Melissa Jekonski received the Nurse of Excellence Award in 2001 while a nurse at Sarasota Memorial Hospital . She is the office manager. Melissa was born in Port Charlotte , FL moved to Sarasota at age 3 . Before nursing in 1993, Melissa pursued a career as a paralegal then changed her direction to nursing where she graduated in 1993 from Sarasota Technical Institute.  Melissa was employed with Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an LPN2 from 1993 until 2009 on a surgical acute care floor , specializing in surgical nursing ; vascular, head & neck , major abdominal , bariatric, & thoracic while working concurrently as the Practice Manager of LernerCohen since 2005. Melissa is married to Dr. Lerner and is the mother of Haley and Zachary. She is the Practice Manager of LernerCohen Healthcare.


Julie Hagens was born in Dayton, Ohio and moved to Bradenton, FL in 2002. Julie has been married for 28 years and has three boys. She graduated from SCTI as a Certified Medical Assistant in 2003, and started working at Associates of Internal Medicine until joining LernerCohen Healthcare in 2006.  Julie now holds an LPN degree.

Dondra Walker, a Sarasota native,  joins the practice from First Physicians Group. She holds a C.N.A. certificate as well as being a Certified Medical Coder. Dondra's son, Mike Ford,  was the leading rusher in the state of Florida (2,836) with thirty seven touchdowns, and was named Class 5A Player of the Year In 2004 while at at Sarasota High School.



Dan Petrach, a Sarasota native, joins the practice from Sarasota Memorial Healthcare where he was a Phlebotomy Technician II and received national certification from the International Academy of Phlebotmy Sciences (IAPS) 

 

 Kairawan Joseph,CMA
Kairawan is a native Floridian who is a former employee of Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group.  She has a daughter who aspires to be a physician.  Kairawan graduated from Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI) as a Certified Medical Assistant in 1991.  She was a member of the SCTI Honor Society as well as a part of the SCTI Advisory Board.

 

Jennifer Regar, MPT
Jennifer Regar is a licensed physical therapist, providing complimentary in-office physical therapy evaluations and exercise consultation.  Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jennifer has been practicing in Sarasota for the past ten years.  She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in physical therapy from Nova Southeastern University, where she met her husband, Bryan.  They are the proud parents of a 1 year old daughter, Julia. 
Jennifer is also the owner of Custom Therapy Connection, which provides physical therapy and personal training services in the comfort and convenience of your own home.   When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys yoga, jogging, visiting beaches and parks, and most of all watching her daughter explore the world around her.

 

Bonni London, MS, RD, LD/n, ACSM

 Bonni London began her career as a personal trainer in New York City in the 1990’s. During this time, Bonni found her passion for nutrition and her skill for motivating and challenging people to improve them­selves. She acquired her Master’s Degree in Nutrition from New York Uni­versity; as well as her certification as a Registered Dietitian. She a past president of the Manasota Dietetic Association, a current active board member as well as belonging to multiple Dietetic Practice groups such as Diabetes Care and Education, Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, Healthy Aging, Medical Nutrition Practice Group, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists. Her experience in long-term healthcare, physician offices, fitness centers, and private practice has served as further inspiration to challenge individ­uals to take control of their own bodies, health and life!
In addition to being a working mother of twins, Bonni strives to live the lifestyle and demonstrate what is possible when you are determined on achieving your goals.
As an authority on lifestyle coaching, Bonni will integrate the latest research and your personalized goals to ensure that you achieve your vision!

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Tara Stolpe, RN
Tara Stolpe moved to Sarasota in 1984 from Pennsylvania with her husband Norm with the intention that if they didn’t like it, they could move either north or south: they never left. She has a beautiful 11 year old daughter who is interested in the arts. Tara is an RN with a medical/surgical certification. She is a former employee of Sarasota Memorial Hospital where she worked for 13 years starting as a CNA. She was involved in several committees and councils at SMH always looking to improve nursing practice at the bedside, teaching/mentoring new graduates and employees, and advocating for patients as well as the staff When not working, Tara enjoys spending time her family, the beach, reading, yoga and meeting new people.

 

 

Marianne Cohen