Faculty at the Center are allied health professionals, liscensed and/or credentialed to work in both medical and educational settings. Each of the staff at the Center have thoughtfully and delibertately chosen to work in an educational rather than a medical setting. They form a cohesive team that stives to provide a meaningful and well rounded educational experience for each student. The unique contribution that each instructor brings to the Center adds a special dimension to the program.

BA, French Literature Swarthmore College, Associate Degree in Nursing Ecole Le Bon Secours, Geneva
PhD, Sociology, University of California,
San Francisco        

Debora Bone became director of the Stroke and Disability Center in 2005 after teaching nursing at Cabrillo College for eight years.

In her words, “It is a gift to work in a place with the motto LOVE SPOKEN HERE and see it lived out in so many ways.” When you work with students, they are in a more self-sufficient position than patients. They take the initiative to learn about their own strengths and limitations. They take charge of working towards their own goals.

In a hospital setting, patients are told what to do, are more dependent and have less personal control over their own situation. I like helping people to help themselves.”

She brings an in-depth understanding of Cabrillo College structure and governance to the Center. Her years as an instructor on the main campus and as a leader in all-college governance are important in bringing main campus values and structure to the Center that has been offsite for 30 years. This experience will aid the transition to the main campus when the Center moves to the new Allied Health and Wellness facility.

BA, Speech Pathology,
University of Maryland
MA, Speech Pathology,
University of Maryland
Active in both ASHA and CASHA
Merritt holds the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence

Merritt was an instructor in the Speech, Language and Communication Department from 1983 until 1989. She then spent ten years as a clinical speech therapist for the Visiting Nurses Association of Santa Cruz County. She returned to the Center in 1999, to take up the leadership of the department.

In her words, “I am drawn to a model of “what is right with this person?” In an educationally-based rehabilitation setting the emphasis is on wellness. It is a positive model that asks constantly, ‘What is right with you?’ and builds on strengths. A medical setting is impairment-focused and the question is ‘What is wrong here?’

In a medical crisis, of course, I want professionals assessing the problem, determining the cause and seeking a solution. However in rehabilitation, I want to engage with the person learning how to be well living with and in their changed state. Education emphasizes developing and learning alternatives with the goals of learning to live richly with a disability and developing resilience to strengthen independence.”

Besides creating the computer laboratory in the early 1980s, her unique contribution to the Center is a deep and abiding commitment to an educational model that gives her the freedom to implement the values of positive psychology. She is also a gifted and trained dance and theatrical performer. Those skills provide methods of empowering students to express themselves meaningfully when fluent speech is denied them.

BA, World and Comparative Literature,
San Francisco State University
MA, Psychology, Santa Clara University
She is a licensed Marriage, Family Therapist

Beth McKinnon began instructing at the Stroke Center in 1996 and became head of the counseling department in 1998. She also serves as Assistant Director at the Center.

In her words, “My work includes facilitating support groups for our students and the people who care for them. I consider it soul work and feel privileged to work with this special population. Our students determine our curriculum based on their needs. They are the real teachers here.

I’ve chosen to work in an educational program for the freedom it affords to provide services based on student need rather than on prescribed models that may not be relevant to each group.

Also, I believe in the power of groups. People working together create a momentum and dynamic that challenges individuals to aspire to high expectations of themselves. Creativity and inspiration are heightened in a group setting.”

Her consistent and unfailing contribution to the Center is her unstoppable advocacy for students both in and outside of the program. No student in need goes without her assistance.

She also excels in community outreach and readily takes responsibility for presentations to a variety of groups. She is currently partnering with the medical staff at Dominican Rehabilitation, establishing programs for students and caregivers that capitalize on the assets of both settings.

BA, English Literature, State University College of Buffalo
MA, College Counseling and Rehabilitation, SUNY at Buffalo

After working six years as a rehabilitation counselor, Diane came to the Center 2000 as a Counselor/instructor. In her words,“I am privileged to be part of a healing team to restore our students’ physical, mental and emotional well-being. I am continually inspired by the courage and willingness of our students to overcome great obstacles and become ‘survivors’.”

“I have always valued education as a vehicle for growth, change and empowerment. I enjoy the wholistic classroom approach, focusing on all aspects of students’ lives. A classroom also proides the dynamic and supportive aspect of group interaction.

As a teacher, rather than a rehabilitation counselor, I’m also free of insurance and billilng and the constraints of time restrictions.”

Diane has a rich and meaningful spiritual life outside of the Center. She is able to guide students unobtrusably to explore all three dimensions of healing—body, mind and spirit. She has brought new depth to the lives of many students at the Center and especially to those that are confined to a local residential facility.

BS, Electrical Engineering,
University of Hartford
MS, Physical Therapy,
University of the Pacific
Lenny holds a state license in
Physical Therapy and Yoga Certification

Lenny Norton joined the Stroke Center in 2006 after practicing as a Physical Therapist locally for over 10 years. In his words, “I am fortunate to be part of a program so vital to our community. After 12 years in various medical settings, I find an educational setting to be a more positive and upbeat environment. Students are empowered to take an active role in reaching their goals. An educational setting is a more supportive learning environment and I feel being a teacher to students as opposed to being a therapist to patients is a healthier and more vital experience.”

Lenny brings fresh eyes and different experiences to the Center. His enthusiasm is palpable. He is able to seamlessly integrate his yoga training into the existing classes, and has created new clases to add to student’s choices. His classes are in high demand.

BS, Health Science, Chico State University
BS, Physical Therapy, University of California, San Francisco
Rhodna holds a state license in
Physical Therapy

Rhodna Brown began working at the Stroke Center in 1976. She has been a part of the Mobility and Fitness Skills department in various capacities throughout her 30-year career and the Center’s 30-year history.

In her words, “The many students that I have had the privilege to work with at the Center are an inspiration. They are such a positive role model, demonstrating endurance, will-power and positive accomplishments in overcoming what is out of their control. I choose to work in an educational setting rather than a medical setting, because I believe it allows me to reach more individuals for a longer period of time and with greater freedom and creativity. In an educational setting and working in groups there is a support system and encouragement that provides a positive outcome to learning and follow-through that results in success. With the limitations being put on our healthcare system and the restrictions of insurance policies for those that have coverage, therapy in medical settings is defined and controlled not only in length but content by economics not patient need.

In an educational setting treating becomes teaching and applying it to everyday needs becomes not only a goal, but also a reality. An educational setting naturally allows for practice and support. I have the time and environment to assist each of my students to reach their highest potential. Working in an educational setting is a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Rhodna brings priceless experience to the Center. She holds the entire institutional history. For 30 years she has practiced and shared the values and philosophy of educational rehabilitation with all the other staff that have come and gone from the Center.

BFA, Fine Arts, University of Oregon
MA, Occupational Therapy,
San Jose State University
Jan holds a state license in
Occupational Therapy

Jan has worked as an OT in a clinical hospital setting and has been an independent Living Skills Instructor at the Stroke Center since 1992, and now heads the department. In here words, “Whether students are working on hand function, independence skills, cooking, silk painting or tai chi, I am amazed at the power of students to transform their lives and world with heart, presence, dedicated work and community spirit.”

Her contribution to the Center is visible in the building and in community senior centers. Her art and therapeutic training combined to establish the therapeutic silk painting classes. Her work graces the Center’s brochure and the background of this site. In addition to her art, she helps students engage in real activities of daily living, by employing an holistic approach that is directly connected to each individual’s current life circumstance. Lives are always demanding new skills and qualities and Jan helps her students acquire these.

AA, Art, Cabrillo College
BFA, Fine Art, San Jose State University
MFA, Fine Art, San Jose State University

Donna Brough has been working at the Stroke Center for 18 years, beginning as a volunteer and currently as an Art Therapist in the Independent Living Skills department. In her words, “In an educational setting I can enjoy seeing the long-term progress that students can make and their delight in that progress. I also love that the classroom gives them an opportunity to support and accept one other. They are valiant heroes and we each learn from one another.”

Donna’s classes are among the most popular at the Center. She is gifted not only as an artist, but as a teacher in the most inspiring sense. She guides students who have never believed in their creative potential, to explore new realms of expression. For students who have lost many of their former powers, she provides a priceless gift. They gain awareness, self-esteem and new ways of communicating.

At different times, individuals are hired to teach single classes weekly in their area of expertise. Currently there are two such instructors.

BA, Philosophy and Psychology,
Lyndon State College
MA, Counseling Psychology,
California Institute of Integral Studies
PhD, Philosophy and Religion,
California Institute of Integral Studies

Bob holds certification from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.

Bob was a Counselor at the Center, before he left to start his own consulting firm specializing in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. He returns to the Center to teach the Men’s Group and to consult with instructors on the use of Mindfulness Based techniques in the Center’s Relaxation classes. In his words, “It is not about what I bring to the Center and the students, it is what I learn when I am here. I am in constant awe of courage and wisdom displayed consistently by the students. They are an inspiration to me, inspiration that I carry with me into all aspects of my work.”

BA, Fine Arts, University of Oregon

David is a gifted musician who teaches choir classes at the Center. His website David Winters Music tells it all. He is committed to empowering students, especially those who cannot speak, to sing and use their voices to express emotions that are trapped. His classes are crowded and extremely popular. Exercising the voice is as important as exercising the body!

There is one instructional assistant in each department. They are well-educated, highly skilled individuals who are committed to the values and philosophy of the Center. Supervised by the professional staff, they each bring a unique combination of skill, talent and interests to the Center.

Joy has worked in all departments of the Stroke and Disability Center since 2000. In her words, “The best part of the job is getting through to a student and making a connection. I find it most rewarding to use creativity and come from the heart. I am joyful here. Joy is flexible, dedicated, open-minded and empathetic, and she brings these qualities to all of her interactions with others. She is an outstanding team member who is consistently and fully present to students and to her colleagues.

Cathy is a native of Niagara Falls, NY where she was an elementary education teacher. At the Stroke Center, Cathy leads recreation activities. She believes that a relaxed, fun setting promotes systemic health. “What I like most from my students is when the look of fear and depression disappears into a relaxed expression of confidence and understanding.” While playing games, at first they are convinced they can’t remember anything, then, AHH, “I do remember how to play!” Cathy brings her joy, humor and vibrancy to every interaction at the Center. She is full of outrageous surprises and "can-do" determination that motivates and delights students and staff alike.

Lisa came to the Stroke center in 2000 after spending the previous 12 years working as a licensed physical therapy assistant and certified athletic trainer. She was on the medical staff of the 1996 centennial Olympic games and the 1999 FIFA woman’s world cup. She has a BS degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. “Helping students to re-connect their brain with their body is a joy for me. I’m thrilled if I can help bring a smile to a student’s face through movement and socialization.” Lisa's sure and competent presence is a gift when any of the Center's participants are in pain or are troubled with a malfunctioning body part. Her expertise combined with compassion provides a special dimension to her fellow team members that are devoted to healing others and sometimes need a little healing themselves!

Tanya has an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Cabrillo and has worked in the Center since 1998 assisting students in the speech, memory, writing, and computer classes. Her experiences at the center have inspired her to pursue a degree in the field of Speech Pathology at San Jose State University. “I am continually amazed by the level of motivation, perseverance and genuine camaraderie exhibited by our wonderful students. They are my greatest teachers.” Tanya is the Center's resident computer expert. She is always willing to help the teaching team with the same patience and enthusiasm that she provides to her students. And, what she doesn't know, she finds out! She jumps at every opportunity to learn about how to improve the Center's computer laboratory. In addition, she uses her fluency in Spanish to assist other staff with students who need translating services. She spends her time away from the Center following her dream of becoming a fully certified Speech Pathologist. Her devotion to learning is an inspiration to her students and to her peers.