Mary-Anne Benedict, RN, MSN, Chair of the NIWH Advisory Board, is an education consultant with more than 30 years experience in all aspects of development, implementation, evaluation and administration of continuing education for health care professionals. Mary Anne has served as education specialist and coordinator in the acute care hospital setting as well as an orthopedic nurse specialist. Mary-Anne served a four year term as a Commissioner on the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC COA), and has been appointed to the Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) Commission on the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). She also serves as a member of the National Joint Accreditation Commission which serves physicians, nurses and pharmacists continuing education accreditation.Mary-Anne is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the American Nurses’ Association (ANA), Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses (MARN), the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON), and recipient of a Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) Nursing Education Award.

Paul Bergeron, MD, CPE, is a physician executive and Hospitalist with more than 22 years of experience leading healthcare organizations. His diverse professional background has included practicing medicine in hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient, ambulatory settings, as well as holding multiple executive management positions. Dr Bergeron is the Director of Pilot Programs for the National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH).He works with healthcare institutions nationwide to facilitate and execute pilots for NIWH’s Whole Health Education programs. Dr. Bergeron is a four time published author on cardiac issues and rheumatoid arthritis. He was also an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, an Ivy League medical school and the fourth oldest in the United States.

Saleh Aldasouqi, MD, is a senior endocrinologist in East Lansing, Michigan and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the Mid-Michigan area, including McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital and Sparrow Hospital. He specializes in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. Dr. Aldasouqi is an Associate Professor of Medicine, and the Chief of the Endocrinology Division at Michigan State University (MSU). Dr. Aldasouqi is the Primary Investigator for upcoming studies on NIWH’s Behavioral Engagement with Pure Presence at MSU’s College of Human Medicine.

John Reed, MD, MD(H) is the former Chief Medical Officer of the Health Support division of Healthways, Inc., and a Senior Consultant for Program Development at the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine. He is a board-certified family physician who has earned national recognition for his clinical skills in alternative disciplines and as a founding member of the American Holistic Medical Association. In addition, Dr. Reed currently maintains an integrative pain management practice.

Christine Pontus, MS, RN, COHN-S is the Associate Director of the Division of Health & Safety for the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Chris is involved in identifying and analyzing research, policy and current trends in the field of Occupational Health and Safety as it impacts nurses in the workplace. As a staff educator and Nurse Planner, she is responsible for planning, developing and presenting approved educational programs for registered nurses. As a liaison representing the Massachusetts Nurse Association membership, she works in collaboration with diverse organizations and professionals. With more than thirty years of experience in the field of nursing, she has functioned both as a nurse in the hospital and as a manager in business. In the field of manufacturing, she has worked as a certified occupational health nurse, a certified case manager, and a risk manager administering workers compensation for a self-insured’s business.

Bernie Siegel, MD, is one of the world’s foremost physicians, authors, motivational speakers and advocates for individuals facing the challenges of all chronic illnesses. In 1978, he founded the non-profit organization Exceptional Cancer Patients (ECaP) to serve those living with chronic diseases. His many articles, best-selling books, tapes and videos serve as a testimony to his loving commitment to those who wish to take an active role in their own healing process. Motivational, inspirational, caring and down-to-earth. Visit Dr. Siegel’s website.

Cela Doppelt, MD, F.A.C.O.G., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She has been practicing at Newton Wellesley Hospital since 1988. Her areas of special interest include menopause, high risk pregnancy and laparoscopic surgery. Dr Deppelt is the Director of Wellesley Women’s Care which provides traditional Medical and Integrative health care services for women of all ages.

Barry Sears, PhD, is a leading authority in dietary control of hormonal response. A former research scientist, Dr. Sears is the world-renowned author of Entering the Zone and numerous articles and papers on health and nutrition. Dr. Sears holds 14 U.S. patents in the areas of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Visit Dr. Sears web site for more information.

C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, a renowned neurosurgeon, is the founding president of the American Holistic Medical Association, as well as author of 22 books, 300 published articles and holds 9 patents for innovative discoveries. Dr. Shealy co-founded Holos University with Carolyn Myss, PhD. Both Dr. Shealy and Carolyn Myss are well known for their spiritual healing and energy medicine work and writings. Dr. Shealy is the producer of “The Secret Code” an info-movie about the our current health care crisis and possible solutions. Visit Dr. Shealy’s website and the Medical Renaissance Series Webisodes.

Barbara Dossey, BSN, MS, PhD, is an educator, consultant, researcher, author and a pioneer in the holistic nursing movement. Barbara is the the author of many award winning books. Her latest book, Florence Nightingale: Mystic, Visionary, Healer, focuses on the philosophical and practical impact of Florence Nightingale’s life and work on modern nursing and humankind. An inspired teacher, she effectively integrates non-traditional viewpoints with a high degree of scientific awareness in her lectures worldwide. To find out more about the Nightingale Declaration Campaign click here.

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS is a visionary health pioneer, weight loss expert and award-winning author of 25 books. Ann Louise was named one of the top ten nutritionists in the country by Self magazine.

She has been featured on 20/20, Dr. Phil, The View, Good Morning America, Extra, CNN, PBS, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CBN, Fox News, Good Day New York and the BBC. An inspirational and insightful speaker, Dr. Gittleman is called “the First Lady of nutrition”. Visit her website for information about her upcoming events.

Elaine Carter, RN, BSN, is the coordinator of an Anti-IgE study at the Asthma Research Center at Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate hospital of Harvard Medical School. Elaine assists in case managing a population of pregnant inner city teens with asthma, alongside a physician who specializes in Women’s Lung Disease. She is also currently serving on the Boston Asthma Advisory Committee, with twelve physicians and administrators for Partners HealthCare. Elaine is a recipient of a Partners in Excellence Award from Brigham & Women’s Hospital for her outstanding work in asthma research and patient care.

Maureen Spencer, RN, MEd, is a Certified Nurse Specialist in the area of Infection Control and Epidemiology. She has 24 years of hospital experience as Director and Coordinator of Infection Control. Eleven of those years were at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where she started the first Mind/Body Holistic Medicine Group at MGH. Maureen is currently the Director of Infection Control at The New England Baptist Hospital, in Boston, and the Executive Director of Finding Inner Peace, a holistic health and educational center in Abington, MA. Check out the yoga school blog for exciting yoga events.

Peter Zafirides, MD, is President of Central Ohio Behavioral Medicine, Inc. (COBMI). Established in 1997, COBMI is a premier behavioral healthcare practice composed of a multidisciplinary group of MD, NP, RN, PhD, LISW, and LPCC clinicians. Additionally, Dr. Zafirides is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State University’s Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Zafirides regularly teaches first and second year medical students at OSU’s College of Medicine in his faculty role. He is also a regular guest lecturer of psychopharmacology to graduate students enrolled in the Counselor Education Program at OSU as well.