Mid-Level Providers
Our Physician Assistants
What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons, and are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of a healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. Physician assistants may prescribe certain medications and routinely visit hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician.
Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics and family medicine. Other specialty areas include general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.
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Melinda B. Jeter, PA-C
Biography: Melinda B. Jeter, PA-C is certified by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lee University and a Masters of Health Sciences from the University of South Alabama. She is PA to Dr. Arthur Valadie for pre-ops & post-ops, and assists with closures in primary total knees, knee arthritis, and rotator cuff repairs.
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Jason M. Lee, PA-C, ATC
Biography: Jason M. Lee, PA-C, ATC, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Elon University, a Master of Science from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida. He is PA to Dr. Daniel Lamar and was head football athletic trainer for the University of Tennessee-Martin.
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Robert Nixon, PA-C
Biography: Upon graduating Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Athletic Training, Robert received an additional Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from SUNY Stony Brook followed by a Master of Arts in Business Management from Webster University. Since serving as Corpsman in the US Navy and Physician Assistant in the Army National Guard, Robert has spent 13 years as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Robert provides clinical and surgical orthopedic care with Dr. Alan Valadie, joint replacement specialist.
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Alexander Petreas, MS, PA-C
Biography: After serving seven years in the U.S. Navy, Alexander Petreas, MS, PA-C, graduated with honors from the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, followed by his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Alexander’s postgraduate experience includes practice in Urgent Care, Gastrointestinal, Family and Internal Medicine, and volunteer firefighting. An outdoor enthusiast, Alexander enjoys running, biking and swimming, and also finds spending time with family, wood working, classic cars and reading to be among a few of his personal interests. Alexander enjoys working for Coastal Orthopedics because of the practice’s reputation, diversity of orthopedic services, office locations and its excellent, caring staff.
Ashley Fowler, MS, PA-C, ATC
Biography: Ashley Fowler, MS, PA-C, ATC, earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, followed by her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant studies from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Nationally certified as an Athletic Trainer and licensed by the State of Florida as a Physician Assistant, Ashley is affiliated with the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Finding great joy in traveling and helping others, Ashley serves as a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida and has completed Mission Work in Greece, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Peru. Ashley is Physician Assistant to Dr. Avinash Kumar, shoulder and elbow specialist..
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Our Physical and Occupational Therapists
What is a Physical Therapist?
A Physical therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats individuals of all ages, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses or injuries that may limit their ability to move and perform functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists evaluate and diagnose movement dysfunction and use interventions to treat patients/clients. Interventions may include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, assistive and adaptive devices and equipment, and physical agents and electrotherapeutic modalities.
What is an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional whose goal is to help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.
Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include individualized evaluation and goal planning, customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, followed by an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan.
Director of Physical Therapy: Jeff French, PT, ATC-LAT, Specializes in Sports Medicine
Pointe West Medical Plaza – Office and Surgery Center:
Marne Salinas, MSPT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Louise White, PT, PH.D., Specializes in Orthopedics and Low Back
John Thomas, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Ashley Abney, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Michelle (Shelli) Greer, OT, CHT, Specializes in Hand Therapy
Brenda Grimaldi, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Brent Watterson, PTA, Specializes in Orthopedics
Adam Mosholder, PTA, Specializes in Orthopedics
State Road 64 Office:
Krista Settle, DPT, Specializes in Vestibular and Balance Disorders
Debra Hallenbake, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Rene Bourdeau, MPT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Mike Rozmus, OT, Board Certified Hand Therapist
Ryan Shepler, PTA, Specializes in Orthopedics
Sheila Thomas, LMT, Certified in Neuro-Muscular Massage
Lakewood Ranch Office:
Mike Winiki, PT, Board Certified in Orthopedics
Chris Dennis, MPT, ATC, CSCS Specializes in Sports Medicine
Maria DeLazzer, DPT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Elizabeth Budden, DPT, OT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Steven C. Favia, M.AT, ATC, LAT, Specializes in Sports Medicine
Regina Bonynge, OT, Specializes in Industrial Medicine
Tim Fountaine, OT, Specializes in Orthopedics for the Upper Extremity
Mid-Level Providers
Our Physician Assistants
What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons, and are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of a healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. Physician assistants may prescribe certain medications and routinely visit hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician.
Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics and family medicine. Other specialty areas include general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedics, and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.
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Melinda B. Jeter, PA-C
Biography: Melinda B. Jeter, PA-C is certified by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lee University and a Masters of Health Sciences from the University of South Alabama. She is PA to Dr. Arthur Valadie for pre-ops & post-ops, and assists with closures in primary total knees, knee arthritis, and rotator cuff repairs.
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Jason M. Lee, PA-C, ATC
Biography: Jason M. Lee, PA-C, ATC, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Elon University, a Master of Science from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida. He is PA to Dr. Daniel Lamar and was head football athletic trainer for the University of Tennessee-Martin.
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Robert Nixon, PA-C
Biography: Upon graduating Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Athletic Training, Robert received an additional Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from SUNY Stony Brook followed by a Master of Arts in Business Management from Webster University. Since serving as Corpsman in the US Navy and Physician Assistant in the Army National Guard, Robert has spent 13 years as a physician assistant in orthopedic surgery. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Robert provides clinical and surgical orthopedic care with Dr. Alan Valadie, joint replacement specialist.
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Alexander Petreas, MS, PA-C
Biography: After serving seven years in the U.S. Navy, Alexander Petreas, MS, PA-C, graduated with honors from the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, followed by his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Alexander’s postgraduate experience includes practice in Urgent Care, Gastrointestinal, Family and Internal Medicine, and volunteer firefighting. An outdoor enthusiast, Alexander enjoys running, biking and swimming, and also finds spending time with family, wood working, classic cars and reading to be among a few of his personal interests. Alexander enjoys working for Coastal Orthopedics because of the practice’s reputation, diversity of orthopedic services, office locations and its excellent, caring staff.
Ashley Fowler, MS, PA-C, ATC
Biography: Ashley Fowler, MS, PA-C, ATC, earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, followed by her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant studies from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Nationally certified as an Athletic Trainer and licensed by the State of Florida as a Physician Assistant, Ashley is affiliated with the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Finding great joy in traveling and helping others, Ashley serves as a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida and has completed Mission Work in Greece, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Peru. Ashley is Physician Assistant to Dr. Avinash Kumar, shoulder and elbow specialist..
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Our Physical and Occupational Therapists
What is a Physical Therapist?
A Physical therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats individuals of all ages, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses or injuries that may limit their ability to move and perform functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists evaluate and diagnose movement dysfunction and use interventions to treat patients/clients. Interventions may include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, assistive and adaptive devices and equipment, and physical agents and electrotherapeutic modalities.
What is an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional whose goal is to help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.
Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include individualized evaluation and goal planning, customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, followed by an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan.
Director of Physical Therapy: Jeff French, PT, ATC-LAT, Specializes in Sports Medicine
Pointe West Medical Plaza – Office and Surgery Center:
Marne Salinas, MSPT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Louise White, PT, PH.D., Specializes in Orthopedics and Low Back
John Thomas, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Ashley Abney, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Michelle (Shelli) Greer, OT, CHT, Specializes in Hand Therapy
Brenda Grimaldi, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Brent Watterson, PTA, Specializes in Orthopedics
Adam Mosholder, PTA, Specializes in Orthopedics
State Road 64 Office:
Krista Settle, DPT, Specializes in Vestibular and Balance Disorders
Debra Hallenbake, PT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Rene Bourdeau, MPT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Mike Rozmus, OT, Board Certified Hand Therapist
Ryan Shepler, PTA, Specializes in Orthopedics
Sheila Thomas, LMT, Certified in Neuro-Muscular Massage
Lakewood Ranch Office:
Mike Winiki, PT, Board Certified in Orthopedics
Chris Dennis, MPT, ATC, CSCS Specializes in Sports Medicine
Maria DeLazzer, DPT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Elizabeth Budden, DPT, OT, Specializes in Orthopedics
Steven C. Favia, M.AT, ATC, LAT, Specializes in Sports Medicine
Regina Bonynge, OT, Specializes in Industrial Medicine
Tim Fountaine, OT, Specializes in Orthopedics for the Upper Extremity