Dawn Castiglione, Owner/Director of DayBreak  (2023-present)​​
BA, LMT, Educator
A graduate of California State University Fullerton in 1994, with a Bachelor’s degree in English, and after many years of service in the corporate world, Dawn made an important decision to change her career path and follow her passion. In 2009, she began the certification program to become a Massage Therapist. After working at Burke Williams Day Spa for a year, she discovered there was a complete modality of massage based solely upon the unique needs of our more senior population. This made perfect sense to her, since the aging body very definitely goes through changes that would seem to require a special approach in consideration of their unique physical needs. She knew she would soon be combining her healthcare career with her passion for our aging population.

The focus of Dawn's work is to restore compassionate, consistent human touch and meaningful interaction into the lives of those in assisted-living and skilled nursing facilities, independent senior communities, and memory care centers through compassionate touch, skillful massage, and thoughtful companionship. She seeks to elevate the human spirit ​through an attitude of great respect and service, nurturing her clients into joy-filled days.   

Dawn was proud to have joined ​Dr. Puszko on this journey and now looks forward to more of you joining, as well.  Let's care for this precious segment of our community together!
​
Sharon Puszko, Owner/Director of DayBreak  (2001-2022)​
PhD, CMT, Educator
Dr. Sharon Puszko is a graduate of the University of California with a major in education. She taught Biology in Europe, Asia, Central America and the Eastern U.S. In 1986, she made a career change into the wellness field and attended massage school in Northern California. She graduated from the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy and Healthbuilders School of Massage Therapy in St. Augustine, FL. As she oversaw the function of DayBreak Geriatric Massage Institute, Sharon traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally teaching the DayBreak Geriatric Massage Level 1 and Level 2 workshops at massage schools and community colleges.
​
Dr. Puszko has published articles at several publications within the massage industry and has been a contributor in numerous textbooks. ​She has appeared on public television shows such as Age Wise in Pittsburgh, PA, and has been interviewed on radio ​talk programs and in magazines for her insights.

​After 22 years at the helm of DayBreak---and many more years prior to that in developing the DayBreak curriculum with Dietrich Miesler--​-Sharon retired and confidently ​placed DayBreak into the very capable hands of long-time DayBreak instructor, Dawn Castiglione. ​
Dietrich Miesler, Founder of DayBreak  (1982-2000)
MA, LMT, Gerontologist, Facility Administrator, Author, Educator
​Dietrich’s life’s journey began in Breslau, Germany, on July 20, 1925. At the age of 30, he left his native Germany in 1955 and moved to the United States, where he raised his five children and pursued his varied artistic interests, including jazz, photography, and publishing.

Dietrich entered the massage field in 1975 and founded the DayBreak Geriatric Massage Project (later known as the DayBreak Geriatric Massage Institute) in 1982. With a background as a gerontologist and a nursing home administrator, he brought significant knowledge and caring to his elderly clients through therapeutic massage.  He produced numerous courses and teaching aids about the muscle system, as well as massage treatments tailored to geriatric clients with varying needs. ​He was also a long-time respected columnist for Massage & Bodywork Magazine.

​​In early 2001, Dietrich left DayBreak to focus on research and writing, and handed the reins to Dr. Sharon Puszko. ​

​On May 22, 2006, Dieter Werner Miesler departed on that greatest of trips following complications of pneumonia and long-standing Parkinson’s disease.  We shall always miss his charming, witty, irrepressible spirit.