About Us
Fit For Life has and continues to develop a multi-disciplined team who have the relevant expertise in all areas of health based services. This ensures that we provide you with the best and most effective service possible and that we are constantly improving ourselves through our combined knowledge and experience.
The Team
The successful and dynamic nature of our Fit For Life team relies on the recognition of the strengths and areas of expertise of our multi-disciplinary team. This also requires that clear referral procedures and specific recognition of the medical expertise of our respective qualified professionals which are clearly defined in our Physiotherapy & Exercise and Rehabilitation Departments.
Regardless of the respective qualifications and level of previous experience, all new team members undergo the same rigorous training protocols and procedures to ensure that the ‘Fit For Life’ quality standard is stamped in all of our services.
Managing Director – Mark Sweeney BSc, MSc.
His qualifications include a BSc from University College Dublin and MSc in Exercise Physiology from Trinity College Dublin in 2000. He has since qualified as a Physical Therapist and obtained a BSc in Applied Health studies at the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science.
Mark founded Fit For Life in 2001. He now manages a multi-disciplined healthcare team committed to continuing research and development of healthcare services for the adult and ageing population.
He has conducted various research in the older population and has presented studies investigating ‘The effects of exercise on the ageing population’ at conferences such as International Association of Physical Therapists working with Older People in St James Hospital in 2006.
Mark has always had a keen involvement with sport in a playing and coaching capacity. He has previously worked as a Physical Therapist with various professional and semi professional rugby and soccer teams including Shamrock Rovers. He manages and treats private clients as a Physical Therapist in the Fit For Life injury and rehabilitation clinic in Dublin 8.
Mark is currently assisting in the development of a module on the older and geriatric adult for a FETAC level 8 in Applied Science at Irish Institute of Physical Therapy. He is a member of the Irish Association of Physical Therapists.
Director Of Operations – Jessie Morris BSc, MSc, PSI
Jessie Morris studied Sport Science at St.Mary’s University College, Strawberry Hill, London. She worked in the Department of Sports Medicine at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, where she gained experience working with Sports Medicine academics. This led to her decision to study Exercise Physiology and complete her MSc. In her research year she was introduced to Mark Sweeney and began working with Fit For Life in 2002.
Since working with Fit For Life she has completed courses in Postural Stability and Exercise for the Frailer Older Adult and the Canadian Falls Prevention Curriculum which are used through many Fit For Life services. Jessie has led the development of Fit For Life’s Falls Prevention programme and Active Life services. She is involved in the development of the Exercise and Rehabilitation Department that supports Fit For Life staff in providing evidence based programmes.
Her areas of interest are providing the Irish adult and ageing population with services that enable them to lead an active and independent life. This involves education on support and service options in the community, to specialised services for long term care residents.
Physiotherapy Manager – Brenda Reginatto BSc (Hons) MISCP
Brenda Reginatto has qualified from Physiotherapy at IPA University in Brazil, 2006. Since graduation she has mainly worked with the elderly population, developing great deal experience in the treatment of a variety of long term conditions common in old age. She is in the final year of an MSc programme in Gerontology at Kings College London and is currently developing a piece of research in the area of Home Care and Telemedicine Technologies.
As Physiotherapy Manager, she leads a multidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, supporting their daily practice and professional development. She liaises closely with our Exercise and Rehabilitation department to provide a multi-disciplinary service. Main achievements within Fit For Life include leading the creation of the company’s Physiotherapy Department and developing new services such as the Walking with Confidence project, a falls prevention programme aimed at Nursing Home residents and community dwellers.
Her main areas of interest include Long Term Care services for older people and staff training. She is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) and of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology and Gerontology clinical interest group.
Senior Physiotherapist – Claire Igoe Bsc (Hons) MISCP
Claire Igoe studied physiotherapy in the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin and graduated as a physiotherapist in 2003. Prior to this Claire attained a Bsc (Hons) in Sport Science and Sports Rehabilitation from St. Mary’s University, Strawberry Hill. Since graduating as a physiotherapist Claire has worked in various hospitals including St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), Dublin and The Adelaide, Meath and National Children’s Hospital (AMNCH), Tallaght. She has held acting senior positions in back care and ergonomics and respiratory medicine. During this position. Claire has gained a broad range of experience in both in-patient and out-patient settings, including the Accident and Emergency Department, orthopaedics, elderly medicine, neurology, musculoskeletal and respiratory physiotherapy. She has carried out research looking at the rehabilitation requirements of ICU patients. Claire also worked as a team physiotherapist for the Leinster Schoolboys rugby team for 2 seasons.
Since joining Fit For Life Claire manages the Fit For Life Clinic in Roscrea and provides training and support of the staff grade physiotherapists in the company
Her specific areas of interest include: Care of the Elderly, Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Medicine. She is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) and the clinical interest group, neurology and gerontology.
Senior Physiotherapist – Deirdre Mooney BSc (Hons) MISCP
Deirdre Mooney qualified from Physiotherapy in the University of Salford in England in 2002. Since graduation she has completed her rotational training in St. Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny and in AMNCH, Tallaght. From 2005 till 2010 she was Senior in Respiratory Care in AMNCH. She was responsible for in-patient acute care and out-patient care in the Broncheictasis Clinic and the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme. She was also responsible for staff grade training and supervision of students.
In May 2010 she joined the Fit For Life team as one of the Senior physiotherapy Staff. In her role she has assisted in setting up the Physiotherapy Department and has ongoing responsibility for the training and support of the staff grades in the company in the Dublin Region. She is also In particular responsible for the guiding and support of the therapists in their CPD activities. Her role also includes future planning of services and care of residents based on current and expected training and experience of our staff.
Her areas of interest include: Respiratory Care, Care of the Elderly, Medical Exercise Therapy, Advocating CPD and Stott Pilates. She is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) and the clinical interest group, Neurology and Gerontology.
Exercise and Rehabilitation Manager – Laura Gannon, BSc. (Hons), GSR, PT
Laura Gannon qualified from Institute of technology Carlow in 2007 having completed a National Certificate in Applied Physiology and Health Science followed by an Honours Degree in Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation. Laura has also obtained a National Certificate in Exercise Fitness (2008), Certificate in Personal training (2009), and has qualified as a STOTT Pilates Instructor in (2010).
She has worked with many sports teams including County level and gained experience in the treatment, assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries, pitch side first aid and rehabilitation of these injuries.
Since joining the Fit For Life team her role has progressed and evolved. Currently she is involved in the training of all new staff members in Fit For Life’s specific group Exercise sessions. Laura also assists all team members in the planning, progressions and re assessments of all exercise sessions carried out in the company. She is the project co coordinator for Fit For Life’s ‘Active Life’ services for the over 50s.
