I am an Optometric Physician who incorporates whole-food plant-based nutrition into the treatment of eye disease. Whether you are a healthy individual trying to get even healthier, a diabetic looking to improve their lifestyle, or a hypertensive wanting to get off medication and take control of their life, I’ve got the tips and tricks for you. I have been watching my patients get healthier and get off medication for years now. Everyone can do this. I will help you.

I have been a practicing noninvasive cardiologist since 2012 specializing in ion and advanced lipid management. In 2019 I changed my diet and my immediate family members diet to a Whole Foods plant-based diet. I began to share all the positive effects a plant-based diet was having for me personally with my patients, and my medical practice naturally evolved into one focused on helping patients implement healthy lifestyle strategies, especiallu moving towards a whole food plant-based diet to treat and reverse their cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases. For the first time in my career, I began to see patients actually get well rather than continue to decline slowly overtime. In 2020 I completed the eCornell Plant, Pete’s nutrition certification, course through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, and in 2022 I became board-certified in lifestyle medicine through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. I now incorporate all six pillars of lifestyle medicine into my daily preventive cardiovascular practice teaching my patients how to restore their health and improve their well-being.

Christine A. Degnon, MD, MPH (she/hers) is triple-boarded, with board certifications in Family Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. “Dr. Chris” graduated from Bucknell University with degrees in Biology and Religion, then spent over two years serving as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya. She obtained her Medical Degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania and then completed the Family Medicine Residency Program at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, South Carolina. She also earned a Master in Public Health degree at Boston University. Since opening Coastal Direct Primary Care in January of 2018, Dr. Chris has been partnering with patients to make health a priority. She believes in patient-centered care and shared decision making, which means she will listen to you and work with you to develop your health and wellness goals, as well as a strategy to meet them.

Melanie Hughes is a Nurse Practitioner working in family practice in Tremonton, Utah. Melanie
lived in England and Canada before coming to the United States. She has been with
Intermountain Health for over 20 years and appreciates working for a company whose mission,
vision, and values align with her own. She loved working in the emergency department and
intensive care, but has found her true passion is family practice. She finds fulfillment in getting
to know the whole patient, their family, and their unique challenges. She earned a Bachelor of
Science from Brigham Young University (1991), and a Master of Science from the University of
Utah (2005). Additionally, she is a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Doctoral studies are not yet completed. Her favorite moments at work are when she can help a
patient see success with lifestyle changes. When away from work she enjoys time with family,
hiking, canoeing, kayaking, gardening, weight-lifting, and reading.

In today’s overwhelming healthcare system, patients often experience a rushed, cookie-cutter approach to medicine. In my personalized internal medicine practice, we believe in treating our patients as unique, whole persons, with unique challenges and we work together to find the best road to meet their personal health goals.

My practice incorporates a comprehensive and detailed annual wellness program that includes discussions about nutrition, exercise, appropriate supplements, and constructive social interactions to maximize the benefits for each patient’s unique needs. In addition, the comprehensive diagnostic tests that comprise the MDVIP Wellness Program can provide invaluable information to help us identify and better prevent future issues before they become more serious. I love having the time to talk about the benefits of a plant-based diet for all areas of health as well as having the time to spend really getting to know my patients and their families.

Dr. Kotlerman started her clinical career as a diagnostic, nutritional therapist specializing in mental imbalance and nutritional deficiencies. Although Dr. Kotlerman was running a successful practice in nutrition, it was obvious that there was a missing piece, as many clients needed more. It was at this time that Dr. Kotlerman walked the El Camino de Santiago, in Europe, and had a life-changing experience that showed her that she needed to commit to the process of being a chiropractor. Four days after returning to the United States, she was enrolled in Life West Chiropractic College in San Francisco, CA.

She graduated Life West Chiropractic College with Emerald clinical honors and as a recipient of the Carl Dieter Philosophy Scholarship. Dr. Kotlerman received education and certification in: Thompson drop table, toggle, diversified Gonstead, activator, DNFT, pediatric, pregnancy, and SOT Chiropractic techniques.

Dr. Kotlerman has since specialized in Averio FNT, a tonal, low-force chiropractic technique that uses sustained contact in specific areas in order to change spinal alignment and function.

Dr. Kotlerman is a published author with two books. Her clinical results book, “Exceptional Health: You Can Have It!” and her personal memoir, “Seeing Magic“. In addition to her books, she has published 6 international case studies in collaboration with the Australian Spinal Research Foundation and the Pan-Asian Chiropractic Journal.

Over the last decade, I’ve worked with more than 1,000 clients on a wide range of nutritional topics, from diabetes and GI disorders to weight management. I’ve worked as a private practice dietitian, consultant dietitian, and hospital outpatient dietitian, as well as a clinical researcher and college nutrition lecturer.

I have a true passion for the power of plants, and I’ve seen how plant-based eating can transform peoples’ lives. My mission is to inspire clients to eat healthier whole plant foods – but it’s just as important to help them understand how our brains work and how to modify eating behaviors. By focusing on both of these areas, clients can avoid common pitfalls and embrace the benefits of plant-powered healing.

Hello and welcome! I’m Jacinda Shapiro, a Registered Nurse (RN), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM). I’m on a mission to change the narrative around diabetes care by empowering individuals to take control of their health from the comfort of their homes.

A Growing Health Concern:
In a world where diabetes is becoming an increasingly prevalent health concern, affecting people of all ages, the need for proactive, empowering guidance is more critical than ever. By 2050, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 U.S. adults will have diabetes. This staggering statistic highlights the urgency for a transformative approach to diabetes care.

Beyond Medications: Addressing the Root Cause:
My philosophy is rooted in addressing the root cause of diabetes rather than merely treating its symptoms. While the push for more medications persists, the true cause often lies in our lifestyle practices. Through my experience, I’ve observed that even with meticulous adherence to healthcare providers’ treatment plans, many individuals still experience progression and complications. It’s time to shift our focus from treating consequences to addressing the underlying causes driven by our forks.

Empowering Health at Home:
As a Diabetes Health Coach, I believe that health transformation begins at home, not just in the doctor’s office. My role is to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to take ownership of your health. Together, we’ll identify patterns within your body, enabling you to feel good both mentally and physically, optimizing your overall well-being.

The Plant-Powered Approach:
Discover the transformative potential of a plant-based pattern of eating and simple lifestyle changes. This approach is not just about managing diabetes; it’s about thriving. By incorporating plant-powered nutrition and personalized lifestyle adjustments, we can work towards not only managing diabetes but potentially reversing its course.

Your Journey Starts Now:
If you’re ready to embark on a journey towards lasting health, I invite you to schedule your appointment. Let’s work together to understand your unique needs, set achievable goals, and create a personalized roadmap to your well-being. It’s time to take control of your health and transform your life.

Empower yourself with the knowledge that can change everything. I look forward to being a part of your health journey!

As a registered dietitian and a diabetes education and care specialist, I combine eastern and western principles to treat diabetes, heart diseases, weight loss and digestive health conditions. I provide culturally adapted nutrition focused recommendations focusing on cultural and traditional beliefs and practices (for example, Asian Indian, African, Spanish, East Asian, Middle Eastern,   My goal is to help YOU have:   Abundant energy Peaceful sleep Free of pain, headaches, migraines Lower blood glucose, blood pressure Lose pounds and inches So YOU can..   Spend time with your kids Be productive at work Get organized at home and work Pursue hobby Go on vacation …..without feeling guilty! We will…..   Address the root cause Provide support and accountability Provide a plan and process for long term success And more……  I look forward to helping you.    

Medical School Education: Creighton University

Post-Doctoral Training: Christiana Care Health System/Jefferson Medical College

Board Certifications: Internal Medicine; Lifestyle Medicine

Marc Debay, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. is a Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Family Medicine for the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Debay received his M.D. from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté de Médecine (Free University of Brussels), Belgium and a master’s and a Ph.D. in public health from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. He completed residencies in family medicine at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center and in preventive medicine at Loma Linda University. He is board certified in both family medicine and preventive medicine.

Debay was previously an associate professor in the School of Medicine and in the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University and director of the Primary Care Physicians Services Project, a partnership between the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health and the Loma Linda Faculty Medical Group. He served as an attending physician in the departments of preventive medicine and family medicine and as a physician in the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. He also focused on training physicians and other health professionals for primary care research and global health service.

His extensive international public health expertise includes reproductive, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, behavior change communication, and health systems strengthening. He has broad experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation at the community, district, national and international levels with a variety of government, academic and private organizations. He has served in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Among his many volunteer activities, he served as faculty advisor and supervisor to the Loma Linda University Street Medicine Outreach, a student-run volunteer medical group providing transitional care to the homeless of San Bernardino. He has also worked with a multitude of international aid organizations such as World Vision International and Doctors Without Borders.

He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

He is fluent in both English and French and also speaks Spanish.

His interests include comprehensive patient-centered primary care, program evaluation and quality improvement, and global health education of physicians and other health professionals.

My name is Dr. Joseph Thomas and I am a trained family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician. I grew up health conscious as a vegetarian but after starting residency I learned of the healing power a plant-based diet possessed. I was able to lead a reversing diabetes course during residency and saw several people go from limited mobility to walking around the room. I was able to see peoples weight go down, happiness increase and true healing occur. This set me on a path to find other ways to heal people. After residency I started working in the hospital where I tried to help those in need obtain better help; realizing that the majority of chronic diseases started with the diet. I have since left the hospital and started up my own company (Simpliwell LLC) with my wife (nutrition counsellor in training) so that we could work with people earlier in the disease process to keep them out of the hospital and in a better state of health. It has been a pleasure joining up with the Plantrician Project to help the world achieve better health. 

Dr. Gretchen M. Potschka is an internal medicine/pediatric specialist in Longview, Washington and is affiliated with PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center. She received her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Hello my plant forward friends! I am a Certified Professional Plant Based Chef, Yoga Instructor, and Meditation Teacher. I help people who want to have more happiness, health, mindfulness, and longevity in their lives through transitioning to a whole foods plant based diet, regular exercise, and meditation.  

I’ve worked as an NP for 20+ Years in practice areas including family practice, internal medicine , rural medicine, sports medicine, urgent care. I am a diabetes specialist planning on starting an independent wellness, health coaching practice focusing on treating metabolic syndrome and holistic diabetes management.