Meet The Gang

R. Anthony Snow, M.D., FAAFP

Cartoon of R. Anthony Snow, M.D.

R. Anthony (Tony) Snow, M.D. is a compassionate, competent and inspiring family physician. Dr. Snow has served in community medicine for over 35 years.

Dr. Snow is the President of WellFit Incorporated, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, co-founded with his wife Kathy Iorio in 2004. WellFit Incorporated was developed to empower children and families to L.E.A.P. – Learn, Embrace and Actively Practice healthy living. He is also co-executive director, medical director and co-host of the award-winning weekly family TV show “Wellsville” currently airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. on FOX 66, a FOX affiliate in Erie, PA. Wellsville, a program of WellFit Incorporated, a comprehensive, multi-faceted program that includes a dynamic school-based program, a family-friendly website (wellsville.tv), community programs, a DVD series and the Wellsville TV show, all designed to inspire and empower children and families to lead healthy, active lives in mind and body.

He serves as Medical Director of the Erie County Department of Health in Erie, Pennsylvania and serves on several community boards. Dr. Snow retired from the USAF Reserves with the rank of Colonel in 2012 after completing 21 years of service. His tours of duty included mobilizations for Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been the recipient of numerous military and civilian honors including the Humanitarian Award, Community Service in Health Award, Healthcare Provider of the Year, Outstanding Commitment for Community Service Award, Public Citizen of the Year, Hometown Hero Award, Citations from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives, the PA Forum Clinical Service Award, the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers Carol G. Baxter Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kiwanis Club Distinguished Service Award for Serving Community Needs and the Martin Luther King Memorial Center Dr. King Award for Outstanding Community Service. Dr. Snow is an enthusiastic physician who strongly believes in a holistic approach to healthcare. He endorses many modalities of integrative medicine and healthy community initiatives to maximize personal and community wellness. He is a consummate, inspirational speaker on regular physical activity, good nutrition, inner harmony and positive lifestyle practices.

From 2013 to 2017 he served as Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Net, a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) in Erie, Pennsylvania serving over 30,000 medical and 15,000 dental visits per year. Prior to his duties as CEO, Dr. Snow served at Community Health Net as Chief Medical Officer since 1993.

Dr. Snow enjoys spending time with family and friends, martial arts, music, playing the piano and Native American flute.

Dr. Snow believes that we can all achieve optimal health by focusing our collaborative energies on preventative health and health maintenance.

Kathy Iorio

Cartoon of Kathy Iorio, B.A.

Kathy Iorio is the Vice President of WellFit Incorporated, executive creative director of the Wellsville Program, and an executive director, writer, and co-host of the award-winning children and family TV show Wellsville, which airs Saturdays at 8 a.m. on FOX 66 in Erie, Pennsylvania. WellFit Incorporated is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that she and her husband, Tony Snow, M.D., founded in 2004 with a mission to educate and empower kids and families to L.E.A.P. (Learn, Embrace and Actively Practice) optimal health in mind, body and spirit. Wellsville also consists of energizing and engaging health literacy school and community programs, an interactive website (wellsville.tv), a health, nutrition and physical activity DVD series, monthly radio spots, and the weekly family TV show.

Kathy has been in the health/wellness field for over thirty-five years. She graduated magna cum laude from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree and is certified as a Health Coach and Group Fitness Leader from the American Council on Exercise, as a Fitness Specialist from the YMCA, and as a certified Children’s Fitness Specialist from the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. Kathy is a graduate of Leadership Erie.

For several years, Kathy managed a women’s health spa, had her own group fitness business called “Dynamic Fitness,” and conducted health and personal empowerment workshops. Kathy was employed by Hamot Medical Center for over twenty-two years, eighteen of which were spent as the director of the Hamot Wellness Center. She authored a column “Fit for Life” in The Erie Daily Times for eight years and taught credited high-school and university classes. She is the featured instructor in six physical activity DVD’s, the most recent of which features short activity bursts and peaceful mindful spots with bonus dental and healthy eating tips for children. She was the co-host of a thirty-minute weekly children’s health and wellness television program, Clubhouse 24, which ran for seven seasons on Erie’s local ABC affiliate, WJET TV 24. Kathy is the creator and program director of the “Wellsville Goes to School” health literacy program, a unique youth mentoring/cross-age teaching program that combines engaging and empowering messages for children about active play, good nutrition, civility, kindness, stress management, inclusivity, and more.

Kathy is the recipient of the Gifts for Kids, Inc. Fourth Annual “Helping Hand” Award, the Mercy Center for Women’s “Women Making History Award,” and the “Club Industry National Distinguished Business Woman’s Award” in the category of Industry Enhancement. Kathy served as a member of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and was awarded the 2008 President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Community Leadership Award.

Kathy’s positive energy is infectious, and her passion to serve is evident in her work. She has an intuitive ability to engage an audience, big or small, and leave them feeling uplifted, inspired, empowered and energized. Her down-to-earth personal and compassionate style creates a fun, warm and empowering environment. Kathy has a life-long calling to help make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of others. She believes we are more alike than not alike and that we all deserve to live well, be kind to each other, and to help one another other along our personal journeys.

Amy Luce

Cartoon of Amy Luce.Amy serves as a writer and editor for Wellsville. She loved teaching English for both middle and high school students in the area for fifteen years and is now a stay-at-home mom for her two boys. She stays busy by doing free lance writing and editing for local businesses and area universities. She has been an editor and consultant for several published books. She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/English from Penn State University and a master’s degree in English literature from Gannon University. She and her boys, who are Wellsville kids, enjoy being part of the Wellsville family and spreading its message of healthy thinking and living.

Stan Zlotkowski

Cartoon of Stan Zlotkowski.Stan films, edits and serves as a creative director for the Wellsville TV Show. He owns and operates Z3 Concepts, Inc., a video production company specializing in creative video for sales, marketing and training needs. Capabilities include creative direction, script writing, studio and on-location shooting, “Avid” and “Final Cut Pro” non-linear editing, 2D and 3D animation and CD-ROM and Web compressing. Clients include CNN, Discovery Channel, History Channel, General Electric, and other corporate and regional marketing firms. Z3 staff travels several times a year to coordinate national and international travel and equipment arrangements. Stan’s ten years in the business have produced regional and national awards in categories including commercials, corporate image, health care and public relations.

Greg Windle

Cartoon of Greg Windle.Greg is Wellsville’s Multimedia Specialist. Greg is responsible for the web site and various graphic design functions. Greg has 10 years experience in web design, e-learning, videography, photography, graphic arts and all kinds of multimedia design and development. Greg has worked with many global companies including Lend Lease, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Accenture, Zurich, Compaq and STERIS Corporation. Born and educated in Sydney, Australia, Greg has always worked in technology related fields. Greg is a Google Certified Trusted Photographer. Greg owns ErieMultimedia, an award winning multimedia design and development company in Erie, PA.

Melanie Brewer

Cartoon of Melanie Brewer.Melanie is Wellsville’s data analyst. She is responsible for creating, compiling, analyzing, reporting and monitoring Wellsville’s outcome measurements including program evaluations, program outcomes, satisfaction surveys and focus groups.

Melanie has a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Science in International Marketing from Penn State University. In addition, Melanie obtained her Personal Care Home Administrator’s License from Penn State Beaver, and is also a licensed Realtor. Melanie works for a local real estate development firm and also owns a data and marketing analyst company (Above the Bar Research), a legal research and deposition filming company (Strategic Video and Imaging), and is the marketing manager for Code Kit Pro (a start-up company in Erie). Melanie has taught Marketing and Non-Profit Management courses at Erie Business Center and has a passion for volunteering. She has been an active member in local organizations such as Young Erie Professionals, the Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and many others.

Chris Schroeder

Cartoon of Chris Schroeder.Chris is Wellsville’s illustrator and caricaturist. Chris is responsible for giving Wellsville its unique branding by creating caricatures of all those who appear on the show, as well as various fun illustrations and scenery artwork. Chris also draws live caricatures at many of Wellsville’s public events. Chris has 8 years of experience working in design, film, animation, website design, photography, and illustration. He recently went full-time as owner of Schroeder Creations, a multi-disciplinary art & design studio located in Erie, PA. To see more of his work, please visit www.savethedoodle.com.

Sarah Hale, R.D.

Cartoon of Sarah Hale, R.D.Sarah is one of Wellsville’s Registered Dietitians for the weekly TV show and helps out with Wellsville community outreach programs as well as the Wellsville Goes to School show. She received her Bachelors Degree in Nutritional Sciences through Penn State University in State College, PA. and completed her dietetic internship through Adagio Health, formerly known as Family Health Council, Inc. She worked for Adagio Health teaching nutrition education to K-12 grade students at Union City Area School District in Pennsylvania. 
She, along with Kathy Iorio, was one of the facilitators for a pediatric weight management program for kids and their families called KidShape. She enjoys running, cooking, camping and spending time with her family, husband Zack, a high school math teacher in the same school district where she taught. She and Zack are proud parents of their amazing son Harper.

Sandra Luthringer, R.D. (2009-2016)

Cartoon of Sandra Luthringer, R.D.Sandra serves as one of the dietitians for Wellsville. She can be found helping with Wellsville health fairs, community events or “on the set” of the Wellsville weekly TV show serving up great nutrition tips and scrumptious, simple recipes the whole family can enjoy.

Sandra Luthringer is a compassionate, versatile and consummate Registered Dietitian in Erie, PA. She began her career at Hamot Medical Center as a clinical nutritionist and then moved to The Regional Cancer Center when it was built to act as their nutritionist, counseling patients on dietary changes that may help them through their course of treatments and educating the public on healthy eating to prevent cancer.

Over the years that Sandy worked at the Cancer Center, she became known as the expert in cancer nutrition both in our Erie community as well as throughout the country. She was a founding member and then chairman of the Oncology Nutrition DPG, a subgroup of the American Dietetic Association. The ON-DPG has a membership of over 1500 dietitians in the US and Canada who all work in the oncology field. She was on the boards for the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society and helped to develop many of their nutrition pamphlets and programs that are used nationwide today. She has spoken to a variety of audiences, both professional groups and the lay public on all aspects of nutrition and cancer care. She is the author of several chapters in textbooks used by medical professionals and co-edited a book published by the Oncology Nurses Society titled Nutritional Issues in Cancer Care…a book for medical professionals…found on the bookshelves of many oncology nurses and in the libraries of many medical schools. Sandy is currently working on another book, a guide to nutrition for cancer survivors to be published in 2011.

After over 20 years working in the field of oncology, Sandy’s entrepreneurial spirit was ready for a new challenge…and in 2006, she opened Super Suppers…a studio kitchen and retail store known as a “meal assembly store” or a “take and bake” store…either way, it is your answer to “What’s for Dinner?” Her mission with Super Suppers is help families get back to the dinner and out of the fast food lane by offering healthy, home-cooked entree options.

Along with owning Supper Supers, as of 2016, Sandy works full-time at the VA Medical Center in Erie, PA

Sandy enjoys serving others with the best nutrition advice and provide nutrition strategies and solutions for everyone so as to help them live with good nutrition!

Mary Ellen Straub

Cartoon of Mary Ellen Straub.Mary Ellen Straub is the Wellsville Goes to School Coordinator bringing many years of experience in education to the Wellsville team. Born in Italy, Mary Ellen grew up and raised her own three children in Erie, Pa. She also went to school in Erie, earning her B.S. in Elementary Education from Gannon University and her M.Ed. from Edinboro University.

She taught in both the Erie Catholic Schools and the Erie School District and was an instructor for Adult GED and Basic Education through the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit.

Now a loving and active grandmother of two, she shares her vast talents and love of children with the Wellsville team.

Wellsville’s “Weather Guy” Tom DiVecchio, BS

Cartoon of Tom DiVecchio.Tom serves as the Wellsville Meteorologist. In the broadcast business for 17 years, he is a meteorologist for Erie’s ABC affiliate. Tom co-hosted a half-hour weekly television show called “Clubhouse 24” which focused on children’s health and fitness. The show ran for seven seasons. That program evolved into a community project, Project B-Fit, delivered to students in kindergarten through third grade. Tom has co-hosted school-based assemblies for this project reaching thousands of young students with the themes of staying active, eating well and respecting yourself and others. Tom also runs his own weather information program for children, “WeatherFun 24”, reaching over 450 schools and almost 45,000 students since 1993.

Wellsville’s “Zoo Guy” Scott Mitchell

Cartoon of Scott Mitchell.Bio Coming Soon

WellFit incorporated Board Members

Judith A. Smith, Ph.D.

Cartoon of Judith A. Smith, Ph.D.Dr. Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist who has enjoyed a diverse background as a clinician, administrator, teacher, consultant, and researcher in the Erie area. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Wellness at Mercyhurst University managing the campus Counseling and Health Centers. Dr. Smith served as executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie from 2002-2007 and executive director of the Hamot Institute for Behavioral Health from 1982-2001. She has served as an investigator on three federal grants, including a SAMHSA grant for Project B-Fit, a program devoted to wellness for elementary school-aged children. In addition to her work in organizations within the Erie community, she has been a frequent speaker and consultant on a variety of topics dealing with educational, behavioral, and stress management topics. 

 A 2010 winner of the Perseus House Goldstein Award, as well as recipient of the 2007 Woman of the Year from the Women’s Roundtable, Dr. Smith obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Michigan State University and her master’s degree in the same field from George Mason University. She received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Edinboro University. 

 Dr. Smith has a strong commitment to improving the health of children and adolescents in the community. An advocate for community partnerships between schools, parents, local organizations and health care systems, Dr. Smith brings her breadth of experience, exceptional leadership skills and passion to serve children and their families to the WellFit Incorporated as a member of the Board of Directors and adviser on grants and curriculum.Cartoon of Judge Stephanie Domitovich, Ph.D

Judge Stephanie Domitovich, Ph.D

Bio Coming Soon

Judy Martin

Judy Martin is a principal and co-founder of Meritage Healthcare Strategies. She has over 30 years of experience in financial and management consulting and project feasibility analysis, including experience with two of the top international accounting firms.

During her career, Judy has consulted with more than 400 hospitals and health systems that have considered medically integrated fitness and wellness center development. More than 60 centers have been built and are currently operating—several have achieved award-winning results.

Judy has also been involved in the business planning, market research and feasibility studies for community recreation centers, complementary medicine programs, sports medicine programs, day spas and medical spas.

In addition to making presentations and assisting with the development of white papers for the medical fitness industry, Judy has conducted the Medical Fitness Association’s industry surveys and developed the Benchmarks for Success Reports for the Medical Fitness Association since 2004.

Based in St. Louis, Judy enjoys sports (Go Cardinals!), art, music, cooking, travel and meeting new people. Her interests also include working out on a regular basis, seeking the perfect spa experience, and giving of her time and energies for charitable causes. She is a board member of WellFit Incorporated.

Special Contributors

The Wellsville Kids and Volunteers

Wellsville kids playing sports.Good health and fit bodies come in all shapes, sizes, ages; skin colors and abilities just like our Wellsville kids, families and volunteers. The Wellsville kids, families and volunteers are kids and adults who are committed to living a healthy and fit lifestyle. They are great role models for any community! Some of the Wellsville kids and Wellsville volunteers appear in the “Working Out with the Wellsville Gang” nutrition and activity DVD volume 1, participate in the myriad community events, health fairs and other related Wellsville programs.

Gannon University Students, PT Therapists and professors.