Dr. Sood is one of the world's leading experts on resilience and wellbeing. He is the creator of the Resilient Option program and executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing. He was not only a professor of medicine but also held the position of Chair for student life and wellness at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Sood has presented at some of the highest impact forums like, TEDx, Lake Nona, Forbes Under 30 Forum, Conference Board, Beckers, YPO, NPR, NAMI, NBGH, NASA, keynotes for Fortune 500 companies, universities, foundations, and others. Dr. Sood has authored or co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, editorials, book chapters, abstracts and letters. He developed the first Mayo Clinic iPhone app for meditation training. He has also authored multiple books including The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living, The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness, Immerse: A 52-Week Course in Resilient Living, Mindfulness Redesigned for the Twenty-First Century, Stronger, SMART with Dr. Sood, 2021: Your Year of Healing, and That Makes Sense: Bite-sized resilience insights to lift your day. Dr. Sood serves as member of the Everyday Health Wellness Advisory Board.
Dr. Dysinger founded Lifestyle Medical with a mission to empower people to make healthy lifestyle choices. Dr. Dysinger was previously Chair of the Preventive Medicine Department at Loma Linda University Medical Center, the #2 best hospital in the Inland Empire according to U.S. News Rankings. Dr. Dysinger is an international leader in holistic care and lifestyle medicine, having served as Founder and Chairman of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Dysinger is passionate about treating the whole person as naturally as possible.
Brenda Davis, registered dietitian, is a world leading plant-based pioneer and an internationally acclaimed speaker. Brenda has been a featured speaker at medical, nutrition, and dietetic conferences in 25 countries on 6 continents. As a prolific nutrition writer, Brenda has authored/co-authored 13 books with nearly a million copies in print in 15 languages. Brenda has also authored and co-authored numerous professional and lay articles and is a past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association. Brenda was the lead dietitian in a diabetes intervention research project in the Marshall Islands. On her last trip (November 2017), she developed a nutrition education curriculum for kindergarten through grade 6 and trained teachers in all public schools. Brenda was the recipient of the Plantrician Project’s 2022 Luminary Award.
Dr. Ramirez is a medical doctor, research scientist, published author and international speaker. Dr. Ramirez 's major research interest has been how food and lifestyle have the ability to prevent and reverse physical and mental disease. This research has resulted in over 165 publications which he has shared in person in 93 countries. He is a peer reviewer for various journals. His work has been featured on NBC, Icelandic National TV, Telemundo & KBC in Kenya. He is the author of Pandemic Busters, 21 Day Turn Around, the Vitality Code and a co-author of the 3rd & 4th edition of the textbook of Lifestyle Medicine and also the book Rethink Food together with Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Hans Diehl, Dr. Joel Furhman and other lifestyle medicine leaders.
Jengyu Lai earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) and completed a Biomechanics Research fellowship and Podiatric Orthopedic residency at the Des Moines University. He subsequently completed an NIH fellowship in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Lai emphasizes an integrative approach to treat and manage the lower extremity problems. He also focuses on applying lifestyle medicine principles to assess and treat the root causes of common lower limb conditions. Dr. Lai currently practices at Rochester Clinic and is a certified physician wound specialist, Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) facilitator and Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) coach. He also serves on the boards of Lotus Health Foundation and Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing.
Dawn is a Diagnostic Breast Specialist at Mayo Clinic Florida where she cares for women at an elevated risk for breast cancer, women undergoing active breast cancer treatment, and breast cancer survivorship. In 2015, Dawn developed the Integrative Medicine and Breast Health Program at Mayo Clinic Florida. The foundation of the program was built on the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. In 2021, recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in integrative oncology. Dawn is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Physician in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida, and a Medical Director for the Lyndra P. Daniel Center for Humanities in Medicine. She is double board certified including Board Certification in Lifestyle Medicine, and is currently developing an elective Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum with the support of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) that will be offered to all Mayo Clinic residents across the enterprise starting fall 2022.
Chuck Carroll is host of the Physicians Committee’s popular “The Exam Room” podcast and known widely as The Weight Loss Champion, a name given to him by an NFL player for losing an incredible 275 pounds. At just 5 feet 6 inches tall, Chuck weighed 420 pounds and had a 66-inch waist before radically changing his life. Before that, like so many others, he tried and failed countless times to lose weight. Any success he achieved was short-lived as the weight came pouring back on and then some. At his heaviest, he was eating 10,000 calories every day. Out of desperation, he decided to have weight loss surgery in 2009. Prior to the procedure he was convinced that it would become like all the other failed attempts to lose weight. Chuck was just 27 years old at the time and didn’t believe he would live to see 30. He thought at least he would go to his grave saying he tried everything. But then the unexpected happened. He woke up from the surgery and never looked back. Although a critical component, the procedure proved only to be the first step in his journey. In fact, he only attributes 10 percent of his long-term weight loss success to it. The rest he credits to a plant-based diet and changing his lifestyle! By adopting a plant-based diet, he is no longer afraid of regaining the weight as he had so many times before — no more yo-yo dieting! He is thrilled that he is lowering his risk of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, all of which run rampant in his family. As a bonus, he is no longer spending massive amounts of money on medical expenses because of his drastically improved health! The confidence he gained from the weight loss enabled him to pursue his dream of becoming a reporter where he covered sports and news for CBS and later NBC News Radio. He was also previously featured in PCRM’s Teaming Up 4 Health campaign where he had the opportunity to speak on Capitol Hill and share his remarkable journey. Now he is delighted to be bringing his passion and talents to the Physicians Committee as host of The Exam Room and to show others that the impossible is possible — you can get healthy!
Thomas E. Kottke, MD, MSPH, Medical Director for Well-Being at HealthPartners and Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, is also a health services researcher at the HealthPartners Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Kottke obtained his MD degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal) and at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. He received an MSPH in epidemiology from the School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he was also a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar. Dr. Kottke trained in cardiovascular diseases and preventive cardiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Kottke is board certified in internal medicine and the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Kottke was a member of the first US Preventive Services Task Force and the three federal panels that authored evidence-based guidelines for the clinical treatment of tobacco dependence. He co-chairs the National Quality Forum (NQF) Cardiovascular Standing Committee and has chaired the NQF Consensus Standards Advisory Committee. In 2022, Dr. Kottke joined the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF). He is a past president of the Twin Cities Medical Society. He currently chairs the board of directors of Face to Face and is a member of the Protect Minnesota board of directors.
Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler, DM, attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a medical degree from the School of Medicine, and a master’s degree in epidemiology and public policy from the School of Public Health. She completed the National Institute of Health Physician Scientist track. Academic focus is primary and secondary prevention of chronic disease. She is a board-certified internist and cardiologist, focusing on the prevention of heart disease and behavioral change that supports overall wellbeing. Dr. Jordan Baechler serves as medical director of health equity and health promotion at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Previous roles include an appointment as assistant commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of the Penny George Institute for Health and Health, Allina Health’s prevention, wellness and clinical service line. She served as a consultant to the Statewide Health Improvement Plan for the clinical work group in Minneapolis. She has been an author of the Healthy Lifestyle Guideline for the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, serves on the MN Department of Health Prevention of Cardiovascular and Stroke Committee, as well as the Maternal Mortality Review Committee for the Department of Health. Leadership roles have included general board membership for the YMCA of the greater Twin Cities, CVS Health National Health Equity Advisory Board, a policy advocate for the American Heart Association of MN as well as co-chair of the Twin Cities Go Red campaign in 2021. She is passionate about helping individuals, families, and communities to find their highest state of wellbeing—body, mind and spirit.
Brian Carlsen, M.D. is a father of four, a surgeon, and an athlete. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a 3rd year medical student and was able to continue to pursue his life goals of a career in surgery. He specializes in hand surgery and upper and lower limb reconstruction at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2014, he discovered a whole food, plant-based diet and never looked back. He has 9 years of experience with this dietary lifestyle while optimizing his diabetes control, a busy career, family life, and competing in endurance sports. He loves helping others on this path that has been dramatically life changing for him.
Lauren Plunkett RDN LD CDCES, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care & education specialist with over 30 years of personal experience living with type 1 diabetes. Her professional experience includes pediatric endocrinology, performance nutrition, virtual primary care, and diabetes health coaching. Lauren is dedicated to educating individuals on the benefits of plant-based nutrition for preventing and improving chronic conditions, while bridging the gap between the lived experience and the healthcare professional. Beyond her clinical experience, she serves as a writer, spokesperson, public speaker, indoor cycling instructor, and author of the award-winning book, Type One Determination.
Sara Persinger is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over fifteen years of experience helping people overcome poor health habits to achieve better health and vitality. Sara obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. As an inpatient nurse, she cared for severely ill patients suffering from end-stage chronic disease, many of which resulted from a lifetime of poor lifestyle choices. Witnessing her patients’ suffering compelled her to become a nurse practitioner where she could provide primary care services and play a greater role in prevention. Sara holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Winona State University and completed the Nurse Practitioner Residency program at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. She is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also board certified in Lifestyle Medicine from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Sara’s areas of interest include smoking cessation, weight loss, whole-food plant-predominant eating, addiction medicine, mindfulness-based approaches to stress reduction, and behavioral health coaching. Sara is a passionate believer that anyone can transform their health. She partners with patients to deliver holistic healthcare that utilizes evidence-based interventions to reverse disease and enhance overall wellness. Sara also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chrisitan Ministry from Northwestern University and can offer faith-based support for patients upon request. Sara lives in Rochester with her husband and five children. She enjoys spending time outdoors, experimenting with new forms of exercise, watching historical documentaries, and doing craft projects with her children.
Dr. Dawn Jacobson, MD, is a board-certified physician and innovative leader in Integrative, Lifestyle, and Functional Medicine. With over twenty years of experience, her training includes the Preventive Medicine residency at UC-San Diego, the Integrative Medicine fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine certification, Lifestyle Medicine competencies, the Bredesen ReCODE program for cognitive health, and the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Professions program. Dr. Jacobson’s treatment plans integrate evidence-based western and eastern medical approaches. She is passionate about addressing the root causes of common chronic diseases and has expertise in cardiometabolic health, cognitive health, digestive health, cancer care optimization, and hormone balance for women and men (stress, thyroid, reproductive). As a trailblazer in personalized medicine, Dr. Jacobson offers tailor-made medical solutions that are finely attuned to each individual. Her effective approach has led to > 75 % improvement in health at 6 months and > 90% improvement for those who participate for at least 12 months. Dr. Jacobson is also a singer/songwriter who has released two full length albums. She believes music can be a powerful healing force and shares her music through local performances and online streaming platforms. She collaborates with sound healers to explore the healing effects of music on health and well-being. She enjoys cooking seasonal Ayurvedic inspired meals, practicing yoga, and hiking the beautiful parks throughout the Driftless region of MN, WI, and IA.
Letticia Callies is a dedicated certified aromatherapist at Rochester Clinic, providing holistic care to CHIP participants, patients, and staff. Aromatherapy is an evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine modality that supports physical and emotional wellness. Letticia works to identify underlying causes of ailments and improve quality of life. Letticia believes every "BODY" is different and takes an individualized approach to aromatherapy, focusing on each person's unique needs. Letticia's belief in the importance of building authentic relationships with her clients is a cornerstone of her practice, as she sees them as critical to fostering healing and joy. Letticia's qualifications include a Doctorate in Ministry in Christian Counseling Psychology, a Master's in Communication, Aromatic Scholars Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy, and she is Certified Facilitator for the Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program. She incorporates her education and professional experience, including brain science, healthy living, and life coaching, into her aromatherapy sessions. She specializes in stress management therapy and resilience to decrease the risk of chronic illness and acute conditions. She aims to encourage lifelong habits through small, consistent changes. Outside of her role at Rochester Clinic, Letticia provides group sessions for Joy Company, a Women Veteran 40+ Support Group, and volunteers her services for the Veteran PTSD group. Letticia enjoys traveling and lazy days with her husband and six children. She is a homeschool educator, sports mom, wrestling mindset coach, and author. She loves cooking, baking, and developing new recipes. She is a tea enthusiast and enjoys collecting unique, inspirational mugs. Letticia loves a quiet evening watching the sunset.
Chad attained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2007 from the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN. He has practiced full-time in outpatient orthopedic clinics for 17 years and has also worked part-time in a nursing home and transitional care unit for over a decade. Keeping patients pain free, healthy, and active is his professional mission. He is the founder and owner of Relief Physical Therapy and Wellness here in Rochester. Chad and his wife find any excuse they can to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, no matter what time of year.
Mei Liu, founder of Lotus Health Foundation and Chief Financial Officer of Rochester Clinic, earned her master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Des Moines University and an MBA from Drake University. In her current role, Mei serves as a proponent of lifestyle medicine and considers it to be the most effective way to reduce chronic disease and mitigate a crisis that is impacting all human health, financial markets, and the environment. As a certified facilitator of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), Mei and the physician team at Rochester Clinic first introduced this lifestyle medicine education program to the Rochester community in 2015. After witnessing a transformation in more than 100 CHIP participants, Mei recognized a need for lifestyle interventions in the community and founded Lotus Health Foundation, the non-profit arm of Rochester Clinic, in 2016. Mei believes more health care providers should serve as role models and deliver the message about healthy lifestyles and nutrient dense plant-based whole foods. Lifestyle education offers people the opportunity to achieve better health. “If I am able to save one person’s life, that person may turn around to save a community,” Mei said. “Together, we can make this a healthy world for us and for our next generation.” Mei is actively involved with community outreach and advocates for health equity in underserved neighborhoods. She also works with local businesses and collaborative partners to grow health and wellness initiatives in the region. Outside of work, Mei enjoys cooking and gardening.
Step into a world where wellness isn't just a dream but a joyful reality, guided by Denise Stegall, The Healthy Living Liaison. With a focus on real food, wise decisions, and accountability, Denise empowers professional women to embrace vibrant living. The Forever Wellness Lifestyle, based on her international best-selling book, "Healthy Living, Happy Life," offers a comprehensive approach tailored to individual goals and values. Healthy Thinking, her second bestseller, serves as an integral part of this transformation journey. Drawing from her own vibrant life, Denise proves that vitality is achievable at any age. Join Denise on a journey of transformation, where well-being aligns with personal and professional aspirations. It's time to thrive with energy, health, and joy under Denise's expert guidance. Welcome to a new chapter of vitality and fulfillment.
Ron is a seasoned veteran when it comes to media with over 30+ years of experience. Ron has been with ABC 6 News (KAAL TV) here in Rochester for a total of 4 years. Ron has almost done it all in media. 11 years in radio, 12 years print/digital and now TV & Digital/Streaming. Ron and his wife Jody, who is a Transplant Coordinator, are from the area. Ron grew up in Northwood Iowa, his wife Jody in Kenyon MN. They have two daughters: Angela, recently married to Geovani and lives in the Twin Cities and Ashley, their guardian angel. They recently went from a 155 lb. Newfoundland Dog to two cats. Ron’s Philosophy: Ron has always been passionate about being in media. From Radio, Print, Digital to TV, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients. He loves meeting new people, getting involved in the community, and helping others navigate the ever-changing media landscape. He believes there is a reason for everything, and do not let anything stand in your way of happiness. You control your destiny. You only have one life to live, so make the most of it by helping others. Ron’s Fun Fact: Ron has performed at events and on stage as an Actor, Emcee, Dancer, Auctioneer, and Disc Jockey, and of course in TV ads.
Dr. Dwight L. Jennings is a former conductor of the Southeastern Minnesota Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (2015-2017). He retired from Rochester Public Schools in 2015 after 35 years of service in education. Most of his work in education was served as Principal of Kellogg Middle School, here in Rochester. Before COVID, Dr. Jennings was active as a member of several local music groups (IBM Jazz Band, Rochester Flute Choir, First Presbyterian Recorder Ensemble, Rochester Pops Orchestra, First Presbyterian Choir). He continues to study, teach and perform on the violin and saxophone. He is currently the conductor of the Rochester Flute Ensemble. Dr. Jennings holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Virginia State University, a Masters of Arts degree in Music Education from The University of Iowa, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education with a Music History minor, from Indiana University, and a Fifth Year certificate in School Administration from Winona State University. Dr. Jennings is an active member of the Minnesota Civil Air Patrol, flight instructor, mission, and check pilot. Dr. Jennings is married to retired Mayo Nurse Practitioner, Lea B. Jennings and they have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.
Lotus Health Foundation provides evidence-based education and preventive services to empower individuals to successfully manage or prevent chronic illness and decrease medical costs through healthy lifestyle management and resulting decreased need for medical interventions.
