Dr. Steven Koerner is the Chief of Gastroenterology at Southern Ocean Medical Center (SOMC) where he has brought the latest in technology and medicine for nearly 25 years. As a member of the medical staff, he has severed as Chairman of the Pharmacy and helped develop the first integrative formulary in the state. He then served 4 years as Chief of the Department of Internal Medicine and most recently as the President of the Medical staff and Board member for Meridian Health during the critical merger of Meridian Health and SOMC.

His undergraduate education was in Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University where he had the privilege of studying under and working with T. Colin Campbell PhD (“China Study” bestselling author). Dr. Koerner then received his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO before returning to NJ to complete his internship, residency and fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ. He was the Chief GI Fellow and performed research on the impact of GERD on COPD. Dr. Koerner continues to be dual board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Koerner has performed over 25,000 endoscopic procedures including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP, and small bowel enteroscopy. He also performs capsule endoscopy and hemorrhoidal banding. His interests include all facets of the digestive system including liver and pancreatic diseases. “I get the greatest joy in figuring out why a patient is ill, treating the root cause and then helping them return to health.”

In addition to his private practice, he is an active teacher of medical students and he also lectures throughout the state. Recent awards include nomination for Physician of the Year and the Robert S. Irvine, M.D. award for medical service. When not busy at work, Dr. Koerner enjoys spending time with his wife and their two daughters, cycling, and furthering his education in plant-based nutrition.

Hi, I am Raksha. I am the founder of wisebitenutrition, a virtual private practice in New Jersey focused on plant-based nutrition for the management of chronic diseases, CKD, and Women’s nutrition health during perimenopause and beyond. I am an RDN and have practiced plant-based nutrition for over 30 years. I also believe in food as medicine first and “no diet culture”.  
 

In 2013, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition called relapsing polychondritis.  On the basis of extensive research, I rejected my doctor’s orders and eschewed the perils of corticosteroid treatment, instead choosing a path of changing my diet and lifestyle.  
 
I switched to a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet that not only reversed my autoimmune condition, but also improved my health in countless other ways.   Based on the statistics, I was supposed to be either bedridden or dead by now, but instead I am alive and well — and medication-free!  
 
These positive changes inspired me to study nutrition-based health further, to the point where it has become an obsession of mine.  
 
For a complete list of certificates and courses and to see if I am qualified to work with you, go to  www.nutritionandhealtheducator.com.