Meet the Team
John Sutherland
John, PT - John is a native of New Orleans and a P.T. graduate from Louisiana State University Medical Center (LSU). He began his career as a P.T. at The Rehabilitation Institute of New Orleans (RINO) where he quickly became the manager of the outpatient department. John later took a position at The Bone & Joint Clinic in the New Orleans area where he worked for over ten years as the Outpatient manager and lead Physical Therapist. After hurricane Katrina, John and his family moved to Sarasota and he began working in a variety of clinics, but he recognized that there was no consistent and effective therapy for patients with lower back and sciatic pain. In 2011, John worked with the Spinal Decompression Institute to develop a Center for Spinal Excellence Physical Therapy Clinic in Sarasota. John has been an Owner and the Lead Physical Therapist at White Sands Physical Therapy & Aquatics since 2012.
Shivani Patel
Shivani Patel is working as a physical therapist at White Sands Physiotherapy and Aquatics. She graduated in India in 2018 and moved to the United States in 2019. She did her Bachelor of Physical Therapy at Charusat University, India. She worked as a physical therapist in an Inpatient Orthopaedic Hospital for 1 year in India. She took her required physical therapy credit courses in the United States for her physical therapy certification and passed her board exam in 2021. She likes cooking, travelling, spending time with family and friends during her free time.
Jane Schroder
Jane, PT – Jane relocated to Sarasota in 2001 from Long Island, NY. She started her career as a R.N. working in Cardiac Care and Orthopedics. She realized her true calling when she got a B.S. in Physical Therapy from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1978. She continued her education by achieving a Masters in Exercise Physiology. The field of Physical Therapy has many avenues and Jane has worked in a lot of them including Neonatal, Child Development, Neurological, Balance, Vertigo and Orthopedics. She decided to take her knowledge to the classroom, teaching courses in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Exercise Physiology at SUNY at Stony Brook and lecturing at several other colleges in New York and Florida. Orthopedics is her main area of interest, having received extensive training in pelvic girdle issues. Jane is well known for her hands-on approach to therapy and is happy to be working at White Sands Physical Therapy and Aquatics with a fantastic, caring and knowledgeable staff.
Rene Bourdeau
Rene’ Bourdeau graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a Masters in Physical Therapy degree in 2002. She has practiced in many settings throughout her career to include:Traumatic Brain Injury, Acute inpatient orthopedics and Home Physical therapy but her passion lies in outpatient orthopedics. Rene has vast experience with multiple facets of physical rehabilitation to include orthopedics, neurologic diseases, vestibular dysfunction, balance disorders and much more. She excels at patient education regarding their condition and offers a variety of individualized treatment strategies to improve her patients overall health, function and goals. Rene’ is quick to offer a warm smile and a positive outlook to carry her patients through a challenging time.
Rene has been a part of the Sarasota community since 2004. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. She is a big fan of nature and outdoor activities. She is often at the beach running, biking, paddleboarding or playing a pick up game of volleyball or pickleball. She currently is attempting to learn to play the keyboard as one of her creative hobbies.
Rene has been a part of the Sarasota community since 2004. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. She is a big fan of nature and outdoor activities. She is often at the beach running, biking, paddleboarding or playing a pick up game of volleyball or pickleball. She currently is attempting to learn to play the keyboard as one of her creative hobbies.
Hayes Brishke
Hayes, PTA - Hayes graduated from Keiser University with an AS in the PTA program. Hayes is a native of Sarasota, FL and has always been interested in the way the body and muscles work together. This, as well as her love for helping people is part of why she wanted to become a PTA. Hayes loves being around water whether it be a pool or the beach and for Hayes, White Sands Physical Therapy and Aquatics is the perfect mix of water and land therapy to help people improve their quality of life.
Megan Stewart
Megan is a native of Connecticut and moved to Sarasota, Fl in 2005. She attended City College of Technology in Brooklyn, NY to become a dental hygienist. However, after relocating back to Sarasota in 2020, she realized her true passion was helping people stay fit. She graduated with high honors from Kaiser University in 2021. Megan loves helping people get back to their favorite activities such as walking, biking or gardening. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, exercising and painting.
Josephine Garcia
Josephine Garcia, PTA, was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and moved to the United States with her mother to pursue a greater education opportunity. Her inspiration to become a Physical Therapist Assistant comes from her father who is a Physical Therapist working in Havana and is passionate about helping people struggling with physical wellness.
Josephine attended Keiser University where she obtained her Physical Therapist Assistant education, successfully graduating in 2022. Her passion as a therapist is to one day incorporate equine therapy as a treatment method in physical therapy. She states, “there is a special connection between people and horses enhancing both physical therapy and emotional healing.” During her free time, Josephine enjoys spending time with family, going to the gym, and traveling.
Josephine attended Keiser University where she obtained her Physical Therapist Assistant education, successfully graduating in 2022. Her passion as a therapist is to one day incorporate equine therapy as a treatment method in physical therapy. She states, “there is a special connection between people and horses enhancing both physical therapy and emotional healing.” During her free time, Josephine enjoys spending time with family, going to the gym, and traveling.
Christopher Bellucci
Christopher Bellucci is from Chicago but moved to Sarasota as a toddler. He graduated from Riverview High and went on to attend Keiser University to pursue his Physical Therapist Assistant education. He has a passion for exercise and nutrition and loves helping people achieve their physical goals. In his free time he enjoys working out, watching sports (any sport!) and spending time with friends.
Roxane Sergi
Roxane, Clinical Director - Along with overseeing the daily activities at White Sands, Roxane ensures that everything runs smoothly. Her responsibilities are wide and varied but she enjoys interacting with patients, scheduling their appointments, and coordinating their care. She will gladly address any questions or concerns that might arise. A French native, Roxane was born and raised in Paris but moved to Sarasota in 2003 where she first learned to speak English. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science. Roxane first started working in the medical field as an office assistant in a Clinic in Paris while she earned her Dental Assistant diploma. She continues to learn and expand her skills while pursuing her career in the medical industry. Formerly, Roxane was the Front Office Coordinator in a fast-paced medical office in Lakewood Ranch for over 7 years. In her spare time, Roxane enjoyed spending time with her son Enzo, crafting, travelling, and scrapbooking her memories.
Sarah Vernon
Sarah joined the White Sands team in May of 2020 as a front desk receptionist. Her dedication and work ethic allowed her to get promoted to the Front office lead within a year. Before starting at White Sands, she managed a family-owned restaurant for about 10 years. Knowing she has always wanted a career in helping people she left the restaurant business to work in the medical field. Sarah is also certified as a phlebotomist, a CNA, and is currently in school to further her career in the medical field. The patients and her coworkers love her welcoming bubbly personality. She is a Florida native but has only been in this area for about two years. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys making memories with her daughter, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.