Faculty & Advisory Board

Kelly Morrow, MS, RDN, CD is an Associate Professor in the department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University and Nutrition Clinic Coordinator at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, Washington.  At the Bastyr Center, Kelly leads teams of nutrition graduate students in an integrative medicine teaching clinic where they collaborate with Naturopathic Doctors, Medical Doctors and practitioners of East Asian Medicine and Acupuncture.

Since 2002, she has been teaching faculty at Bastyr University delivering lectures in both the undergraduate and master’s programs in Nutrition as well as the Naturopathic Medicine, Midwifery and Acupuncture programs.  She regularly speaks to lay populations and at professional conferences, is a media representative for Bastyr University and a past Media Representative for the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  In the recent past, Kelly has delivered talks for the Academy of Nutrition, Northwest Renal Dietitians, The Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, The Greater Seattle Dietetic Association, The North Sound Dietetic Association, The Washington Medical Librarians Association, and The Bastyr Center Healthy Living Series.

Kelly is a content developer for the Inflammation Module of the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certificate of Training through the Academy of Nutrition and the author of the Integrative Nutrition and Dietary Supplements chapter for the 14^th Ed. of Krause’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process.

Kelly has served as the Professional Advancement and Communications Co-Chair for Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM) and is the current Chair of DIFM.  She has also co- authored a continuing professional education (CPE) article on dietary supplementation for the Fall 2013 edition of the DIFM quarterly newsletter.

Mary Purdy, MS, RDN, holds a Master’s Degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University. She was an outpatient dietitian at Harborview Medical Center and was in private practice for 8 years and now works as a coach providing nutrition and lifestyle counseling with the Scientific Wellness Company, Arivale in Seattle using personalized genetic data and cutting edge science to guide clients in improving their health.  She remains adjunct professor at Bastyr University and was clinical supervisor at their teaching clinic for 5 years. Mary has provided online detox programs, presented seminars to health professionals, and given over a hundred wellness presentations for local businesses. She is Past President of the Greater Seattle Dietetic Association and currently Chair Elect for Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM). She has been interviewed on Seattle’s Public Radio & quoted in national publications like Prevention, Health, and Today’s Dietitian and recently co-authored the Diet Appendix for the Anti-Inflammatory Diet chapter in the 14^th Ed. of Krause’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process.

John Bagnulo, PhD, MPH has served as a nutritionist in a variety of health-related environments for the last 20 years. He has worked as a Registered Dietitian in health and wellness clinics, in hospitals, and at well known spas and retreat centers. John has also taught full time as an assistant professor at the University of Maine at Farmington, at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and within several communities that he and his family have called home.   His graduate work was conducted at the University of North Carolina, where he earned a Masters in Public Health, and at the University of Maine, where he earned a PhD in Nutrition and Food Science.

In addition to teaching nutrition through a variety of different organizations, including the Center for Mind Body Medicine’s Food As Medicine programs, the  Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Dr Bagnulo leads programs centered around the concept of disease prevention and reversal through lifestyle change.  He also conducts private practice work at his office in Belfast, Maine.  His primary tools in changing the health of individuals are their daily food and exercise patterns.  With this approach, John has found his work to be immensely rewarding.  “To see an individual or a group of people awaken physiologically, mentally, and to really start thriving, is one of life’s greatest gifts; better immune function, greater mental health, improved insulin sensitivity, the list goes on and on. All through making basic changes with what they eat and how much they move on a daily basis.”

When John is not working as a nutritionist or educator, he is spending time with his wife and three small boys, either hiking, gardening, or just spending time outdoors in nature, which has always been his favorite classroom.  John has spent a considerable portion of his life either in the mountains or on big mountains. He has climbed all over the world and summited Mt Everest in May of 2006 as part of a small, two man climbing team.

Beth Zupec-Kania is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist who has promoted safe and effective ketogenic therapies since 1991.  She’s managed ketogenic diets in individuals with epilepsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, mitochondrial and metabolic disorders, migraine headache, various cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and, Angelman’s  and Prader Willi syndromes. She’s authored over 50 publications, co-organized global symposiums and is the designer of KetoDietCalculator, a web-based program for calculating ketogenic diets. Beth has provided ketogenic training to over 180 medical centers worldwide and is a consultant to The Charlie Foundation.

Brenda Davis, RDN, has been a featured speaker at international nutrition, medical and health conferences in over a dozen countries. She has worked as a public health nutritionist, clinical nutrition specialist, nutrition consultant and academic nutrition instructor. She is co-author of nine vegetarian and vegan nutrition classics with over 750,000 copies in print, in 10 languages: Becoming Vegan: Comprehensive Edition, Becoming Vegan: Express Edition, Becoming Vegan, Becoming Raw, Becoming Vegetarian, The New Becoming Vegetarian, The Raw Food Revolution Diet, Defeating Diabetes and Dairy-free and Delicious. Her most recent works, Becoming Vegan: Comprehensive Edition won the 2014 REAL Best of 2014 Book Award, and Becoming Vegan: Express Edition won the Canada Book Award and was a finalist and received honorable mention in the Foreward Book of the Year Award. Brenda is also a contributing author to a tenth book, The Complete Vegetarian. Brenda has authored numerous professional and lay articles. She is the lead dietitian in a diabetes intervention research project in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Brenda is a past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In 2007, she was inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame.

Jaime Schehr, ND, RDN holds duel licenses as a Naturopathic Physician and Registered Dietitian making her one of the few practitioners in the country with both expertise. Dr. Schehr received her B.S in Nutrition from Springfield College, and completed her RD with CUNY Hunter College in 2004. While working as an RD, her passion for therapeutic change through diet and lifestyle served as the motivation to pursue a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Dr. Jaime Schehr received her ND from the University of Bridgeport College in 2010.

Dr. Schehr is currently faculty at the Institute for Family Health, a teaching based-outpatient clinic in NYC as well as the owner of Schehr Nutrition, a private practice in Manhattan. She is the director of dietetic interns at the Institute for Family Health, where she also serves as a preceptor to medical residents on integrative medicine. In addition to patient care, Dr. Jaime focuses much of her time lecturing to medical professionals and medical/academic universities on how to successfully incorporate Integrative Nutrition into their practice.

Maggie Ward, MS, RDN, LDN – is the Nutrition Director at The UltraWellness Center. Maggie holds a masters degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University which focuses on using whole foods for holistic Nutrition Therapy. In addition, she completed her requirements to become a registered dietitian at Weschester Medical Center in NY. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center team in 2008, Maggie worked at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York providing nutrition counseling to children and families dealing with HIV. She also taught at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and other sites through out New York City, teaching nutritionally focused cooking classes for children and adults.
Much of her focus is on food allergies, digestive disorders, inflammatory conditions, Pediatrics and Sport’s Nutrition. Maggie has been counseling individuals, families and business groups on therapeutic diets to address various health concerns for more than 15 years. Her ongoing clinical training through the Institute for Functional Medicine uses a systems biology approach when working with those who suffer from chronic and acute conditions to help them find their path to healing. She has a passion for cooking and reconnecting people with their potential to heal using whole, organic and local foods.
In the fall of 2008, Maggie was featured on Sesame Street teaching cooking classes for children. She is sought after for her nutrition expertise in editing nutrition books, leading community groups and contributes to various health publications. She helped launch and supervised the development of the Nutrition coaching programs for Hyman Enterprises that now provides online nutrition support to the general public.

Robin Foroutan, MS, RDN, HHC is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine and holistic healing modalities practicing both privately and at The Morrison Center in New York City. Robin combines the basic tenets of healthy eating with the emerging science of an Integrative and Functional Nutrition approach, utilizing dietary interventions, elimination diets, detoxification support, supplements, nutrigenomics, and mind-body techniques to help her clients improve their health. She also lectures to the public, university students and fellow dietitians on ways to use food as a foundation for health and healing, as well as topics central to the Integrative and Functional Nutrition model.

Robin currently serves as a National Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics, and has been a frequent contributor to Food & Nutrition Magazine, decoding the latest research on topics such as detoxification and the microbiome. She is also an Advisory Board Member and faculty for the Integrative & Functional Nutrition Academy. A long standing member of Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM), she previously served on the DIFM Executive Committee for from 2010-2014.

Robin earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition Education and completed a dietetic internship to become certified as a registered dietitian at Columbia University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University.  Robin is a Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor, and has been trained in “Food as Medicine” through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine.

Deb Phillips, MS, LDN is a licensed nutritionist in private practice in Great Barrington, MA. Her strength is her ability to work with individuals with a wide variety of health care needs.  She is skilled in creating realistic, personalized nutrition care plans designed to improve the patient’s health and well-being and  provides the follow-up and support needed for the patient to succeed.  Deb has a Bachelor’s Degree in nutrition from Cornell University and a Master’s Degree in health education from Russell Sage College. Before delving deep into functional medicine, Deb worked at the Community Health Center of the Berkshires as well as with Early Intervention programs providing nutrition counseling to individuals and families. She presents group programs at many venues in the Berkshires as well as throughout the state. Deb currently works part-time providing nutrition consultations for patients at the UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA in addition to her thriving private practice.

Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO is a naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology and has been practicing since 1994.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University in medical anthropology and her doctorate of naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University, where she also completed her residency. She maintains a naturopathic oncology practice out of Naturopathic Specialists, based in Scottsdale AZ. Dr. Alschuler works as an independent consultant in the area of practitioner and consumer health education. She is the Executive Director of TAP Integrative, a nonprofit educational resource for integrative practitioners. Dr. Alschuler is the co-author of The Definitive Guide to Cancer and The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer.  She co-created http://www.FiveToThrivePlan.com, and co-hosts a radio show, Five To Thrive Live! on the Cancer Support Network about living more healthfully in the face of cancer.  She is the current president of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Learn more at http://www.drlise.net. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians recognized Dr. Alschuler in 2014 as Physician of the Year. She also received an honorary degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Joseph Pizzorno Founders award from Bastyr University in the same year.

Mark Pettus, MD is a triple-board certified Internist, Nephrologist, and Integrative Health clinician-educator practicing for over 25 years.  He received his A.B. from Boston University and his M.D. from The University of Massachusetts Medical School.  His postdoctoral training was at Harvard Medical School.  He completed his renal fellowship at The Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  Dr. Pettus is also an alumnus of The Advanced Program for Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Mediation at The Harvard School of Public Health.

He currently serves as Director of Medical Education, Wellness and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems. In addition he serves as Associate Dean of Medical Education at The University of Massachusetts Medical School’s western campus at Berkshire Medical Center.  He is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at The University of Massachusetts Medical School.   He is the author of two books; The Savvy Patient: The Ultimate Advocate For Quality Health Care and It’s All in Your Head: Change Your Mind, Change Your Health, and Change Your Life.  Dr. Pettus has appeared on numerous TV and Radio venues nationally including Good Morning America, NPR and PBS.

Denise Garbinski, MBA, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Botanical Nutrition™, her private tele-health integrative and functional medicine MNT practice. She earned an MBA from Fordham University in New York City, a BS in International Marketing and French from Drexel University in Philadelphia, and BS in Dietetics, completing the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Eastern Michigan University. Denise has post-graduate training in integrative and functional medicine nutrition therapy and most recently earned a certificate of training on her way to completing IFNA’s Board Certification program.

Prior to becoming an RD in 2007, Denise built a successful career as an executive marketing and product management consultant for food, wellness and healthcare organizations and she continue to work daily as both a business consultant and clinician.

In 2013, Denise co-founded Dietitians For Professional Integrity (DFPI) and provided the group’s first public statement of concern speaking out against the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ current corporate sponsorship practices.  Since this time, she has not renewed her AND membership in protest, and is now formerly a member of the DIFM, HEN and Vegetarian DPG’s. She championed the development of DFPI’s resource toolkit and is proud to represent DFPI on IFNA’s Advisory Board.

Denise is a longtime resident of San Francisco and has most recently relocated to Vancouver BC.

Cindy Geyer, MD received her bachelor of science and her doctor of medicine degrees, with honors, from Ohio State University. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. In addition to her role as the medical director at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Dr. Geyer is one of the core faculty members at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s (CMBM) “Food as Medicine” conference, teaching physicians and other health care professionals how to use food and lifestyle to address health concerns in their own lives and those of their patients. She serves on the Pittsfield Board of Health and is an active member of the Healthy Pittsfield Partnership; she is also a board member and representative to the Executive Board of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.  A clinician, educator, and mother, she is passionate about collaborative approaches to health and wellness: from the integrative team model in working with individual patients to community partnerships that together can effect healthy changes in the places people live and work.

An avid hiker, Dr. Geyer participates annually in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Xtreme Hike, traversing 30 miles in the Berkshire Mountains in one day to raise funds and awareness for those living with cystic fibrosis.  She also exercises the right-side of her brain by drumming and creating her own jewelry. One of Dr. Geyer’s favorite pastimes is listening and watching her sons play music.

Joel M. Evans, MD, a board certified OB/GYN, is the Founder and Director of The Center for Women’s Health, where he practices Integrative Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also the Chief Medical Officer of Liiv.com, a start-up technology company funded by Eric Schmidt and Jim Held designed to provide the latest health information to health care consumers, physician offices and the enterprise market. His book on the holistic approach to pregnancy, The Whole Pregnancy Handbook (Gotham, 2005), has received widespread critical acclaim and media attention.

A frequent lecturer on Holistic Health Care, Dr. Evans is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is a Founding Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine and recognized as the first physician in Connecticut to be Board Certified in both Holistic Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr Evans serves on the editorial advisory board of Bottom Line/Women’s Health and as a peer reviewer for Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. He is a member of the senior faculty of two of the most recognized and prestigious teaching institutions in integrative medicine: The Center for Mind/Body Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine. This spring (2011) he was the external lead physician in the creation of the IFM Advanced Practice Module in Hormone Health. He is a former Director of two nationally known organizations focused on pregnancy, Childbirth Connection and the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health. Dr. Evans also helped create a clinical study at Columbia University Medical Center on the use of the herb black cohosh in breast cancer, which was presented at the 2001 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists and later published in their journal.

His most recent accomplishment is the publication of a chapter in the textbook Integrative Gastroenterology entitled “Premenstrual and Menstrual Exacerbation of IBS: An Integrative Medicine Analysis of the Bi-Directional Connection between Female Hormones and Gut Health”. Having pursued studies in spirituality, metaphysics, and personal transformation for many years, Dr. Evans has recently created a core curriculum designed to share ancient spiritual wisdom with others in order to help bring health and happiness into their lives.

Tom O’Bryan DC, CCN, DACBN, is a world-renowned expert in the field of gluten-related disorders, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), Celiac Disease (CD) and their link to other chronic conditions, including autoimmune disorders and diseases.

He is the founder of theDr.com which was created to educate the public about under-diagnosed and under-treated gluten-related disorders, which affect up to 30% of the population. He views the lack of recognition, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders as a massive public health crisis.

Dr. O’Bryan serves on the faculty of the Institute of Functional Medicine. His Certified Gluten Practitioner course revolutionizes the way healthcare professionals and coaches diagnose and treat patients suffering from gluten-related disorders. Dr. O’Bryan founded and hosted the world’s first Gluten Summit, theGlutenSummit.com, where he interviewed 29 experts and opinion leaders on the topic of gluten-related health issues.

He holds teaching Faculty positions with the Institute for Functional Medicine and the National University of Health Sciences. Dr. O’Bryan is always one of the most respected, highly-appreciated speakers. Dr. O’Bryan’s passion is in teaching the many manifestations of Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease as they occur inside and outside of the intestines.

Dr. O’Bryan is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the National College of Chiropractic. He is a Diplomate of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, a Diplomate of the Clinical Nutrition Board of the American Chiropractic Association, and a Certified Clinical Nutritionist with the International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists. He is a Certified Applied Kinesiologist as well as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Biomechanics from the Motion Palpation Institute. He is a member of, and on the teaching faculty board of The Institute for Functional Medicine, the International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists, the American Chiropractic Association, the International Academy of Preventive Medicine, and numerous other professional organizations. Dr. O’Bryan is a practicing graduate of The Institute for Functional Medicine’s hallmark program Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP). Using the tools of applied kinesiology, laboratory, and functional medicine, Dr. O’Bryan assists patients in reclaiming their health with an emphasis on diet and nutrition. This provides a motivating and successful game plan for patients who previously suffered from debilitating symptoms, high risk for disease, and frustrating medical problems. Dr. O’Bryan has been a Visiting Instructor at Northeastern Illinois University, where he taught “Applied Nutrition for Health and Performance.” He is a Visiting Instructor at the National University of Health Sciences. He is the Vice President of the Illinois Chapter of the International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists. He is listed in Who’s Who in International Medicine and the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership for Excellence in Education. He is a triathlete and a second-degree black belt in Aikido. Awarded Chiropractor of The Year (1988) in Chicago, Dr. O’Bryan is the past President of the Chicago Chiropractic Society and a past Director of the Illinois Chiropractic Society.

Kara Fitzgerald, ND received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from National College of Natural Medicine. She completed a CNME-accredited post-doctorate position in nutritional biochemistry and laboratory science at Metametrix Laboratory under the direction of Richard Lord, Ph.D. Her residency was completed at Progressive Medical Center, a large integrative medical clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an author and editor of Case Studies in Integrative and Functional Medicine; a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and IFM’s Textbook for Functional Medicine. She lectures globally on functional medicine; is on the faculty at Institute of Functional Medicine and maintains a private practice in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Elizabeth Boham, MD, MS, RD, is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician from Albany Medical School, specializing in Functional and Integrative Medicine. In addition, she received her undergraduate degree in nutritional biochemistry from Cornell University and received her masters and RD through Columbia University

Dr. Boham joined Dr. Mark Hyman and The UltraWellness Center team in 2007. Prior to that she practiced integrative medicine at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA.

Dr. Boham learned how difficult it can be to navigate through the health-care system, after being diagnosed with breast cancer herself.

Functional Medicine has helped Dr. Boham realize how important it is to look at the systems in the body to discover the underlying cause for dysfunction.

She lectures on a variety of topics, including Women’s Health and Breast Cancer Prevention, insulin resistance, heart health, weight control and allergies. She’s on the faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine and has been featured on the Dr Oz show and in a variety of magazines, books and other media. Through her practice and lecturing, she’s helped thousands of people achieve their goals of optimum health and wellness.

Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, IFMCP is a functional nutritionist and researcher with a unique approach to clinical medicine that combines physiology and psychology. She has trained in functional medicine for the past decade with the “father of functional medicine,” Dr. Jeffrey Bland, as her mentor, and has served on the Nutrition Advisory Board, curriculum committee, and is faculty for the Institute of Functional Medicine. Her academic background is in nutritional science, including a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1995), and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences (Nutrition) from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands (1999). In conjunction with her academic degrees and extensive teaching experience at the university level, she is both a Fellow (F.A.C.N.) and a Certified Nutrition Specialist (C.N.S.) through the American College of Nutrition.

Dr. Minich has over ten years of experience working in both the food and dietary supplement industries. She recently hosted The Detox Summit, an online event featuring 30 experts on detox, which was attended by almost 70K people worldwide. Following the Detox Summit, she led 3000 people through The Detox Challenge, a 21-day, online, functional medicine-oriented detoxification program. She has written Whole Detox: A 21-Day Personalized Program to Break Through Barriers in Every Area of Your Life (HarperOne, 2016), which features her holistic, whole-self detoxification program. In addition, she spends her time as a board member for the American College of Nutrition, the Nutritional Therapy Association, Equinox, and is faculty at the University of Western States, Maryland University of Integrative Health, and Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. She is the author of six books on nutrition, wellness, and psychology, and is passionate in helping others to live well using therapeutic lifestyle changes.

Websites
www.drdeannaminich.com

www.whole-detox.com
www.foodandspiritprofessional.com

Facebook pages
https://www.facebook.com/deanna.minich/

Susan Lord, MD, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is an integrative family physician, teacher and public speaker. She specializes in mind-body medicine, nutrition and psychospiritual counseling. In her unique consultative practice, she identifies the underlying issues that impact health and happiness and addresses them by nurturing the whole person.

Formerly Dr. Lord was Associate Director for Medical Education at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, where she and Kathie Swift, RD, developed the ground breaking, integrative clinical nutrition course, Food As Medicine. She was also taught in: Mind, Body Medicine, CancerGuides and Healing the Wounds of War.

In 2008, she was appointed Associate Medical Director at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, where she provided health consultations, lectured extensively in their Healthy Living Programs and facilitated retreats: Transforming Stress and Women and Food. Her area of expertise focuses on the interplay between western science and ancient yogic traditions.

She is on the faculty of the American Meditation Institute and is the Executive Director of the non-profit, Creative PeaceWorks, whose educational programs explore the relationships among creative self-expression, peaceful living and health.

She lives with her daughter in western Massachusetts, working with patients locally and at a distance by phone. She can be reached at susan@drsusanlord.com.

Alan Gaby, MD received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his M.S. in biochemistry from Emory University, and his M.D. from the University of Maryland. He was in private practice for 17 years specializing in nutritional medicine.

He is past-president of the American Holistic Medical Association and gave expert testimony to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the cost-effectiveness of nutritional supplements. He is the author of Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994), and The Doctor’s Guide to Vitamin B6 (Rodale Press, 1984), the co-author of The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima, 1999), and has written numerous scientific papers in the field of nutritional medicine. He has been the contributing medical editor for the Townsend Letter for Doctors since 1985, and was contributing editor for Alternative Medicine Review from 1996 to 2010.

Over the past 30 years, he has developed a computerized database of more than 26,000 individually chosen medical journal articles related to the field of natural medicine. He was professor of nutrition and a member of the clinical faculty at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA, from 1995 to 2002. He is Chief Science Editor for Aisle 7 (formerly Healthnotes, Inc). He has appeared on the CBS Evening News and the Donahue Show. In 2011, Dr. Gaby completed a 30-year project, a textbook titled Nutritional Medicine.

www.doctorgaby.com

Jay Lombard, DO is Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director at Genomind. He is responsible for Genomind’s scientific research and development, as well as medical leadership and clinical oversight. Dr. Lombard is a board certified neurologist and has published several books on the role of nutrition and brain health.  He has lectured extensively on this topic and has had numerous television and radio appearances including Larry King, Dr. Oz, CBS News, Fox News, The Early Morning Show and others.

Prior to founding Genomind, Dr. Lombard served as the chief of Neurology at Bronx Lebanon Hospital.  He is a former clinical assistant professor of neurology at New York Presbyterian Hospital, clinical instructor of Neurology and Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and chief of Neurology at Westchester Square Medical Center and the Brain Behavior Center.

Dr. Lombard is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He combined his psychiatry and neurology residency training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York.

Tracy Konoske, MS, RDN is the founder of Healthy Lifestyles Inc. and is America’s Virtual Nutritionist.  Tracy graduated summa cum laude from Bastyr University in 1998 with her Masters in Nutrition, and has been in private practice since.

She has completed all of the modules offered via the Institute for Functional Medicine to her clinical toolbox. The combination of identifying root causes, and then using a whole foods plant-based diet, reducing toxins, managing stress, supporting the immune system and microbiome has been incredibly powerful and Tracy is helping patients who have struggled for years.

In addition to her virtual private practice, Tracy offers private and group business coaching for those interested in starting and growing a business.  She offers several group classes, helping her clients identify and reach their ideal client, leverage their income via their own group classes, all the while incorporating systems so that they can Work Smarter Not Harder!

www.healthylifestylesmt.com

Rita Shah Batheja, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND is an entrepreneur, nationally and internationally recognized award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist and Integrative and Functional Medicine practitioner in private practice in Long Island, New York. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has been in the field for four decades.

She is the Founding member of Nutrition in Complementary Care practice group which is now Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine Practice Group of the Academy. She has been serving on its Executive Committee since its inception in 1998. She is the recipient of DIFM’s Excellence in Service award among many other awards and honors. She has initiated DIFM DPG’s Standard of Practice and Standard of Professional Performance document in 2008 which has been published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Rita completed Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) course of the Institute of Functional Medicine in 2008 and is a member of IFM. She fell in love with Food as Medicine program of Center for Mind Body Medicine in 2008 and decided to attend this fabulous program in 2009 to inspire many more dietitians. Rita believes in keeping up with current principles and attends webinars from various sources almost on a daily basis and mentors Health Care Professionals Globally.

She is the past Community Leader of the Asian Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics Member Interest Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and currently serves as a Policy Advocacy Leader and Reimbursement Representative. She is a recipient of Inaugural Visionary Award of Asian Indian MIG. Her passion for people drives her to apply a personalized approach to help people around the globe including dealing with patients, keeping food as medicine with mind-body principles. She is originally from India, Rita completed Bachelors in Nutrition and Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics from Baroda, India and Masters in Nutrition from New York.

Rita is very active with local, state and national professional organizations and serves on its executive committee. She is NY State’s Networking Coordinator of Vegetarian Practice Group and serves on public policy panel of Hunger practice group. She is a frequent speaker at many community organizations. She has served on American Diabetes, Cancer, Heart and Hospital Food Service Administrators Association of Greater New York.

She is the originator of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s two e-books, AAPI’s Nutrition Guide to Optimal Health using Principles of Functional Medicine and Nutritional Genomics, which can be accessed at www.aapiusa.org .

Rita has appeared on CNBC and various Indian national and International television media, radio and has been mentioned in professional magazines including the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Today’s Dietitian, Food and Nutrition Magazine. Rita was instrumental in instituting Indian Dietetic Association, National Organization of India into International Confederation of Dietetic Association in 1997(ICDA).

Geri Brewster MPH, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian-nutritionist,  began her clinical career specializing in pediatric and young-adult developmental disabilities, including metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders; specialized tube feedings; dysphagia; autism; behavioral, attention, sensory and oral-motor integration disorders; and eating disorders. In her current practice, she develops comprehensive individualized lifestyle, nutritional and supplement programs for each client’s specific conditions.

For over 30 years, Ms. Brewster’s “whole person” approach makes her an effective and motivating clinician. She acts as an educator and health coach by explaining the details of metabolism and biochemistry. Her work results in positive outcomes as patients develop a fuller understanding of their specific health concerns. She is known to change lives, not just diets. In addition to her private practice, Ms. Brewster consults with and runs workshops for corporations and healthcare facilities on nutritional treatments for weight management and nutrition related diseases. Her knowledge and experience in the field of nutrition and complimentary care makes her a frequently requested speaker on the subject.

Ms. Brewster received a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she graduated summa cum laude and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She earned her Masters in Public Health Nutrition from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York and was awarded the Sirach Award for outstanding achievement in the field of Public Health. Ms. Brewster is a registered dietitian-nutritionist with the State of New York. She is the 2013 recipient of the Excellence in Practice Award of Dietitians in Functional Medicine, a practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She practices Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy” (IFMNT). She also holds certificates of study in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia from Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, IAACN, and the Institute of Functional Medicine, in addition to an advanced certificate in Adult Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association. She has participated in Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) conferences and training. For 5 years, she hosted a monthly online radio show at AutismOne.com. Ms. Brewster is an active member in national and state dietetic associations. She is a former board member of Better School Food and is deeply committed to improving the quality of school food and promoting farm to school programs.

She has been featured on CNN, CBS, WOR, WNEW radio, Disney radio, Wall Street Journal radio, Martha Stewart Radio and multiple local radio stations. And, she has been seen on NBC Early Morning News, CBS News and CBS Newswatch. Geri has been quoted in the NY Times, Gannett, Shape, Fit, Martha Stewart Living, Cookie and Allure magazines, Westchester Magazine, The Associated Press, WebMD and multiple other publications. She was also featured in the documentary movie on grassroots school lunch reform: Two Angry Moms.

Mary Beth Augustine, RDN, CDN, FAND  is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy), and Delegate for the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM) Dietetic Practice Group in the Academy House of Delegates. Practicing since 1995, Mary Beth marries the knowledge of science with the wisdom of nature to make personalized recommendations for integrative and functional medical nutrition therapy for health promotion and the prevention and management of disease.

Past work experience includes Senior Integrative Nutritionist and Director of the Integrative Nutrition Intern Program at the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Center for Health & Healing (2000-2016), Director of the Masters Degree Program in Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Saybrook University (2014-2015), Clinical Dietitian and Integrative Medicine Nutritionist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (1996-2000), and cardiovascular risk reduction research at the American Health Foundation (1995-1996).

Mary Beth’s key insights into the natural, holistic and integrative nutrition field have made her a speaker of choice at leading integrative health and nutrition conferences. Speaking highlights include the United Nations Committee on Aging, American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Survivor Conference, Integrative Healthcare Symposium, Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), and New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics meetings. Mary Beth has been featured on CBS News, ABC News, Fox 5 News, Today in New York, CNN Market Watch, Discovery Health TV, and National Public Radio, and has been interviewed as a food and nutrition expert extensively in print media publications and radio programs.

A twenty-plus year survivor of cancer, Mary Beth is dedicated to sharing her personal and professional passion to educate people about the interconnected health of people, food and land.

Heidi Turner, MS, RD is the Medical Nutrition Therapist at the Seattle Arthritis Clinic at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, Washington.  She counsels those with autoimmune, inflammatory and degenerative diseases in an effort to decrease their pain through dietary change.   She specializes in food intolerances, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and other digestive disorders, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Histamine Intolerance and anti-inflammatory nutrition practices.  Heidi earned her Master’s degree from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington and completed her Dietetic Internship at Virginia Mason Medical Center.  She is the owner of EliminationDietRD.com, a website that educates on food allergies and sensitivities, and has authored three elimination diets for various inflammatory conditions.   Her past professional endeavors include:  Nutrition clinic supervisor at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health; owner of her private practice, FoodLogic.  She speaks at numerous venues on a variety of nutrition-related topics and is dedicated to educating both the patient and practitioner on the vital role nutrition plays in our health.  Heidi lives happily in Seattle with her husband, son and co-dependent cat.

http://www.eliminationdietrd.com/The_Dietitian.php

Lisa Powell, MS, RDN, received a BS in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and a MS in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, where she received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and was a Rhode’s Scholar nominee. She conducted research in both the Nutritional Science and Obstetrics and Gynecology departments at the University of Arizona.

Lisa is currently a guest lecturer and a member of the Dietetics Undergraduate Advisory Committee for the Nutritional Science department at the University of Arizona. She is contributing author for the Foundations in Integrative Medicine Course, National Center for Integrative Primary Healthcare, Center for Integrative Medicine, also at the University of Arizona. She has also worked as a food and menu consultant in business and industry.

Lisa has been the Director of Nutrition for Canyon Ranch Resort in Tucson, Arizona, for over two decades. She leads a team of Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists and is responsible for development and implementation of cutting-edge integrative nutrition services. She is a member of the Canyon Ranch Speakers Bureau and has presented for lay and professional audiences both nationally and internationally. Lisa also serves as a nutrition spokesperson, representing Canyon Ranch in print, radio, television and web-based media.

Lisa has held leadership roles in the Southern Arizona District Dietetic Association and served on the Executive Committee for the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as Networking Chair and Associate Chair. She also served as a media spokesperson for the Tucson chapter of the American Heart Association.

Lisa loves food and cooking and delights in preparing healthy meals for her friends and family. She enjoys traveling and is active outdoors year-round in the Arizona sunshine, hiking, swimming and spending time with her three grandchildren.

Coco Newton, MPH, RD, CCN is owner of Lifetime Nutrition, LLC, a private practice in Plymouth, Michigan, focused on the use of Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy (FMNT) in prevention and treatment of chronic disease.

Coco received her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Dietetics/Community Nutrition from the University of California, Davis; her Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota; and completed her Registered Dietitian (RD) internship at the University of California, San Diego. She is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) and is board-certified through the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists.

Coco co-founded and served on the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Nutrition Advisory Board from 2007-2011. In 2010, Coco co-founded the University of Kansas’ Nutrition Fellowship Program, a collaborative program through the University’s departments of Integrative Medicine and Dietetics & Nutrition. In 2010, Coco co-founded the Michigan Nutrition Association to advocate for fair licensing laws that do not discriminate against qualified nutrition practitioners. Coco served on the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition from 2007 to 2013, and championed the successful repeal of the Dietetics/Nutrition Licensure Law on July 1, 2014, the first repeal in the United States.

Thomas M. Wnorowski, PhD, BCIM, CNCC is a clinical/biomedical nutritionist, board certified in integrative medicine. He is the lead researcher of the Neurolipid Research Foundation, in Millville, NJ, working in the area of fatty acids’ relationship to cell membrane and mitochondrial integrity, with concentrations in neurology, cardiology and metabolic aberrations.  His contributions to medical literature, following post-doctoral study under the auspices of Johns Hopkins, Purdue and Tufts, have been internationally recognized. Dr. Wnorowski belongs to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the American Association of Integrative Medicine and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and he serves on the advisory board of Mohr Results, Inc., a leader in sports nutrition and exercise physiology.

http://www.bodybio.com/storecategory96.aspx (phosphatidylcholine)
http://www.bodybio.com/storecategory95.aspx (balanced oil)
http://www.bodybio.com/storecategory173.aspx (safflower oil)
http://www.bodybio.com/storecategory104.aspx (evening primrose oil)
http://www.bodybio.com/storecategory109.aspx (fish oil)

Susan Linke, MBA, MS, RDN, CLT is a registered and licensed dietitian, Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) and Certified Gluten Practitioner.  She received her MBA from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX.   She is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, and various dietetic practice groups of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics including Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, SCAN, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Medical Nutrition Practice Group and Dietitians in Gluten Intolerance Diseases (DIGID).

Susan has also received extensive training in immunology, adverse food reactions, and practical application of dietary treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions.   Considered one of the most experienced CLTs in the country, she is on the advisory board for Oxford Biomedical Technologies, Inc. and has been actively involved in the training and mentoring of hundreds of dietitians nationwide who are interested in expanding their scope of practice by incorporating anti-inflammatory protocols through food sensitivity testing and functional and integrative medical nutrition therapy principles. She is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, having presented at numerous local, state, and national dietetic association conferences, in addition to radio interviews and contributions in magazine articles.

Currently, Susan is the owner of an integrative and functional nutrition-based private practice in Dallas, TX, in addition to providing long-distance nutrition counseling via skype or phone.

Yael Joffe, PhD, RD is a registered dietitian in South Africa who specializes in nutrigenomics and Functional Nutrition. Together with Dr Ruth DeBusk she co-authored the book It’s Not Just Your Genes. Yael evaluates current research literature in nutrigenomics and monitors the fields’ significant new trends. She has been involved in several research collaborations with key academic partners from around the world, and is often to be found at the front lines raising awareness about nutrigenomic and Functional Nutrition applications for health practitioners and the public alike. In addition to her research and development work for DNAlysis Biotechnology, Yael has been involved in the development and supervision of nutrigenomics courses in South Africa. Yael is also a faculty member of the Institute for Functional Medicine and is involved in advancing the understanding and integration of Functional Nutrition in South Africa. Yael obtained her PhD from the University of Cape Town, exploring the genetics and nutrition of obesity in South African women. She is currently an adjunct Assistant Professor teaching Nutrigenomics at Rutgers University, and has developing an online Translational Nutrigenomics training course for all health practitioners. She is also completing her MS in Food Systems & Society in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Lesli Bitel, MBA, RDN, LDN is the founder of Lesli Bitel Coaching, where she is a Business Success Coach and Mentor for Integrative Functional Nutrition professionals.  Lesli teaches her clients to overcome confusion and overwhelm associated with the business side of running a successful nutrition practice. Pulling from a variety of leading-edge strategies, she teachers her clients the necessary tools and techniques to attract the clients who need them most. The end result is the creation of a thriving, fulfilling, and highly profitable business.  

Lesli currently serves as Chair for two separate dietetic practice organizations; for Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine she is the Coaching/Mentoring Chair, and for Nutrition Entrepreneurs she is the Coaches Specialty Group Chair – functioning as the liaison between the groups.

Lesli is the author and presenter for several CPE-based webinar series for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, including, “Nutritional Genomics: Building Your Business with Genomic Testing” and the seven module course,  “Build Your Thriving Business NOW!”

She offers private coaching, group programs, classes, webinars, workshops, and more, from her home base where she lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two active teen-age children.

Lesli would love to hear from you!  Please visit her at www.LeslieBitel.com or email her at Lesli@LesliBitel.com.

Alicia Trocker, MS, RDN, is in practice as the outpatient dietitian nutritionist at UCLA Health System. With a passion for counseling and teaching, she has created a comprehensive practice that focuses on mindfulness, non-judgmental counseling, and a balanced approach to nutrition healthcare.  Most patients see her for various chronic healthcare conditions.  Simply telling patients what to do is not effective.  Therefore she has developed a variety of counseling techniques to empower patients to make changes that improve their quality of life.

As a lifelong learner, she has been studying innovative approaches to integrative and functional nutritional medicine, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. She is currently completing her Integrative Health Coaching Certification from Duke University.  She has also completed Mindfulness Meditation programs and has meditated with Jon Kabat-Zinn at his Health Professional Symposium.  Alicia completed the Mind/Body/Medicine program through The Center for Mind Body Medicine, and she has been studying EBT (Emotional Brain Training) with Laurel Mellin. She believes in integrative approaches to complex healthcare issues and has been studying through the Institute of Functional Medicine, the Center for Mind Body Medicine, and DIFM (Dietitians In Integrative and Functional Medicine).

In addition to counseling patients, she is a preceptor for medical students and has created a patient nutrition counseling group called “Being In Balance.” She speaks on a variety of nutrition-related topics through UCLA and UCLA Extension. Alicia was a contributing author to the Binge Eating Workbook by Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross and was a columnist for the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center Newsletter.

Alicia believes that volunteerism is an important way to honor all of our blessings.  To that end, she has been involved with DIFM as a Board Member since 2009.  She is most recently the Past Chair.  To honor her dear friend and all women, she is on the Organizing Committee of Run For Her, an international ovarian cancer charity whose mission it is to fund research for a diagnostic test and cure and to empower women through education.

Colleen Fogarty Draper, MS RD, is a Registered Dietitian and scientific researcher with training in Functional Medicine and nutritional genomics. Colleen is currently pursuing her PhD in Nutritional Systems Biology at Leiden University.

Colleen has spent the last decade and a half in nutritional systems biology research and integration into practice and biotechnology directing nutritional genomics clinical research and commercial nutritional genomics product design. She is presently enjoying bringing her depth and breath of experience in nutritional genomics and practice to clinical translation research at the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Colleen is currently focused on using novel research designs and approaches to data analysis to characterize the female menstrual cycle and metabolic health, and creating information systems for dietary capture and analysis. She is also interested in doing systems research on ancient healing practices.

As the Nutritional Genomics Advisor for DIFM, Colleen has been moving nutritional genomics and now nutritional system biology forward for the registered dietitian. In 2012, Colleen received the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine Service Award.

Senior Associate Researcher, Nestle Institute of Health Sciences 

www.nestleinstitutehealthsciences.com

Nutritional Genomics Advisor, Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM) DPG, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Natasha Ruiz, MS, FNP-C, is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, specializing in Functional and Integrative Medicine. Natasha currently works at The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine in Delmar, NY. Prior to that she practiced Functional Medicine with Dr. Mark Hyman at The UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA.

Natasha started her career in Integrative Medicine as a Registered Nurse at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA for 10 years. She had the experience of collaborating with physicians, nutritionists, behavioral therapists, exercise physiologists and energy healers to help create optimal health for people. After leaving Canyon Ranch, Natasha went on to become a Nurse Practitioner and received additional training through the Institute for Functional Medicine. Her specialized training in Functional Medicine has allowed her to use the model that looks for the root cause of disease and illness. With this approach, Natasha treats autoimmune disease, diabetes, metabolic disorders, hormone imbalances, digestive disorders and Lyme disease.

Natasha enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is part of the Healthy Kids Committee for her school district, which helps create awareness and educate students and their families on healthy food choices and behaviors. Natasha also loves cooking, music and theater in her free time.

Kathleen Mahan, MS, RDN, CDE has been a co-author of Krause’s Food and Nutrition and Therapy for over 35 years. She began authoring the book shortly after getting her master’s degree in 1977 and has authored a revision almost every 4 years since then.   The most recent 13^th edition of this classic text was published in 2012. When she is not working on a revision of the text she can be found in her office Nutrition by Design, Inc.. counseling patients both young and old on how to meet their nutritional needs or change their diets to maintain health and prevent or manage disease. She has appeared on several TV and radio programs and in the print media over the years.

Kathleen specializes in working with children, an interest which grew out of her previous work with the Pediatric Pulmonary Center, a program of Children’s Hospital and Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in food allergies and childhood obesity. She also worked with the Adolescent Program at the University of Washington, and during that time co-authored Nutrition in Adolescence in 1984. She presently is a Teaching Associate in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and taught for many years in the graduate nurse practitioner program in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington.

For the past 12 years she has been on the Board of Advisors for the Dietetics Programs at Bastyr University, a school of naturopathic medicine. She was also was a member of the Nutrition Advisory Board of the Institute of Functional Medicine, which has the purpose of integrating clinical nutrition into a functional medicine approach to health care.

Originally from Hawaii, Kathleen earned her BS degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, completed her dietetic internship at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, and obtained her MS degree in public health nutrition from Tulane University, School of Public Health in New Orleans, Louisiana. After completing her dietetic internship she worked in the Department of Foods and Nutrition of the American Medical Association in Chicago, Illinois where she was involved in promoting nutrition education in medical schools. She next developed and directed the graduate clinical nutrition program at Rush University and Medical Center, also in Chicago.

She is a Registered Dietitian Nutrition (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). She is also a member of several professional organizations including Dietitians in Functional Medicine (DIFM), Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE), Sports and Cardiovascular Nutritionists (SCAN), the Gluten Intolerance Group, the Greater Seattle Dietetic Association, Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Aviva Romm, MD is The Women’s Natural Doctor. She has bridged her interests in traditional medicine with her knowledge of hard science for over 3 decades. A midwife and herbalist for 25 years, as well as a Yale trained MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine with Obstetrics, she completed the Integrative Medicine Residency through the University of Arizona, and practiced Functional Medicine for 2 years at The UltraWellness Center with Dr. Mark Hyman. Dr. Romm’s focus is on women’s and children’s health, with an emphasis on the impact of stress on health, willpower, food cravings, weight, chronic disease, and hormone imbalance. She is also an avid environmental health advocate, focusing on the impact of toxins on fertility, pregnancy, women’s hormones, chronic illness and children’s health. Dr. Romm is one nation’s leaders in the field of botanical medicine and is the author of 7 books on natural medicine for women and children, including the textbook Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, and she is the integrative medicine curriculum author for the Yale Internal Medicine and Pediatric Residencies. She lives and practices medicine in Massachusetts and is a nationally sought speaker, author, and consultant.

Dipa Chauhan, RPh is a board certified registered pharmacist and a functional medicine provider.  She has over 6 years of pharmacy experience ranging from retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy and clinical hospital pharmacy.  She completed a hospital pharmacy residency with rotations in ICU, nephrology, general medicine, pediatrics, drug distribution, cardiology and drug information.

Her most eye-opening experience was when she worked at St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto, Ontario) as the pharmacist for the oncology unit.  There she worked alongside the staff physician and the entire health care team to optimize chemotherapy and drug therapy and minimize and manage unwanted side effects . She provided patients with detailed information regarding their chemotherapy regimen and played an important role regarding side effect management.

It was this experience that sparked an interest in disease prevention since she saw so many lives and families torn apart by cancer and other preventable illnesses.  As a pharmacist, she saw a tremendous void that needed to be filled.  She sees the value in medication therapy when appropriate, although she sees a greater value in healthy lifestyle choices.  She believes that a healthy diet, healthy attitude and regular exercise are vital to preventing many chronic diseases. Dipa also enjoys sitting down with patients to provide one on one medication therapy management to optimize drug therapy and minimize the number of medications patients are taking.

Dipa’s love for cooking and helping people led to the creation of the website www.drpatelsdiet.com. Here you can find over 250 healthy and easy recipes, weekly shopping lists and menus.  Through this websites Dipa has benefited thousands of people all around the world.

Dipa enjoys spending time with her family, especially her son Devin.  Dipa also enjoys exercising, walking and other outdoor activities.

Paula Mendelsohn, MPH, RDN, CCN has been in private practice in Boca Raton since 1987. She is a graduate of the University of Florida at Gainesville and completed her Master’s in Public Health Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After her internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Paula served as Nutrition Supervisor for a Laotian Refugee camp in northern Thailand. Paula served as adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University where she taught hundreds of students each semester in the nutrition program for the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing from 2002-2013. As of fall of 2013, Paula served as nutrition adjunct professor for the Boca campus of the Palm Beach State College. In 2002, Paula become a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and in 2004, completed the IFM course Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP). She is an active member of the Institute for Functional Medicine and was honored to be selected for their Nutrition Advisory Board from 2007-2011, as well as volunteering in their Mentor-Mentee program at Symposium since 2006. Paula served on the Executive Board of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics practice group called “DIFM”-Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine in 2009. In 2008, Paula’s practice-Boca Wellness & Nutrition Services” was designated a TLC Center of Excellence. Paula is a regular volunteer at the Florida Dietetic Association’s annual state meeting and served as President of her home chapter Palm Beach Dietetic Association for the 2012-2013 year.

Ashleigh Gass, MS, CSCS, CCN, CNS, CISSN, MES is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) whose extensive credentials include a master’s degree in Human/Clinical Nutrition through The University of Bridgeport, Certified Sports Nutritionist through The International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN), Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN), and a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). She is a Medical Exercise Specialist (MES), and a Certified Level One Cross Fit Coach. Ashleigh graduated from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, in 2003. Here, she earned a BSc, studying kinesiology, exercise physiology, and psychology. Ashleigh is also a graduate of the National Coaching Institute, having completed extensive sports science modules in the long-term physical preparation of the elite athlete. She runs a strength and conditioning / nutritional education business in Clearwater Beach.

www.brilliantfitnessandnutrition.com