Presenters

Alina Baltazar, PhD, MSW, ACSW, LMSW, CFLE

Associate Professor and Director of the MSW program in the  Social Work Department and Director of the Center for Prevention Education at the Institute for the Prevention of Addiction at Andrews University, and psychotherapist at Psychiatric and Psychological Specialties, St. Joseph, MI.  Ms. Baltazar received her BA in psychology from Andrews University, Master of Social Work from University of Michigan, and Ph.D in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University.  In the area of academics, Ms. Baltazar, has worked as an adjunct faculty in social work, behavioral sciences, and family studies, and as a research scientist.   Her research areas are in religiosity and parental influence on health risk behaviors, domestic violence, and mental health.  She has published textbook chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, magazine articles, and presented at church and national conferences as well as given presentations in the community on these topics.  Ms. Baltazar has been a social worker for over 17 years.  As a social work clinician, Ms. Baltazar has worked in the areas of medical social work, out-reach counseling, psychiatric social work, domestic violence program administrator, and psychotherapy.

David DeRose MD

David DeRose, MD, MPH, currently serves as President of CompassHealth Consulting, Inc. He is a physician holding board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. He also earned a master's degree in Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Health Education. In addition to his conventional training, DeRose has three decades of experience with lifestyle medicine and other natural therapies. Known for his knack for explaining difficult subjects, he is a popular talk radio host (heard weekly on over 170 stations), public speaker, and writer, being published in peer-reviewed medical journals as well as in the lay press. He is co-author of the bestselling book, "Thirty Days to Natural Blood Pressure Control." His most recent release, "The Methuselah Factor," makes the complex subject of hemorheology practical and understandable to lay and professional audiences alike.

Vicki Griffin, MS, MPA

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Vicki Griffin is an international speaker and author. She has her Bachelors in Social Work, a Master's degree in Human Nutrition, and a Master's in Public Administration. She is the Director of Lifestyle Matters and Director of Health Ministries for the Michigan Conference. Vicki has authored numerous books including Living Free: Finding Freedom from Habits that Hurt, Diet & Stress: Simple Solutions, and Foods for Thought: Nutrition's Link with Mood, Memory, Learning and Behavior. She develops teaching materials for community health education, which includes: Balanced Living Series.

Dominique Gummelt, PhD

Dominique Gummelt, PhD is a passionate, energetic and innovative health and fitness expert, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, NWI Certified Wellness Practitioner, ACSM credentialed EIM-1, presenter and writer. Currently, she is Director for University Health and Wellness and Faculty for Public Health, Nutrition & Wellness at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. In October 2011, Dominique Gummelt was awarded ‘Top 11 Personal Trainers to Watch in the U.S.’ by Life Fitness and the American Council on Exercise. In addition to teaching at universities, she has worked as a Fitness & Programs Manager, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and Wellness Coach at fitness centers, in the clinical wellness setting and in the corporate wellness setting since 2001. Dominique is a PhD candidate in Health through the University of Bath, England. Her studies and research center on physical activity, motivation for exercise and behavior change strategies.

John Kelly, MD, MPH

John Kelly, MD, MPH is a recognized leader in the Lifestyle Medicine movement as a recipient of an AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Award for his efforts as Founding President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in 2004. Dr. Kelly is certified in Preventive Medicine with degrees in Epidemiology and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology. He serves as faculty for three medical schools and he inspires, motivates and educates international audiences how simple lifestyle choices powerfully affect our genes and our well-being.

Evelyn Kissinger, MS, RD

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Evelyn Kissinger, MS, RD is a lifestyle consultant, registered dietitian, international speaker, author and teacher. She received her bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Tennessee and her Master of Science in Administration from Andrews University. Her passion is to help people reach and maintain their lifestyle goals for vibrant health. Evelyn specializes in creating and conducting wellness programs for corporations, groups, and individuals. Evelyn is currently Director of Lifestyle Matters at Work with the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. She has co-authored 3 books. Evelyn has taught nutrition, wellness, and health ministry at Andrews Unviersity. Evelyn lives in St. Joseph, MI with her husband, Peter. They have four adult children.

Susan Pellandini, RDH, CMT

siouxpell@gmail.com

Susan Pellandini is a massage therapist and dental hygienist.  After receiving a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene at Loma Linda University and working six years in California, she diversified into the field of complementary and alternative medicine, attaining a certificate in medical massage therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  She served as the primary therapist of hydrotherapy and massage at a Lifestyle Health Center with preventive medicine experts. She was self-employed as a massage therapist for seven years in Battle Creek, Michigan.  She later became director of Massage & Hydrotherapy at Weimar Institute in northern California for six years.  Susan currently lives in Paw Paw, Michigan. She enjoys food and meal preparation, spending time with family & friends, hiking and researching home ownership.  She is currently working on packaging a set of instructional hydrotherapy videos.