Western Institute of Neuromuscular (WIN) Therapy - Faculty Biographies
Staff Members
CYNTHIA RIBEIRO - Director/Instructor
Cynthia Ribeiro (CERT #: 128151/114862), owner of WIN Therapy, has taught anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, the pathology of injury, field and clinical sports massage since 1988. She is a highly skilled individual with a passion for her work in massage both as a therapist and as an instructor. Cynthia has a degree in Physical Education and completed a surgical nursing program assisting in over 60 surgeries. She states that her intention was to understand more about the healing process and functions of the human body. This training led her to her beliefs about the role of massage in preventative medicine. She came to the United States from Brazil, graduated from two massage schools and has completed post graduate training in Sports Massage. Cynthia is Nationally Certified in Massage and Bodywork. She is skilled in Sports Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Cyriax’s Deep Transverse Friction, Strain/Counterstrain, Swedish and Russian Massage, Touch for Health and Myofascial Massage. Cynthia is well known to the massage community and has taught at both state and national massage therapy conventions. In 2003, she was appointed Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of California Irvine Medical School. In March 2008 she was elected Vice President for the National Board of the American Massage Therapy Association. Her energy and knowledge seem endless and she is an inspiration to all of her students.
LEORA FELLUS - Instructor
Leora Fellus (CERT #: 125197) has been active in the field of education for most of her life. Her background in implementing and evaluating school curriculum, policy, objectives and staffing stem from her experience as an Educational Director and teacher in a private Midwestern school. Leora holds a Bachelors degree in Personnel Management and concurrently is employed by the University of California, Irvine providing Employment Consulting Services. Leora has over 1100 hours of massage training with emphasis on Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Massage, and Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi. Leora has been affiliated with WIN since its opening in 1994 and has been a staff member since 1995. Presently, she is an Instructor for Term 3, which focuses on Anatomy, Physiology, Swedish, Sports and Event Massage. Besides her special organizational, decision-making and training skills, her experience in job placement, skills assessment, resume and interview preparation are of great benefit to WIN Therapy students.
LAURA A. PEREZ - Instructor
Laura A. Perez, (CERT# COAFS-07-388615) is a WIN graduate, decided to join the massage profession to learn and practice an alternative mean to pain management. She believes that massage is a healing art and it takes an inquisitive, passionate and enthusiastic mind to be an affluent massage therapist that can assist their clients’ in their pursuit of health. Prior to entering the massage profession, Laura received her Bachelors in Science in Biology at the University of California, Irvine. She takes her enthusiasm from the profession and learning into the classroom and encourages her students to never stop learning and continue evolving their massage skills.
NANCY BALSTAD - Instructor
Nancy Balstad (CERT #: COAFS-04-377992), a graduate of WIN Therapy, has been working in the massage field for over 16 years. Nancy works along side a doctor of chiropractor and owns a successful private practice in massage therapy. She is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and consistently attends continuing education classes. Nancy is the main Instructor for Term 2, and is known by her students as having a wealth of understanding, and making learning fun.
AMBRA WELCH - Instructor
Ambra Welch (CERT #: COAFS-04-375235) a graduate of WIN Therapy, is a Certified Professional Therapeutic and Sports Massage Therapist. She is a successful massage therapist and is currently working in a physical therapy center in the City of Fountain Valley. She is an Instructor for Term 1, and is known for her excellent teaching skills, and sensitive and caring nature. Ambra is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.
MELISSA KARL - Instructor/Website Administrator
Melissa Karl (CERT #: 134385) became interested in massage therapy in 1992 after experiencing a damaging injury to her knee, which involved arthroscopic surgery and a full year of physical therapy. Upon her recovery from surgery, Melissa began actively pursuing massage therapy as a career. Melissa is a graduate of WIN Therapy and a Certified Professional Therapeutic and Sports Massage Therapist, specializing in Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Swedish Massage, and Clinical/Event Sports Massage. She began her instructor's training as a Teacher’s Assistant in 1997 and became a Certified Instructor in Anatomy, Physiology, and Massage Therapy in 1998. She was the main instructor for Term 1 for two years until she gave birth to her first child in Sept. 2000. Melissa has recently returned to WIN from hiatus, and is once again an Instructor for Term 1, as well as the website administrator for our school. Melissa is an active member of the American Massage Therapy Association and is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
DR. CAROL WINTERMUTE, D.C. - Instructor
Dr. Carol Wintermute, (CERT# COAFS-07-389181) graduated with honors from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1983, while winning the prestigious Outstanding Senior Award. She was simultaneously on the National Dean’s List, in Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, and recognized as an Outstanding Young Woman of America while earning her Doctor of Chiropractic degree the same year. Dr. Wintermute continued as full time faculty professor at the current Southern California University of Health Sciences while gaining a Specialization in Sports Therapy. She also taught future doctors at Palmer West Chiropractic College in the Bay Area. Dr. Wintermute has enjoyed a successful multi-disciplined private practice for over 20 years. As owner and President of HealthXL, she continues to work closely with massage therapists integrating all healing arts to ensure her patients’ best healthcare and welfare. She joins WIN Therapy with an extraordinary amount of knowledge in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology.
KATHY FLIPPIN - Instructor
Kathy Flippin (Cert #: RHEA-4BZNLE1999) graduated from WIN Therapy in 1998 with a certification in Professional Therapeutic and Sports Massage Therapist. Kathy is certified by the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Before, she pursued massage therapy as a career, Kathy received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, which has benefited her for her private massage business in Newport Beach, CA. Kathy is a valued instructor in our Professional Development Course, and is currently on hiatus from teaching, in order to focus on her growing and highly-successful private practice.
JEFF LANE - Instructor
Jeff Lane, (CERT# EROO-4YWMXD2001) is an instructor of Neuroanatomy and Physiology at WIN and is a certified Sports Massage Therapist – 1000 hours. Jeff is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association and is in the process of finishing his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Orange Coast College (OCC). Jeff works closely with Ann Harmer who directs the Anatomy Department at Orange Coast College, including its incredible cadaver lab. Jeff maintains a private massage practice and has 400 hours of sports massage on-site training. Some events attended include The Ironman in Hawaii and the San Diego Marathon. Following his massage schooling, Jeff pursued training in structural integration which is similar to rolfing, or myofascial myopractic release.
Administrative Staff
SANDRA ESPINO - Executive Administrative Assistant
Sandra Espino has the responsibility for keeping the administrative offices running smoothly. In 1988, she became certified in computer applications--skills that come in handy at WIN Therapy. Thereafter, Sandra became certified as a chiropractic assistant in 1990 and worked for six years in a chiropractic office. She then joined the WIN Therapy team, staying within the holistic healthcare sphere. She is known by WIN students for her gentleness, efficiency and smiling face.
SUSAN DURAN - Administrator of Student Relations
Susan Duran, a graduate of WIN Therapy, is a certified massage therapist. Susan, began her career as a main instructor in Term One, is currently the Administrator of Student Relations for WIN Therapy. Susan has been with the school since 1996. Prior to entering Massage Therapy, she worked in the field of Physical Therapy for over 13 years. As such, she conducted field training for PT students and provided instruction to seniors on proper body mechanics.
