Jimmy founded Synergy Nutrition & Wellness in January of 2019 after years of focusing on his health in the form of athletics and aesthetics, shifting focus to holistic health and wellness. After ten years of training others and realizing the damage he was doing to his body he had a wake up call. Jimmy finally realized there was more to health than lean muscle mass. He realized that internal health and healing was the true path.

Jimmy was fortunate enough to study under Dr. Stephen Dubuc to learn a life changing modality called Nutrition Response Testing beginning in 2010. Jimmy became an official graduate of Ulan Nutritional Systems in 2017 and shortly thereafter was inducted into their hall of fame for having such a profound impact on his community. He also was mentored by the late M.D. PhD Dr. Roby Mitchell and is a Master Instructor with CellCore Biosciences, teaching Synergistic Muscle Testing nationally.

Joseph A Riccione DO, “Dr. Joe” comes to Synergy with 13 years of experience and passion caring for children and adults in Western New York. Board Certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. He completed his Residency at Sisters of Charity Hospital in North Buffalo. Dr. Joe is a graduate of A.T. Still University which is the founding Osteopathic Medical School in Kirsksville Missouri. Dr. Joe is excited to get back to foundational medicine and treating the WHOLE PATIENT, mind, body, and spirit, in an effort to find the ROOT CAUSE of issues, so patients can thrive and realize their own body’s God-given ability to heal.

“I want to be that bridge between traditional and holistic medicine, picking aspects from both disciplines that can best help our patients on their personal health journeys. I am ecstatic to offer ethical healthcare that will not be biased by insurance or pharmaceutical companies. This will allow me to help clean up patient’s health and get them off medication safely, rather than chase symptoms and add to their medication lists/interactions. Special interests/New passion for chronic lyme disease as my son Luca is currently on a journey to get well from this under-diagnosed condition. I truly believe that God has led us down this path with Luca so that we can help him and in the process learn how to help others on similar paths. Also interested in Long-COVID treatment inspired by one of my patient’s struggles and lack of local support for such a diagnosis that is becoming more common. My wife Melissa and I have 3 boys: Joey, Luca, and Salvatore and recently got into RV camping! There is never a dull moment at the Riccione House and we wouldn’t have it any other way. God and Melissa make up “the glue” that keep our family strong through any adversity! I am happy to join the Synergy Family at our 6622 Main St Ste 7 Williamsville Location!"

Jennifer is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from D’Youville College in 2016 & has had consistency within the primary care setting for the last 9 years. 

“With a long time passion for alternative medicine, I am eager to integrate care with Synergy Nutrition and Wellness. I genuinely love learning & working to continuously gain more knowledge. Unearthing new topics is an exciting journey! While working in the hospital as a nurse and being an instructor to RN, NP, & PA students, my position within a primary care office is what I value most. Being married with two boys, we enjoy spending time with our large families, traveling, & camping”

Elisha is a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner and certified Master Iridologist. She joined the Synergy team in July of 2023 and currently uses Synergistic Muscle Testing to help address root causes. Elisha originally pursued a career in elementary education, working with public schools students for 14 years. When she began experiencing chronic health issues, she began exploring a variety of natural health modalities in search of answers. She has spent over a decade learning ways to support the body’s God given ability to heal, and is now seeking to help empower others to make constructive changes to their health.

Felicia Scaringi is an Ontario-licensed Naturopathic Doctor, joining Synergy as a Muscle Testing Practitioner. She applies her extensive training in Integrative Medicine to help patients optimize health, performance, and longevity. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, graduating as Valedictorian, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Medical Sciences with a minor in Psychology from Brock University. Felicia will be joining Synergy in a remote capacity and seeing people virtually. 

Her training includes clinical nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathic medicine, and pharmacology, giving her a deep understanding of treating the root cause. With a focus on hormonal health, gut health, metabolic optimization, and sports medicine, Felicia empowers patients to optimize their health, improve recovery, and achieve lasting wellness. She also works with athletes to refine performance, nutrition, rehabilitation, and longevity. Outside of the clinic, Felicia spends a lot of time being active, playing soccer and weightlifting. 

Meet Christine, a Holistic Nursing Professional who specializes in pediatrics. She has a passion for making our children healthy, from looking at nutrition, natural health solutions, and a root cause approach to diseases. She is an advocate for breastfeeding and the benefits that come along with it for mom and baby.

Christine enjoys spending time with her husband and 8-year-old twins whom they homeschool. Her daughter has struggled with gut issues since she was a baby, and she has been Christine’s inspiration to help heal children using a root cause approach.

Melissa is a Synergistic Muscle Testing Practitioner and comes to Synergy with a blend of medical and holistic experience. She has 15 years experience as a surgical tech, assisting in surgeries of all kinds. Her passion for learning more about the mind/body connection led her to becoming a massage therapist, yoga instructor, and birth doula.

Melissa believes wellness lies within, everything we need exists inside ourselves, and strength and wisdom are innate in all of us. It is her goal and passion to support clients by empowering them with the educational, practical, mental, and emotional support they need to take charge of their own health and wellness journey. 

Samantha began her career as a cosmetologist, where her passion for connecting with people led her to pursue a greater role in health and wellness. She graduated from Trocaire College in 2017, building a strong nursing foundation through diverse experience in medical-surgical care, pediatric and adult oncology.

Now part of the Synergy team, Samantha focuses on integrative health—combining her nursing background with expanded skills as a Muscle Testing Practitioner and in Synergy IV Therapy to provide personalized, whole-body care and help patients achieve optimal wellness. Outside of her professional work, she loves traveling the world and has explored over 15 countries.

Erin brings 19 years of nursing experience to her role with Synergy IV Therapy, with a clinical background in Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Cardiac & NeuroSurgery. She also has extensive experience in IV wellness infusions, delivering therapies with a strong emphasis on safety, precision, and patient-centered care.

For more than a decade, Erin has been passionate about preventative medicine and natural approaches to health, strongly believing that education and proactive daily habits are the foundation of long-term wellness. Outside the clinic, she is a mom of two, a local dance instructor, and enjoys crafting in her spare time, bringing balance, creativity, and heart to both her personal and professional life.

Sam has always been interested in the human body, athletics, and community health. After High School, she attended SUNY Potsdam and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Sam became involved with two internships after college. One as a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program educator and the other as a home health visit case manager. Sam became very involved with the nursing aspects of both internships. Moreover, Sam wanted to help people make lifestyle changes to overall improve their health and to prevent any further health damage by disease processes.

Sam earned her Associates in Nursing at Finger Lakes Community College and has been working as a registered nurse in an acute healthcare hospital setting ever since. She truly enjoys connecting with patients and family members to break down barriers to provide overall health for people who combat long-lasting health conditions. Sam is employed with Rochester Regional Health as a Clinical Resource Nurse at United Memorial Medical Center. In this role she is a leader in education to patients, family members, and new nurses. 

Nutrition, health, and wellness is an interest of Sam’s. However, improving life style changes for individuals wanting to prevent, or slow the progression of, chronic illness is a passion. She is ecstatic to be a part of the Synergy IV Therapy team and looks forward to this new chapter. Sam’s happy place is hiking in the mountains or enjoying a good read on the beach. 

Tara has always had a passion for helping people better their lives. She completed her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at SUNY Cortland in 2002 and an MS in Exercise Science in 2004. She worked with both the football and lacrosse teams. Her knowledge on nutrition was slim, even after two degrees in fitness.

She completed an MS degree at Daemen College in Physician Assistant studies in 2009, graduating with high hopes of educating people on living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding chronic disease, and minimizing, or even eliminating their medications. Convincing people to choose a healthy lifestyle was no easy task. Unfortunately, most wanted the quick answer, the medicine that would make their symptoms disappear. She was not comfortable with masking symptoms, and wanted to get to the cause.