Lifestyle Adjustments

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• Jenna Bacchi

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, American Red Cross First AID, CPR, AED, 200 hr. Registered Yoga Teacher Education: A.A. College of DuPage; A.S. Kishwaukee Community College; B.S. in Kinesiology, Northern Illinois University; B.S. in Spanish, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Bike riding, Reading, Yoga Specializations: Mobility, Strength, Balance, Motivation, Lifestyle changes, Running, Prevention

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• Tony Vazquez

  Personal Trainer

  Certifications: NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified, TRX STC Qualified Education: B.S. in Kinesiology, Northern Illinois University Hobbies: Photography, Spartan Races, Hiking Specializations: Fall Prevention, cognitive, strength training, and powerlifting preparation.

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