Dr. Baker is a Doctor of Chiropractic, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic as well as a doctorate of chiropractic degree from the same institution. He worked as a senior manager in the company’s Health Services department for many years. In this role, Dr. Baker managed several projects related to the research, development, and design of the Healthyroads Web site.

Dr. Baker joined the American Specialty Health consultation team in 2003.

Dr. Wendy Bazilian currently provides nutrition and general health and wellness consultation to American Specialty Health and Healthyroads. In this role, Dr. Bazilian serves as a consultant on professional committees and other ASH projects and as a nutrition writer and editor for Healthyroads.

Dr. Bazilian is a Doctor of Public Health, Registered Dietitian, and certified Health and Fitness Instructor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature/Latin American studies from Tufts University as well as a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of California–San Diego. Dr. Bazilian received her doctorate in public health and nutrition from Loma Linda University, earning the university’s prestigious Chancellor’s Award for academic excellence in the process.

As a leader in the fields of dietetics and fitness, Dr. Bazilian is currently involved in a variety of writing and research endeavors focusing on sports nutrition, women’s health, and exercise. Additionally, Dr. Bazilian has assisted a wide array of clients of all ages with their nutrition and fitness goals through her private practice in San Diego. As a consultant, Dr. Bazilian has written and translated a variety of health-related and multidisciplinary publications and conference presentations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She brings over 10 years of professional writing and health education experience to her work with ASH and Healthyroads.

Dr. Bazilian joined the American Specialty Health consultation team in 2000.

As vice president of consumer health and quality, Dr. Bjornaraa has responsibility for overseeing the clinical aspects of wellness and fitness program quality and consumer health education. These responsibilities include design of health content for wellness and health improvement products and clinical review and oversight of health appeals, grievances, and sentinel event management. She also supports day-to-day operations of ASH’s Health Services department and serves as co-chairperson of ASH’s Health Quality Committee.

Dr. Bjornaraa also provides exercise and fitness expertise to Health Services and Healthyroads in the development and review of consumer health content. She provides other clinical support necessary for program implementation, as appropriate. She also provides clinical support to ASH’s physical therapy and occupational therapy network as needed.

Dr. Bjornaraa is a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist, and holds a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as a master’s degree in physical therapy/athletic training from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. Dr. Bjornaraa also holds a master of public health degree from San Diego State University. She has recently received a PhD in rehabilitation science at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Bjornaraa has held leadership positions on the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Board of Directors as well as its Certification Commission. She also is a faculty member at St. Catherine University in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program.

Dr. Bjornaraa brings more than 20 years of physical therapy experience to her work with ASH and Healthyroads. She has worked with ASH since 1998.

Kat Brokaw is a senior coordinator with the Consumer Health Information team in the Health Services department. She researches, edits, and writes consumer health content for department projects.

Ms. Brokaw brings 20 years of writing and editing experience to the team. She is a published author and playwright. Her experience with American Specialty Health brings to the team her knowledge of document control, quality improvement initiatives, and regulatory review.

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Lauren Brunelle is a health information writer for the Consumer Health Information team within the Health Services department. Ms. Brunelle is responsible for writing and editing content in personal health improvement program materials as well as on the ASH Web sites.

Ms. Brunelle holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of San Diego and she brings more than seven years of writing and editing experience to the company. Before joining the editorial team at American Specialty Health, Ms. Brunelle worked as a copywriter and freelance writer and editor for various publications and industries.

Ms. Brunelle joined the American Specialty Health team in 2008.

With more than twelve years of experience in the field of health education, and a special emphasis on tobacco cessation, Michael Byrd is ASH’s national director of sales for the Healthyroads Wellness Program, a division of American Specialty Health (ASH) that offers members online resources, products, and phone-based education and support to promote healthy lifestyles, specifically around the areas of weight management and tobacco cessation.

Mr. Byrd previously acted as the Director of ASH’s Healthyroads department, where his oversight of product development and educational resource publications, as well as evaluation of outcomes measures, process improvement, and other wellness initiatives helped to propel Healthyroads to a nationally renowned status

Prior to joining ASH, Mr. Byrd acted as a manager of the California Smokers’ Helpline, a statewide telephone-based tobacco cessation program funded through the California Department of Health and operated by the University of California at San Diego. He was involved in authoring research articles and in the design of several research studies pioneering the use of telephone sessions as an effective intervention for tobacco cessation.

Michael Byrd received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from UCSD and Master’s degrees in social work and business administration from San Diego State University (SDSU). He also earned an MBA degree with honors from SDSU.

Tim Curns currently serves as the writer/editor for American Specialty Health’s Marketing Communications team. In this role, Mr. Curns develops press releases and promotional materials, manages the editorial content of the company’s corporate media kit and marketing style guide, and edits the monthly ASH News Flash e-newsletter and Weekly News Alerts on hot topics in wellness and complementary health care.

Prior to joining the Marketing Department, Mr. Curns was responsible for writing and editing Healthyroads Web site and newsletter materials, coordinating annual review of Healthyroads Web content in compliance with accreditation standards and company policy, and generating ideas for stories and articles.

Mr. Curns holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Binghamton University in New York. Prior to his work at ASH, Mr. Curns worked for several years as editor of HPCwire, a news e-zine covering the high-performance computing industry. Here, he interviewed experts in the field and generated weekly content for the Web site.

Mr. Curns joined the American Specialty Health team in 2005.

Teri Denhart is currently a senior manager on American Specialty Health’s Clinical Quality Management team. In this role, Ms. Denhart co-chairs the Provider Quality and Credentialing Committee, is a voting member of the Corporate Quality Oversight Committee, and manages quality improvement studies and activities for the department. She and her team manage the Clinical Provider Review Committee’s provider appeal activities. Ms. Denhart also participates in Healthyroads Clinical Advisory Committee activities, has written several articles, and has assisted in the development of many educational programs.

Ms. Denhart has been a Registered Nurse in California for over 25 years. She maintains certification by the American Association of Managed Care Nurses as well as the National Association of Healthcare Quality. She brings over 20 years of experience in the managed care field, including home health, utilization management, accreditation compliance, and the research and development of various complementary clinical specialty programs to her work with ASH.

Ms. Denhart joined the American Specialty Health team in 1997.

Lauren Duffy is an Editorial Specialist for the Consumer Health Information team in Health Services. In this role, Ms. Duffy is responsible for developing and editing consumer health content in personal health improvement programs and on ASH Web sites.

Ms. Duffy holds a bachelor’s degree in English and anthropology from the University of Virginia. She brings five years of experience in print and online media to the company. Prior to joining American Specialty Health, Ms. Duffy served as a writer and content editor for a network of websites and as an acquisitions editor for an allied health and medical publishing company.

Ms. Duffy joined the American Specialty Health team in 2008.

Ann Moses is currently the senior managing editor of American Specialty Health’s Health Services Consumer Health Information team, where she provides process oversight and management and development of consumer health content in personal health improvement program materials, on ASH Web sites, and in other special projects. She edits guidebooks, online health and wellness articles, and other educational and clinical materials. Prior to joining the CHI team, Ms. Moses managed the policy documentation process and the development of administrative, core, and state-specific policies as well as project activities within the company’s Health Services department.

Ms. Moses holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Old Dominion University. She brings over 16 years of experience in the managed care field to her work with ASH.

Ms. Moses joined the American Specialty Health team in 1996.

Wendy Fluckiger-Brown is currently a director in American Specialty Health’s Health Services department, where she works with a team of writers and editors to develop consumer health information content for Healthyroads personal health improvement programs and company Web sites.

Ms. Fluckiger-Brown is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Acupuncturist, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wyoming as well as a master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Additionally, Ms. Fluckiger-Brown has received extensive training in mind-body interventions such as mental imagery and relaxation skills. Prior to joining American Specialty Health, Ms. Fluckiger-Brown maintained a private acupuncture and massage clinic in La Costa, California. She brings over 20 years of health care and wellness education experience to her work with ASH.

Ms. Fluckiger-Brown joined the American Specialty Health team in 2001.

Page Gaither currently serves as project manager of literary research for the Health Services department. In this role, Ms. Gaither is responsible for research, documentation, and editorial oversight of consumer health content on ASH Web sites and in Healthyroads program materials.

Ms. Gaither holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned a master’s degree in technical and professional writing, and a graduate certificate in scientific writing from San Diego State University, during which time she conducted research in technical communications, medical rhetoric, and educational psychology.

Before joining ASH, Ms. Gaither worked as a freelance writer and editor, providing copywriting, copyediting, documentation, ghostwriting, and information design services to clients in various industries.

Ms. Gaither joined the American Specialty Health team in 2006.

Justine Greene, MD, is a board certified Family Practice physician with experience in primary care, urgent care, occupational health, and university health care. She graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1987 and completed her residency training in Family Medicine at the University of California, Irvine in 1990. Dr. Greene also received the degree of Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 1999. In addition, she is certified by the American Board of Holistic Medicine.

Dr. Greene has been a consultant for American Specialty Health since 1999 and is currently the company’s Associate Medical Director.

Brett Hanson joined American Specialty Health as National Director of Fitness Network Management, which oversees all Fitness Network recruitment and developmental programming in addition to overseeing the Silver&Fit product.

Mr. Hanson brings over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry. He has worked with several fitness organizations, including the Apex Fitness Group, ABC Financial Services, Gold’s Gym, and World Gym of the Cayman Islands.

Jeff Keller currently serves as the manager of American Specialty Health’s marketing communications team. In this role, Mr. Keller is responsible for media relations, brand management, and editorial content of the company’s sales materials and corporate Web sites. Prior to joining the MC team, Mr. Keller served as Healthyroads’ senior editor.

Mr. Keller holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining American Specialty Health in 2001, Mr. Keller held editorial positions with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and other health care communications companies. He brings over 10 years of communications and information systems experience to his work with ASH.

As Chief Health Services Officer at American Specialty Health (ASH), Dr. Douglas Metz oversees the clinical aspects of the organization including: health services research, clinical product and health information development, health policy, professional and governmental affairs, and clinical quality improvement.

He chairs the Corporate Quality Oversight Committee, the Professional Affairs Healthcare Advisory Committee, and the Clinical Research and Development committees for American Specialty Health. Dr. Metz has an extensive background in many aspects of chiropractic managed care, including guideline development, utilization management, quality management, credentialing, and network strategy.

Prior to his 13 years with American Specialty Health, Dr. Metz served as a medical director for Aetna Health Plans. He was responsible for the oversight of chiropractic policy and programs for Aetna’s indemnity programs, PPOs, HMOs, point-of-service plans, and managed workers’ compensation nationally.

Dr. Metz has played a critical role in corporate implementation of NCQA and URAC standards, leading the company to URAC accreditation and NCQA certification. Dr. Metz has served on the URAC board of directors and is currently the chairman of the URAC Health Standards Committee; he has served on the Health Standards Committee for 8 years. In addition, Dr. Metz serves as chairman of the Provider Relations and Quality Committee of the National Association of Specialty Health Organization.

Dr. Metz is a member of several professional organizations, including: the American Society for Quality, the Disease Management Association of America, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American Back Society, the American Public Health Association, the Society for Behavioral Medicine

He is also a member of several patient advocacy orgaizations including: the Acoustic Neuroma Association, the National Brain Tumor Foundation

Dr. Metz is a 1983 graduate of the National College of Chiropractic, where he received a bachelor of science degree in biology and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

His most recent publications include articles about health improvement in the American Journal of Health Promotion (2007), and clinical cost effectiveness in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2004) and Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (2004).

Dr. Julian Mines currently directs American Specialty Health’s Clinical Care Management team. In this role, Dr. Mines provides oversight of clinical staff and various processes associated with the review of treatment plans submitted by chiropractic and massage therapy providers credentialed through American Specialty Health Plans and Networks. Additionally, Dr. Mines has provided product development support and has served as a contributing author to a series of exercise guidebooks and other consumer-directed educational materials published by Healthyroads. Dr. Mines also serves on several ASH committees designed to support various aspects of the company’s clinical operations.

Prior to taking on his current role, Dr. Mines served first as a clinical services manager and then as a senior clinical services manager at ASH. In these roles, Dr. Mines supported various activities associated with reviewing treatment plans submitted by contracted chiropractic providers.

Dr. Mines is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California State University–Fullerton as well as a doctorate in chiropractic from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in Whittier, California. Through his study with the Southern California University of Health Sciences, Dr. Mines has also completed 120 hours of post-graduate course work in physical rehabilitation related to common musculoskeletal conditions of the spine. Additionally, Dr. Mines is licensed as a chiropractor in six states (including California) and is certified as a Diplomate in Health Care and Quality Management through the American Board of Quality and Utilization Review Physicians.

Prior to joining American Specialty Health, Dr. Mines worked as a chiropractor and fitness trainer in Orange County, California, and later continued to practice chiropractic part-time while employed as a clinical services manager at ASH. He brings over 15 years of fitness training and chiropractic experience to his work with ASH.

Dr. Mines joined the American Specialty Health team in 1997.

Dr. Michael Murphy is currently a senior case manager on American Specialty Health’s Chiropractic Services team. In this role, Dr. Murphy evaluates clinical treatment forms, first-level appeals, member appeals, medical record reviews, and emergent claims reviews. Dr. Murphy also serves as ASH’s liaison to the company's Saint Vincent De Paul Project, which provides volunteer chiropractic care to homeless individuals in San Diego, California.

Dr. Murphy is a Doctor of Chiropractic, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from San Diego State University as well as a doctorate of chiropractic from the Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Murphy is licensed as a chiropractor in California, Colorado, and Oklahoma, and has held several key leadership positions in a variety of professional health organizations, including that of past president of the Orange County Chiropractic Association. In addition to his full-time duties at ASH, Dr. Murphy has maintained a part-time chiropractic practice in Southern California for the past several years. Prior to joining American Specialty Health, Dr. Murphy practiced chiropractic in California and Australia full-time for over a dozen years. He brings over 25 years of chiropractic experience to his work with ASH.

Dr. Murphy joined the American Specialty Health team in 1997.

Dr. Pelletier is the best-selling author of 12 highly-acclaimed books, including international bestsellers Mind as Health, Mind as Slayer (1977), Sound Mind – Sound Body: A New Model for Lifelong Health (1995), The Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not? (2000), Stress Free for Good (2005), and New Medicine: How to Integrate Alternative and Conventional Medicine for the Safest and Most Effective Treatment (2007).

Summer Witt is currently a health information writer with the Consumer Health Information team of Health Services. In this role, Ms. Witt researches, writes, and edits consumer health content for educational materials, ASH Web sites, newsletters, the annual content review process, and translation processes.

Ms. Witt holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a minor in psychology from the University of California, San Diego.

Ms. Witt joined the American Specialty Health team in 2007.

Nancy Strot is currently a manager of health coaches. In this role, Ms. Strot manages, trains, and develops health coach supervisors and their respective teams. She manages Health Advocate Case Rounds sessions and maintains a caseload of higher risk members. She helps conduct the New Hire training program for coaches. Ms. Strot helped develop a series of onsite education topics.

Ms. Strot is a Registered Dietitian and hold’s a master’s degree in dietetics from the University of Washington as well as a bachelor’s degree in theology from Gustavus Adolphus College. In 1988 Ms. Strot developed an educational tool to assess fat intake as a key component of her master’s thesis, and this tool was later published in a leading consumer fitness magazine.

Prior to joining Healthyroads, Ms. Strot worked as a counselor, group facilitator, program developer, and training and development manager in various weight management education and cardiovascular health care settings. She brings 19 years of nutrition and health education experience to her work with Healthyroads.

Ms. Strot joined the American Specialty Health team in 2004.

Elizabeth Thompson currently directs the Healthyroads clinical team. In this role, Ms. Thompson works closely with health coaches and related staff, and she also contributes to the clinical development of various health and wellness guidebooks, supplemental guides, and member materials. Additionally, Ms. Thompson regularly provides quality and regulatory oversight for the Healthyroads Web site, including the review of all products that Healthyroads sells through its online store.

Ms. Thompson is a Registered Dietitian, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from California Polytechnic University as well as a master of public health degree from San Jose State University. Additionally, Ms. Thompson has extensive experience in the areas of obesity counseling, dietetic research, and managed care.

As a leader in the field of dietetics, Ms. Thompson has held key leadership positions in a variety of professional health organizations, including past president of the California Dietetic Association Foundation, president of Health Care and Education for the Western Region of the American Diabetes Association, and is a current committee member on two national professional committees for the American Dietetic Association. Ms. Thompson brings over 20 years of clinical dietetic experience to her work with Healthyroads.

Ms. Thompson joined the American Specialty Health team in 1998.

Tonia Vyenielo is a board certified internist with experience in urgent care, general internal medicine and phlebology. She graduated from the University of California, San Francisco in 1977 and completed her residency in internal medicine at the Long Beach VA Medical Center/University of California, Irvine in 1980. She completed medical acupuncture training at the UCLA School of Medicine in 1999. She currently works in compensation evaluation at the Veterans Affairs and has been a consultant with American Specialty Health since October 2007. In her spare time, she engages in yoga and Pilates.

Monica Wiley currently serves as the senior manager for American Specialty Health’s Marketing Communications team. In this role, Ms. Wiley oversees the development, production, and management of all marketing materials; health plan, broker, and employer marketing/communications activities; and special communications projects, including corporate marketing videos and corporate archives.

Ms. Wiley holds a bachelor’s degree in English and French education from Purdue University. She has also completed several graduate courses in the MBA program at San Diego State University. Ms. Wiley has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and public relations. Prior to joining American Specialty Health, she held several marketing management positions at HomeFed Bank, one of the nation’s largest savings and loans, in San Diego, California. She has received numerous regional and national awards for her marketing materials at ASH.

Ms. Wiley joined American Specialty Health in 1994.

Virginia Wilke currently serves as editorial specialist for the Health Services department. In this role, Ms. Wilke oversees all editorial processes for the development of various consumer health education materials, including materials for the company’s child obesity, teen smoking cessation, and senior wellness programs. Prior to joining the Health Services team, Ms. Wilke oversaw all editorial processes for Healthyroads in her role as the department’s editorial specialist.

Ms. Wilke holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and political science from the University of Montana as well as teaching certification in English as a Second Language from Vancouver Community College. She continues to take numerous continuing education courses in writing and editing to further hone her skills.

Prior to joining American Specialty Health, Ms. Wilke held writing, editing, and marketing positions in the medical and publishing fields in San Diego, California, and in Vancouver, British Columbia. She brings close to five years of writing, editing, and content management experience to her work with Health Services.

Ms. Wilke joined the American Specialty Health team in 2005.

Dr. Lars Youngquist is currently a senior manager on American Specialty Health’s Clinical Quality Management team. In this role, Dr. Youngquist works with quality assurance initiatives, clinical policy development, and clinical credentialing processes. Dr. Youngquist also manages the Clinical Provider Review Committee and supports the activities of other departments, including the research and development of various complementary health care programs.

Dr. Youngquist is a Doctor of Chiropractic, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame as well as a doctorate of chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences. Additionally, Dr. Youngquist holds a master’s degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from the Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. He completed a World Health Organization-sponsored acupuncture residency program in China. He is a Licensed Acupuncturist as well as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Dr. Youngquist has been certified in guided imagery through the Academy for Guided Imagery. He maintains certification through the National Association of Healthcare Quality.

Licensed in California to practice both chiropractic and acupuncture, Dr. Youngquist has maintained a private practice in a variety of complementary health care specialties since 1992. He brings nearly 15 years of clinical experience to his work with ASH.

Dr. Youngquist joined the American Specialty Health team in 1997.

Jacqueline Jia Zhang is currently a Director of American Specialty Health’s Clinical Care Management team. In this role, she oversees acupuncture, naturopathy, dietetic services, and utilization management activities across the clinical services departments and currently sits on several ASH clinical committees. Prior to taking on her current role, Dr. Zhang helped lead the ongoing development efforts of the acupuncture program as ASH’s first manager of Acupuncture Clinical Services.

Dr. Zhang is a Doctor of Medicine and a Licensed Acupuncturist, and she holds a medical degree in Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medical College, China. Dr. Zhang specialized in geriatric medicine during her tenure as a physician at JiuXianQiao hospital in Beijing. In 1993, Dr. Zhang received her Acupuncture license in the state of California and the NCCAOM certification for Acupuncture. She completed her MBA at the University of California, Irvine in 2003.