The first AHHA Board of Directors decided to make all AHHA materials available at no charge. This plan was based on running the organization with volunteer staff, donated office space, and small contributions from people nationwide. We are honored to introduce these hardworking volunteers currently serving on our AHHA Board of Directors:
Suzan V. Walter, MBA – President
Gena E. Kadar, DC, CNS – Secretary
H. Garrett Thompson, DC, PhD – Treasurer
Connie Bjerk, CGIT, RM
Mira Dessy, NE
Herbert L. Jacobs, MD, FACOG, ABHM
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Suzan V. Walter, MBA is co-founder and current president of the American Holistic Health Association, and served as president of the American Holistic Medical Foundation from 1988 – 1990. In addition to volunteering 20 hours a week for AHHA, she has a private consulting practice and serves on the Education Committee for the Integrative Health Policy Consortium. |
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Gena E. Kadar, DC, MS.MEdL, CNS, is an acclaimed author, speaker, consultant, and nutrition educator. She is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, and she holds a Master’s degree in Medical Education Leadership. Dr. Kadar is the author of A Manner of Living: An Evidence-Based, Realistic,and Sustainable Approach to the Art of Eating Well, Living Well, and Being Well for Life.She is also President and CEO of A Manner of Living Nutrition, LLC. As professor of nutrition for nearly a decade, she presented her work around the world, published in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, and developed clinical nutrition guidelines on obesity and cardiovascular health management. Dr. Kadar serves on several non-profit boards and councils, has been recognized with awards for her leadership, service, and scholarship. She also received a teaching award from the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. |
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H. Garrett Thompson, DC, PhD, Vice President of Academic Affairs and professor at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, earned his doctorate in biochemistry from Loma Linda University. He is also a licensed doctor of chiropractic. Dr. Thompson has researched a number of pathologies, including breast cancer, asthma and bone diseases. In addition to his peer-reviewed publications, he is the author of a textbook on biochemistry, as well as chapters in the textbook Introduction to Public Health for Chiropractors. He has received numerous accolades for his teaching and leadership. |
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Connie Bjerk, CGIT, RM is co-owner of Awakened Living, an integrative health clinic in Minneapolis, MN. She is a certified guided imagery therapist trained to do counseling for relaxation, stress reduction, pain control, habit control, problem solving, and personal and spiritual empowerment. She received clinical training in Mind/Body Medicine from the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine in conjunction with Harvard Medical School. She is a Reiki Master in the Usui lineage. Connie speaks to corporations, hospitals, clinics and other groups on wellness and integrative wellness. She is an author of several published articles as well as a weekly blog. She teaches classes in the clinic and co-hosts a weekly radio show/podcast on health and wellness called “Awakened Living Infusion”. |
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Mira Dessy, NE , known as The Ingredient Guru, is a holistic nutritionist, author, popular public speaker, and real food advocate, emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle through whole foods. A Certified Nutrition Educator and Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Mira’s professional memberships include National Association of Nutrition Professionals, Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, and Holistic Business and Wellness Alliance (founding member). For over twelve years she has supported clinical clients by helping them incorporate ingredient-based programming into their practice to support patients with chronic health issues. Her consumer education includes her books, speaking, and website at theingredientguru.com. |
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Herbert L. Jacobs MD, FACOG, FACS, ABHM is an educator, author and lecturer on mid-life wellness research programs. Before retirement, his medical career included 35 years as an OB GYN. After retirement he became Board Certified in Holistic Medicine, then medical director of the Denver School of Nursing. Currently, he is on the University of Colorado Clinical Faculty, the spokesperson for the Colorado Medical Society’s Task Force on Holistic and Complementary Integrated Medicine, and assistant medical editor of Complementary Health Practice Review. He works to establish community programs for helping people improve their own health and staying well. |
