Welcome to my website! As a Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Certification in Health Counseling from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I have spent my life’s work focused on improving the wellness of both my clients and my community. I believe the body has the ability to heal itself from most (NCDs) non-communicable diseases if given the tools: proper nutrition, effective stress management techniques and consistent low impact exercising. Food is Medicine! Meditation is Healing! And exercise is the ultimate expression of health!
My experiences as a clinical therapist and a nurse give me a unique perspective when it comes to nutritional counseling. I understand the medical and psychological components that must be addressed in order to achieve health goals and targeted weight loss results. I know it isn’t easy. Food addiction is a result of food habits. Habits become addictions. I will help you break your food habit, which will eliminate your addiction. My background is extensive. I began my career as a scrub nurse, followed by nursing in medical intensive care, dialysis, school nursing and research. As the founding member of Gilda’s Club Chicago and its first executive director and program director, I created and coordinated a diverse array of wellness-related programs.
Since my move from Chicago, I stepped down as Chairman of Healthcare Initiatives for Chicago’s Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP). CSCIP provided an opportunity to advocate for preventive medicine, improve maternal and infant healthcare, stress disability access, promote nourishing diets, and bring awareness to the obesity and diabetes epidemics that now affect populations on a global level. I developed the Pancreatic Nutritional Program (PNP) over 10 years ago and it has become my mission to educate the general public as to the crucial role the pancreas plays in overall health, wellness and optimal weight.
My book, The Pancreatic Oath (released in 2011), is based on the many clients with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome and kidney disease that were able to reverse their symptoms by following my methods. I also released Forget Dieting! on July 1, 2020 (Rowman & Littlefield). All too often the accepted method of practice is to treat symptoms by masking them with prescription drugs. The cause is ignored. I believe each and every one of us should practice Self-Health. You are your primary caregiver; your physician is your secondary caregiver. Each and every day, we must be held accountable for how we treat our bodies and what we put in our bodies…from the food we eat to the media we consume. Addressing the source of an illness is more important than treating the consequences. This understanding will help you and your loved ones heal and prevent future health issues.
Education
Institute For Integrative Nutrition and the State University of New York (SUNY), New York City, New York – Certified Health Coach
Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois – Master of Social Work
University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois – Bachelor of Science
South Chicago Community Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois – Registered Nurse
