The Good Housekeeping Medical Review Board

Nana Mireku, M.D., received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and her medical degree from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. She completed her pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and her fellowship in Allergy & Immunology (Adults & Pediatrics) at the Detroit Medical Center/Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

Dr. Mireku is board-certified through the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and is a fellow of both the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (FAAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology ( FACAAI).

Dr. Mireku is the founder of AllergenIQ, a virtual care platform for serving and educating allergy patients. Also, she is currently the medical director of TexasAllergyMD, a private practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex. She offers personalized preventive care for allergic conditions and has a passion for serving families who suffer from environmental allergies, eczema, asthma and food allergies.

Jessica Hui, M.D., is board certified in allergy-immunology, internal medicine and pediatrics. She pursued undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University, then went to medical school and did her residency and chief residency at Rush University Medical Center. After completing an allergy-immunology fellowship at National Jewish Health, she remained on the faculty there and now engages in clinical and translational research. Her area of interest is origins of allergy, and she loves helping her patients and their families in the management and treatment of allergic conditions.

Rigved Tadwalkar, M.D., is a consultant cardiologist with the Pacific Heart Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians and is board-certified in cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, cardiovascular CT, nuclear cardiology and internal medicine. His clinical interests encompass the full spectrum of cardiovascular disease and include digital health, multimodality imaging, interventional echocardiography, diagnostic catheterization and prevention. Dr. Tadwalkar is an emerging voice in the field, cited in a variety of leading health care media. He has been elected to the Super Doctors “Rising Stars” list and selected as a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine annually.

Dr. Tadwalkar received his M.D. from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., an M.S. in Physiology & Biophysics from Georgetown University and a B.A. in biological sciences and sociology from the University of Southern California. He finished his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. He then accepted a faculty teaching position at UCLA as a clinical instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Tadwalkar’s enthusiasm for cardiovascular medicine led him to a fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where his accomplishment was highlighted with several awards, including the Excellence in Cardiology Fellowship Award from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Southern California. During his final year of training, Dr. Tadwalkar served as chief cardiology fellow, managing day-to-day operations including educational and clinical activities for fellows in the program.

Karol E. Watson, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of medicine/cardiology and a board-certified full-time cardiologist at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She holds the John C. Mazziotta Term Chair in Medicine and was honored to be named Cardiologist of the Year by the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2017. Dr. Watson received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, her medical degree from Harvard Medical School (magna cum laude), and her Ph.D. in Physiology from UCLA. She completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in Cardiology at UCLA and continued there as part of the UCLA Specialty Training and Academic Research program and as chief fellow in cardiovascular diseases at UCLA.

Currently Dr. Watson is director of the UCLA Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Health Program at UCLA, codirector of the UCLA Program in Preventative Cardiology and director of the UCLA Fellowship Program in Cardiovascular Disease.

Mona Gohara, M.D., is a Yale-trained board-certified dermatologist, an Oberlin College–bred feminist, a medical media expert, a fashion fanatic, a mom, a wife, and a Virgo. Mona enjoys educating others about skin health, skin cancer, skin of color and sun protection through writing; lecturing on the local, national and international levels; and engaging with popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, for which she chaired the social media task force; the Women’s Dermatologic Society, for which she served as president; and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, for which she chairs the DEI Work Group.

With more than a decade of experience, board-certified dermatologist Caroline Chang, M.D., is nationally recognized as a top doctor in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. She also founded Rhode Island Dermatology Institute, the state’s first direct care dermatology practice, with the goal of providing high-quality customized care.

Carmen Castilla, M.D., is a Manhattan-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in personalized, patient-centered treatment plans in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She graduated cum laude from New York University before going on to attend Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where she was a member of the highest honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her internship in internal medicine at the renowned Brigham and Women’s Hospital–Harvard Medical School in Boston and her dermatology training at New York University Langone Hospital, one of the top-ranked programs in the country. As an internationally recognized thought leader in skin care and holistic medicine, she has published numerous papers and textbook chapters, is an expert source for media and has a passion for sharing evidence-based knowledge. She sees patients at New York Dermatology Group and is a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital. Follow her on Instagram at @drcarmencastilla.

Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., is a native New Yorker now living in Scottsdale, AZ, and practicing in both Scottsdale and New York. Dr. Lal is the only double-fellowship-trained pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist in the U.S. He is a key opinion leader and an international speaker with interests including social media medicine, LGBTQ health, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, laser surgery, melasma and soft tissue augmentation. He is on the ASDS DEI committee. Dr. Lal is often seen on the news, at F45, or playing with his parrot, Maui.

Janiene Luke, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist and a clinical professor practicing in Southern California. Dr. Luke specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology with expertise in hyperpigmentation, hair disorders and skin of color. She lectures locally and nationally and has a special interest in dermatology education and curricular development. Dr. Luke’s passion for educating patients as well as the public has resulted in her making numerous contributions to various media outlets. She is active in several national societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Women’s Dermatologic Society, the National Medical Association and the Skin of Color Society, for which she serves as cochair of the Technology and Social Media Committee. In her spare time, Dr. Luke enjoys singing, traveling and cooking.

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He is one of the country's key opinion leaders in treating acne and rosacea and is an expert in cosmeceuticals and skincare. Dr. Zeichner has been published in top peer-reviewed dermatology journals and he has consistently been voted by his peers to New York Magazine’s Best Doctors and New York City Super Doctors in the New York Times Magazine.

Rita Kalyani, M.D., M.H.S., is a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. She got an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and completed her medical degree, residency, and fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Kalyani is an active clinician and conducts research focusing on diabetes in older adults and sex differences in diabetes. She previously chaired the American Diabetes Association’s Professional Practice Committee, which oversees the organization’s clinical practice guidelines. Dr. Kalyani is also the coauthor of Diabetes Head to Toe: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, and Living With Diabetes (2018) and Winning With Diabetes: Inspirational Stories to Help You Thrive (2023).

Krista Gonzales, M.D., stands out as an exceptional endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist. Her medical journey is defined by a profound commitment to patient care and a deep understanding of the pivotal role lifestyle plays in overall health. As a distinguished endocrinologist and an educator at the renowned Pritikin Center, she has dedicated her career to empowering patients to regain control of their health and embark on transformative journeys.

Michelle M. Mielke, Ph.D., is currently chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention in the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where she is also a professor of Epidemiology and a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine. She also directs Real-world Advocate Data for Research (RADAR). Dr. Mielke works as a translational epidemiologist to further understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases. One focus of her research is understanding the utility of blood-based biomarkers for implementation at the population level for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Another focus of her research is on understanding sex and gender differences in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She received the John R. Raymond Mentor Award from the Women Scholars Initiative and is a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Section on Neuroscience. She has published more than 480 papers.

Eric M. Ascher, D.O., is a board-certified family medicine physician at Northwell Health in New York City who focuses on preventative medicine and healthy lifestyles. He completed medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his family medicine residency and fellowship at Northwell, and he earned a master’s degree in health care delivery science from Dartmouth College. He has been recognized annually in the Super Doctors List published by the New York Times and is on the Castle Connolly Top Doctors list. Dr. Ascher is an assistant professor at the Zucker Hillside School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, is heavily involved in practice and technology optimization, and has appeared on local media in addition to his YouTube series. He appreciates building relationships with his patients and their families to encourage long, happy and healthy lives.

Tochi Iroku-Malize, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., F.A.A.F.P., a family physician on Long Island, NY, is president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Iroku-Malize serves as founding chair and professor of family medicine for the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in Hempstead, NY, and senior vice president and chair of the family medicine service line for Northwell Health. She was previously the director of the family medicine residency program at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, NY. Internationally, she is a member of and a delegate to the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and served on the Committee on Health Informatics and the Committee on Medical Education. She received the 2018 Global Health Service Award from the Dr. Almanzar Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on providing medical care to low-income individuals in the Dominican Republic and Latin America.Dr. Iroku-Malize earned her combined bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Nigeria College of Medicine and Dentistry in Enugu. She completed an internship at Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago and completed residency training in family medicine at Southside Hospital. She earned her Master of Public Health degree in health policy and management from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. She earned her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Caroline Roberts, M.D., was born in Nashville, TN, but was raised in Burlington, NC, and considers Alamance County her home. She went to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill both as an undergraduate and for medical school, with time spent in between in Washington, DC. She continued her training at UNC-CH's Family Medicine residency program in its Federally Qualified Health Center Track, practicing in rural Caswell County at Prospect Hill Community Health Center, where she continues to see patients. In addition to her outpatient practice in Prospect Hill, she continues to provide care for families on UNC Family Medicine's Family Centered Patient Care service. Dr. Roberts’s main loves within medicine are rural and underserved care, Latine health, behavioral health in community settings and caring for parent-child dyads in all stages of pregnancy, childbirth and pediatric care.

Hiroshi Mashimo, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a gastroenterologist at Boston VA Medical Center and Massachusetts General Brigham. He graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his medical residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has authored more than 100 publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals including Nature, Science, Cell, PNAS, The New England Journal of Medicine, Immunology, and Gastroenterology. He serves on various editorial and grant review boards and is an international speaker on topics including disorders of brain-gut dysregulation, microbiota, gut health, gastrointestinal stem cells, and early cancer diagnosis and novel treatments.

Niket Sonpal, M.D., is a native of Long Island, NY, and a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia–Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in internal medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be chief resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–North Shore LIJ Health System. He is an assistant professor at Touro College of Medicine and is a regular on numerous news and media outlets.Dr. Sonpal completed his fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and will continue his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation.He is the coauthor of the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, and Master the Boards: Internal Medicine.

Brooke Williams, D.O., is a double board-certified physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine with a passion for evidence-based wellness, weight management, aesthetics, and inclusive preventive care. She currently serves as a hospitalist in North Carolina and is the medical director of Dove Youthology Aesthetic Institute, where she integrates medical expertise with an inclusive approach to aesthetics and skin health.

After completing her residency in the south suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Williams cofounded Color of Medicine, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting diversity in medicine and STEM. Her work focuses on empowering underrepresented minorities, improving cultural competency, and addressing racial health disparities.With a strong presence both in clinical settings and on social media, Dr. Williams is committed to making trustworthy, accessible and inclusive health education available to all.

Stefani Sassos is a registered dietitian, NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she oversees all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation for Good Housekeeping. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping's in-house fitness and exercise expert, and is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living.

Kristen F. Gradney, M.H.A., R.D.N., L.D.N., is a registered dietitian nutritionist and health care administrator in Baton Rouge, LA. As senior director of operations at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, she supports health equity and holistic health care in schools, communities and medical practices. She also owns Tableau Consulting Services and has been featured in many publications as an expert on topics including nutrition, wellness and health equity. She strives to create culturally relevant, systematic changes that improve health care for individuals and communities. Dr. Gradney obtained a B.A. in sociology in 2001 and a B.S. in nutritional science in 2007 from Louisiana State University. She then completed a dietetic internship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, and has worked as a registered dietitian in areas of inpatient and ambulatory care, culinary medicine, transplant and pediatric wellness. In 2016, she obtained a Master of Health Administration degree from Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge.

Laura Iu, R.D., is a registered dietitian nutritionist, a certified intuitive eating counselor, a yoga guide and the owner of Laura Iu Nutrition, a private practice in New York City. She earned her B.S. in nutrition and dietetics from New York University and completed her internship in dietetics at Weill Cornell & Columbia Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She went on to work in some of New York City’s top hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital and NYU Langone Health. She believes true health is all- encompassing, including physical, emotional and mental well-being, rather than an external measure determined via shape or size.

Rachel Lustgarten, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., is a registered dietitian in clinical practice in New York City. Her primary area of focus is medical nutrition therapy and weight control.

Dr. Lustgarten’s passion is sharing her knowledge and expertise on food and nutrition’s role in overall health and wellness. She cohosts the weekly Primary Care Medicine show on SiriusXM Doctor Radio, interviewing expert guests and fielding listener calls and questions about hot topics in health and nutrition. She frequently makes TV appearances on local news outlets and contributions to print and online health media. She served as a clinical dietitian at the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and as an advisor to Weill Cornell’s Women’s Nutrition Connection monthly newsletter for 10 years.

Dr. Lustgarten employs evidence-based nutrition counseling and behavior modification methods with her clients to achieve lasting weight loss. While she works in a clinical space, Rachel believes in the importance of the mind-body connection to achieve all-around health and wellness, including sleep hygiene, physical activity, and stress management.

Dr. Lustgarten received a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, graduating with honors. She balances her career with raising her three young children. She is an exercise enthusiast and has completed seven marathons, raising funds and awareness for the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Melissa Mroz-Planells, D.C.N., R.D.N., is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree from Rutgers University. Melissa owns Kidney Nutrition Specialists, a nutrition practice dedicated to helping individuals living with chronic kidney disease, and is an associate professor and a core faculty member in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA.

Joan Salge Blake, Ed.D., M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., F.A.N.D., is a nutrition professor at Boston University, a sought-after speaker and journalist and the host of Spot On!, an award-winning nutrition, health, and wellness podcast.She has received the Media Excellence Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has given more than 140 presentations on the topic of nutrition and health to the public and her colleagues.

She is the author of Nutrition &You (2023) and a coauthor of Nutrition: From Science to You (2026). She is seen regularly on Boston 25TV and has conducted more than 3,000 interviews on numerous nutrition topics in media outlets such as The New York Times, Food Network, Newsweek, CNN, The Boston Globe, NPR, The Washington Post and CBS.

Angela Chaudhari, M.D., is a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She received her M.D. from Northeastern Ohio Universities and completed her obstetrics and gynecology training at Washington University in St. Louis in 2004, then completed a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Florida Hospital, Celebration. She serves as the chief of gynecology and gynecologic surgery at Northwestern Medicine, overseeing surgical quality and patient safety. She is also the founder and director of the P2P Network, a physician peer support program that provides emotional first aid for physicians experiencing professional burnout at Northwestern Medicine. She is an executive leadership coach certified through Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy, Organizational and Leadership Coaching Certificate Program.

Clinically, Dr. Chaudhari focuses on providing individualized, equitable care for patients needing minimally invasive gynecologic surgical approaches for gender affirmation, abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Her research interests are in surgical education, simulation and coaching, physician well-being and burnout, and leadership coaching for physicians and health care leaders.

Mindy Goldman, M.D., is a nationally recognized expert in the management of women’s health issues, including menopause, for women who have cancer or are at high risk. For almost three decades, Dr. Goldman has been a clinical professor in the department of ob/gyn at UCSF, where she is also the director of the Gynecology Center for Cancer Survivors and At-Risk Women. In addition, she is the chief clinical officer of Midi Health, a digital health clinic focusing on treating symptoms of perimenopause and menopause along with other common midlife health concerns. She has helped author guidelines in these areas for the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). She is on the survivorship panel for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), where she is the chair of the menopause panel and the cochair of the sexual functioning panel, both of which provide guidelines in their topic areas for practicing oncologists. Throughout her career, Dr. Goldman has received recognition from numerous sources, including in San Francisco Magazine: Top Doctors (2015–2022), America’s Top Doctors for Cancer (7th–10th Editions), and Exceptional Women in Medicine (2019–2021).

Carolyn W. Swenson, M.D., is an associate professor and the division chief of urogynecology and reconstructive surgery at the University of Utah. As a board-certified specialist in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Swenson is an expert in the medical and surgical management of pelvic floor disorders including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and obstetric-related pelvic floor symptoms. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and three kids.

Ruth Ortaz, M.D., is a professor of clinical medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and is on the faculty of NYU Langone Health. She specializes in taking care of people with all stages of breast cancer and those who are at risk of it. Dr. Oratz is an advisor to several national breast cancer advocacy organizations, including breastcancer.org, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, CancerCare, Young Survival Coalition, Moving for Life and Sharsheret.Dr. Oratz served as chair of the Medical Advisory Board of Susan G. Komen, Greater NYC, from 2008 to 2012 and on the National Board of the YWCA, USA. She was named Physician of the Year by CancerCare. Dr. Oratz has been recognized in The Best Doctors in America and The Best Doctors in NYC. She is active both locally and nationally as a speaker and health care educator, appearing on television and radio as well as lecturing to the public.

Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker, and full-time working mom. She’s a boots-on-the-ground advocate for the success of women in the workplace and at home. Dr. Casares is a Stanford University–trained private practice pediatrician whose expertise spans the public health, direct patient care and media worlds. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal and child health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is a Mama Mindset Thought Leader. Her work focuses on moving modern moms from feeling conflicted to feeling centered. Dr. Casares practices pediatrics in Portland, OR, where she and her husband, Scott, raise their two daughters.

Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T. is a licensed physical therapist, international speaker and owner of Karen Litzy Physical Therapy, PLLC. Through her work as a physical therapist, she has helped thousands of people, including Fortune 500 CEOs, royalty and celebrities, overcome painful conditions, recover from surgery and feel stronger than ever before. As the host of Healthy Wealthy and Smart, a top-200 podcast on Apple Podcasts, she has interviewed influencers in the worlds of health, medicine and entrepreneurship. She also shares how she has prevailed with her own experience of chronic pain.

Dr. Anne Sharkey is a double board-certified podiatrist with over 13 years of clinical practice experience. A sought-after media expert, she specializes in foot and ankle health and wellness education. Based in Austin, Texas, Dr. Sharkey is the owner of both Solely Podiatry, a direct-care practice offering personalized, transparent care, and Solely Nails Salon, a one-of-a-kind nail salon dedicated to providing elevated, safe nail services.

Lauren R. Natbony, M.D., is the medical director of Integrative Headache Medicine of New York and an assistant clinical professor of neurology in the Department of Headache and Facial Pain at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is board certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in headache medicine by the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties. Dr. Natbony has an extensive background in treating adults, adolescents and children with a wide array of headache and facial pain disorders. She is a frequent speaker at national headache conferences and has authored many articles, book chapters and research publications.

Chloe Carmichael, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, speaker and the author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety. Her book was endorsed by Deepak Chopra. Carmichael specializes in high-functioning people and emphasizes learning how to glean the healthy benefits from life’s challenges to increase fulfillment, productivity and well-being.

Oona Metz, L.I.C.S.W., is a clinical social worker, certified group psychotherapist and a fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association who practices in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to her practice, where she specializes in treating women navigating divorce, she writes and speaks on relationships, divorce and group therapy locally and nationally.

MeiLan K. Han, M.D., M.S., is a professor of medicine and the chief of the division of pulmonary and critical care at the University of Michigan. Dr. Han received her medical degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Han has also completed a master's degree program in biostatistics and clinical study design at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She also serves on the scientific advisory committees for both the COPD Foundation and the American Lung Association. She is currently a deputy editor for the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Carolyn M. D’Ambrosio, M.S., M.D., F.C.C.P., is the Vice Chief for Fellowship Training in the section of pulmonary and critical care medicine and an associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine. She is an expert in sleep medicine, chairing the Sleep Medicine Board review course for the American College of Chest Physicians and is an associate editor for CHEST Pulmonary Journal's sleep medicine content. In addition to teaching and clinical work, Dr. D’Ambrosio has conducted research on sleep and menopause as well as sleep and breathing in infants. he recently co-authored the book Comfort the Kid! on infant sleep and parent bonding.

Ashima Makol, M.B.B.S., M.D., is a rheumatologist and associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic, where she chairs the Connective Tissue Disease Subspecialty Group and directs the Scleroderma/Raynaud and the Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy Clinics. She completed her internal medicine residency at Michigan State and her rheumatology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Makol’s research focuses on vascular and cardiac manifestations in systemic sclerosis, healthcare utilization in SSc, and various aspects of ILD in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. She is actively engaged in clinical trials for skin, lung and vascular disease in scleroderma.

Alon. Y. Avidan, M.D., M.P.H., H.A.A.N., F.A.A.S.M., is a professor of neurology at UCLA where he serves as director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center. He completed his neurology residency at the Georgetown University Medical Center and fellowship in sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a diplomate in the Specialty of Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Raj Dasgupta, M.D., is an ABIM quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine. He was an associate professor of clinical medicine, assistant program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and the associate program director of the sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Southern California, and he now practices at Huntington Health Hospital in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Dasgupta is an active clinical researcher and has been teaching around the world for more than 20 years.

Chris Winter, M.D., is a neurologist and sleep specialist in Charlottesville, VA. He works with both adults and children to help improve their sleep in addition to having worked with numerous professional sports and military organizations. He is also the author of the best-selling book The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How To Fix It, as well as his new book The Rested Child: Why Your Tired, Wired or Irritable Child May Have a Sleep Disorder — And How to Help.

Rekha Kumar, M.D., is a practicing endocrinologist in New York City and served as the former medical director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Dr. Kumar has lectured internationally on the topic of the medical assessment and treatment of obesity. She has published several papers and textbook chapters in her field and serves as an associate editor of the journal Obesity. Dr. Kumar’s areas of expertise include the clinical assessment of patients’ obesity and metabolic syndrome, the effect of obesity on reproductive health and fertility, as well as thyroid disease and metabolic bone disease.