MEET THE PROFESSIONAL EVALUATORS
adaride.com team ADARIDE believes it is important for people applying for paratransit services receive an evaluation by a professional that will understand their unique abilities and challenges. By completing the Healthcare Verification Form, applicants are allowed to choose a treating professional that can best support their application for paratransit service. At ADARIDE, we match our evaluators with the type of professional who is best educated in the disability identified by the Healthcare Professional. Our goal is to provide accurate evaluations and insure that those people who are eligible for paratransit receive it in a timely and professional manner. The following list of evaluators shows the professionals working in the ADARIDE network:

OMAR SINNO M.D.:

Dr. Sinno received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Loyola University Chicago in 1997 and his medical degree from the Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine in 2008. Dr. Sinno has clinical experience in neurology, hematology/oncology, internal medicine and both cardiology and pulmonary critical care. Dr. Sinno was also the Co-founder and Chief Medical Advisor of Rulester, LLC. an algorithmic based start-up that ensures quality clinical and financial outcomes for hospitals using predictive visualization. Currently, Dr. Sinno serves as a Senior Regional Medical Liaison for the world's largest Biotechnology company.

Colleen Palat, C.O.M.S.:

With a master’s degree from California State University of Los Angeles, Colleen Palat has been a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist since 1998. Her extensive background in the field has afforded her the privilege of working closely with adults and children of all ages for the California Department of Rehabilitation, Braille Institute, San Diego Center for the Blind, and schools within the public & charter school system. Colleen brings with her a wealth of knowledge training individuals how to safely and efficiently utilize the public bus system and navigate their surroundings. Her experience instructing individuals with visual impairments and multiple disabilities has shaped in her a strong understanding of the whole person and the ability to evaluate their unique needs.

MATT ZACHARIAS, PT, OCS:

Matt is a licensed physical therapist, who received his degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2000. He received his orthopedic clinical specialty in physical therapy in 2007. He currently works as a center manager for Select Physical Therapy where he treats individuals with various orthopedic and neurologic impairments on a daily basis. He has completed the Professional Eligibility Training program including Project Actions’ Guidance for Conducting Physical Functional Assessments.

STEVE OWEN, PTA:

Steve is a physical therapy assistant who has over 13 years of clinical experience in physical rehabilitation. Steve specializes in spinal and extremity joint mobilization, vestibular rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning. He has helped rehabilitate thousands of people back to independence in daily living. Steve earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences from Tulsa Community College in 1997. He has completed the Professional Eligibility Training program including Project Actions’ Guidance for Conducting Physical Functional Assessments. Steve currently conducts in-person functional assessments for paratransit eligibility in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Dr. Wilfredo Cerrato:

Dr. Cerrato received his medical degree (MD) in 2001 and has a vast amount of experience ranging from being a medical director to a health educator. As a former medical director at Agua Caliente Health Center, he was responsible for providing medical care to both seniors and children. His experience being a health educator provided the foundation of his work in HIV, AIDS and other blood based disabilities. He has worked for ADARIDE since 2005 conducting hundreds of in-person functional assessments.

Dr. Cindy Bailey:

Dr. Bailey has been working in paratransit since 1994 designing functional assessments and training paratransit evaluators on how to conduct in-person assessments. She received her doctorate in Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy from University of Southern California and is the director of Physical therapy at Orthopaedic Hospital in Los Angeles. She has a thriving private practice in Southern California and is the athletic trainer for USC's hockey team. Her experience in evaluating individuals' mobility as well as prescribing rehabilitation plans is extremely helpful in documenting people's abilities.

Erika Bocanegra MSW:

Erika has been a paratransit evaluator since 2000 conducting thousands of in-person functional assessments. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from University of Southern California. As an MSW, Erika worked with adults and children with disabilities in a medical setting. She evaluated and treated individuals with various mental illnesses giving her the experience needed to work with people with mental and cognitive challenges. Her experience also includes working with people with hemophilia, oncology, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and developmental delays.

Shannon Fryer Holmes MA, OTR/L:

Ms. Holmes is a practicing licensed Occupational Therapist, currently working with individuals with psychiatric disabilities at both inpatient and community based settings through Dominican Hospital. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from The George Washington University, and her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Southern California. Ms. Holmes was a program manager for a paratransit eligibility program from 2002 to 2005, conducting thousands of in-person functional assessments. Before entering the paratransit field, Ms. Holmes was a therapist for an Independent Living Center working primarily with individuals with traumatic brain injuries. She also completed occupational therapy internships at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital as well as the Veterans Administration Hospital of Los Angeles. Her extensive experience in rehabilitation, mental health, and paratransit gives her an acute understanding of the skills required to use a bus.

Lori Noyes R.N., B.S.N., P.H.N.:

Ms. Noyes is a registered nurse with a wealth of experience. Currently she is an organ transplant coordinator for a major southern California hospital. Prior to her current position, Ms. Noyes worked in adult and pediatric oncology, arthritis, scoliosis, spina bifida and cerebral palsy clinics. She has been a paratransit eligibility instructor since 2000 and has trained over 100 evaluators in oncology, organ transplantation, pharmacology and infection control.

Carolyn Prentice C.O.M.S.

Ms. Prentice is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist graduating with her master's degree from San Francisco State University. She has trained children with visual impairments in many different school settings as well as adults through the California Department of Rehabilitation. Beyond just visual impairments, she has also trained individuals with multiple disabilities giving her direct experience in evaluating people and their ability to use a public bus. She also has many personal experiences with people who are visually challenged giving her the compassion and understanding needed to work with people with disabilities.

Cindy Gold:

Ms. Gold is one of the most experience paratransit evaluators in the country beginning her career in 1997. She has been a program manager for ADARIDE since 2001 and has been responsible for managing five different paratransit eligibility programs. Her background in nursing helped Cindy provide the compassion needed in conducting over 30,000 in-person eligibility assessments. Applicants can rest assured that Ms. Gold has conducted a paratransit assessment in their field of disability.

Michal Anna Bennison, M.A., O.M.S.

Ms. Bennison is a Qualified Orientation and Mobility Specialist with extensive experience in the transit industry. While an undergraduate at the University of California at Davis, Ms. Bennison worked for the local bus company, driving city buses, training other drivers and working as a dispatcher. She then began working as a Paratransit Specialist for the City of Davis before pursuing her Masters Degree and a Rehabilitation Credential at San Francisco State University in Orientation and Mobility. Ms. Bennison has had several years experience working with both the visually impaired and those with multiple disabilities in the areas of mobility and living skills.
Disclaimer: there is no guarantee that you will be matched with any specific evaluator as they may be working on another applicant at the time of your evaluation or simply not working that particular day.