Doctor of Physical Therapy
Chelsea Aquino
Front Desk Coordinator
Chelsea graduated from the University of Tampa in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. She served in various duty assignments, including a tour to Afghanistan during her seven years on Active Duty. In 2017, Chelsea completed her Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from the California University of Pennsylvania.
She is excited to learn and grow while working as the Front Desk
Coordinator as she applies to Physical Therapy School while continuing to serve in the Army Reserves. She is active in CrossFit, yoga, and the occasional local 5k with her dog. Chelsea is CrossFit Level 1 and uses her experience to serve as a coach for Vertex Performance Training. Upon completion of Physical Therapy School, she aspires to serve the Veteran and adaptive athlete community.
cayce@vertexpt.com
803.973.0100
Dr. Aimee Depelteau
PT, DPT, CSCS
Aimee grew up in Atlanta, GA, living there for 18 years until moving to Tennessee for both undergraduate and graduate school. She received her B.S. in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University. After graduating from physical therapy school, she moved to Lexington, Kentucky where she completed an orthopedic residency program to improve her clinical skills in treating musculoskeletal conditions. During her time in the residency program, Aimee had the opportunity to treat local high school and collegiate athletes, developing a strong interest in treating female athletes.
Aimee has been an athlete her entire life, playing several sports throughout high school and college such as softball, basketball, rowing, soccer, and long distance running. Within the past few years Aimee has taken up a strong interest in fitness sports such as Powerlifting and CrossFit. Aimee is also a coach for Vertex Performance Training as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate, and Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification.
Aimee is the oldest of 6 girls, which includes a set of twin sisters and a set of triplet sisters. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending church, enjoying the outdoors, playing the guitar, and cooking. She can be found on social media as @ironladydpt.
aimee.d@vertexpt.com
803.973.0100
Dr. Josh Jeffery
PT, DPT, MS, CSCS
Josh grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and completed his undergraduate work at the University of Dayton in 2012, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration. He moved to Columbia, SC in 2013 to begin graduate school at the University of South Carolina, earning a M.S. in Exercise Science in 2015 and his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2019. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, an OPEX coach and a CrossFit Level 2 trainer.
Josh began his career in the strength and conditioning field and has experience working in multiple settings. He has worked with the athletes at USC, NFL players, Olympic athletes, elite level CrossFitters, weightlifters, powerlifters and everyone in between. As a former college baseball player, Josh enjoys working with throwers and other overhead athletes as they work to get back to their sport. He also enjoys working with functional fitness athletes and has coached Crossfitters to the CrossFit Games, regionals and sanctional events.
In his spare time, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs, traveling the country to teach continuing education courses, and training and competing in CrossFit and weightlifting.
josh@vertexpt.com
803.973.0100
Dr. Cory Stuart
PT, DPT
Cory grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Dayton, graduating in 2016 with a B.S. in Pre-Physical Therapy. While at Dayton, he was a three-year starter at wide receiver for the football team and served as a captain in 2015, leading Dayton to the FCS playoffs. Upon Graduation, Cory moved down to Columbia to attend the Physical Therapy program at USC, graduating in 2019.
Outside the clinic and weight room, Cory enjoys spending time with his wife, Anna, reading a good book, and hunting and fishing in the outdoors.
cory.stuart@vertexpt.com
803.973.0100
Dr. Brandon Vaughn
PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Brandon is the co-owner of Vertex PT Specialists and is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). A graduate of The Citadel, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science in 2007 with high honors. He then completed his graduate work at The University of South Carolina where he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2010. Brandon furthered his specialized training by earning certifications in Spinal Manipulation and Dry Needling through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. He is also an NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), is certified in the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), certified in concussion management through the American Institute of Balance, and most recently underwent training at the Romanov Academy to become a certified running technique specialist.
Brandon specializes in combining advanced manual therapy skills with dry needling, functional movement, and mobility restoration. Brandon has utilized these techniques while rehabilitating several world-class athletes including NFL players, Olympians, and CrossFit Games athletes at the highest level.
In his spare time, Brandon enjoys spending time with his wife and two children as well as training and competing in Ironman triathlons and local CrossFit competitions.
brandon@vertexpt.com
803.973.0100