Meet Our Team

Progressive Rehabilitation Medicine has a team of highly qualified medical professionals and support staff who work together to meet our patients’ needs and provide excellent care.

Kristin Comella, PhD

Director of Operations

Dr. Kristin Comella has an extensive background in the study and application of regenerative medicine, biohacking, and stem cell science. With an engineering foundation focused on understanding the mechanics and systems of the human body to support optimal health, she has accumulated more than 25 years of experience working alongside pioneers in the field.

During her graduate studies at The Ohio State University, Dr. Comella worked with Dr. Jeffrey Chalmers, concentrating on the use of magnetic nanoparticles to isolate and separate cells. She went on to deepen her expertise in stem cell research at Osiris Therapeutics, a pioneering regenerative medicine company co-founded by Dr. Arnold Caplan, often referred to as the “father of mesenchymal stem cells.” She later continued her work in cellular therapy research with Dr. Darwin Prockop at Tulane University, further advancing her knowledge of mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Recognized internationally for her contributions to regenerative medicine — particularly in the area of adipose-derived stem cells — Dr. Comella has been named among Terrapin’s Top 50 Global Stem Cell Influencers and ranked number one on the Academy of Regenerative Practices’ list of Top 10 Stem Cell Innovators. She was also included in the DrAxe.com Top 50 Functional and Integrative Medical Doctors/Scientists in the United States. Dr. Comella has authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications in regenerative medicine indexed in PubMed.

Dr. Comella previously founded and led Infinite Impact Health, a Boca Raton–based medical and wellness center focused on regenerative and functional medicine. She also founded Biohackers Health and Fitness, a wellness and performance concept integrating fitness, recovery, and bio-optimization strategies.

She has now joined Progressive Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) — a comprehensive, non-surgical spine and orthopedic practice — where she collaborates with the clinical team to support patients through evidence-informed, regenerative, and functional-medicine–based strategies. PRM emphasizes a whole-systems approach to care, considering the interconnected roles of the brain, immune system, gut, metabolic health, and cellular function.

Michelle

Office Manager

Michelle has worked in healthcare for over 16 years and has been the Office Manager for Progressive Rehabilitation Medicine since 2008. She was born and raised in Cedar Rapids.

Michelle is certified in non-surgical spinal decompression and laser therapies and is very passionate about her career. She loves helping people and the most rewarding part about working with patients is the outcome they experience at the clinic. She enjoys spending each day making a difference in the lives of others, whether it is greeting them, helping assist them with a treatment, or working behind the scenes making sure the facility is run smoothly. Each day is rewarding.

Michelle is a mother of 3, and she loves to watch each of them with their life adventures and spending time with family and friends. She loves to be outside in the summer months spending time in the sun.

Sara, R.EEG.T

Registered EEG Technologist

Sara grew up in Iowa City, graduating from Iowa City, City High in 2002. She then went on to study Electroneurodiagnostics through Kirkwood community college and UIHC.  Sara has spent her last 10 years living in Cedar Rapids working as a neurodiagnostics tech in the Cedar Rapids area.

In her home life, she enjoys spending her free time outdoors playing at the dog park, camping or kayaking. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Patrick and 2 boxers Zeus & Odin.

Benjamin, LAT, ATC

Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer

Ben grew up and attended school in California where he attained his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, He practiced sports medicine in the collegiate and secondary school settings for 5 years before he moved to Iowa in 2017.  Since making the “best move of his life” he has worked for Mercy Medical and PCI to provide Athletic Training coverage around Cedar Rapids.  Now he is happy to work in the clinical setting to provide a dynamic structure to therapy at Progressive Rehabilitation Medicine. Ben’s daily goal is always to try to make patients leave rehabilitation feeling better than when they arrived.

Other than helping patients; Ben enjoys spending time with his wife, doing church activities, hopes to start a family soon, and likes playing video games in his free time.

Sarah

Certified Medical Assistant

Sarah comes to us from Texas. She graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M and holds a CMA certification. Sarah brings her passion and enthusiasm for the medical sciences and is also pursuing a career as a Physicians Assistant in the future. Her hobbies are painting, playing pickle ball, teaching catechism for 2nd grade, and spending time with family