Shrishti Nirwani brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to the Wellest team, with a background that spans both business and law. Her recent role as a Business Analyst for an artwork company in Boston allowed her to apply her knowledge in real-world scenarios, driving growth and efficiency through innovative problem-solving techniques. Her dedication to her work is evident in her ability to thrive in a variety of environments and tackle any challenge that comes across her path.

In her personal life, Shrishti has experience in modeling, movies, and pageants. No matter what she is doing, she works hard to meet her goals and doesn’t let obstacles stop her. In her downtime, she enjoys horseback riding and trying new things; she’s always up for an adventure!

Shrishti’s commitment to patient well-being and her multifaceted background make her a valuable addition to our team. As our patient care coordinator, she’s the first face you’ll see when you enter our clinic and she’ll often be the one to return your phone calls and emails, too! She looks forward to supporting patients and providing compassionate care as she helps them along their wellness journey.

Shrishti Nirwani brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to the Wellest team, with a ba... Read More

Dr. Erica Whaley is a licensed Doctor of Occupational Therapy with special interests in chronic pain, perinatal care, and helping people of all genders to feel at home in their bodies. With advanced training in pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise, chronic pain, and pain science, she firmly believes that healing is possible and is always honored to be working with patients throughout their journeys.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Psychology from the University of Connecticut, and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OT) from Western New England University. After founding and growing an occupational therapy program in an outpatient neurological clinic in central Massachusetts, she quickly found a passion for pelvic health and relocated to Southern California to work with patients traveling from across the US and the globe for exceptional care.

Making her way back to New England as a Massachusetts native, Erica is very excited to be a part of Wellest’s interdisciplinary team. Erica believes that holistic, personalized care is imperative to helping her patients feel seen, heard, and to achieve their goals. When she’s not in the clinic, she loves to snuggle with her cat, explore restaurants and book stores with her husband, crochet and craft, bake gluten-free bread, and search for her new favorite trinket at a thrift store.

Dr. Erica Whaley is a licensed Doctor of Occupational Therapy with special interests in chronic p... Read More

Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas has been a pelvic floor physical therapist since graduating with her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Florida in 2016. She earned her Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) through Herman & Wallace in 2020. Most recently, she completed the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism certification program through Pelvic Global Academy. She is also trained in functional dry needling and myofascial release.

Dr. Alicia has experience working with people of all genders and ages with pelvic health diagnoses and loves helping her clients connect with and better understand their bodies through movement, body work, and mindfulness. She isn’t one to shy away from taboo topics. From bladder problems to bowel movements to sex, Alicia is always game to talk through the dirty details to help patients figure out what’s going on “down there.” To that end, she has created and directed multiple social media platforms where she spreads evidence based pelvic health information in humorous and relatable ways. Her page, @ThePelvicDanceFloor, has over 1 million combined followers between Instagram and TikTok. In 2025, she published her first book Power to the Pelvis, aiming to increase awareness of pelvic floor issues and empower people to seek treatment.

When she’s not seeing patients or making content, Alicia can mostly likely be found hunting for treasures in local thrift stores or reading her never ending stack of romantasy novels. Although born and raised in Florida, she now lives in West Roxbury with her husband and their dog.

Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas has been a pelvic floor physical therapist since graduating with her do... Read More

Shannon Pacella, PT, DPT she/her/hers

Dr. Shannon Pacella is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in pelvic health. She received her doctorate from Simmons College where she also holds an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science.  Shannon has extensive experience treating a wide variety of pelvic health related conditions, utilizing manual therapy techniques including myofascial release, as well as therapeutic corrective exercise and movement. Shannon believes in a whole-body approach to treating pelvic health concerns to ensure all potential contributors of someone’s symptoms are addressed. Shannon is passionate about helping people to reach their goals and return to doing the activities they love.  Shannon has had the opportunity to teach pelvic health content to students, athletes, physical therapists, physicians, and many others both nationally and internationally. Education is a critical component in furthering pelvic health care for all.  Shannon enjoys spending time outside, often spending weekends with family in New Hampshire and Cape Cod, tending to her plethora of house plants, trying new recipes, and exploring the many restaurants around Boston. 

Shannon Pacella, PT, DPT she/her/hers Dr. Shannon Pacella is a licensed Doctor of Physical Thera... Read More

Kara Brodsky is a dynamic professional with expertise in human resources, office operations, and event planning. She has worked across industries including hospitality, property management, and software engineering, bringing a well-rounded perspective to every role. Known for her warm and approachable demeanor, Kara excels at maintaining operational excellence and is passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture. Kara is especially excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Wellest Integrative Health. She is deeply inspired by Wellest’s mission to transform lives through whole-person care, and is eager to support the team’s work in pelvic health, a field she sees as both essential and empowering. She’s proud to be part of a clinic that prioritizes compassionate, comprehensive care and helps people feel seen, heard, and truly well. Kara calls Needham home, where she shares a lively household with her husband, two children, and their dog. Outside of work, she often dedicates time to volunteering with Great Dog Rescue New England and stays active by hiking, indoor cycling, and seasonal activities like paddle boarding and ice skating. Kara also loves to travel and will always enjoy any adventure that includes the beach!

Kara Brodsky is a dynamic professional with expertise in human resources, office operations, and ... Read More

Kathy Kates, NP is an experienced bilingual Family Nurse Practitioner at a Boston area community health center. As a specialist in pelvic health, she created a grant-awarded pelvic floor therapy myofascial release program at the health center to help women, men and transgender patients with chronic pelvic pain. She has been invited to lecture on pelvic health at the Partners in Perinatal Health conference and at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers Annual Community Health Institute. Kathy teaches pelvic health awareness seminars at the Om Namo Center in Cambridge, as well as a weekly “Inner Strength” class at Inner Space Yoga in Brookline Village.

In recent years, Kathy has continued to expand her knowledge base by studying myofascial release with John Barnes (PT). She participated in the inaugural “Integral Touch of Birth” workshop in which she learned to integrate the Spinning Babies ™ approach to help women bring balance to the pelvis during pregnancy.

Prior to her medical training, Kathy was a professional musician, playing locally with the Boston Pops and also traveling the world. Her two career paths, while disparate, have each served to foster a lifelong curiosity about the body from a biomechanical perspective. Her passion lies in educating others on how they can function optimally in order to live their healthiest lives. Kathy offers a unique perspective, not only as a medical provider, but also as a patient who has experienced pelvic pain after treatment for breast cancer.

Kathy Kates, NP is an experienced bilingual Family Nurse Practitioner at a Boston area community ... Read More

Hannah is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a passion for helping people feel better, move better, and live more fully. She earned her doctorate from Northeastern University in 2019 and has since focused her career on both orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapy. She takes a whole-body approach to care—looking beyond just the symptoms to uncover and treat the root causes of pain or dysfunction. Hannah has earned advanced certifications as both a Pelvic Rehab Practitioner (PRPC) and an Orthopedic Manual Therapist (OMT). These credentials allow her to provide personalized, hands-on treatment for a wide range of conditions. Hannah enjoys working with all genders, and notably has extensive experience helping transgender females recover from gender affirming surgery.  Hannah is known for her compassionate nature and her ability to create a supportive, empowering environment for healing. She takes the time to truly listen to her patients and works collaboratively with them to build treatment plans that align with their goals and lifestyles. Outside of the clinic, Hannah enjoys reading, staying active through running and weightlifting, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Hannah is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a passion for helping people feel better, move better... Read More

Dr. Melissa Hines, PT, DPT is the founder of Wellest Integrative Health and a licensed physical therapist (PT) in MA and DC. Since graduating from Simmons College magna cum laude with her doctorate in physical therapy, she has practiced in a wide variety of holistic settings specializing in GYROTONIC® rehabilitation, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and myofascial release.

Melissa specializes in Pelvic Floor PT (for women and men) through the prestigious Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Melissa’s training in myofascial release, visceral manipulation, craniosacral therapy and GYROTONIC® has proven pivotal in the treatment of orthopedic conditions. She has taken continuing education courses through advanced Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, Barral Institute of Visceral Manipulation, advanced myofascial release through John Barnes, Upledger Craniosacral therapy, and a certified GYROTONIC® instructor. Melissa has a strong interest in teaching and currently mentors physical therapists and students in the field to help empower therapists to think holistically.

She treats widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain, postural issues, pelvic floor conditions for men and women, pre/postpartum health issues, concussions and sports related injuries. Melissa utilizes an intuitive touch and enlightened approach in each of her treatments.

Melissa lives in Boston’s South End with her husband. She enjoys exploring the city, trying out new restaurants, sailing, and the ocean.

Dr. Melissa Hines, PT, DPT is the founder of Wellest Integrative Health and a licensed physical t... Read More