Meet Prevention’s Medical Review Board

✔️ SPECIALTY: ALLERGY/IMMUNOLOGY

Educated in allergy and immunology at Yale University, Sanjeev Jain, M.D., Ph.D. first received a joint M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin and finished his residency at the University of Texas. He then taught and practiced at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle.

He has won numerous awards and is included in the Guide to America’s Top Physicians for the last several years.In 2007, Dr. Jain became the first allergist in the world to use oral immunotherapy for desensitization to multiple food allergies simultaneously. Since then, he’s honed the treatment into a clinic-wide method of multi- food allergy desensitization, known as “The Dr. Jain Method” of oral immunotherapy.

As an allergist, Dr. Jain treasures the opportunity to witness his patients make dramatic improvements after years of suffering. He can recall multiple instances where his patients, who had previously required repeated hospital admissions for accidental exposures or allergy-related conditions, have returned to normal lives after completing immunotherapy. In Dr. Jain’s experience, most patients can achieve significant improvements by determining the individual triggers of their allergic reactions and by instituting appropriate therapy.

✔️ SPECIALTY: CARDIOLOGY

Rigved Tadwalkar, M.D. is a Consultant Cardiologist with the Pacific Heart Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians, and is Board-Certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Cardiovascular CT, Nuclear Cardiology, and Internal Medicine. His clinical interests encompass the full spectrum of cardiovascular disease and include digital health, multimodality imaging, interventional echocardiography, diagnostic catheterization, and prevention. Dr. Tadwalkar is an emerging voice in the field, cited in a variety of leading healthcare media on the latest topics. He has been elected to the Super Doctors “Rising Stars” list annually, and selected as a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine.

Dr. Tadwalkar received his M.D. from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., M.S. in Physiology & Biophysics from Georgetown University and his B.A. from the University of Southern California in Biological Sciences and Sociology. He finished his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center & the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. He thereafter accepted a faculty teaching position at UCLA as a Clinical Instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Tadwalkar’s enthusiasm for Cardiovascular Medicine throughout his career led him to fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. His accomplishment in this role was highlighted with several awards, including the Excellence in Cardiology Fellowship Award from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Southern California. During his final year of training, Dr. Tadwalkar served as Chief Cardiology Fellow, where he managed day-to-day operations for fellows in his program, including educational and clinical activities.

✔️ SPECIALTY: CARDIOLOGY

Karol E. Watson, M.D., Ph.D. is a professor of medicine/cardiology and a board-certified, full-time cardiologist at the Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She holds the John C. Mazziotta Term Chair in Medicine and was honored to be named Cardiologist of the Year, by the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2017. Dr. Watson received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, her Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School, magna cum laude, and her Ph.D. in Physiology from UCLA. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Cardiology at UCLA and continued there as part of the UCLA Specialty Training and Academic Research program and as Chief Fellow in Cardiovascular Diseases at UCLA.

Currently, Dr. Watson is director of the UCLA Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Health Program at UCLA, Co-Director of the UCLA Program in Preventative Cardiology, and director of the UCLA Fellowship Program in Cardiovascular Disease.

✔️ SPECIALTY: DERMATOLOGY

Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, fashion fanatic, mom, wife, and virgo. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of The American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society For Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group.

✔️ SPECIALTY: DERMATOLOGY

With more than a decade of experience, board-certified dermatologist Caroline Chang, M.D. is nationally recognized as a top doctor in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also the founder of Rhode Island Dermatology Institute, the state’s first direct care dermatology practice with the goal of providing high-quality, customized care.

✔️ SPECIALTY: DIABETES/ENDOCRINOLOGY

Rita Kalyani, M.D., M.H.S. is an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. She graduated with an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and completed her medical degree, residency, and fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Kalyani is an active clinician and conducts research focusing on diabetes in older adults and sex differences in diabetes. She previously chaired the American Diabetes Association’s Professional Practice Committee, which oversees the organization’s clinical practice guidelines. Dr. Kalyani is also a co-author of the book Diabetes Head to Toe: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment, and Living With Diabetes.

✔️ SPECIALTY: EPIDEMIOLOGY

Michelle M. Mielke, Ph.D. is chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention and professor of epidemiology and of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Mielke works as a translational epidemiologist to further understand the etiology and epidemiology of neurodegenerative and other aging-related diseases. One focus of her research is understanding the utility of blood-based biomarkers in the population for screening and diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Another focus of Mielke’s research is on understanding sex and gender differences in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and of other aging-related conditions. She directs a Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences. Mielke is co-chair of the Sex and Gender Diversity Significant Interest Group for the Alzheimer’s Association Professional Interest Area. She received the John R. Raymond Mentor Award from the Women Scholars Initiative. She is the PI of several NIH- and Foundation-funded clinical- and epidemiological-based grants and has published over 360 manuscripts.

✔️ SPECIALTY: GASTROENTEROLOGY

Hiroshi Mashimo M.D., Ph.D. is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Gastroenterologist at Boston VA Medical Center and Massachusetts General Brigham. He graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his medical residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has authored over a hundred publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals including Nature, Science, Cell, PNAS, New England Journal of Medicine, Immunology, and Gastroenterology. He also serves on various editorial and grant review boards and is an international speaker on topics including disorders of brain-gut dysregulation, microbiota, gut health, gastrointestinal stem cells, and early cancer diagnosis and novel treatments.

✔️ SPECIALTY: GASTROENTEROLOGY/INTERNAL MEDICINE

Niket Sonpal, M.D. is a native of Long Island NY and a graduate of Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. He is an Assistant Professor at Touro College of Medicine and is a regular on numerous news and media outlets.

Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in gastroenterology & hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and will continue his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation.

He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine.

✔️ SPECIALTY: INTERNAL MEDICINE

Connie Jennings, M.D. directs the Integrative Medicine and Health Clinic at the University of Kentucky. She also practices internal medicine and acupuncture. She envisions a day when the care for the whole person will seamlessly incorporate modern medicine with timeless integrative modalities.

✔️ SPECIALTY: NUTRITION

Kristen F. Gradney, M.H.A., R.D.N., L.D.N. is a registered dietitian nutritionist and healthcare administrator in Baton Rouge, LA. As Senior Director of Operations at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, she supports health equity and holistic healthcare in schools, community, and medical practices. She also owns Tableau Consulting Services, LLC. and has been featured in many publications as expert on many topics including nutrition, wellness, and health equity. She strives to create culturally relevant, systematic changes that improve healthcare of individuals and communities. Gradney obtained a B.A. in Sociology in 2001, and a B.S. in Nutritional Science, in 2007, from Louisiana State University. She then completed a dietetic internship at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, and has worked as a registered dietitian in areas of inpatient and ambulatory care, culinary medicine, transplant, and pediatric wellness. In 2016, she obtained a Master of Health Administration from Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge.

✔️ SPECIALTY: NUTRITION

Laura Iu, R.D. is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified intuitive eating counselor, yoga guide, and owner of Laura Iu Nutrition, a private practice in New York City. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University and completed her internship in dietetics at Weill Cornell & Columbia Medical Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She went on to work in New York City’s top hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital and NYU Langone Health. She believes that true health is all encompassing — physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing — not an external measure via shape or size.

✔️ SPECIALTY: NUTRITION

Rachel Lustgarten, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., is a registered dietitian in clinical practice in New York City. Rachel’s primary area of focus is medical nutrition therapy and weight control.

Rachel’s passion is sharing her knowledge and expertise of food and nutrition’s role in overall health and wellness. She co-hosts the weekly “Primary Care Medicine” show on SiriusXM Doctor Radio, interviewing expert guests and fielding listener calls and questions about hot topics in health and nutrition. Rachel frequently makes TV appearances on local news outlets and contributions to print and online health media. Rachel served as a clinical dietitian at the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and served as an Advisor to the Weill Cornell’s Women’s Nutrition Connection monthly newsletter for 10 years.

Rachel employs evidence-based nutrition counseling and behavior modification methods with her clients to achieve lasting weight loss. While working in a clinical space, Rachel believes in the importance of the mind body connection to achieve all-around health and wellness; including sleep hygiene, physical activity and stress management.

Rachel received a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, graduating with honors. Rachel balances her career with raising her three young children. Rachel is an exercise enthusiast and has completed seven marathons, raising funds and awareness for the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

✔️ SPECIALTY: NUTRITION

Melissa Prest, R.D., D.C.N. is a registered dietitian nutritionist and holds a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree from Rutgers University. Melissa owns Kidney Nutrition Specialists, a nutrition practice dedicated to helping individuals living with chronic kidney disease, and is the Foundation Dietitian for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois where she focuses on disease prevention, health education, and nutrition consultation.

✔️ SPECIALTY: NUTRITION

Joan Salge Blake, Ed.D., M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., F.A.N.D. is a nutrition professor at Boston University and the host of Spot On!, the award-winning nutrition, health, and wellness podcast. She was awarded the prestigious Whitney Powers Excellence in Teaching Award from the university twice and the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetic Media Excellence Award. She has lectured at both the BU School of Medicine and BU Goldman School of Dental Medicine and is a sought-after speaker at conferences globally.

Joan is the author of Nutrition & You, Pearson (2023), Nutrition & You: Core Concepts to Good Health, Pearson (2010), and Eat Right The E.A.S.Y. Way, Prentice Hall Press (1991). She is the co-author of Nutrition: From Science to You, Pearson (2018).

Currently, she is a nutrition blogger for U.S. News & World Report’s Eat + Run Column. Joan has conducted over 2,500 interviews on numerous nutrition topics in media outlets such as the New York Times, Food Network, Newsweek, Washington Post, Forbes, Prevention, WebMD, Consumer Reports, MSNBC, Boston Globe, CBS-The Early Show, CNN, NBC News (Boston), CBS News (New York), Fox25 TV (Boston), and NPR.

✔️ SPECIALTY: OB/GYN

Angela Chaudhari, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She received her M.D. from Northeastern Ohio Universities, completed her obstetrics and gynecology training at Washington University in St. Louis in 2004, and then completed a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Florida Hospital, Celebration. She serves as the chief of gynecology and gynecologic surgery at Northwestern Medicine, overseeing surgical quality and patient safety. She is also the founder and director of the P2P Network, a physician peer support program, that provides emotional first aid for physicians experiencing professional burnout at Northwestern Medicine. She is an executive leadership coach certified through Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy, Organizational and Leadership Coaching Certificate Program.

Clinically, Dr. Chaudhari focuses on providing individualized, equitable care for patients needing minimally invasive gynecologic surgical approaches for gender affirmation, abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Her research interests are in surgical education, simulation and coaching, physician well-being and burnout, and leadership coaching for physicians and healthcare leaders.

✔️ SPECIALTY: OB/GYN

Mindy Goldman, M.D. has been a practicing OB/GYN at UCSF for almost three decades and is currently a Clinical Professor and Director of the UCSF Gynecology Center for Cancer Survivors and At-Risk Women. Her clinical expertise includes managing menopausal issues for women with cancer or at high risk, helping to alleviate side effects of hormonal therapies used to treat breast cancer, safe and effective treatments for induced menopause, vaginal dryness and sexual dysfunction, and guidance on screening and prevention for high risk women. She is also the co-founder and co-chair of the U’ilani Fund, a non-profit that provided funding to women with breast cancer for integrative and complementary care to improve quality of life. She is nationally recognized expert on the management of menopause and sexual functioning for cancer survivors and gynecologic care for breast cancer survivors. Dr. Goldman has helped author guidelines in these areas for the American College of Gynecology (ACOG) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Throughout her career, Dr. Goldman has received numerous recognitions, including: San Francisco Magazine: Top Doctors (2015-2022), America's Top Doctors for Cancer (7th-10th Edition) and Exceptional Women In Medicine (2019-2021).

✔️ SPECIALTY: OB/GYN

Carolyn W. Swenson, M.D. is an associate professor and division chief of urogynecology & reconstructive surgery at the University of Utah. As a board-certified specialist in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Swenson is an expert in the medical and surgical management of pelvic floor disorders including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and obstetric-related pelvic floor symptoms. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and three kids.

✔️ SPECIALTY: ONCOLOGY

Ruth Ortaz, M.D. is a professor of clinical medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and is on the Faculty of NYU Langone Health. She specializes in taking care of people with all stages of breast cancer and those at risk. Dr. Oratz is an advisor to several national breast cancer advocacy organizations, including breastcancer.org, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, CancerCare, Young Survival Coalition, Moving For Life, and Sharsheret.

Dr. Oratz served as Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of Susan G. Komen, Greater NYC, from 2008to 2012, and on the National Board of the YWCA, USA. She was named “Physician of the Year” by CancerCare. Dr. Oratz has been recognized in “The Best Doctors in America” and “The Best Doctors in NYC.” She is active both locally and nationally as a speaker and healthcare educator, appearing on television andradio as well as lecturing to the public.

✔️ SPECIALTY: PEDIATRICS

Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. is a board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker, and full-time working mom. She’s a boots-on-the-ground advocate for the success of women in the workplace and at home. Dr. Casares is a Stanford University-trained private practice pediatrician whose expertise spans the public health, direct patient care, and media worlds. She holds a master of public health in maternal and child health from The University of California, Berkeley, and a journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is a Mama Mindset Thought Leader. Her work focuses on moving modern moms from feeling conflicted to centered. Dr. Casares practices pediatrics in Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband Scott raise their two young daughters.