IDCP 2021

Dr. Peter Lio is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his internship in Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, and his Dermatology training at Harvard where he served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. Dr. Lio is the founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center and has spoken nationally and internationally about atopic dermatitis, as well as alternative medicine.

After finishing Medical School and Dermatology Residency at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Bodemer completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She was the first Dermatologist to be board certified in both Dermatology and Integrative Medicine and currently is the only Dermatologist to serve on the Integrative Medicine Board. She has authored academic texts and curriculum and has spoken widely on a variety of topics related to Integrative Dermatology. She has always been drawn to exploring how lifestyle choices impact skin health and disease and feels that the most powerful role a physician can play is as an educator and guide, empowering people to get healthy and stay healthy.

Dr. Raja Sivamani is a board-certified dermatologist and practices as an integrative dermatologist at Pacific Skin Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of Clinical Research and the Clinical Trials Unit.He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at California Northstate University, College of Medicine.He engages in clinical practice as well as both clinical and translational research that integrates bioengineering, nutrition, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, he takes an integrative approach to his patients and in his research.He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 10 textbook chapters, and a textbook entitled Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3rd Edition with a passion for expanding the evidence and boundaries of integrative medicine for skin care.

Dr. Judith Hong is a board-certified dermatologist at a private practice in Santa Rosa, California. After completing medical school and residency training at UCSF, she moved to Sonoma County and developed an interest in meditation, qigong, and reiki practices. She is a certified reiki-teacher master and enjoys doing reiki for friends, colleagues, and patients.

Dr Neal Jain is an Arizona native. He obtained his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and subsequently trained in Pediatrics at Phoenix Children’s Hospital where he served as a chief resident during 2001-2002. Both he and Dr. Shimamoto trained in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at National Jewish Health Center and University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Jain was appointed Chief Fellow at National Jewish Health Center and was a member of the Medical Staff between 2003-2004. Prior to joining San Tan Allergy & Asthma in January 2010 , he practiced as an Allergist/Immunologist at Dean Health System in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Jain was also on faculty as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin in the division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, where he supervised fellows in training. He has been an active member of the community serving as Medical Director for the Food Allergy Association of Wisconsin, Chair of The Wisconsin Asthma Coalition and on the Board of Directors for the National Eczema Association. Dr. Jain is President of the Arizona Allergy Society, a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology and of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and Pediatrics. Dr. Jain is currently a regular contributing writer of the “House Call” segment for the magazine Living Without (http://www.livingwithout.com/) and has also been featured on a nationally syndicated television program to discuss new asthma technologies. He has authored or co-authored a number of studies published in peer-reviewed journals and continues to pursue clinical research. Dr. Jain is currently accepting new pediatric and adult patients. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Jain enjoys spending time with his family, playing doubles sand volleyball, and cooking.

Dr. Julie Greenberg is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Registered Herbalist RH(AHG) who specializes in integrative dermatology. She is the founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a holistic clinic that approaches skin and hair problems by finding and treating the root cause. Dr. Greenberg holds degrees from Northwestern University (BA), Stanford University (MBA) and Bastyr University (ND). Her research on the gut microbiome of acne patients has been published in a leading peer-reviewed clinical dermatology journal. While at naturopathic medical school, Dr. Greenberg received training with leading experts in dermatology at the University of Washington Medical School Dermatology Clinic and Seattle Children’s Hospital Pediatric Dermatology Clinic. She lectures at naturopathic medical schools and speaks at conferences across the U.S. on the topics of hair, skin and nails.

Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA is a double board certified family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, who has been utilizing food as medicine since 2012. She is the co-founder and chief medical officer of Mora Medical (Mora.com) which offers physician led medical groups that employ the power of lifestyle medicine to help patients achieve health. She is currently holds 50 state medical licenses (plus DC) across the United States. She is the former co-founder of Plant Based TeleHealth and was the first Managing Editor for the Plantrician Project’s International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. She is also the host of the Health and Mora podcast, whose mission is to provide resources that will empower individuals with the knowledge, mindset, and inspiration to successfully adopt lifestyle interventions and achieve health and wellbeing. 

Laurie received her dual degrees from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and TTU School of Business. She was awarded the TTU School of Medicine Gold Headed Cane Award, a symbol for excellence in the art of medicine and the care of patients. She wrote seven books while in medical school, six of which were in a series called “Visual Mnemonics.” These books used cartoons to help people memorize vast amounts of information—a system that helped her personally when she was a mom attending medical school. As a USAF veteran, she served in the Middle East and South America. She is also a wife, mom of three grown children, author, speaker, and avid runner.

David Damaske is the owner and president of Beaker Pharmacy in Mckinney, Texas. Beaker Pharmacy is an independent retail and compounding pharmacy licensed in 40+ states currently and working towards all 50. Areas of compounding specialty include Dermatology, ENT, GI and BHRT, among others. He has a Doctor of Pharmacy from Midwestern University and a Master of Business Administration for the University of Memphis. Prior to opening Beaker Pharmacy, David had a long career as a Director of Pharmacy for several large health systems in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Dr. Joseph Alban is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Board Certified Herbalist. He has run a private practice in New York City for seventeen years.

Dr. Alban graduated from Touro College’s Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine, obtaining a Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and completed a Doctor of Acupuncture at Five Branches Univerisity. He completed a Chinese Medicine hospital residency in Hunan, China where he trained in acupuncture, Chinese medicine dermatology, and Tui Na medical massage.

He has received the Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology Diploma from world-renowned expert Mazin Al-Khafaji. Dr. Alban sits on the board of the International Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology Association (ITCMDA). He is also the Traditional Chinese Medicine editor for Learn Skin and on the board for the Integrative Dermatology Symposium. He is the head editor and a contributing author of the ebook An Introduction to Chinese Medicine Dermatology which resulted from a collaboration of the ITCMDA and Learn Skin.

Dr. Rajani Katta is a board-certified dermatologist, the author of nine books, and a member of the clinical faculty of both the Baylor College of Medicine and the McGovern Medical School. She is the author of numerous medical journal articles on the link between skin and diet and allergic reactions of the skin. 

Her latest book, Glow: The Dermatologist's Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet, provides an evidence-based and practical approach to eating for younger skin. She maintains a blog at www.KattaMD.com.

Dr. Michelle Jeffries is an Integrative Dermatologist in private practice in Phoenix, AZ. She is a triple board-certified osteopathic physician in Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Jeffries also has a Masters degree in Psychology and is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Her training and background has led her to a unique individualized holistic approach to skin health that blends mind, body and spirit with skincare. To learn more about Dr. Jeffries and Integrative Dermatology visit www.drmichellejeffries.com.

Ms. Goldstein has been featured on ABC Good Morning America, NBC Telemundo, MARTHA, Bravo.com and Sirius radio. She is the author of her book Your Best Face Now: Look Younger in 20 Days With The Do-It-Yourself Acupressure Facelift and the Touch+Glow®: Beauty-Enhancing Acupressure Facelift Kit. She is an instructor at Tri State College of Acupuncture (TSCA) in Manhattan, NY teaching advanced cosmetic acupuncture and writes distance learning courses in cosmetic acupuncture for acupuncturists around the country.

Susan is an attorney with over 25 years of experience. She is the founding member of the Alternative Health Law Firm. Susan’s legal practice is focused in the areas of healthcare law, business transactions, consumer products, and regulatory and advertising law. Susan represents various alternative healthcare practitioners and providers, medical associations, and natural product manufacturers and distributers. Susan regularly serves in a leadership role on projects involving access to plant medicine. In addition to practicing law, Susan is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist.

Matthew has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and natural product industries, where he has led preclinical, clinical, and overall product development teams for some of the world’s largest R&D-based healthcare companies. He has extensive experience in the design and conduct of both qualitative and quantitative human efficacy/safety studies and has strategically recruited and managed teams of world-class scientists, including a team with two Nobel laureates, for business and product development initiatives. Matthew has considerable experience with both US and Canadian government regulators and has been instrumental in the government approval of important medicines and botanical-based products that are marketed in both countries.

Kitty is a veteran risk manager/insurance advisor, working in transfer of risk for businesses since 1985, the last 20 of those years dedicated to “all things” Healthcare. Dr. Vasant Lad and the Ayurvedic Institute, a renowned U.S. School of Ayurveda located in Kitty’s home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, became her client shortly after the new Millennium. The interesting blend of “traditional” western and age-old eastern medicine has been a significant part of her client book since, with institutes, ayurvedic resorts, national and state association representation (NAMA, CAAM, The Maharishi Institute…), authors, med spa & traditional medicine integrative care clinics, as well as numerous practitioners. Vimergy, Kerala and Dr. Sivamani’s research group and his imminent product launch with Jivome.com supplementals are examples of her work.

Dr. Sheila Farhang is a board-certified dermatologist and double-fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon as well as a reconstructive Mohs micrographic (skin cancer) surgeon. “Dr. Sheila” as many know her as fills the space in media as a relatable, millennial skincare expert with expertise in both integrative skincare and cutting-edge procedures. Dr. Sheila is unique that she is also a popular influencer who gives her followers an inside look at her life. To add, she is also highly regarded in the female empowerment space being a founder, CEO, and multi-business owner.

Dr. Sheila attended the University of Texas for her undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Sheila then completed her dermatology residency at the University of South Florida Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Upon completion, she was selected for a position for dual fellowship at the Skin Institute of South Florida and Hollywood Dermatology in the Miami, FL area. During this time, she also completed a year-long entrepreneur and leadership program through the Advancing Innovation in Dermatology led by Harvard faculty and industry leaders.

Dr. Sheila has numerous publications in top dermatology journals, has written textbook chapters and her research has been presented worldwide.

Dr. Sheila is considered a media expert by the American Academy of Dermatology and has been selected as a Key Opinion Leader for large industry skin and beauty companies. Dr. Sheila has a large social media presence (@Dr.Sheila_Derm) where she known for her entrepreneurship, skin and beauty tips, health/wellness, and her integrative medical approach. Dr. Sheila she is considered a celebrity media expert with several magazine features including Women’s Health Magazine and Allure. She is also a guest expert on national shows including Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and The Mel Robins Show. She is founder and medical director of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, Co-Founder of Vispera Health, and guest faculty instructor for the Integrative Dermatology Program.

Natalie Ficek is an Associate Attorney at Malecki Brooks Law Group, LLC. She graduated from DePaul University College of Law and obtained a health law certificate through DePaul’s health law program. She is a licensed attorney in Illinois and is Certified in Healthcare Compliance.  She has worked in community hospitals where she received extensive experience with corporate transactions and compliance. She works on several transactions at the firm and helps physicians who are in the process of opening their own practice. She has also been advising clients on several telemedicine issues particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Melinda Malecki is a Health Law attorney with 25 years of corporate, regulatory, and risk management experience. As a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), she provides legal counsel, corporate compliance, and risk management services to physicians, safety net hospitals and healthcare organizations, including federally qualified health centers.
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Ms. Malecki began her career as a risk manager at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. She became the Director of Risk Management and Legal Services at West Suburban Medical Center, Oak Park, and later became the Medical Center’s General Counsel. While working for West Suburban, Ms. Malecki managed all legal services for the Medical Center’s administration and staff. She directed all insurance purchasing and significantly reduced the Medical Center’s financial exposure due to insurance expenses. She began the private practice of law in 2000 and continues to consult in all of the foregoing areas.
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Ms. Malecki has extensive experience in the area of physician representation, including sales and purchases of practices, contract negotiations and corporate disputes. Her work as a hospital attorney benefits her physician clients in dealing with such matters as medical staff issues and contractual negotiations.
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One of Ms. Malecki’s greatest skills is handling risk management issues for healthcare organizations. She is frequently retained to create or redesign a risk management function / program for facilities that need to pass an accreditation or are at risk of losing insurance coverage.
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Ms. Malecki serves on the board of PCC Community Wellness Center, a federally qualified healthcare center based in Oak Park, Illinois and on the board of Anderson Animal Shelter in Elgin, Illinois.