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!

 

 

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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.  She brings her tremendous patient advocacy skills to our team, along with handling the toughest job, scheduling our clients.  Cari is also our Human Resource Coordinator.  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!

 

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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.

 

 

 

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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 getting married in May of 2006 and has 2 beautiful dogs that always keep her on her toes. Renae enjoys spending time with her fiancé, whom is also a PT, and doing anything outdoors including traveling when they get the chance. She also enjoys spending time with her dogs. She has an intense passion for helping people reach whatever their goals may be.

 

 

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    Tom Hoffmann

• Occupational Therapist

Tom Hoffmann is the Neuro Institute’s occupational therapist addition.  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.

 

 

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Tonia Baily 

• Speech-Language Pathologist

Tonia graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University with a Master of Science degree in Speech and Language Pathology.  Tonia received her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association in 1994 and is currently licensed in Arizona State.

 Tonia has been working in both outpatient and inpatient clinical settings for over 13 years and has been working at Neuro Institute for the past 2 years.  Her strengths include cognitive-linguistic rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury and dysphasia management. She is also certified in VitalStim dysphasia therapy.

Tonia thoroughly enjoys working at the Neuro Institute as she says it allows her the opportunity to know her clients on a personal level and enrich their lives through the enhancement of their communication, cognition and swallowing skills, specific to their unique environments and lifestyles. Tonia is married and has two boys.  She enjoys spending time with her family, camping, hiking and curling up with a good book! 

 

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Jodi Robinette, PTA 

• Physical Therapist Assistant

 

 

 

 

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Angela Seely-Bullock

• Administrative Manager

Angela began her career with Neuro Institute in May of 2003. She comes to Neuro Institute with a background in finance. Prior to May of 2003 she was working as a broker for Charles Schwab. She decided to pursue a job working as an Administrative Manager working for her family. Her daughter is almost 11 years old and dances her life away. Angela was recently married this past March. She enjoys spending her spare time with her family and watching her daughter dance.

 

 

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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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Debbie Perry 

• Administrative Assistant