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Neuro Institute Founder: Arnie Fonseca Jr.

Arnie Fonseca, Jr. is the owner and founder of Neuro Institute. Arnie is an Exercise Physiologist who has spent the last 17 years working with patients challenged with Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord injury, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and other forms of paralysis and illness. Along with being the founder of Neuro Institute he created The Next Step Foundation with his wife Cari, whom he has been married for twenty years.  After spending 15 years as a teacher and coach in Phoenix, Arizona, working with students, kindergarten through Junior College, Arnie earned his Master's Degree in Exercise Science in 1991 from Arizona State University. Opening Neuro Institute fulfills a long-time dream for Arnie. During his time as a football, baseball, wrestling and Performance Coach, he observed that athletes, whether injured or healthy received more motivation and attention thus experiencing greater results and recovery than other individuals undergoing strength training or rehabilitation.

"All communities have a need for a place for like this," Arnie says. “Neuro Institute treats people just like professional athletes, who receive the finest care in the world. We believe the philosophy of aggressive, specialized therapy and a positive attitude with a loving heart should apply to anybody."

Arnie knows first-hand how emotionally and physically demanding rehabilitation can be on patients and their families. In August 2001, a car accident left his 22-year-old stepson, Brandon; head injured and with little function. When many had given up on Brandon, Arnie went on a mission to change how we look at the recovery process.  He has a burning desire to offer patients his visionary approach to recovery using the best tools and resources available.   Challenging clients to find out how much they can achieve, driving them to their full potential throughout the difficult rehabilitation process.  That’s what Neuro Institute is all about!

 

 


             

        Cari Fonseca

  • Co Founder

Cari came to NI the hard way.  Being the mother of Brandon she has learned everything about the Neuro rehabilitation business inside and out.  Cari’s brightest point of light is that she helped convince Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to create a catastrophic component in their policy.  This has allowed all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona members who have suffered a traumatic injury the ability to receive the quantity and quality of care that they so dually deserve! WOW! She has recently begun a new endeavor mentoring nursing and high school students on how catastrophic injuries effect families and the importance of compassion in the medical field.  She has also become an advocate to prevent drinking and driving.  WAY TO GO!

 


 

        Jim Cole 

  • Certified Athletic Trainer
Originally, from Wyoming Jim has been in Arizona for 35 years. He is married and has two daughters and a son. Education from Arizona State University include Exercise Physiology and is a Certified Athletic Trainer. Experience includes 10 years of inpatient and outpatient therapy in hospitals and clinics. 
Jim also finished a Master’s in Business Administration in 2003. Spending time with family by hiking, snow skiing, scuba diving and riding motocross.

 

 

 


  

         Renae Gruver

  •   Physical Therapist

 

Renae is a native of Omaha, Nebraska and has moved to Arizona to join the Neuro Institute team.  She graduated from Creighton University in Nebraska with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She is married  and has a newborn son, Benjamin.  She has 2 dogs, Ober and Sedona, and loves taking them hiking or doing anything outdoors with her family or friends.  She has been a part of the Neuro team for 3 years now and enjoys the positive atmosphere and the variety of clients that she treats.

 

 


          Tom Hoffmann

  • Occupational Therapist
Tom Hoffmann is the Neuro Institute’s occupational therapist.  He is a recent graduate of Midwestern University Glendale, AZ campus with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy in 2006.  Mr. Hoffmann has a passion for working with individuals with neurological impairments such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), and Strokes.  Tom’s passion for working with individuals with neurological impairments stems from his own recovery and rehabilitation from a serious accident 15 years ago.  Tom is also working toward becoming a certified driving rehabilitation specialist (CDRS).  Tom was born in Oshkosh, WI and is an avid Green Bay Packers fan!  Tom’s hobbies include flying, bicycling, photography, and traveling.  Prior to becoming an OT, Tom was a professional pilot having worked as a flight instructor, Alaskan bush pilot, cargo pilot, and worked for two different airlines including Scenic Airlines that does the flights out the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas.
 

                                           

        Jodi Robinette 

  • Physical Therapist Assistant

Jodi is originally from Minneapolis, MN and has lived in Arizona for 8 years.  She graduated from Gateway with a Physical Therapy Assisting degree in May of 2007 and joined the Neuro team soon after.  She enjoys working with the variety of clients at Neuro and helping them to achieve their goals.  When not at work, Jodi enjoys travelling and spending time with her  friends, family and dog, Ziti "The Rat" Corleone. 


        Angela Seely

  • Administrative Liaison

Angela began her career with Neuro Institute in May of 2003. She comes to Neuro Institute with a background in finance.  Currently, she works in the administration department handling all aspects of back office.  In her spare time she enjoys working on her own business in Private Franchising and spending time with  her daughter.

 

 


 

           Christina Ronnberg 

  • Administrative Supervisor
  • Billing Specialist

Christina came to work at Neuro Institute on a very circuitous route.  After receiving her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (specialty in Fiber Arts) from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and living in the Netherlands for four years, she came back to America and began working in the healthcare field.  At Neuro Institute she is involved in insurance and billing administration.

 Currently she attends ASU and will graduate with her Bachelor’s of Social Work in Spring 2006.  She plans to continue on for her Master’s of Social Work degree at ASU.  She lives in Mesa with her two cats and rat terrier/mutt dog (who was given to her by a Neuro Institute client last year).  She enjoys reading, needlework, listening to music and spending time with friends. 

 

 
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