----:Black Women's Health:----

David Pryor, MD, MPH

Dr. David Pryor, President of BlackWomensHealth.com, is a board certified physician in in Internal Medicine and is a Medical Director of one of the nation’s leading healthcare plans. A native of California, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Stanford University and completed his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Pryor also has a Masters in Public Health degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Health Policy and Administration.

Dr. Pryor’s inspiration and vision for BlackWomensHealth.com came about as a result of his daily observations and interactions with the patients he treats. Far too many were and are suffering from diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other diseases at disproportionate rates. It is the goal of BlackWomensHealth.com to promote the physical, mental, and spiritual health of today’s African American woman and to provide information that will help them live happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

Dr. Pryor resides in Southern California with his wife Verna (a nurse) and their two daughters.

Moshe Lewis MD, MPH, MBA

Moshe Lewis MD, MPH is a the Director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco. He completed his training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Tufts University – New England Medical Center in Boston, where he served as Chief Resident. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from New York University and went to medical school at Mount Sinai Hospital also in New York. His areas of specialization include Arthritis, Exercise and Pain Management. In his role as the Chief Medical Officer for Blackwomenshealth.com he helps to develop dynamic health education events for communities of color all throughout the world.

Letitia Spencer, MD

Dr. Letitia Spencer is one of the co-founders of BlackWomensHealth.com and a physician in Los Angeles, CA. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She earned her MD from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Lisa Altalida

Lisa Altalida, author of "Dating Boot Camp – Conquering the Dating Obstacle Course," has appeared on several major market and nationally syndicated radio and television programs offering her dating advice for both women and men. She is also a motivational speaker who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Marisa Dunn M.D, M.P.H.

Dr. Dunn received her Bachelors of Science degree from Purdue University and her Medical Degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. Additionally, she has a Masters in Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. Dr. Dunn is involved in a variety of community activities.

Maia Alees Gaither, MD, FAAP

Dr. Maia Alees Gaither is a Board Certified Pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, as well as a Doctor of Medicine degree from Howard University. She trained as an Intern and Resident at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles which was ranked the number four Pediatric Hospital in the Country by U.S. News and World Report.

She now works at Children’s Comprehensive Medical Group in Los Angeles with the Clinical Chief of Pediatrics of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.She currently can be seen as a Pediatric Expert on KCET’s Emmy Nominated television show “A Place of Our Own” which airs in Los Angeles daily, but it is scheduled to begin airing nationwide soon.

Iris C. Gibbs, MD

Dr. Iris C. Gibbs is a physician in the San Francisco Bay area specializing in Radiation Oncology. Dr. Gibbs received her Medical Degree (M.D.) from Stanford University, and her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Chemistry from the University of Delaware. She has interests in both research and clinical medicine.

Stacy Ann Mitchell, MD

Dr. Stacy Ann Mitchell is a board certified internist with a special focus on cardiovascular disease prevention. She currently is in private practice in the Los Angeles area. Dr Mitchell trained at the University of California, Los Angeles, and is a clinical instructor at UCLA School of Medicine. She is also medical director of The Hypertension Institute at Centinela Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Mitchell lectures and writes extensively about educating and empowering African-Americans about their health and their rights as consumers in the healthcare system.

Neil Persadsingh, MD

Dr. Neil Persadsingh is a dermatologist and Medical Director of Skin Specialists located in Jamaica, West Indies. He is the author of the book, "Acne in Black Women" which addresses the special problems of black women with acne and the specific problems of the black spots and the scars that remain after the acne resolves. Visit the "Acne in Black Women" website to learn more.

Andrea Price, MD

Dr. Andrea Price, is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist in New Jersey. She received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She is a noted lecturer, author, innovator, and women’s health advocate in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Please visit her website www.womenofcolorobgyn.com

LaShonda Spencer, MD

Dr. LaShonda Spencer is a physician in Utah specializing in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She earned her MD from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Rev. Arly Pryor

Rev. Arly Pryor is a spirit-filled, ordained minister of the gospel. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Sociology from San Jose State University. Rev. Pryor is married and is the father of four children.

Veronica Abernathy, MD

Dr. Veronica Abernathy earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Social Sciences, and her Masters of Public Health degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Lisa Akbari, Trichologist, Cosmetologist, Aesthetician

Lisa Akbari, known by her patients as “The Hair Doctor,” began as a licensed Cosmetologist and Aesthetician in 1977, and is now a certified Trichologist. As a regular contributor to Grace Magazine, Akbari explains black women’s complex hair and scalp problems in an easy to understand informative way. Featured in JET Magazine, Akbari provides practical advice to some of the most intense hair and scalp issues affecting black women. Akbari’s seminars, workshops, classes, and books, educates patients, dermatologists, and hairstylists on how to prevent aging hair. Akbari along with her husband, Hooshang Akbari, are the directors and lead Trichologists of Hair Nutrition and Research Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee. Akbari authored The Black Woman’s Guide to Beautiful Hair, Nielsen rated as the #1 selling Black Hair Care book. Her latest book, Any Woman’s Guide to Beautiful Hair at Any Age, is in bookstores now. www.lisaakbari.com

Glynis Albright

Glynis Albright, wife of acclaimed saxophonist Gerald Albright, is the owner of Just Sweet Enough, Inc., a gourmet cake, cookie and gift basket company specializing in low-sugar gourmet desserts. The initial inception for Just Sweet Enough came after Glynis was diagnosed with a very serious illness and was advised by doctors to radically change her diet. She decided to create a dessert line that would substitute or reduce sugar and fat whenever possible. Now healed from her illness, Glynis is proud to share her scrumptious treats with you. Visit her website at www.justsweetenough.com or email her at JSWTENF@aol.com.

Kriss Brooks

Kriss Brooks is a nationally known fitness consultant, personal trainer, and motivational speaker. She is also the owner of Options For Fitness. Visit her website www.optionsforfitness.com.

Maya Breuer, R. Y. T.

Maya Breuer, R. Y. T., is a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, a member of the National Yoga Alliance, an affiliate of the American Yoga College, and a member of the Kripalu Board of Trustees. As a student of yoga for over 17 years, Maya has studied with Swami Rajarshi Muni at the Lakulish School in Gujarat, India. She also founded the Santosha School of Yoga, and directs the National Yoga Retreat for Women of Color. You can learn more about Maya at www.mayabreuer.com

Suzanne Monique Carter

Suzanne Monique Carter is a Senior Genetic Counselor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a major New York Medical Center. She received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in Biology and her M.S. degree in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Ms. Carter has several publications in the area of human genetics.

Valerie Cummings-Merriweather, RTT, MHA

Valerie Cummings-Merriweather, RTT, MHA is a Sr. Health Educator at Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region. She manages educational interventions for diabetic patients and promotes prevention and self-care initiatives for Kaiser members. She’s also responsible for setting the strategic vision for online and interactive technologies within the Health Education Centers. Prior to working with Kaiser Permanente, Ms. Merriweather worked as a Sr. Healthcare Consultant with Deloitte & Touche consulting firm and worked on engagements ranging from revenue enhancement to operations improvement. Prior to her consulting work, Ms. Merriweather worked as a Radiation Therapist. Her combined experience of patient care, administration and consulting sparked her interest in writing about the array of healthcare issues affecting the African-American community. Ms. Merriweather received her Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in Radiation Therapy and a Master of Health Administration from the Ohio State University. Ms. Merriweather resides in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and daughter.

Kellye Davis

For nearly a decade, as a mind body soul lifestyle/expert and media personality, Kellye Davis has been providing information, through her columns, seminars, radio and TV show and appearances and most recently through her newly formed website: www.takingcareofyou.com a mind, body & soul lifestyle information website. Some of Kellye"s media guest expert appearances include: The Montel Williams Show; CNN's Talk Back Live; Fox Television's "Good Day New York"; RNN Network

Robert Ferguson, MS, CN

Robert Ferguson is the creator of The Food Lovers Fat Loss System. He is a television personality, lecturer, nutritionist, author and weight loss expert.

Robert has received many accolades for his work in helping others not only lose weight, but keep it off. He has been featured on radio, in magazines such as Star, Esquire, Women's World, More and on TV programs including Access Hollywood, CNN Headline News, Good Morning America, FOX Network and BBC Worldwide. His acclaimed web site, www.dietfreelife.com, offers the newest and latest information in support of weight loss through healthy living for a diet free life.

Robert Ferguson is a dynamic, inspirational and infectious speaker. Robert specializes in teaching you how to use food to lose fat. He shows you how to eat all your favorite foods – all day long – and reduce your waistline every single week. Through his unique and empowering seminars, Robert Ferguson touches people of all ages, socio-economic status and education to integrate “healthy living” into their personal life, workplace and communities. And he explains in a unique and easy-to-understand way how anyone can learn to switch your body from fat-storing mode to fat-burning mode and keep it their all day long.

Robert is a doctoral candidate in sports psychology and holds certifications in personal training and performance nutrition.

Wendy R. Gladney

Wendy R. Gladney is an author, motivational speaker, event planner, and founder of Personal Services Plus (PSP). PSP is a company that offers a gamut of services to business professionals, corporations, government offices and companies of all sizes to augment productivity and improve profitability. Ms. Gladney is a graduate of U.C.L.A. and is currently active in a variety of professional organizations. Ms. Gladney can be contacted at WendyGladn@aol.com. Learn more about her by visiting her website www.wendysenterprises.com

Mary Grate-Pyos

Mary Grate-Pyos is the President of Financially Focused, Inc., and Author of Wealthy Woman-Wise Choices. She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mathematics from Newberry College. She can be reached at online at www.financiallyfocused.com or at MGPINVEST@aol.com

Kimberly Higgins-Mays, MBA, MPH

Kimberly Higgins-Mays has dedicated 18 years of her career to preventive health and chronic disease management. She lends her experience as a consultant to early stage health care startups. Kimberly has held key management positions in many of the organizations she has served, most recently at WellPoint, where she served over fourteen years as the National Director, Preventive Health and Disease Management.

Kimberly holds a MBA from Pepperdine University, a MPH from California State University at Northridge, and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology from the University of California at Davis.

Kimberly resides in Orinda California with her husband and their four daughters. She is a member of the American Public Health Association and the Orinda Juniors Women’s Club where she has opportunity to serve Children’s Hospital Family House and STAND Against Domestic Violence Education Program among many others.

George Leary

George Leary has a masters degree in clinical child psychology and is a graduate student in community psychology at University of Maryland in Baltimore County. His special interest is preventing negative mental health outcomes for African American children and developing their optimal mental well being. George is a member of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) and recently received the Student Scholarship award from that organization. George can be reached at rasta@mail.burgoyne.com.

Nancee Lyons

Nancee Lyons is a journalist and the Associate Publisher of Careers in Healthcare magazine. This is a national publication magazine designed to address minority health issues by encouraging greater numbers of minorities to select healthcare professions. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in communications from Howard University and is currently living in Washington, D.C. Visit HBCUCentral.com when it is launched May 2000 to learn more about the magazine.

Robyn McGee

Robyn inherited her love of literature from her mother, Orelda, an immigrant from Costa Rica and retired librarian, and her yearning to see and understand the globe from her father William, a retired U.S. Naval Chief Petty Officer. Robyn has a B.A. degree from San Jose State University in Journalism and a Master's degree in the Humanities.

The fifth of seven children, Robyn frequently writes and lectures on women's issues, including weight, body image, dating violence and popular culture, and recently appeared on BET "Meet the Faith" Robyn also does regular fundraising for organizations benefiting women and children with AIDS, diabetes, breast cancer and domestic violence prevention. Partial proceeds from her book, "Hungry for More: A Keeping-it-Real Guide for Black Women on Weight and Body Image", will be donated to the American Heart Association. Robyn lives with her daughter in Southern California. Visit Robyn online at www.robynwrites.com.

Sonya McPhaul, MPH

Sonya McPhaul is a Registered Dietitian employed with the State of California. She earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of California, Davis in Community Nutrition and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Public Health Nutrition.

Nicolla Renee' Moore

A woman of style with a heart for the Lord, Nicolla Renee’ Moore is a lifestyle specialist who inspires women to honor God in simple, elegant ways, everyday. Nicolla shares practical suggestions on creative ways to blend the Christian spirit into one’s overall lifestyle and she encourages readers to express that spirit in their own personal style through fashion, beauty, home décor and entertaining.

Launching in 2004, her website, inspiredliving.com, will provide useful information on how to enjoy life’s best and lead a victorious life that honors the Lord. She is currently developing Inspired Living, the premiere lifestyle magazine for the ultimate contemporary Christian woman; as well the Inspired book series. The first book release, Inspired Style, is scheduled for publication in fall 2004.

Prior to launching Inspired Living enterprise, Nicolla spent ten years as a television executive creating promotions and planning events for shows such as E!’s Fashion Emergency and the style. Network. She has assembled the industry’s elite hair stylists, make up artists and fashion stylists to work the green room for television awards shows, and has worked with numerous celebrities. She also personifies style as a model, commentator and fashion stylist.

Lowanda Pierson, RN, MSW

Lowanda Pierson is a RN and holds a Master in Social Work. She is employed by Department of Drug and Alcohol at Santa Clara Valley Medical in San Jose, Ca as a Nursing Supervisor. She has been a nurse for thirty one years. Lowanda is also active in a number of committees, Coordinator of Health and Wellness Committee at Maranatha Christian Center, Advocacy Chair for Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc; Silicon Valley Chapter, American Cancer Society, Black Women Health.com and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She is a very passionate community organizer. She is a wife (33 years) and mother of four.

Erica Simpson

Erica Simpson is a Health Consultant in Washington, DC. She graduated with a M.S. in Health Education from Columbia University while interning at the New York City Department of Health. Ms. Simpson’s areas of interest include adolescent health, Black women and mental health, and the impact of HIV/AIDS among black populations worldwide.

Darline Turner-Lee, PA-C, ACSM Exercise Specialist

Darline’s mission is to advocate for choices in women’s healthcare. “There is always more than one method of treatment in any given medical situation and when you’re in the midst of the problem trying to make decisions and time is of the essence, you shouldn’t have to search for information-it should be readily available and easily accessible.”

In 2001 Darline formulated her company, Next Step Fitness, and incorporated in 2002 (www.nextstepfitness.com). Darline holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tufts University and a Master of Health Science Degree from Duke University Medical Center’s Physician Assistant Program. She practiced for 8 years as a physician assistant in family and internal medicine with a focus on women’s health. She is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Specialist®, a Certified Moms in Motion Fitness Instructor and Healthy Moms® Fitness instructor. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two children.

Roniece Weaver

Roniece Weaver is Executive Director of Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc and author of "The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes", and "Slim Down Sister" (released Jan 2000). The mission of Hebni is to provide education and strategies to prevent diet related disease. Visit the Hebni Nutrition Consultants website to learn more.

Joya Wesley

Joya Wesley is a freelance writer and editor who resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University. She frequently writes about a variety of health topics.

African-American Breastfeeding Alliance, Inc. (AABA)

African-American Breastfeeding Alliance, Inc. (AABA) The African-American Breastfeeding Alliance, Inc. (AABA) was founded because a disproportionate number of African- American women don’t breastfeed; for the ones that do try, less than 20% breastfeed past six months postpartum (according to a 1997 Ross Laboratories study.) This is paradoxical because the worldwide average for weaning a child from the breast is 4 ½ years of age. AABA’s overall purpose is to: raise the numbers of African-American women who breastfeed; educate African-American women about the infant and maternal benefits of breastfeeding; provide valuable resources about breastfeeding; offer on-going support to women who decide to breastfeed; and collaborate with other organizations that have an interest in the health and well-being of African-American women and infants.