About Functional Recovery + Enhancement

Ari DePaola

Owner

Hi! My name is Ari DePaola, and I'm the founder of FRE. When I was 19 years old, I suffered from my 17th concussion after a wakeboarding accident and was diagnosed with a severe TBI, Neurological Lyme Disease, SIBO, and pretty much every autoimmune disease under the sun. I could barely walk, talk, or even hold a normal conversation. I saw more doctors than I could count, and for the first year of my healing journey, I tried taking medications. But they all left me feeling worse off than before. I finally hit my breaking point and took matters into my own hands. Instead of taking the hundreds of medications I was prescribed, I decided to figure out the root cause of my symptoms and a way to heal holistically without all of the complications and side-effects of prescription medication.

Through research-backed treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, IV Therapy, Infrared Sauna Therapy, BEMER Therapy, and Ionic Foot Therapy, I made a full recovery. These modalities honestly saved my life. But the recovery process was long and not without challenges. I couldn't leave my bed and my mom had to drive me to all of my therapy appointments, which were scattered across the United States. She ended up having to quit her job to become my full-time caretaker.

That's why I made FRE mobile—so that you don't have to rely on anyone else to drive you to appointments or lose your sense of independence. There also wasn't a clinic that offered all of these modalities at one location. Each therapy required going to a different doctor's office. At FRE, you can receive ALL of these treatments in one place, from the comfort of your home. And that's why I founded Functional Recovery & Enhancement; so you can live a life FRE from injury, illness, and limitations.

Michael Mann

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Michael is a Colorado native and was a former student athlete in college playing football for Duke University. Michael got his Masters degree from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke and loves to spend his time outside skiing, fishing, or golfing.

Michael is passionate about working with athletes and helping them achieve optimal performance levels through active recovery with some of the most innovative, effective and safe state of the art modalities on the market.

Dr. Jonathan Gallen, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Jonathan Gallen is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist who has been involved in IV therapy for the ambulatory patient for more than 6 years. His expertise in fluid resuscitation extends beyond the OR and has been a Medical Director for several IV hydration companies offering his expertise and experience in the treatment and management of clients in need of outpatient hydration and vitamin therapy.

Megan Perinovic

Physician Assistant

Megan Perinovic is our Physician Assistant who always values patient centered care. She attended the University of Wisconsin Madison for the entirety of her undergraduate and graduate education. Recently, Megan moved with her husband to Denver, where she found a home in Functional Enhancement and Recovery. She looks forward to joining every patient on their holistic medical journey!

Rose Asinof

Nurse

Rose was born and raised here in Colorado, and after completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona in 2018, She found her way back home here in the Denver-metro area! She started her nursing career at Porter Adventist Hospital in their intensive care unit (ICU), where she still currently works part time. As much as she loves the fast paced environment of critical care, She is excited to add a new layer to her nursing career, as FRE prides itself on holistic care. She can’t wait to meet you all and join alongside you in your health and wellness journey!

Maddie Woods

Nurse

Maddie was born and raised in Park City, Utah and graduated from Texas Christian University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2016. Since then, she moved to Colorado and started her nursing career in the Operating Room where she developed her love for helping patients through their surgical journey. Maddie now works for two plastic surgeons in Cherry Creek where she does pre-op nursing, circulating, post-anesthesia nursing and IV sedation. Maddie is one of our IV nurses and she loves being able to work at FRE because she truly feels like she is helping patients feel better and recover quicker! Maddie is excited to be a part of this close knit community at FRE! Maddie is also an advocate for aspiring and new nurses on her Youtube channel.

Leslie Cook

Nurse

Leslie has been a Registered Nurse since 2009. Her main background has been in ER nursing, where she has worked for over 10 years. She also works at an ambulatory surgery center in PreOp, OR and recovery. She was a travel nurse for several years, which took her all over the country. She grew up in the Midwest but settled in Colorado 3 years ago because she has a love for an active and healthy lifestyle. She love all outdoor activities and is always looking for new places to explore. Leslie joined the FRE team because she loves our approach and goal to help others. She is so very excited to be a part of FRE and join clients on their journey to wellness.

Kim Ertefai, RN

Nurse

Kim was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ and moved out to Colorado for the four seasons and sunshine in 2013. She graduated Arizona State (Go Devils) with her degree in nursing and has been a nurse for 10 years. She has worked on cardiac units as well as Pre-Op and the recovery room. In 2019, Kim was a part of the clinical team for a medical device company and educated nurses and physicians on MRI safe products. In her free time Kim enjoys running half marathons, skiing Copper Mountain or hiking one of the trails here in Colorado.

Kim enjoys seeing patients' health progress with a smile on their face. Now that she is no longer traveling, Kim is excited to be a part of the FRE team and helping patients get their health and wellness back!

Mercedes Adams-Kloepfer

Nurse

My name is Mercedes and I am so excited to be apart of the FRE team! I am a Chicago native but I love living in Mercedes is a graduate from The University of Missouri-Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing. She started her nursing career in the Medical Intensive Care Unit in Kansas City and now works Pre-op and PACU in Denver. With extensive experience with IV’s and IV infusions, Mercedes prides herself on being a patient advocate and prioritizing her patients health and safety on a daily basis. Mercedes is a Chicago native but loves living in Colorado and enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog Harper in her free time.

Samantha Plattner

​Nurse

Sammie is a Colorado native, born and raised in Littleton, CO. She loves to spend time with her friends, family, and two furry babies, Tucker and Lakota.

Sammie got her first bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Health and Exercise Science. In the midst of finishing her degree, she also got her EMT certification. After graduating, she started her career on an ambulance and then as a tech at Swedish Medical Center in the emergency room. She then went to the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Sammie began working at Sky Ridge Medical Center as a new graduate nurse and is still currently working in the emergency room. She loves the fast pace of the ER and how no two days are ever the same.

Sammie is very excited to be joining the FRE team and cannot wait to poke you all soon!

Kristi Leech

Nurse

Kristi moved to Denver in 2001 from Chicago, leaving her first career as a marine mammal trainer at the Shedd Aquarium to pursue a career in nursing. She attended Regis University in Denver and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She started her nursing career as an RN on the patient care unit at Vail Valley Medical Center, and in 2005, Kristi moved back to Denver to begin working in Pre-Op and PACU (recovery room) at Rose Medical Center. She spent the next 10 years working in various hospitals around Denver in these specialty areas, focusing on pre and post-surgical care. In 2015, Kristi decided to try something new and worked as a pediatric home health visit nurse for MGA Home Healthcare. After taking a few years off from nursing to spend time with her 2 boys aged 10 and 11, she is very excited to be back at work with FRE! In her free time Kristi enjoys being involved at her kids’ schools, spending time outdoors, reading and playing with her pets. She looks forward to meeting you soon and to becoming a partner in your wellness journey!

Chelsea Rose

Nurse

My name is Chelsea and I am very excited to be working with such a great team at FRE!

I am from Fort Lauderdale, Fl and moved to Colorado in November 2019. I am loving the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer! I love to snowboard, hike and explore new places with my friends and family.

I graduated with my BSN from the University of Central Florida in 2015. I have been a pediatric RN for 5+ years and I love being there for the children! I did 3 years of travel nursing where I traveled from Fl-> CA->CO and CO is where I decided to stay permanently. I love being a nurse and I am excited to start this wellness journey with you and the FRE team!

AJ Cocetti

EMT

Aj is certified EMT and firefighter for South Metro Fire Rescue. Born and raised in Colorado, AJ is a graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder. SKO Buffs. He loves his job because it allows him to help people every day, while also having a great work-life balance. He is very exited to meet you and administer your IV's!

Avery Lemler

Certified Hyperbaric Technician

Avery graduated from Colorado State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development. She is a Colorado native and is so excited to start her career in the state that she loves, in a field that she is passionate about! In her free time, she loves to hike, do yoga, and get outdoors as much as possible. She is looking forward to supporting our clients’ healing and being a part of their journey to wellness!