Meet Our Staff
 

“I would not have come this far without the expert guidance, instruction and insight into smoking addiction provided by your program.”  Attorney, Sacramento, California

John E. Hodgkin, M.D., Center for Health pulmonologist, serves as medical director to the St. Helena Center for Health’s Center for a Smoke-Free Life® . He has had over 200 journal articles and chapters for books published, relating to the field of respiratory care, pulmonary rehabilitation and pulmonary medicine. He obtained his medical degree at Loma Linda University Medical Center and completed a pulmonary fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Hodgkin is the lead editor of the foremost clinical textbook on pulmonary rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Guidelines to Success, and is now working on its fourth edition. The book is used by medical schools, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. Dr. Hodgkin is a Co-editor of the third edition of Fundamentals of Heart and Lung Sounds, published in 2004. Dr. Hodgkin is a Past-President and Founding Fellow of the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He was selected for the Outstanding Clinician of the Year Award, by the California Thoracic Society, in 2007.

James A. Peters, MD. Dr. Peters offers Primary Care with an Integrative Medicine Approach. Integrative Medicine provides prevention and intervention treatment options for chronic diseases and conditions to help clients achieve optimal health.

He is Physician that is Board Certified in Preventive Medicine with a focus in Integrative, Lifestyle, and Nutritional Medicine. He has extensive primary medicine experience. Dr. Peters is highly trained in the areas of Diabetes, Asthma, Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, Heart Disease, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, COPD, Osteoporosis, Bio-Identical Hormone replacement therapy, and other health problems. Dr. Peters utilizes the best of regular medicine and integrates evidence-based interventions from nutrition, botanicals, and alternative treatment methods. He is passionate about educating and motivating people to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Dr. Peters is a graduate of Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine with his MD degree. He holds a second doctoral degree from Loma Linda University in Public Health (DrPH) with a special emphasis in health promotion and prevention. His master’s degree (MPH) is in epidemiology, which explores the factors that cause health or disease. Dr. Peters has been active in a number of large research studies. Dr. Peters also holds an adjunct associate professor faculty appointment with Loma Linda University, in Southern California. He is also a Registered Dietitian, RD, and has a strong appreciation for the power of nutrition and the role it plays in health. Additionally, he is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and has over 30 years of experience with various lung health problems.

Dr. Peters is a member of the Napa County Medical Society, the California Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the American Diabetes Association, the American College of Preventive Medicine, the American Dietetic Association, the American Association of Respiratory Care, and is a founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.



Betsy Titus, M.S., Program Coordinator. She holds a graduate degree in the field of Exercise Physiology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a BA in Health Education from Chico State University.  She worked as a Stanford University research assistant on the Women’s Health Initiative, one of the most definitive, far-reaching programs of research on women’s health ever undertaken in the U.S.



Vicki Saunders, M.S., R.D., Dietitian, joined the Center for Health staff in 1979 after receiving her graduate degree in Medical Dietetics from Ohio State University. Vicki is an expert in diet behavior modification, having helped thousands make a comfortable, step-by-step transition to healthful eating.



Arlene Taylor, Ph.D., is founder and president of Realizations Inc., a non-profit corporation that promotes brain-function research and related educational resources. A brain-function consultant, author and speaker, she is creator of The Brain Program. Taylor holds an MS in Epidemiology and Health Education, as well as doctorates in Health and Human Services and Clinical Counseling.



Russell Melgar, BA, CPT, CFT, Fitness Specialist and Coordinator.  He brings an extensive background of instructing various sports and fitness activities as well as practical and theoretical training in rehabilitation, exercise and massage to the Center for Health. He received his undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University in Broadcast Communication Arts. He holds a second-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate. He is also a certified personal trainer, certified fitness therapist, and a certified massage therapist/health educator.



Marcia W. Sturm, MA, LMT, Stress Management Therapist and Yoga Instructor. Marcia has a graduate degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University. Her thesis integrated her 20-year yoga experience (10 years as a teacher) with modern psychological therapies to assist individuals on their journey toward wellness and self-discovery. She has discovered progressive relaxation and guided visualization techniques direct clients toward a more stress-free life, while gentle Yoga postures help build strength, flexibility and self-awareness. Certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy and licensed in massage, Marcia combines these skills to offer students a supportive environment in which to grow toward wellness and self-discovery. When not on the Yoga mat, Marcia enjoys reading, playing golf and hiking.

Judy Chaffin, MS, MFT, Behavioral Therapist. Judy is a licensed psychotherapist with a special interest in addictions. She completed her graduate studies in counseling at Dominican University in San Rafael, California, in 1988. Since then she has worked with people from all segments of society around their issues of addiction and personal development. Before beginning at Dominican, Judy worked for many years as a college textbook editor. Now, in her spare time, of which there is little, she finds entertainment and woe in being an on-line bookseller. Judy is a recovered ex-smoker, just like you: a puff away from a pack-a-day.

Susan Raring F.N.P., M.S.N. Susan Raring has been a board certified family nurse practitioner for 21 years and R.N. for 37 years. Sue earned her B.S.N. from Upstate New York Keuka College's highly regarded nursing program and completed her Master of Science Degree in Nursing at Sonoma State University. She has experience in addiction medicine, psychiatry, occupational health, family practice, geriatrics and cosmetic surgery. She loves caring for and helping people achieve and maintain wellness. As an ex-smoker, she is grateful for every deep breath she takes while hiking and speed walking on the treadmill. Sue has lived in Santa Rosa for 22 years and after returning home from "impact hikes" enjoys needle pointing, sewing for her grandchildren, gardening and cooking.

Erick Neuharth, Executive Chef in Nutritional Services (NS). Erick Neuharth is the executive chef in Nutritional Services (NS). He is a graduate of the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, and has continued his education at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone.