OUR TEAM

Meet Your Support Team

Medical Director

Gloria Hakkarainen, MD, FACOG, FASBP, FABAAM

Dr. Hakkarainen graduated with honors from Wellesley college with a degree in biochemistry and psychobiology. She worked as a research biochemist at Harvard Medical School and received her MD degree from Albany Medical College. After completing her residency training at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, she became board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has an active practice in West Palm Beach.

Pursuing her interest in Bariatric Medicine, Dr. Hakkarainen passed the board examinations of the American Board of Bariatric Medicine in 2004. Dr. Hakkarainen continued her studies becoming Board certified in Anti-Aging Medicine in 2006. She currently is taking specialty classes in Functional Medicine while working as a busy surgeon and devides time between both of her practices. She also makes time to regularly work out, is a proud mother of two, a great wife (according to her husband) and is involved in her community chairing and sitting on numerous boards. In 2008 she’s added writing the ‘Medicine & Miracles’ features for VIVE magazine and has appeared on Lifetime Television and ABC News.She is committed to healthy living and has personally experienced the trials and challenges of weight loss and maintenance- having lost 72 lbs of weight herself.

Dr. Hakkarainen wants all of her patients to look and feel great and , most importantly, be fit and healthy - the best anti-aging medicine available

Meet our new Doctor

M. Cecilia Lacayo, MD, MBA, CMD

Dr. Willis M. Cecilia Lacayo obtained her medical Doctor degree from The Unitversity Autonoma of Guadalajara in 1980. She completed her residency training in Family Practice at the State University of New York affiliated Hospitals in Buffalo New York.

Dr. Lacayo is a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and she is in the process of acquiring her Masters degree in Functional and Metabolic medicine from the University of South Florida. She became Board Certified in Family Practice in 1985. She is also a Certified Medical Director for Long Term Care Facilities as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. With years of caring for sick and chronically ill patients she developed a passion for 'early prevention and individualize wellness care' to avoid debilitating illness. Dr. Lacayo believes in proper diet, active lifestyle and appropriate therapies to keep the body balanced and vital.

Upon joining Palm Beach Weight & Wellness in the summer of 2011, it became quickly apparent that her attention to detail and friendly manner have made her an integral part of our team. Patients are finding Dr. Lacayo to have the best of both worlds…traditional experience with the holistic ability to uncover root causes of medical conditions and developed individualized treatment plan that will lead them to ultimate health.

Executive Director

Penny Linch

Penny attended Towson University majoring in Economics and has an extensive background in healthcare operations. She has worked both locally and nationally in the field of physician and surgical facility management.

Fitness Director

Stephanie Vernis, MA Ed.

Stephanie Vernis Stephanie graduated from Florida State University in 1993 with a Master's degree in Education. She has over 12 years of experience in fitness, health and wellness. She is certified through ISSA-International Sports Science Association and affiliated with IDEA Health and Fitness Association. Specialty training includes: Pre and Post Natal, Fitness Program Design (all levels) and Pilates.

Stephanie works with our patients to provide them with a fitness evaluation and activity plan for all levels. Whether you are looking to lose weight, gain bone density, improve your energy levels or sculpt your physique…we have a plan for you. First you'll meet in our private fitness studio. There you'll learn your strength, flexibility and cardio levels. Depending on your preference and needs, Stephanie will develop a plan customized just for you. She also coordinates four trainers who specialize in Yoga, Pilates, Active Isolated Stretching and Strength Training.

Registered Dietitian - Nutrition Consultant

Judy Llodra, RD, LD/N

A graduate of Hunter College with a BS in Nutrition and Food Science, she brings over ten years of experience to patients, advising them towards a more healthy and fit lifestyle. She develops individual meal plans for each patient, educating them on specific foods that can relate to their disease, weight and health issues. Judy helps them understand that diet and exercise work closely together to bring patients to goal weight. A former personal trainer, she also understands how patients can successfully transit from balanced LCD and VLCD diets to a regimen containing organic and whole unprocessed foods with an emphasis on vitamin and nutrient replacement.

Optifast Program Provider

Shay Geraghty PA-C

Shay Geraghty completed training on providing medical care for the Optifast Program and is a provider for our other diet programs including customizing a plan specific for your needs.
Shay is a Certified Physician Assistant graduating from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1996. She also received a BA in Food Studies at Clemson University, SC and has a Masters in Nutrition from UF. In 1996 she moved to Jupiter, FL where she worked most recently in Internal Medicine both in private practice and hospital based before joining PBWW.

Certified Trainer

Eric Holmgren, LMT, NSCA-CPT, PADI, HAS

A Certified trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Agency, Eric is an integral part of our health care team. A specialist in AIS (Active Isolated Stretching) he is often able to accomplish what some trainers cannot, even working with handicapped patients and others with multiple medical conditions. Also a massage therapist, Eric works with patients to achieve flexibility and balance in addition to core training. Eric is also a running and marathon training coach who is co-leading our Walk/Run West Palm Beach, in preparation for the Palm Beach Marathon and Susan Komen 5K.

Muscular Therapist

Rosario Castillo, LMT

“Charo” as her clients and staff know her, is a licensed muscular therapist with an extensive background in lymphatic drainage, muscle rehabilitation and recovery from sports injury. She has been instrumental in helping new patients that start routinely exercising, instructing them about how to care for their body, often allowing them to continue to enjoy the benefits of fitness without the routine muscle “stiffness and soreness” that often sets patients backwards. Charo has a specially designed treatment room incorporating massage, hot rock, and stress/anxiety relief therapy that often yields fantastic results. Charo also performs carefully supervised pregnancy massage for the swelling and edema that can accompany pregnancy, helping patients progress towards a healthy delivery and better outcome for mother and baby.

Patient Education and Care Coordinator

Traci Cunningham. RD, LD, AFAA

Traci Cunningham Traci coordinates care between the patient, our physicians and other physicians involved in the patient's care. She is a graduate of Ohio State University, a registered dietitian and a certified personal trainer. She is an expert on motivation, educating patients on diet and lifestyle. Traci's friendly, outgoing approach makes it easy for patients to seek her feedback every step of the way through their process toward ultimate health.

Holistic Health Practitioner

Kimberly LaRue, LMT

Kimberly is a Holistic Health Practitioner and provides CranioSacral Therapy, Guided Imagery and Yoga Instruction for our patients. She works with the Upledger Institute, is a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage and is a student of Suddha Weixler of the New York Yoga Center. CST enhances the body’s natural healing process and has been effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Joan Tirro, AP, CMT

Joan began her "Chinese" education at Princeton, studying Mandarin and continued Chinese language studies at Temple University. Her interest took her as far a field as New Zealand. She studied Chinese Bodywork at the Shanghai Hospital for Sports Medicine and Oriental Medicine Studies at the Guan An Men Hospital, Beijing, China. In 1996, she became a Licensed, Board Certified Acupuncture Physician in Florida.
During her subsequent years of practice she has developed a unique form of treatment which incorporates acupuncture, acupressure and oriental bodywork, each treatment evolving into a custom therapy for that individual patient's needs. Joan works on weight loss with patients by helping to improve a slow metabolism and finding your good balance (Qi) from within.

Vein Specialist

Susan Collins, RN

Susan is involved in many aspects of our patient care. As a vein specialist she has extensive IV administration experience and also provides phlebotomy and injections. She received her BSN degree in 1984 from D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY before moving to West Palm Beach, FL. Her cheerful, helpful ways make it relaxing and comfortable as she guides patients through their procedures.

Certified Surgical Tech/Assistant

Gigi Arcalas, Lead Tech

GiGi has over 25 years experience in both hospital and private settings. She has an Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy, is a Certified Surgical Tech/Assistant and has extensive experience in patient care. GiGi helps throughout the facility, providing general intake for the physicians, phlebotomy and IV/Injection therapies. Her dedication and enthusiasm to help others is integral to the PBWW team approach.

Melanie Jones

Nurse Practitioner

Team Associates:

Katelyn White, Front Desk Coordinator

Alex Santanna, Project Assistant