Our PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

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Stephanie joined Health In Motion as our Office Assistant in the summer of 2003. Her bright smile, positive energy, and cheerful heart bring a welcoming atmosphere to the clinic, making every patient feel valued and cared for. She plays a key role in keeping the practice running smoothly, managing scheduling, administrative tasks, and ensuring that our team can provide the highest level of care to each patient.

Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kean University, and she draws on her understanding of human connection to relate with patients and support their experience at our clinic. Outside of work, Steph enjoys spending quality time with her children, husband, and furbaby.

 Dr. Vanessa is a licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor, and the Clinic Owner and Director of Health In Motion. She specializes in pain management, and orthopedic cases, and takes a root-cause approach to care, identifying and addressing underlying contributors such as inflammation, hormonal imbalances, stress and other missing factors to pain management. Her goal is not only to relieve pain, but to restore function, improve mobility, and support lasting, long-term improvements in how each of her patients feel on a day to day basis.

In addition to orthopedic and pain cases, Dr. Vanessa has advanced training in digestive disorders and hormone health. She works with patients navigating fertility concerns, menstrual irregularities, and perimenopause.

Her approach is highly individualized which includes acupuncture, functional lab testing, nutrition and lifestyle modifications, targeted supplementation, and other adjunctive therapies such as cupping, microneedling, and facial acupuncture. She is committed to utilizing therapies that are both effective and supportive of the body’s natural capacity to reset and restore rebalance.

Her path into this work was shaped by her own experience navigating ongoing health challenges, which led her to look for deeper answers and more comprehensive care. That journey continues to guide how she practices, bringing a thoughtful, personalized approach and a genuine understanding of what patients may be going through.

Dr. Vanessa completed advanced training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including clinical studies in Shenyang, China at the Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine. She earned two graduate level degrees, a Master’s in Acupuncture and Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport, in addition to her Bachelor's in Biology and Chemistry from Montclair State University. Prior to taking on the role of Clinic Director at Health In Motion, Dr. Vanessa also served as a member of the medical team at Nutrafol.

To Learn More About Dr. Vanessa - Please Visit www.drvanessarugeles.com

John is a licensed and board-certified acupuncturist with a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Health Sciences in New York. He provides thoughtful, patient-centered care, helping individuals find relief from pain and stress.

He specializes in musculoskeletal and orthopedic concerns, including acute and chronic pain. His treatments focus on supporting the body’s natural ability to heal, improving movement, reducing discomfort, and enhancing overall function. John incorporates a range of modalities into his treatments, including cupping, electrostimulation, and tuina medical massage.

John also works with patients experiencing stress, anxiety, and emotional imbalances. By creating a calm and supportive treatment environment, he helps patients regulate their nervous system, sleep more soundly, and manage the physical and emotional effects of stress.

His journey to acupuncture began in college, inspired by witnessing his grandmother navigate significant health challenges, which deepened his appreciation for holistic care and the body’s innate capacity to heal. Today, John is dedicated to using Traditional Chinese Medicine to restore balance at the root, helping patients feel resilient, connected, and well in their daily lives.

Kim is a healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience. With a background in biological sciences from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree in physical therapy from Touro College, she has built her career on a deep understanding of the body’s structure, function, and capacity to heal.

Guided by a vision to integrate Eastern and Western medicine, Kim went on to earn a Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. She is highly trained in a range of advanced therapeutic techniques and has a strong clinical focus on orthopedic and pain conditions, women’s health, and fertility support. Her work has contributed to the field of reproductive medicine, including authorship of a study published in Fertility and Sterility, which continues to inform acupuncture protocols used in fertility care today.

Please note that Kim Fong is currently not accepting new clients.

Alexa Vella is a triple-board-certified practitioner who specializes in integrative health coaching and nutrition-based support for clients. She has over two decades of experience in the health and wellness space.

Her journey began at Curves, a women's health and fitness establishment, where she honed her skills throughout high school and college. Additionally, she completed two extensive internships during college, each offering invaluable experiences. One took place at Chelsea Senior Living, where she focused her skill development in memory care. The other, at Kessler Institute, a prestigious rehabilitation center recognized for excellence. After her internship at Kessler, she achieved board certification as a Recreational Therapist and was offered her first full-time job in the traumatic brain injury unit.

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Subsequently, she moved on to manage the Recreational Therapy department at AristaCare, a skilled nursing and subacute facility. Long-term care was closer aligned with her values and interests, as elders have always held a special place in my heart. One of her top blessings is to have shared her childhood home with her grandmother, who made a profound impact on her life. She unfortunately was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which prompted a desire to refocus Alexa's efforts in memory care.

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Alexa's experiences in traditional healthcare settings exposed her to the inherent flaws in many systems. That was exacerbated after losing her father to leukemia in 2018. She realized, on a personal level, that pieces are too often lacking from the full treatment model. She felt that there had to be a different way to provide personalized care that would result in lasting and effective change and, in some cases, an overall improved quality of life. Alexa spent a lot of time reflecting during her father's final months, and she knew that her purpose was much larger than what she was able to do working in a long-term care facility. She aspired to explore the realm of preventative medicine, while also learning about natural treatment options for suitable ailments.

Losing her dad at 27 was life changing. It led her to embark on a healing and educational journey, and she enrolled in multiple accredited institutions to gain additional credentials to her practice. She decided to take a huge leap and start her own business, which has been incredibly freeing. Alexa strives to encourage and support her clients in making lasting change in their lives. She loves that the style of coaching empowers individuals, as opposed to the common one-sided expert approach. Alexa is also able to fuse her passion for food and cooking into her practice, which is something she have dreamed about for as long as she can remember.