Staff
Barb Kelly (Coach Barb)
Coach Barb has always had a passion for helping others, which is why she chose to be a physical therapist more than 40 years ago. After working in her dream occupation, she was inspired by Leslie Stahl’s segment on 60 Minutes about her husband fighting back against Parkinson’s with a program called Rock Steady Boxing. This program became her mission. It led to attaining certification as a Rock Steady Coach, as well as earning certifications as an LSVT BIG Therapist, LSVT BIG for Life Therapist, and PWR!Moves Therapist, which are specific to the certifications as an LSVT BIG Therapist, LSVT BIG for Life Therapist, and PWR! Moves Therapist, which are specific to the treatment of Parkinson’s. Coach Barb is also a Geriatric Certified Specialist with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Seeing the lack of skilled community programs for people with Parkinson’s led her to opening RSB@Hillsborough. She is grateful daily for the opportunity to work with such inspiring people, both her fighters and all the people who support them (volunteers and care partners). In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, traveling with her husband Sam, and spending time with her family and friends. 
Denise Cheskis (Coach denise)
Denise figured out what her life-long career was going to be as an 11th grader, over 35 years ago. To be an effective physical therapist, she knew she would use some of her favorite subjects (anatomy, psychology, physiology and neurology) as well as some of her personality traits (compassionate, encouraging, resourceful, entertaining – to name just a few) to be the best therapist she could. After finding her niche in geriatric rehabilitation and progressive neurological disorders she then discovered specialized certifications for treating people with Parkinson’s Disease; Denise became a PWR! Moves Therapist, a Rock Steady Boxing Coach and an LSVT BIG Therapist.
“Working” with Coach Barb, the RSBH boxers (their care partners) and the RSBH Volunteers gives Denise tremendous joy and fulfillment knowing that she’s making a difference in the quality of life of one or more of these exceptional individuals. Denise questions, “What more can one ask?”
Kelsey Hyde (Coach)
“I am beyond excited to be able to start my experience as a Rock Steady Boxing Coach!”
After graduating with a BS in kinesiology from Penn State University this fall, Kelsey wanted to find something that she could be involved in throughout her year off from school. She heard about RSB through a friend at Penn State who spoke so highly of the program. She fell in love with the RSB mission and knew she wanted to be involved as much as she could. She feels that every boxer in the class brings such joy and she couldn’t be happier to begin her journey as one of the coaches.
Ashley Sabol (Coach)
Ashley graduated from Quinnipiac University at the end of 2017 with her degree in physical therapy. She currently works at Hunterdon Medical Center as well as Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation as a rehabilitation therapist. Ashley is LSVT Big certified and has developed a love for assisting patients with Parkinson’s Disease because she feels she is able to make a positive impact on a person’s life.
Kevin Lyon (Coach)
Our newest Coach! Studied business administration and Psychology at Trenton State College. Worked 13 years as restaurant manager. Then 24 years as General Manager at the Belle Mead Co-op (Agway Belle Mead). Retired now and looking to help people afflicted with PD and give back to the local community in any way I can. It is awesome to be able to help people with this terrible affliction. Rock Steady truly helps! Both me and the boxers!
Ilene Millman (Volunteer)
Ilene is a speech/ language therapist, working for more than 35 years at a private nonprofit school in New Jersey teaching literacy skills with students k-12 who learn differently. After retiring, Ilene decided to attend to her own literacy and began taking classes in memoir and poetry, and eventually writing herself. She continues to teach, and in addition to volunteering at Rock Steady, she also gives her time to Somerset County Literacy.
- lene’s favorite part of RSB is every part of RSB, but most especially the people. The boxers are brave, committed, fiercely determined, and really really funny. Everyone supports each other and everyone knows how to laugh at themselves…a healthy skill. I look forward to Mondays when I get to see the gang in action.
Marty Millman (Volunteer)
Marty worked for 49 years in the telecommunications industry as an engineer and manager and has been retired for almost six years. He began volunteering at RSB after attending an information and demonstration session at the library.He tells us his favorite part of RSB is watching the boxers supporting one another, and seeing the boxers, as well as the coaches and other volunteers, being serious and yet laughing at the same time.
In his leisure time Marty enjoys bike riding (weather permitting), reading, and minor household repair work as well as landscape work around the house in spring and summer.
Claudia Zabielski (Volunteer)
Claudia is currently a 2nd year Physical Therapy student at Kean University.When not studying she enjoys spending time with her family and her close friends.Her favorite thing about Rock Steady is that the place is a family that is committed to kicking Parkinson’s Disease away!
Jessica LaPolice (Volunteer)
Jessi is a nursing student at the University of Delaware (go blue hens!) She loves being a Rock Steady volunteer because she gets to be apart of an incredible support system for our boxers. Sheenjoys seeing their smiling faces each week!
Steven Gilliss (Volunteer)
Steve is a second year Physical Therapy student at Kean University. He earned a bachelors degree from Rowan University and currently commutes from Merchantville, NJ. He’s a huge Philly sports fan and enjoys watching the Eagles and Sixers games when he has free time. He also enjoys playing the drums when not working on the weekends as a server. His favorite part about Rock Steady Boxing is the positive energy and sense of community everyone has there. Everyone treats each other like family, which is amazing!
Marc Webber (Volunteer)
Marc is a student in the Kean Doctoral Physical Therapy Program. When he is not fulfilling his duties as a full-time student, he can be found rock climbing, reading, or personal training. His favorite thing about volunteering for Rock Steady is engaging with all the different members and steadily learning each of their stories.
Glenn Fitzgerald (Volunteer)
As a massage therapist I can appreciate the effect Parkinson’s can have on your body and was curious to see how Rocksteady could help. I became a volunteer to support a coworker and have found a wonderful group that is truly dedicated to helping each other. So glad I am a part of this.
Kevin Lyon (Coach)
Our newest Coach! Studied business administration and Psychology at Trenton State College. Worked 13 years as restaurant manager. Then 24 years as General Manager at the Belle Mead Co-op (Agway Belle Mead). Retired now and looking to help people afflicted with PD and give back to the local community in any way I can. It is awesome to be able to help people with this terrible affliction. Rock Steady truly helps! Both me and the boxers!
William Mather (Volunteer)
Bill is married, with two daughters and one granddaughter. He recently retired after 36 years as a Mailman from Hillsborough/Manville. In his spare time Bill is an Ultra marathoner, the creator of the “100 Laps of Healing” fundraiser event, and board member of the charity organization Steps-Together. Volunteering at Rock Steady gives a sense of giving back and helping those who benefit from these types of exercise programs.
Pam Gizzi (Volunteer)
Pam was an emergency room nurse for over 15 years in north Jersey, movingto Hillborough in 1986. She rode with the rescue squad for 6 years as well as being the Montgomery High School nurse for 31 years. She has raised over $10,000 for the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. In her free time, she loves playing pickleball and taking classes at Pinnacle Gym. Pamtells us she loves working with the Rock Steady Boxers because they areupbeat, friendly, motivated and work very hard at the classes, and the Rock Steady Boxing coaches are wonderful.
Sarah (Volunteer)
