The moderators of this message board are weight loss experts. They have several years experience as medical professionals and offer a wealth of knowledge in the realm of weight loss. Take a few moments to read more about them in their biographies below.
Dr. Maria Marzella Sulli, Pharm.D.
Maria Marzella Sulli received her B.S. in Pharmacy and her Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from St. John's University. She then completed a specialty residency in community pharmacy practice at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy where she worked with Giant Pharmacy to develop a pharmacy-based diabetes patient education program.
Currently, Dr. Sulli is an Associate Clinical Professor of community pharmacy practice at the St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. In conjunction with her appointment as a faculty member, Dr. Sulli serves as the Wellness Coordinator for King Kullen Pharmacy, a regional supermarket chain. There, she oversees the activities of the King Kullen Pharmacy Wellness Place, which provides patient education on medications, as well as blood pressure screening and monitoring and osteoporosis screenings and education.
Dr. Sulli has been a community pharmacist for more than 10 years and has assisted countless patients with self-care issues and medication education.
Dr. Sulli has published numerous articles in pharmacy journals and has written two textbook chapters. Her work focuses mainly on issues of patient education and nonprescription medications. She has delivered many continuing education programs for pharmacists on self-care and nonprescription medications. She currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Nonprescription Medicines Academy and on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.
Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.P.T
Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger, registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, is founder of Hispanic Food Communications, Hinsdale, IL., a food communications and culinary consulting company.
An expert in cross-cultural Hispanic cuisine as it relates to nutrition and health, Ms. Klinger speaks both English and Spanish fluently. Ms. Klinger has an impressive record and knowledge of Hispanic foods and culture. She brings an in-depth base foundation of culinary and cultural expertise and introduces new strategies to maximize exposure among an increasing health-conscious Hispanic population. She addresses specific health issues important to the increasing Hispanic population. Ms. Klinger leverages the tasteful Latin cuisine and lifestyle of health–conscious Hispanics with the increasing health problems fast approaching this Hispanic population today.
Ms. Klinger is also culinary consultant to food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Dannon, Hormel, Hormel, Ross Laboratories, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Weight Watchers International, and The Quaker Oats Company, where she completed numerous culinary and communications projects.
Ms. Klinger has appeared on NBC, ABC, Fox News, CNN Spanish, Univision, Telemundo, America Teve, TV Azteca, telefutura, Hispanics Today, 4 San Antonio Living, Las Mañanitas, Cada día con Maria Antonieta, Despierta America (were she is a frequent guess), and numerous local Hispanic cable stations. She has been a guest nutritionist on numerous local Hispanic radio talk shows.
Prior to establishing her consulting firm, Ms. Klinger served as senior culinary development specialist and supervisor of consumer test kitchens at the Quaker Oats Company. She has solid clinical and public health nutrition experience, serving as a research dietitian at Northwestern University Preventive Medicine Department in Chicago and the University of California Irvine Medical Center, as well as a supervising nutritionist for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental feeding program. She began her career as an administrative dietitian at New England Memorial Hospital in Boston.
Ms. Klinger is a member of the American Dietetic Association and Latino Hispanic American Dietetic Association, as well as Dietitians in Business & Communications, and Food and Culinary Professionals Practice Groups. She is an active member of the Chicago and Illinois Dietetic Associations and a member of the Grain Foods Foundation Advisory Board and the GlaxoSmithKline Multicultural Council on Weight Control.
Ms. Klinger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California in 1984 and her Master of Science in public administration from DePaul University in Chicago in 1993. She is a registered dietitian of the American Dietetic Association and a licensed dietitian in the State of Illinois. In 1994, the Chicago Dietetic Association presented her with the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award.
In her spare time, Ms. Klinger trains for and runs marathons. She lives in Hinsdale, Illinois with her husband and their two school-age children.
Betty Kovacs, MS, RD
Betty is a Registered Dietitian who earned her B.S. degree in Food and Nutrition from Marymount College of Fordham University and her M.S. degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. She is the co-director and director of nutrition for the New York Obesity Research Center Weight Loss Program. She also serves a consultant to the Centers for Obesity Research and Education, a national, multi-center, course to educate physicians and other health professionals about treating obesity. Her previous experience includes adjunct professor at Marymount College of Fordham University and Westchester Community College, staff nutritionist at the VanItallie Center for Weight Management, research nutritionist for the Diabetes Prevention Program, nutrition counselor for pre- and post-bariatric surgery patients at the Center for Weight Loss Surgery, and she helped develop the exam and coursework for the American Dietetic Association Weight Management Certification Program.
Betty was recognized as a leading Registered Dietitian in Manhattan in Quest Magazine's Annual 2001 New York Resources issue. She has appeared on WNBC news, WABC Eye Witness News, New York 1 News, and News 12, and she has been interviewed by numerous magazines and newspapers, including Woman's World, Glamour, Newsday, LA Times, Daily News, Newsday, Women's Day and Travelers Magazine.
Sophia De Monte RPh.
Sophia De Monte received her BS in Pharmacy degree from Long Island University in 1981. Since that time she has focused her practice in the community pharmacy setting.
In 2007 she received certification in dyslipidemia management.
Ms. De Monte has been employed by the Fortune 500 Company Costco Wholesale since 1995, as a staff pharmacist. She is presently increasing her duties to provide consultations during health clinic screenings. She enjoys the one to one interaction with people and being able to answer their questions and concerns are the most satisfying part of her career. Her primary focus is advocating for patient safety, education and better health literacy.
Ms. De Monte is a member of the APhA and is part of the media advisor team. She is also working with the American Heart Association “Go Red” campaign and the National Aphasia Association.
Pat Baird, MA, RD, FADA
Award-winning author, lecturer, and fitness authority Pat Baird is a specialist in the development and communication of information on nutrition and health-related issues for consumers and health care professionals. She is noted for expertise in the areas of gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis, weight management, and cardiovascular health.
Nutrition consultant to several global companies, Pat is a frequent guest lecturer and facilitator for corporate and consumer weight management and health education programs. Pat does satellite media tours – averaging 22 interviews - and is frequently on radio and TV programs across the country. Appearances include CNN, FoxNews, The Health Network, and the CBS Morning Show. She has been a featured speaker at the American Dietetic Association, the NYS Dietetic Association; and UN World Health Day.
Formerly the Administrative Dietitian at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Pat is a Registered Dietitian, and a Fellow of The American Dietetic Association. She holds a Master's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University; and completed the Advanced Nutrition Counseling Program of the NY Heart Association. Pat served on the Board of Directors of Fresh Specialties, Inc. for six years. She is currently on the Board of The Dietetic Internship Program at New York Presbyterian Medical Center; and an Advisory Board Member of the National Heartburn Alliance, and the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society; and Vice Chair of the National Fiber Council.
The author of numerous articles for publications including BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Diabetic Living, REDBOOK, and RESTAURANT BUSINESS, Pat wrote a weekly syndicated newspaper column for the NJ Star Ledger for three years. She is the author of five books: BE GOOD TO YOUR GUT (Blackwell Science) - supported by The American College of Gastroenterology and a winner of the National Health Information Awards – THE BEST OF BE GOOD TO YOUR GUT (Blackwell Science), THE PYRAMID COOKBOOK: Pleasures of the Food Guide Pyramid (Henry Holt & Company) - named one of the10 best cookbooks of the year by "Good Morning America" and nominated for a 1994 James Beard Book Award in the "Healthy Focus" category, QUICK & HEARTY (Henry Holt & Company), and COOKING WITH MICKEY & FRIENDS (Disney Press).
Pat is an adjunct instructor in nutrition at the University of Connecticut - Stamford Campus, and has also taught at New York University, The New School University, and Westchester Community College.
Kelli Calabrese, MS, CSCS
2004 Personal Trainer of the Year
Kelli is a clinical exercise physiologist, international presenter, author, personal trainer, lifestyle coach, spokesperson, women’s fitness expert, and 20 year wellness professional. Kelli is the Editor of Personal Fitness Professional and Wellness & Fitness Entrepreneur magazines. She is the Author of Feminine, Firm & Fit – Building A Lean Strong Body in 12 Weeks and a contributor to “The Power of Champions”. She was the lead fitness expert for eDiets and eFitness from 2000 – 2003 and remains a regular contributor. She is a Fitness Expert for iParenting.com, Family Energy Magazine and Beauty and Lace. She is on the advisory board for Athletic Baby, Healthy Children’s Catalog, Purdue University, The Personal Trainer Business Alliance, The Body Mechanics and has been a spokesperson for The American Council on Exercise. She was the Lead Exercise Physiologist to NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Training Association) and was also an Expert Fellow for the National Board of Fitness Examiners.
Kelli has 3 Science degrees including a Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology / Cardiac Rehabilitation. Since 1986, Kelli has acquired twenty three fitness, nutrition and lifestyle consulting related certifications. In New Jersey, she co-owned and operated a chain of 4 fitness centers and 4 corporate centers with clients such as Calvin Klein Cosmetics, Nabisco and Beneficial Insurance. Calabrese founded and directed the Xercise Institute, the first school for preparing candidates for the American Council on Exercise's Personal Training exams.
Her personal mission is to empower individuals with the tools to make health, fitness and wellness a permanent part of their lives so that they can lead longer, stronger productive and prosperous lives. For a full bio, go to www.KelliCalabrese.com
Paul A. Lauer, B.S., C.P.T., Professional Firefighter
Paul Lauer is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, recognized for two decades of research and expertise in multiple aspects of physical fitness.
Paul built his dedicated following by helping his diverse client base meet its personal fitness goals, using proven, proprietary techniques. Paul consults on weight management, sports-specific training for athletes, body building, injury rehabilitation, race preparation, and modified movement to accommodate special health needs.
In addition to his consumer-based business, Paul serves as a fitness consultant for sportswear corporations including Nike, Inc. on media shoots. He is a frequent guest speaker for corporate and consumer fitness education programs.
Paul's signature group and one-on-one fitness classes in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Firefighter's Workout, Beach Workout, Spring Training For Athletes and Central Park Sweat, have earned him acclaim in the industry and among the media.
His philosophy and demonstrations on staying fit have been featured on ABC's "The View," NBC's "Dateline," The CW11 Morning Show and CNBC's "McEnroe." He is also listed as a quotable authority in Fitness Magazine, Time Out New York's "Annual Fitness Issue," New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, WebMD.com, WeightWatchers.com and Footwear Digest.
Paul brings more than 12 years experience as a professional firefighter to his work, incorporating the techniques critical to training the body for peak performance in extreme physical conditions. He is a certified First Responder and certified in C.P.R.
Paul earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kean University in Union, N.J.
The moderators are independent advisors. They have been compensated for their time but the opinions are their own. For any advice, please consult your physician and/or pharmacist.