Integrative Medicine Team

Leadership team of Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine:

Erminia M. Guarneri, MD, FACC, Diplomat AHMA,
Medical Director and Founder of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine.
An English literature major as an undergraduate at New York University, Dr. Guarneri earned her Master's degree in bioengineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York and her medical degree from SUNY Medical Center in New York where she graduated number one in her class. She served her internship and residency at Cornell Medical Center, where she was chief medical resident, and served cardiology fellowships at both New York University Medical Center and at Scripps Clinic. Since 1995, she has been an attending interventional cardiologist at Scripps Clinic and is currently a member of Scripps Clinic Medical Group. Dr. Guarneri has been the Medical Director of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine and Healing Hearts Program, formerly known as the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine. A member of the American College of Cardiology, Alpha Omega Alpha, the American Medical Women's Association and a Diplomat of American Holistic Medical Association, Dr. Guarneri is board certified in cardiology and internal medicine and holds licenses in New York and California. She has authored several articles that have appeared in professional journals such as the Journal of Echocardiography and the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Rauni Prittinen King R.N., BSN, HNC, CHTP/I
Planning Manager and Founder, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
Rauni received Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Arizona State University. Rauni has over 20 years of experience in critical care nursing. She is a former Nurse Case Manager for the Scripps Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease. She is Holistic Nurse Certified and Certified Healing Touch practitioner and instructor who has been coordinating and teaching Healing Touch workshops at Scripps since 1994. She is also certified in hypnotherapy. She is member of American Holistic Nurses Association and Healing Touch International. Rauni is also an Interior Designer who creates healing environments by combining her extensive experience in traditional medicine and complementary therapies, seeing herself as a bridge in this process.
king.rauni@scrippshealth.org

Frances Berger, MPH, RN
Manager of Operations, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
Frances graduated Magna cum Laude with a BSc(N) from McGill University in Montreal,Canada and later obtained an MPH in Health Care Administration from San Diego State University. Frances has focused her career on community-based health care, health promotion and health policy. She is a former Director of Home Health Care Services and Director of Community Health at Scripps Health.
berger.frances@scrippshealth.org

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Sherri Alazraki
Associate Director of Development, Scripps Foundation of Medicine and Science
An employee of Scripps Foundation, Sherri is responsible for generating philanthropic support for research, program services and the capital campaign for the Center. She has over 20 years experience in business development, strategic planning and marketing for healthcare, education and financial services.
alazraki.sherri@scrippshealth.org

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 Staff:
Mary Ali, Insurance Biller / Coder photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Steven A. Alper, LCSW, Psychotherapy and Consultation. Steve has twenty years of experience as a therapist, teacher, consultant and mediation leader. In addition to developing the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, he has implemented stress reduction programs at both Kaiser and UCSD hospitals and the San Diego Community College District. Steve_A2.jpg (33645 bytes)
Robert Alan Bonakdar MD, Clinical and Research Fellow in Integrative Medicine. Dr. Bonakdar completed his undergraduate degree in psychobiology at Occidental College, his medical training at the University of Nevada School of Medicine with a residency in family practice at Grossmont Hospital. He has additional training in complementary medicine having completed the UCLA Acupuncture Course for Physicians and performed a Richter Fellowship in Southeast Asia where he studied aspects of the healthcare system including Tai Chi/Qi Gong, meditation and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is active in combining modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and stress reduction with conventional allopathic care and serves as a tai chi instructor. His research in complementary and alternative medicine has been awarded two national research awards and was highlighted in The British Medical Journal. Dr. Bonakdar is a board certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Holistic Medical Association, a member of the American Medical Association, American Holistic Medical Association, American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and has served on the Board of Directors of the California Academy of Family Physicians.
Wayne E. Borin, Exercise Physiologist. Wayne has been the exercise physiologist for the Center since its inception in 1996 and has held adjunct faculty positions at the University of San Diego and the University of California, San Diego since 1988. Wayne received his Master's degree from SDSU in exercise physiology and is completing his doctoral studies at the University San Diego. With 20 years experience in exercise science and wellness, his goals are to enhance healthy behaviors by teaching the balance of body, mind and spirit in clinical, corporate, community and classroom settings.
Christine Cole, RN, MSN, NP, Nurse Practitioner. Christine has been a nurse practitioner since 1997 and a Critical Care Nurse for 18 years. She earned her Masters degree from the University of San Diego, summa cum laude. Her passion is to provide patients with the necessary tools to prevent heart disease by actively engaging them in a partnership for their own health journey. Christine served on the Board of Directors of the California Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of the American College of Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Claire D'Andrea, RN, CCRC, Outreach Coordinator. Claire graduated with Honors from St. Peter's School of Nursing and attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Her 29 years of diverse clinical nursing experience, includes critical care, special procedures, home infusion therapy, hospice, alternative birthing center, childbirth education, community nursing, Lyme Disease educator, and cardiovascular research. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, a Healing Touch Practitioner and member of the Holistic Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and the Association for Clinical Research Practice. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Ricky C. Davis, Medical Asst., EECP Technician. Ricky was an EMT from 1990 to 1994 and then worked in Cardiology at Scripps Clinic from 1995 to 2001as a medical assistant. He joined the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in April 2001 as an EECP technician.
Norma Jean Flood, MS, RD, Nutrition Educator. Norma earned a BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She then earned her Master's in Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University and completed her dietetic internship at the UCSD Medical Center. With prior experience in biotechnology and nutrition research, she has found a genuine interest in optimizing health and well-being through nutrition. She also enjoys providing nutrition education at Scripps Center for Executive Health and the Rancho La Puerta Health Spa. Norma was awarded the "Outstanding Graduate Student" for her major, and the "Outstanding Dietetic Intern" for the state of California.
Justin Frandson, Director, Elite Athleticism. Justin is a graduate of the University of Southern California. He is in his third year as Director of the Elite Athleticism Program at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. Justin holds several national certifications in Athleticism, Functional Fitness and Active Isolated Stretching. He trains both amateur and professional athletes in almost every sport and has a high success rate with individuals and team sports alike. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Liz Fraser, BSN, Integrative Services Coordinator. Liz is a graduate of the University of Toronto, School of Nursing, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has always been interested in holistic health. She is a Healing Touch practitioner who coordinates the Healing Touch classes for Scripps Hospitals. She also supports nurses and staff in administering Healing Touch for patients preparing for surgery as well as during their stay in hospital. She is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and Healing Touch International, and holds a certificate in Integrative Imagery. She is very active in the Healing Touch community in San Diego.
Donna M. Gilligan, RN, BSN, Clinical Research Specialist II. Ms. Gilligan is a cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan with over 25 years of diverse nursing experience. As the Clinical Research Specialist, Donna is responsible for implementing clinical research trials being conducted by the Center within Scripps Clinic, Scripps Green Hospital and for the Center itself. Her career has encompassed critical care, nursing education and more than 18 years combined research experience in both the clinical setting and pharmaceutical industry. She has also directed a nationally accredited Licensed Practical Nurse Program in Washington, DC and managed research activities for an internal medicine practice.
Austin "Ozzie" Gontang, PhD, Ozzie has been a graduate group support leader for the Healing Hearts program since 1997. A graduate of the United States International University, he received his doctorate of psychology, with an emphasis on sports psychology. He has over 25 years of experience in marriage -family counseling, sports psychology and executive team building. Additionally, he writes for a sports psychology listserv, which he developed and organized in 1998. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Linda Greischel, LCSW, ACSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked as a psychotherapist with adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children since 1978. She has a BA in religious studies, graduating with the highest honors of summa cum laude and phi beta kappa. In her fifteen years of private practice, Linda has specialized in the integration of spirituality and psychology and has taught meditation classes and provided workshops on spiritual processes and development. She is currently pursuing a PhD program in religion and psychology and completing a book which will serve as her dissertation on the Hindu yoga tradition and the crosscultural aspects of spiritual experience. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Joan Hackett, MA, Supervisor/Exercise Physiologist. Joan is the Supervisor/Exercise Physiologist for the Fitness Department of the Shiley Sports Center. She obtained her MA in Applied Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University and she holds certifications from: American College of Sports Medicine--Exercise Specialist; National Strength and Conditioning Specialist--Strength and Conditioning Specialist; American College of Sports Medicine-Enhanced Qualification for Scientific and Applied Aspects of Resistance Training, CPR and AED. Joan has over 15 years experience designing and implementing programs for individuals with special medical concerns and has been a UCSD Instructor for an accredited exercise science class. Joan currently specializes in exercise prescription for orthopedic concerns, weight management, diabetes management, and cardiac rehabilitation.

Chris Kosik, BS, ACSM. Chris works in a variety of capacities at Scripps: Exercise Physiologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital's Cardiac Treatment Center, Telemetry Technician for Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, and Personal Fitness Trainer at Shiley Sports and Health Center. Chris also heads Shiley's Metabolic Testing Program (NewLeaf) offering personalized Resting Metabolic Rate and VO2 Peak assessments. Working in the industry for more than ten years, she holds the following certifications: American College of Sports Medicine certified Health and Fitness Instructor, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certified AED certified, Nike Athlete Training certified and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified Personal Trainer. Among the many positions Chris has held in the fitness industry, she has worked as a workshop instructor and examiner for The American College of Sports Medicine's Exercise Leader and Health/Fitness Instructor exams for years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle Washington areas. More recently, she has worked as a Teacher's Assistant for San Diego City College's Fitness Specialist Program has. She has experience in working with a wide range of individuals - from athletes to the elderly, she specializes in adult adaptive, special populations and therapeutic based aquatic exercise. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Sarah LaBarbara, Biofeeback and Massage Therapist. Sarah is certified by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America, has a Bachelor of Art in Human Behavior with a major in psychology, and is currently pursuing certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner. She has been employed with Scripps Health for 11 years. She demonstrates advanced competency in Biofeedback instrumentation for the purpose of monitoring, recognizing and assisting clients in physiological self-regulation. She is also qualified in perineometry, a specialized field for monitoring pelvic floor dysfunction such as incontinence and pelvic pain conditions and providing diagnostic and behavioral interventions. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Natalie Masson, PhD, Group Support Leader. Natalie completed her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Southern California, where she conducted research on health behavior and received training in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. She also completed a pre-doctoral internship at Yale University where she received specialized training in community psychology and anxiety treatment. She enjoys working with healing hearts participants to help them deal effectively with emotions and connect with one another.

James Mattioda, RPh, D.HOM (MED) James Mattioda earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Mr. Mattioda received his Diploma of Homeopathic Medicine from Hannemann College of Homeopathy and has studied clinical herbalism for over ten years. He is the Director of the San Diego County Homeopathic Society. James is a consultant to the Center and is pursuing postgraduate studies in human bioenergetic field research and its medical applications. James has practiced homeopathic and natural medicine for the last ten years. He is consultant to the natural products industry and is a dietary supplement formulation specialist. He consults clients on the nutritional approaches to healing and teaches homeopathy and pyhtomedicine to both the public and professional communities. He is a student of the ancient healing art of Sat Nam Rasayan.
Susana Moore. Practitioner in Watsu. She is a massage therapist, yoga instructor and is certified by the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Norm Miller, Cooking School Instructor. Chef Miller is professionally trained in natural, health supportive, low fat and nutritional whole foods. He is currently working at Golden Door, Escondido, CA, "the number one spa in North America" by Conde' Nast and Zagat. In addition, Chef Miller worked at the award-winning Angelica's Kitchen in New York City, specializing in creative natural foods, and, as a chef at Dean & DeLuca's Georgetown Store. "I prepare well-balanced meals with major emphasis on using whole grains and locally grown, organic fresh vegetables…" Chef Miller. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Cathy Prazma, Health Information Specialist. Cathy has been with our center since July 2000 and is responsible for coordinating the schedules of all the health care practitioners here, including primary care physicians, acupuncturists, Healing Touch therapists and holistic practitioners. She is also the Health Benefits Advisor and has been innovative in getting insurance coverage for alternative medical services for our patients. Cathy has 15 years experience in Integrative and Alternative Medicine and has managed a large multi-specialty center.

Karen Sothers, MEd, Stress Management Specialist. Karen holds a master's degree in Health and Exercise Science from Vanderbilt University. She is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching yoga, relaxation training, and meditation for over fifteen years. For the past six years, she has been a health consultant for Scripps Hospital. She maintains a private practice specializing in counseling and inspiring people to make positive lifestyle choices.
Barbara Reuer, PhD, Music Therapist. Barbara is a graduate from the University of Iowa and is the Founder and Director of MusicWorx of California, a contractual and consulting agency based in San Diego. She has over 25 years of clinical experience in public schools, convalescent facilities, retirement homes, hospices, medical and psychiatric hospitals, corrections facilities, and teaching at community colleges and universities. In addition to her clinical work, Barbara provides workshops and seminars (wellness, community building, stress management) to health care professionals, educators and corporate clients. She has co-authored several books and numerous articles and has been interviewed in print media, radio, local and international television. reuer.jpg (53198 bytes)
Derek Schwartz, MS Health Psychology, Biofeedback Therapist/Psychology Intern. Derek is completing his Health Psychology PhD at Alliant International University. He received his MS in Health Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego and his BA in Psychology from Columbia University in NY. He has had a variety of clinical experience which includes biofeedback, training and practice; general group facilitation with adults, adolescents, and children; pain and depression group co-facilitation; and is currently providing individual out-patient psychotherapy at Scripps Clinic, Division of Mental Health. As a cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient, Derek provides counseling to cancer patients and works with local non-profit cancer organizations for the prevention and treatment of cancer. At the Center, Derek provides biofeedback services, co-facilitates and facilitates support groups for the Healing Hearts Program, and provides Behavioral Coaching services for the Healing Hearts participants. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Karen Stewart, RN, Nurse Case Manager. Karen graduated with a diploma in nursing from St. Dominic School of Nursing in Jackson, Ms in 1975. She later obtained a BA in psychology from Barat College, Lake Forrest, Illinois and received her MA in psychology from Chapman University, Orange, California in 1997. Karen's clinical nursing practice has focused on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease working in settings from critical care to managing a Lipid Clinic for a private cardiology practice. Since completing her graduate studies, Karen has worked as counselor at The Betty Ford Center, Rancho Mirage, California; facilitated a variety of groups; worked in a preventive medicine center as a lifestyle counselor, and provided workshops in the private and business sector for making successful lifestyle change. Karen has taught stress reduction classes both in the community and worked with private clients. She is a biofeedback and neurofeedback practitioner, teaches a variety of relaxation practices including guided imagery, and speaks publicly as a motivational speaker on a variety of health-related topics. Karen is past president of the Desert Empire Division board of directors for the American Heart Association and a certified GolfPsych™ instructor working with golfers on the mental aspect of their game. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Mimi Trotter - Certified Kundalini Yoga/ Meditation Instructor Level II. She has over 20 years experience teaching the science of yoga and meditation. Her practice targets conditions arising from lifestyle stressors, with special emphasis on strengthening the nervous system and balancing the glandular system as well as other restorative and regenerative techniques for the reproductive, digestive, cardiac and lymphatic systems. photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Karin Ward - Certified Focus On Healing instructor . photo_ua.jpg (6109 bytes)
Lori Winterstein, RD, Nutrition Educator. Lori received her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Montclair State University where she graduated magna cum laude and completed her dietetic internship at New York Institute of Technology. She serves as a dietitian for the Healing Hearts program where she conducts classes and consults with clients on a variety of nutrition-related concerns. In Addition, Lori acts as the head dietitian and lifestyle consultant for the La Costa Resort and Spa as well as maintaining a private practice.