Benjamin Kligler, M.D.

Is the associate medical director of the Continuum Center at Beth Israel Medical Center. He is also assistant professor of family medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and an instructor in the Beth Israel Residency Program in Urban Family Practice. He is the author of Curriculum in Complementary Therapies: A Guide for the Medical Education which is currently distributed through the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

He lectures widely to medical students, residents, and physicians in the New York area and elsewhere on the applications of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in conventional medical practice.

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Geri Brewster, R.D., M.P.H., C.D.N. began her clinical career nearly 25 years ago, specializing in pediatric and young-adult developmental disabilities, including metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders; specialized tube feedings; dysphagia; autism; behavioral, attention, sensory and oral-motor integration disorders; and eating disorders.

Ms. Brewster received a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she graduated summa cum laude and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.  She earned her Masters in Public Health Nutrition from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York and was awarded the Sirach Award for outstanding achievement in the field of Public Health.  Ms. Brewster is also a certified dietitian-nutritionist with the State of New York.  She is DAN! certified. She hosts a monthly online radio show at AutismOne.com. Geri is an active member in national and state dietetic associations.

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Michael B. Gross, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer of LifeGuard Health, is a nationally recognized expert in the emerging field of wellness and prevention. A graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Gross went on to become a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. He distinguished himself in this field and served in the following leadership positions: Associate Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Medical Director of Vanguard OB/GYN Associates, National Medical Director for MedPartners Women’s Health, and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Philadelphia’s Graduate Hospital, Parkview Division. He is a lifetime Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

After many years in clinical practice and 15 years in physician practice management, Dr. Gross moved in a different direction to follow his life-long passion: wellness and prevention with particular emphasis on improving the healthcare experience. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and serving as Chief Visionary/Program Director/and finally Director of New Business Development, he played a key role in the creation of the Health and Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital, located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Opened in May 2001, this 130,000 square foot, state of the art outpatient wellness facility was designed to provide a superior experience for today’s demanding healthcare consumer. Dr. Gross served eight years as part of the visionary group which crafted this integrated, holistic healthcare model. Presently this building stands as a “best of breed” prototype for other similar facilities across the country as recognized by the Medical Advisory Board.

In pursuing his study of the best modalities in prevention for this health and wellness project, Dr. Gross learned about the benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS) or Omega-3s. Medical research from numerous reputable institutions and journals clearly documents the numerous advantages of EPA and DHA, the essential fatty acids which are the essence of fish oil. His strong desire to help people avoid disease and reduce the effects of existing conditions led him to the development of his present company, LifeGuard Health, whose mission is to provide the best Omega-3s and other evidence-based nutraceuticals in the marketplace today.

Esther Blum, MS, RD, CDN, CNS is credentialed as a registered dietitian, a certified dietitian-nutritionist, and a certified nutrition specialist (CNS).

With 15 years of experience, Ms. Blum ’s talents lie in helping clients gain a deeper understanding of their bodies while achieving a greater balance in energy levels, eating practices, and overall well-being. Ms. Blum is the author of the book Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous: A Nutritionist's Guide to Living Well While Living It Up (2007) and Secrets of Gorgeous (2008).

Ms. Blum received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, and her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition at New York University. She has also received certification in holistic nutrition from the Designs For Health Institute, a unique educational organization dedicated to increasing the awareness among health professionals of the clinical effectiveness and scientific evidence supporting nutritional medicine and other natural therapies.

Widely respected as an industry expert, Ms. Blum has been a guest on The Today Show, Style Network’s “Isaac” with Isaac Mizrahi, ABC-TV with Dr. Jay Adlersberg, FOX 5's Good Day New York, the WB11 morning news, WOR-AM's (New York) program Health Talk, and Bloomberg Radio. She has consulted for national publications In Style, Fitness, Bazaar, Self, Men’s Health, Let’s Live!, Health, and WeightWatchers.com, and lectures widely on nutrition to physician and patient groups.  

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Fred Pescatore, M.D. is a traditionally trained physician practicing nutritional medicine. To pursue his vision of a more personalized and healthful program Dr. Fred opened Partners in Integrative Medicine and wrote three important books, Feed Your Kids Well, Thin for Good, The Allergy and Asthma Cure, and The Hamptons Diet.

Major television reporters, radio hosts and print journalists call upon him as a medical expert on nutrition. He has been featured on such shows as The View, The Today Show, Deborah Norville, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox and Friends, and Extra. Recent interviews include Women’s Health and Fitness, Let’s Live, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com and more including the foreign press.

Dr. Pescatore lectures across America, indeed around the world; and is actively involved in clinical research. He is the author of numerous papers and magazine articles. Dr. Fred is a consultant for many firms and is instrumental in developing and clinically testing many leading nutritional products.

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The opinions and statements of the presenters do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Health and Nutrition Science faculty.