MEDA's 19th Annual National Conference

Caroline Balz, LMHC Caroline is passionate about MEDA’s Mission. She previously was the Board Chair at MEDA and now serves as a member-at-large. Professionally, Caroline maintains a private practice in Newton, MA, specializing in eating disorders and addictions. Caroline earned her Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. After graduating from undergraduate at Connecticut College, Caroline worked as a Management Consultant at Sibson and Company in New York City. Between Master’s degrees she worked at Dedham Country Day School as the Assistant Director of Development. She worked on all levels of care at Walden Behavioral Care and at Emerson House, which is part of Gosnold. Caroline is a member of American Counseling Association (ACA); Psi-Chi—The National Honors Society for Psychology; The Women’s Educational and Industrial Union and The Vincent Club. Caroline also serves on the Board of the Weston Children’s Association. Caroline practices yoga on a regular basis. Married for thirteen years, Caroline and her husband, Bill, have two sons.

Chase Bannister, MDiv, LCSW, CEDS Veritas Collaborative Chase Bannister is Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Veritas Collaborative, a specialty behavioral health hospital for young people with eating disorders, offering inpatient, acute residential and partial hospitalization services. He is credentialed as a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, has served on Duke University’s Eating Disorders and Body Image Concerns Treatment Team, and developed the clinical program of Carolina House, a residential treatment center for women with eating disorders. Chase regularly travels the U.S. to train medical providers, private practice groups, schools, managed care organizations, and college/university counseling center staffs on best practices in eating disorder treatment. He holds membership in IAEDP, AED, the Eating Disorders Coalition, the Residential eating Disorders Consortium, the Association for the Education of Children with Medical Needs. He serves as Board Vice President of Mental Fitness, Inc. Chase is recently featured in Beneath the Floorboards, a documentary film exploring the profound impact of weight stigma upon individuals living in larger bodies.

Bethany Block, M.D. Dr. Bethany Block, an internist in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. She received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School, has been in practice for 26 years, and is recognized as a regional expert in the care of patients with eating disorders. Dr. Block receives referrals from psychiatric experts in the field from the greater Boston area for the medical management of their patients. Dr. Block is also a member of the Brigham and Women's Hospital faculty in the Division of Women's Health in the Department of Medicine, teaches at Boston University, and has taught at M.I.T. Over the course of her career Dr. Block has developed protocol for the inpatient management of medically unstable eating disorder patients, which allows for appropriate medical as well as psychiatric and nutritional care of these complex patients.

Stacey Brown, RN Avalon Hills Ms. Brown currently serves as Director of Nursing and Utilization Review at Avalon Hills Eating Disorder Treatment Program. Ms. Brown has practiced as an Intensive Care/Critical Care nurse and has worked in a cardiac catheterization lab and emergency room. She currently oversees all aspects of the nursing department as well as insurance pre-certifications, concurrent authorizations, appeals, external reviews, and clinical collaboration with legal counsel when insurance litigation becomes necessary. Ms. Brown has been instrumental in helping Avalon Hills build their nursing department, obtain Joint Commission accreditation, and develop a state-of-the art utilization review model.

Ralph Carson, Ph.D., RD Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Dr Carson is the Executive Director of FitRx in Brentwood, TN He is an active member on the board of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) and the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA). He has worked in the field of eating disorders and additions for over 35 years and is the author of the The Healing Power of Fruit and the recently published The Brain Fix: What’s the Matter with Your Gray Matter?

Carolyn Costin, M.Ed., MFT Monte Nido & Affiliates Carolyn Costin is a highly respected and experienced clinician, a dedicated educator and a recognized agent for change in the field of eating disorders. Recovered herself, Carolyn pioneered the concept of being fully recovered. Costin is the Founder and Director of Monte Nido & Affiliates, attracting clients from all over the world. She is an international speaker acclaimed for her expertise, energy and enthusiasm. Costin’s books, 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder, 100 Questions and Answers About Eating Disorders, The Eating Disorder Sourcebook, and Your Dieting Daughter have helped professionals, suffers and their families, understand, prevent and treat eating disorders.

Stephanie Diamond, Ph.D. Oliver-Pyatt Centers Dr. Stephanie Diamond is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at Oliver-Pyatt Centers, who received her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Miami and has a master’s degree in the same discipline from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Diamond’s clinical and research interests include women’s issues in general, and eating disorders in particular, as well as comorbidity and personality style. Prior to working as Clinical Director, she completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Oliver-Pyatt Centers, after her earlier career as a therapist at the McGill University Eating Disorder Program. As a clinical leader at Oliver-Pyatt Centers, she is known for her psychodynamic understanding, and her capacity to both connect with and form deep attachments with her patients, while encouraging growth and efficacy.

Lisa Du Breuil, LCSW Lisa Du Breuil is a clinical social worker who treats people dealing with addictions, eating disorders and other dual diagnosis issues, including behavioral and emotional problems after bariatric surgery, at an outpatient clinic in Boston, MA. Having graduated from Boston University’s School of Social Work in 1996, Lisa practices from a Health At Every Size perspective and particularly enjoys introducing people to the HAES tenets as part of their journey to good self care.

Judith Feldman, M.D. Dr. Judith Feldman earned her degree from Harvard Medical School and has served as Staff Psychiatrist at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Staff Psychiatrist at the Women’s Trauma Unit at Arbour HRI Hospital, and as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and also held management positions, including Chief of Mental Health, Kenmore Center, and Chief of Central Mental Health Services. Dr. Feldman has developed models of brief group treatment for patients with eating disorders and spearheaded the development and implementation of guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders. Since 2002 Dr. Feldman has grown a thriving individual psychiatry practice in Brookline, MA. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the Massachusetts Psychiatric and American Psychiatric Association (2003). Dr. Feldman has given numerous courses, panels and workshops on the role of the psychiatrist in the outpatient treatment of eating disorders and the psychopharmacologic treatment of eating disorders. Her presentations and publications have also focused on the treatment of eating disorders in a managed care setting. She participated, through the Massachusetts Psychiatric Association in lobbying efforts for parity in insurance coverage for the treatment of eating disorders as medically-based illnesses.

Jennifer Gaudiani, MD, CEDS ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders at Denver Health Jennifer L. Gaudiani is the Assistant Medical Director of ACUTE and is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She oversees the clinical, strategic, and administrative management of ACUTE, attends on the service, and maintains engagement with the patients when not attending clinically. Dr. Gaudiani completed her undergraduate work at Harvard College, earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine, and completed her residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at Yale. Dr. Gaudiani has published extensively on the medical complications of eating disorders and has lectured nationally and interntionally, most recently as the 2013 featured speaker, sponsored by the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders (ANZAED), for a multi-city lecture tour in both these countries.

Jim Gerber, Ph.D. Castlewoord Treatment Center for Eating Disorders Dr. Gerber earned a Master’s degree in art therapy and counseling at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He earned his Ph.D. at Saint Louis University in counseling and family therapy. Dr. Gerber has worked extensively with adults and adolescents in a variety of clinical areas including sexual and marital dysfunction, family therapy, sexual abuse, trauma, and compulsivity. He has published and presented papers on sexual aggression, sexual abuse, and trauma. Dr. Gerber has worked at Castlewood since 2000 as a primary therapist and facilitates individual and group therapy. In December of 2012, he assumed the position of Clinical Director at Castlewood Treatment Center for Eating Disorders.

Cris E. Haltom, Ph.D., CEDS Dr. Haltom is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). She is also a Certified Family-Based Treatment therapist. Dr. Haltom has treated eating disorders in both a hospital setting and, for the past thirty years, in private practice. She is an author and an experienced conference presenter at major eating disorder conferences in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, Dr. Haltom was the Community Education and Prevention Liaison for the Western New York Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders from 2005-2011.

Mr. Craig Johnson Ph.D, FAED. CEDS Eating Recovery Center Dr. Craig Johnson has been a leader in the field of Eating Disorders for more than 30 years. He is the Chief Clinical Officer of Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado. He is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma Medical School and has formerly held faculty appointments at Yale, University of Chicago and Northwestern University Medical Schools. He was the Founding Editor of the International Journal of Eating Disorders and a founding member of the Academy for Eating Disorders and the Eating Disorders Research Society. He is also Past President of the National Eating Disorders Association. Dr. Johnson has authored three books, more than 70 scientific articles and has been the recipient of several distinguished contribution awards.

Johanna Kandel, BA The Alliance for Eating Disorders Johanna Kandel is the founder and CEO of The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness and author of Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder (Harlequin). She is the current President of the Board of Directors for the Eating Disorders Coalition, a Special Consultant to The Renfrew Center Foundation, a founding board member of the Eating Disorders Activist Network, an advisory member of Fed Up Inc., and a board member/Expert Advisory Committee member for Girl Future. She is an active participant in National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and has received many awards for her ongoing outreach and advocacy work, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service and Harlequin Enterprises’ More Than Words Award. Johanna has appeared on national telelvision programs including NBC Nightly News and The Today Show, and profiled in the New York Times and Glamour Magazine.

Karin R. Lawson, Psy.D. Oliver-Pyatt Centers Karin R. Lawson, licensed clinical psychologist, is a Clinical Director at Oliver-Pyatt Centers in South Miami, Florida. Her previous work with eating disorders includes coordinating the Embodied Living program at the Institute for Girls’ Development in Pasadena, California, serving as the Eating Disorder Program Coordinator at UC-Davis Counseling and Psychological Services, as well as working as a counselor at The Renfrew Center’s residential program in Coconut Creek, Florida.

Jennifer Lombardi, MFT Eating Recovery Center of California Jennifer Lombardi, MFT, serves as Executive Director for Eating Recovery Center of California, a Sacramento-based program dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. During her tenure, she has served in numerous roles including Chief of Admissions Officer, primary therapist and Director of Marketing and Outreach. Prior to her work in the field of eating disorders, Jennifer worked for nearly ten years in the field of public relations. She has extensive experience in crisis communications and media relations, and has served on numerous boards and committees for both private and public agencies. Jennifer attended California State University, Sacramento, for undergraduate and graduate school. Recovered herself from Anorexia for more than 18 years, Jennifer lectures extensively on the topics of eating disorders and body image issues to adolescents, parents and professionals.

Deborah Marton, Psy.D. Oliver-Pyatt Centers Deborah Marton is a licensed clinical psychologist who received her doctorate degree from Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in New York City. She completed her clinical residency at the Department of Clinical Services at the Center for Applied Psychology in Monsey, New York where she specialized in women’s mental health and in treating the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish population. In her current role as a primary therapist at the Oliver-Pyatt Centers, Dr. Marton works closely with women who are suffering from a range of eating disorders to help them attain recovery. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Marton is an adjunct professor at Touro College South and she has previously taught in the Psychology Department at Stern College for Women.

Beth Mayer LICSW MEDA- Course Director Beth Mayer, LICSW, the Executive Director of the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, has been working in the eating disorders field for 30 years. She is nationally recognized for her clinical work with eating disorders and has spoken at conferences around the country. Prior to her tenure at MEDA, she was the Program Director of three community-based adolescent programs for Riverside Community Care, a health and human services non-profit organization that delivers mental health, early intervention, and substance abuse treatment services throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Beth also served as the Executive Director of Travelers Aid Society of Boston, an organization that works with vulnerable individuals and families to address their immediate housing and social service needs through outreach, direct service and advocacy. In addition to eating disorders, Beth specializes in addictions, sexual abuse, clinical depression and multiple personality disorders. Beth has served as an adjunct professor at Simmons College, Boston University, Boston College, Lesley University and Salem State College, supervising MSW and LMHC graduate student interns. Beth holds a B.S. in Clinical Psychology from Quinnipiac University and a Master of Social Work Degree from Boston College. Beth is currently the Co-Chair of the NEDA Network, and is on the board of the Massachusetts Chapter of IAEDP and AED. Most recently, Beth joined Newton Cares, a Newton-based advocacy group.

Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD, FAED, CEDS Oliver-Pyatt Centers Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, a Co-Founder of Oliver-Pyatt Centers received her specialty training at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City, where she served as Chief Resident. She has held faculty positions at New York University, Albert Einstein School of Medicine and University of Nevada School of Medicine. Prior to founding Oliver-Pyatt Centers, she founded Center for Hope of the Sierras. She served as the Medical Director for the State of Nevada division Mental Health and Disability Services, Medical Director and Chief of Staff of Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health and has received senatorial recognition for her commitment to the mental health community. She co-authored the Academy for Eating Disorder’s Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs. Her book, Fed Up! The breakthrough Ten Step No Diet Fitness Plan, written to prevent dieting and disordered eating, has been featured in a variety of national publications. She has given presentations and interviews throughout the country, and was featured on WebMD. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She is an active member of the National Eating Disorders Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals and the Binge Eating Disorder Association.

Melissa Orshan Spann Oliver-Pyatt Centers Melissa Orshan Spann is a licensed clinician and is currently the Director of Outpatient Services at Oliver-Pyatt Centers in South Miami, Florida. Previously, her work has included serving as a primary therapist at OPC, The Renfrew Center and Life Counseling Services in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Dr. Spann specializes in working with women in areas of trauma and body image. She has presented nationally on topics related to girls, women and positive body image. Previously, Dr. Spann served as the Senior Consultant for Moving Traditions, whose premier program, Rosh Hodesh: It’s A Girl Thing! is dedicated to proactively building for health in adolescent Jewish girls.

Jon Robison, Ph.D., MS Michigan State University Jonathan Robison holds a doctorate in health education/exercise physiology and a master of science in human nutrition from Michigan State University where he has been teaching for 20 years in the Nutrition and Physiology Departments as an Adjunct Assistant Professor. Dr. Robison is also adjunct Associate Professor at Western Michigan University where he teaches in the Holistic Health Care Program. He has authored numerous articles on a variety of health-related topics and is a frequent presenter at conferences throughout North America.

Nicole Siegfried, Ph.D., CEDS Castlewood Treatment Center, Highlands Treatment Center Nicole Siegfried, PhD, CEDS is a licensed clinical psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She previously served as Clinical Director for a national treatment center for eating disorders. She was an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at UAB. She is an international presenter in the field of eating disorders and suicidality. She is a member of AED and Co-Chair of the Suicide AED Special Interest Group. Dr. Siegfried has more than 15 years of experience working with patients with eating disorders and helping to transform their lives. She is currently working with Castlewood Treatment Center and affiliates as Clinical Director for the Highlands Treatment Center for Eating Disorders in Birmingham, AL. As the Clinical Director, Dr. Siegfried is committed to the Castlewood Philosophy of in-depth individualized treatment for the underlying symptoms and co-occurring disorders related to the eating disorder.

Rachel Taylor Rood, MS, RD, CD Avalon Hills Rachel Rood has been one of the dietitians at Avalon Hills since 2009, working with both adolescent and adult clients. During this time she has focused on promoting and guiding clients towards Intuitive Eating. Rachel regularly presents in nutrition classes at Utah State University on eating disorder awareness, and the role of dietitians in treatment and prevention strategies. She acts as a preceptor for USU dietetic student interns. Rachel also speaks with local youth groups to promote Intuitive Eating concepts especially among pre-teen and adolescent girls.

Jennifer Tolman, Ph.D Avalon Hills Jennifer Tolman, Ph. D. is clinically trained as a Psychologist and works as Director of Specialty Services at Avalon Hills Residential Treatment Program in Logan, UT. Dr. Tolman works with patients, families and outpatient treatment teams, to ensure seamless care as patients step down from residential care to lower levels of care. She directs patient follow-up and provider relations associated with the Avalon Hills Treat to Outcome Philosophy. She oversees the legal advocacy at Avalon Hills, in an effort to ensure patients receive the benefits of Mental Health Parity laws and insurance coverage. She also has a small private practice in Eugene, Oregon in which she specializes in the treatment of high-functioning women with BED and other eating disorders. She serves as a Board Chair for the Columbia River Eating Disorder Network (CREDN).

Kevin Richard Wandler, MD Remuda Ranch Treatment Centers Dr. Kevin Wandler has been the Medical Director of Remuda Ranch Treatment Centers for over 16 years. He specializes in the treatment of women with eating disorders and co-occurring conditions. He is Board Certified in Psychiatry; has added qualification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Addiction Medicine; and is a ABAM certified. Dr. Wandler is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS). He is a Courtesy Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida, the Founder of the University of Florida-Eating Disorder Recovery Center and the Founder of the Recovery Village. Dr. Wandler has been working in Substance Abuse for over thirty years and Eating Disorders for over eighteen years. Dr. Wandler presents frequently at national, international and regional eating disorder and chemical dependency conferences.

Anne Welsh, Ph.D. Anne Welsh is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Cambridge, MA. She received her Ph.D. and MA from the University of Maryland and her BA at Bowdoin College. Prior to beginning her private practice, Dr. Welsh held a position at Harvard University Health Services and served as part of the Eating Disorders team. She completed her internship at the University of New Hampshire counseling center where she helped develop a peer-counseling program for eating disorders, and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center. In addition, she trained in the eating disorders program at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., and the eating disorders treatment track at the University of Maryland Health Center.