Phase IV Professional Staff

Robert Forster, PT, Founder & CEO
Robert Forster, PT has practiced Physical Therapy in Santa Monica, CA, for more than twenty-five years. His early years spent treating runners and dancers established him as a leader in the health and fitness community. Robert has lectured throughout the States and Europe on Sports Rehabilitation and safety in exercise. He has worked with leaders in the Exercise Industry such as Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld and Kathy Smith and has presented at multiple I.D.E.A. Conferences. Robert has recently been named to the Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness Advisory Board.

Robert served as a private physical therapist at the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics for Olympians Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence “Flo-Jo” Joyner, Gail Devers and their teammates won a combined 32 Olympic Medals under his direct care. He has also worked with tennis great Pete Sampras in the last 5 years of his career to help him come back from several injuries and achieve his unprecedented 7th Wimbledon Championship and thirteenth Grand Slam title. Recently, Robert worked with basketball all-star Kobe Bryant and Corey Magette, tennis phenom Maria Sharapova, and track & field World Champion Allyson Felix.

Los Angeles Magazine featured his clinic as offering the “Best Physical Therapy in L.A.” in their Best of L.A.! issue. Forster Physical Therapy was voted “Best Place to go for a Sports Injury”, “Best Place for a Massage” and his Phase IV Scientific Training and Performance Center was voted “Best Gym/Triathlon Club” by readers of Competitor Magazine. Robert has published several articles in the scientific press and co-authored The Complete Water Power Workout Book published in 1993 by Random House. He has also written a regular column in Triathlete Magazine and featured on NBC Nightly News as an industry expert.

In July 2002 Bob founded Phase IV Scientific Training and Performance Center. Utilizing techniques previously reserved for professional and elite athletes Phase IV is a health and performance think tank offering more in-depth assessment and instruction than that of a standard gym or personal trainer.

Robert is active in the community sponsoring the Velo Club La Grange Bicycle Club and Los Angeles Triathlon Club as well as providing free treatment for patients of the Venice Family Clinic. He has also founded and coaches The Santa Monica Bay Wrestling Club to introduce this great sport to children in the LA community. He has personally completed the two toughest mountain-bike stage races in the world; La Ruta de Conquistadors in Costa Rica and the TransAlp Challenge – an eight day stage race traversing the Austrian Alps and Italian Dolomites.

Matthew Della Croce, President
Matthew Della Croce joined Phase IV after being a satisfied customer for many years. He is responsible for strategic direction, client service, operational excellence and marketing for Phase IV. Matthew brings his experience as a successful marketing communications executive in New York and London.

Previously Matthew was an Executive Vice President and Director at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, the world’s leading branding and marketing communications agency. Over the course of his career, Matthew led numerous award winning marketing communications campaigns. His experience includes Yahoo!, BP, DHL, FM Global, MasterCard, TD Ameritrade and Exxon/Mobil.

He served as a regular keynote speaker at industry workshops and conferences, was often quoted in industry trade publications, and served as a guest professor at Columbia University’s Masters in Strategic Communications program. Matthew is also a published writer.

In 1999 Matthew co-founded Back to the Earth Group, an outdoor adventure film production company. The Group has produced feature length, marketing promotion films, shorts and several pro-athlete marketing films. Through Back to the Earth Group, Matthew has been published in VeloNews, Yahoo! Sports and Mountainzone.com.

His passion for athletics, health and wellness comes from more than 32 years of competing and coaching. At Manhattanville College, Matthew was a four-year starter, captain, named All Conference and MVP of the men’s soccer team. He was also a member of the varsity tennis team and named an All-American Scholar Athlete. Matthew went on to have a successful 12-year semi-professional soccer career in the highly regarded first division of the NY Cosmopolitan Soccer League as a player/coach. Matthew won three league titles, led his team to the quarterfinals of the prestigious U.S. Cup, and developed grass-roots adolescent soccer clinic programs. Matthew coached AYSO for nearly a decade. He is also an avid mountain biker, (competing three times in one of the toughest mountain-bike stage races in the world - La Ruta de los Conquistadors in Costa Rica), road cyclist, backcountry skier and hiker.

Matthew graduated with honors from Manhattanville College with a degree in management/finance, with minors in psychology and creative writing. He also attended Oxford University and published several pieces of poetry.

Ron Berry, PT, Director Rehab Services
Ron has been a Physical Therapist since graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from California State University, Long Beach in 1990. Prior to that, he attended U.C. Santa Cruz and worked as a massage therapist. He has worked with Robert Forster since 1993 treating a variety of diagnoses. Upon the opening of the new clinic in 1996 he helped develop the aqua therapy program. He has also worked on developing periodized training programs with athletes at Phase IV, the Scientific Training & Performance Center, since it’s inception in 2002. Since then he has returned to treating a variety of diagnoses out of the water, as well. Ron keeps active and fit through a variety of sports and hobbies. He is an active member of the physical therapy professional association, the APTA, and continues to enhance his skills through educational seminars.

Edwin Tinoco, Physical Therapist, Performance Specialist, A.T.C.
Edwin earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Sports Sciences and a Masters degree in 2005 in Physical Therapy at Florida International University. Edwin is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and has worked with high school, college and professional athletes. One of the highlights of Edwin’s collegiate career was being selected as one of only two seniors in his Bachelor program to participate in an internship at UHZ Sports Medicine Institute, where he worked alongside renowned orthopedic surgeons and team doctors for Florida International University, University of Miami and the Miami Dolphins. Edwin recently moved to California along with is wife Jessica, their dog Sergeant Pepper and two cats (Batman & Tinkerbell). Edwin, a state-ranked wrestler in high school, still enjoys his time on the mat, as well as, surfing, SCUBA diving and roller hockey. He and his wife enjoy taking advantage of the wonderful outdoor lifestyle California has to offer.

Jennifer Ischayek, MS RD & Director of Science
Jennifer Ischayek is a Registered Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist, with a certificate of training in childhood and adolescent weight management. She received her Bachelor of Science in nutritional science with a major in dietetics from McGill University. Jennifer went on to graduate from San Diego State University with a dual Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology & Nutritional Sciences as “Outstanding Graduate Student”. While attending university, Jennifer taught exercise physiology testing methods. Her research topics include glycemic index and metabolic testing.

Jennifer uses an innovative approach to offer practical and sustainable solutions. Since becoming a dietitian she has helped many people get control of their weight, reduce their waist size by over 20%, and normalize their blood lipids and glucose levels to reduce their risk of developing complications. She also works closely with athletes of all abilities to ensure they have the right tools and knowledge to meet their goals.

Her areas of nutritional practice include individual counseling, group counseling, programs/workshops, childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease/hypertension, diabetes, digestive disorders, general nutrition and wellness, gerontology, sports nutrition, vegetarianism, and weight control.

Sheana Kubicz, Exercise Science and Coach
B.S in Exercise Physiology/ Kinesiology from Arizona State University. She has a background in scientific principles of training and exercise testing. Sheana was the west coast regional education specialist for a specific type of VO2 analyzer and conducted training and seminars on the physiology of scientific testing, as well as testing professional athletes throughout the United States. Sheana also, has training in Pre-Post Natal training as well as National Strength and Conditioning Association. Sheana has coached swim technique and competed at state, national and collegiate levels. Sheana is a runner and triathlete.

Aishea Maas, Exercise Science, Performance Specialist
Aishea grew up in Canada where she played college basketball and studied Kinesiology. She moved to Los Angeles and finished her degree in Exercise Science at Cal State Northridge, where she was a member of the International Honors Society. Aishea also has a strong background in marketing and sales. When not working, Aishea enjoys exploring new places and activities.

Lauren Mulwitz, MS, Exercise Physiologist, Biomechanics & Performance Specialist
Lauren earned her bachelor of science and master of science degrees in kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts, where she played four years of Div. I softball.  While attending the university, Lauren taught kinesiology and research/methodology.  Her research topics included biomechanical analysis and gait testing.  Immediately after graduate school, she worked in spinal cord research where she specialized in effective gait patterns and movement optimization, spinal cord trauma, and rehabilitation. Lauren now competes on several athletic teams and is currently training for triathlons.

Kent Moody, Physical Therapist & Director of Clinical Quality Assurance
Kent received his Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1977. Prior to that, he earned a B.S. in Health Education from the University of Oregon in 1975. Kent joined Robert Forster in October 2000 as a Staff Physical Therapist and Head of Clinical Quality Assurance. Prior to that, he worked at HealthSouth Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic since 1993. He has also worked at Southern California Center for Sports Medicine in Long Beach, S.C.O.R., Inc. at Cigna Healthplans in Los Angeles in cardiac rehabilitation, and at Daniel Freeman Hospital in cardiac rehabilitation. Kent has been an avid runner since 1967 and has participated in numerous 10k runs and half marathons. He is also involved in swimming, surfing, skiing, backpacking, and camping.

Scott McKee, Director, Business Development & Coach
Scott joined the Phase IV team as Director in July of 2004. Scott earned a B.S. in Human Kinetics from Rutgers University. Scott was the Rowing teams most valuable athlete and captain for two years, He holds numerous New York state titles and records, is a National Champion and a member of the 1982 National Team competing in Lucerne, Switzerland. Upon graduating from RU Scott was hired to coach the Lt. Wt. Men’s crew where he led the team through their most successful era in their 60-year history, winning over 75% of their races. During his tenure Rutgers produced six National Team members and numerous Olympians. Scott continued his coaching career when he was hired away by Columbia University to become the Director and Head Coach of their prestigious and storied crew program. While in New York the program flourished achieving many successful seasons on the water, highlighted by the completion of a new four million-dollar boathouse complex.

After twenty-one years as a Division I College coach, Scott and his wife Khaki (a technical writer for an aerospace company) decided to head west to escape the harsh Northeast winters. Along with their golden retriever Scout, a.k.a. Air Bud’, (literally) they have settled comfortably into the Southern California lifestyle. They lead an active lifestyle and enjoy spending time teaching Scout new tricks, hiking, traveling, kayaking, rowing and scuba diving.

Andrew "A.J." Della Croce, Performance Specialist & Marketing Manager
Andrew is a trained Physical Therapy Aide and is a Periodization strength and flexibility specialist at Phase IV. Andrew leads Phase IV's grass roots marketing efforts. His responsibilities include spearheading Phase IV's well regarded educational lecture series, providing knowledge to the community on how to apply the most advanced scientific principles of health and performance to individuals' own lives.

After graduating with honors from Manhattanville College, where he was a four year varsity soccer player, Andrew played semi-professional soccer in New York. He also coached youth soccer for five years, and currently coaches AYSO in Santa Monica.

Amy Huenniger, MSPT
Amy received her Masters of Science and Physical Therapy from Ithaca College, New York in 2003. Prior to joining Forster Physical Therapy, she worked for three years as a Physical Therapist and Assistant Clinical Director in an outpatient orthopedic clinic located in Valencia, CA. In addition, she is currently working at UCLA Orthopedic Hospital, doing inpatient rotations in post-operative spine and orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, intensive care patients and cancer ward patients. Outside of work, Amy enjoys skiing, running, soccer and track and field.

Paul M. Kanzawa, Certified Orthotist
Paul is a Certified Orthotist, American Board for Certification and a Prosthetist, American Board for Certification. He received his B.S. School of Health Sciences, California State University at Dominguez Hills. He began is career training at CAL State Dominguez, then working as Staff Orthotist, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. Paul was a staff member of Matsushima & Associates and Clinical Manager of Orthotics and Prosthetics at Rehab Designs of America. Notable achievements include serving as Medical Consultant for Chicago Hope (television program), guest lecturer at Chapman University and serving as an advisor to Chapman University’s Physical Therapy Program. While not at Phase IV, Paul is an avid mountain biker, competitive runner and outdoor activity enthusiast.