Reliable, Evidence-Based Health Information
Each issue of the HOPE Health Letter is meticulously researched by experienced writers and editors to ensure your readers are receiving reliable, evidence-based health information to promote healthier lifestyle choices.
And then the HOPE Health Letter is reviewed by our prestigious and diversified Medical Advisory Board to guarantee medical accuracy, timeliness and suitability for a consumer audience.
Our Advisors adhere to strict Quality Review Procedures
to ensure accuracy. To review our procedures, click
here .
Led by Dr. William Mayer, here are the members of our Medical Advisory Board:
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William J. Mayer, MD, MPH
Medical Editor
Dr. Mayer is Board Certified in Preventive Medicine. He has served as a Program Director at the National Cancer Institute, and was a Co-Leader serving Fortune 100 clients in Health Care Consulting at Watson Wyatt Worldwide. During seven years with the Kellogg Company, he was Vice President Medical Affairs, Executive Vice President, New Business Development, and President Functional Foods. He also served as CEO, President and Director of QualityMetric, leading the launch of an online health assessment funded by GlaxoSmithKline.
Dr. Mayer has authored publications in the American Journal of Public Health, Seminars in Oncology , and contributed several book chapters. He has served as a reviewer for the New England Journal of Medicine . He is currently Vice President at Bronson Healthcare Group, a not-for-profit, tertiary healthcare system serving Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana; and the only healthcare organization in the nation to win the 2005 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. He is also Chief, Strategy and Business Development for the Family Health Center of Battle Creek, a Federally-Qualified Community Health Center serving the medically underserved of Calhoun County, Michigan. Dr. Mayer has served in a variety of appointments in the health care community, and is the recipient of a number of Honors and Awards. |
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Lester R. Sauvage, MD
Founder & Medical Director Emeritus, Hope Heart Institute
Dr. Sauvage founded the Hope Heart Institute in 1959. He worked as a cardiovascular surgeon for over 30 years before retiring in 1991. Over the years, he has been credited with conducting and advancing groundbreaking cardiovascular research. Dr. Sauvage is dedicated to the prevention of cardiovascular disease through education. He has given numerous speeches, and is the author of three books. |
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Victor J. Barry, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Barry has been in private dental practice on First Hill in Seattle since 1977, and has served on the Medical Courtesy staff of Swedish Medical Center since the mid-80s. Volunteer work in his profession has included serving as president of the Seattle-King County Dental Society (SKCDS) and the Washington State Dental Association (WSDA). From 1994 to 1998, he represented the Pacific Northwest and Alaska on the American Dental Association Board of Trustees. Dr. Barry also served for 10 years as editor for SKCDS, and for six years in a similar role for WSDA. In 1993, he was awarded the American College of Dentists' Gies editorial award, the highest honor for dental editors. Dr. Barry has lectured nationally on the subject of porcelain onlays, and has taught professional ethics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry since 1988. |
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Renee Belfor, BS, RD
Clinical Nutrition Specialist
For the past 17 years, Renee has worked as the Nutrition Manager and CNS on the cardiovascular units of Swedish Medical Center's Providence Campus. Among many other accomplishments, she performs nutritional assessments, develops care plans, and manages nutrition support in critical care. She has also provided team leadership on several projects, participates on multidisciplinary committees and supervises dietitian interns. Renee has taught cardiovascular patients and their families how to adopt heart-healthy eating habits in Providence's Outpatient Cardiac Fitness Program since 1987. She is also an active member of The American Society of Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition, Volunteers for the American Heart Association, and has worked on the Swedish/Providence Heart Diet for the past 17 years. |
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Kenneth Holtyn, MS
Small Business Health Promotion Specialist
Ken Holtyn, president of Holtyn & Associates Health Promotion Consultant has provided wellness and health promotion services for over 20 years to more than 400 businesses.Holtyn & Associates worksite wellness programs have received numerous awards from a wide variety of organizations, including several State of Michigan Governors Awards, the American Heart Association and the C. Everett Koop National Health Award for excellence in health promotion.
Ken is recognized nationally as a leader in the field of workplace health and wellness promotion. Ken has testified in Washington D.C. before U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, the Secretary's Council on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services on the status of small business and health promotion.He has served as Vice-President of the Health Promotion and Wellness Council of Michigan and as the American Heart Association Chairman of Worksite Health Promotion for Michigan. The Michigan House of Representatives also recognized him for his contributions to the health of the citizens of Michigan by a House Resolution.
Ken is a member of an Advisory Panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Chronic Disease Directors Association, on the Worksite Health and Productivity Management Project. He is also Co-Chair of the Business Group for the "Michigan Steps Up" campaign. |
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Robert H. Knopp, MD
Dr. Knopp is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Northwest Lipid Research Clinic at the University of Washington. He is also Head of the Section of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition and attending physician at Harborview Medical Center. Dr. Knopp has published over 350 scientific articles and chapters and is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. In 1999, Dr. Knopp was elected president of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, a multidisciplinary society of MD and PhD investigators promoting scientific research and communication; and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and the American Heart Association. |
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Mr. Gary B. Kushner SPHR, CBP
President and CEO of Kushner & Company
Mr. Kushner is an internationally recognized expert and speaker on employee benefits with particular expertise for small business. He has advised three U.S. Presidents on health care and has testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the U.S. House Small Business Committee on employee benefits issues.
Kushner & Company is an employee benefits consulting and administration firm with offices in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Mr. Kushner has been widely quoted in major national media and is a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, AP, Knight-Ridder, the Kiplinger Washington Newsletter, CNN News, Fortune, MSNBC and Good Morning America, among others. He served on the Editorial Review Board of HR Management magazine.
Prior to establishing Kushner & Company in 1982, Mr. Kushner held human resource policy-making positions in both the private and public sectors including the compensation and benefits area.
He earned an MPA in Personnel from Western Michigan University and holds certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Certified Benefit Professional (CBP). |
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Scott Paul Musial
Health Care and Pharmacy Management Consultant
Mr. Musial is Senior Partner and Chief Financial Officer for Pillbox Management Group, a pharmacy consultation company.
During his career in pharmacy management, he has provided Executive Leadership for a Michigan-based managed health care plan, was director of pharmacy benefit management for a large regional health plan, and directed outpatient operations at a university, among other pharmacy-related positions.
A licensed pharmacist, Mr. Musial received his M.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin. |
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Vicki Rackner, MD
Dr. Rackner is a board-certified surgeon and clinical instructor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She left the OR to help employees become active participants in their healthcare, and make consistent choices that lead in the direction of health and wellness. She is the founder of Medical Bridges, a company that offers a bridge between the healthcare you want and the care you're getting. She conducts seminars, speaks, and writes. She is a member of the National Speakers Association. |
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Wallace Wilkins, PhD
Psychologist
Wallace Wilkins, Ph.D., serves as both a licensed psychologist and an organizational consultant. As a clinical psychologist, he helps people deal with unwanted moods (anger, anxiety, depression) and substance use (alcohol, nicotine, drugs, food). As a corporate consultant, he provides workshops and keynotes on stress prevention, conflict mediation and change management. He provides one-on-one coaching for angry executives to eliminate the costly consequences of hostile work environments. Dr. Wilkins is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and is an active member of the Division on Addictions. He is certified in the Treatment of Alcohol and Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders from APA’s College of Professional Psychology. Dr. Wilkins has over 45 publications in refereed journals and over 30 presentations at professional meetings. He is Senior Consultant and Master Trainer for the Conflict Resolution Resource Center. He has trained professionals in Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, and Chile, in addition to the United States and Canada. You can visit his website at www.Take-Risks.com. |
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