Lifestyle Wellness Panel

Panel Moderator:
James Krueger is Professor of Philosophy and director of the Health, Medicine, and Society Program at the University of Redlands.  His research is focused on understanding a range of concepts central to medicine, from the nature of health and disease to the meanings of cure, treatment, and care.  His aim is to orient such reflection towards the details of medical practice.  For example, he has argued that broad understandings of health should make sense in light of what doctors actually do in attempting to cure or treat disease.  In addition to writing on medicine, he has co-edited a book on Kantian ethics.  Before coming to Redlands, he earned his PhD at the University of Notre Dame.

Panelists

Patty Ford, Ph.D.,  Imagine Wellness (Nutrition) 
Miralu Gildernew, FDS, Arbor Day Spa (Meditation)
Marly Paulus, Body metRX (Exercise/fitness)
Pandit Dipika, MD, Lifestyle Medical (Sleep hygiene)
Valeria Arias​, MS, LMFT (Connection/belonging)

Dr. Ford’s experience and education in the complexities of eating disorders makes her especially suited to help those struggling to develop a healthy relationship with food. She also works with a diverse group of clients on their specific nutritional goals. Her research focuses on the associations between food and mood, and she has published research demonstrating these links. Dr. Ford experience in the beaty industry has also allowed her to navigate working with diverse groups of women, both in functional tips to enhance one’s self care routine and leading a team of women to grow their home based businesses. By using her graduate level training, Dr. Ford has also been recognized as a top leader within her company. Dr. Ford completed her BS in Kinesiology at University of Maryland College Park, and earned her Masters of Public Health and Registered Dietitian license at Loma Linda University in California. While in graduate school she worked with local high schools to create nutrition education programs, which enhanced sports performance, by focusing on an athletic-specific nutrition curriculum. Dr. Ford continued to teach at community college, undergraduate, and graduate institutions throughout her schooling and obtained her doctoral degree in preventive care in 2012. During her schooling, she began working in psychological health and developed a passion for treating eating disorders. In 2016, she opened up her own private practice and in 2021 transitioned to full time private practice, also paneling with majoring insurance carriers. In 2017, she began her beauty business, incorporating self-care routines with her patients, focusing on creating a space for women to feel beautiful. This created space for her to begin her coaching practice in 2020, using a tool to disrupt patterns of thinking, propelling her clients forward to reach the life of their dreams. Focusing on the body, mind and beauty, she would like to welcome you to a space, where one can Imagine Wellness. As Einstein once said, “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” –Albert Einstein

My passion is assisting people with losing weight through fitness and nutrition. I started BodymetRx as a way to share my passion with others. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. What I want most is to instill in my two girls that anything is possible and the best way to help themselves is by helping others. It’s rewarding to help an individual lose weight and witness how it changes their entire demeanor. When a person feels good about the way they look physically they exude confidence. To be a part of that transition is rewarding and that’s what drives me.

I am triple board certified in family medicine, preventive medicine, and lifestyle medicine - graduating from Loma Linda University Medical School as well as residency. I am passionate about empowering people to take control of their health through lifestyle changes so they can experience improved quality of life. My belief is in treating the whole person, understanding that health is a combination of our physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental factors. I love to help people treat and reverse their current conditions, and prevent future ones through developing good habits with nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, relationship skills, and spiritual connections.

My name is Valeria Arias, I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am currently a child Clinical Therapist II at Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC). At BMC I support the children who have previously been hospitalized and are now strengthening their skills in coping, communication, and relationship. We follow a curriculum developed to scaffold their emotional awareness and strengthen their resiliency. Within the program the parents are asked to be committed to the curriculum skills and practice as much as the children knowing they are vital in the progress and sustaining of growth for their children. I currently work in private practice here in Loma Linda, CA. In private practice I work with children, families and couples. My approach to treatment has been informed by Emotional Focus therapy. I also utilize solution focused and spiritual integration within the therapy sessions. I support the individuals emotional awareness and how their communication within their interpersonal relationships can be strengthened through emotional attunement and skills to communicate their needs and boundaries.

Opioid Crisis Brief and Narcan Demonstration

SB County DBH and SB County DPH will provide a brief on the opioid crisis in the Inland Empire and give a demonstration on the administration of Narcan to save lives

Presenters:

Alexander Cordova, CADC-II, ICADC, CAMF
​Alcohol and Drug Counselor, DBH
 
​Alexander Cordova is an Alcohol and Drug Counselor with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, Substance Use Disorder Recovery Services, Screening, Assessment & Referral Center (SARC) as an assessor. His varied career includes alcohol and drug counselor, outreach counselor, Parent Project facilitator, Smoking Cessation facilitator, Anger Management facilitator, and Intervention specialist.
 
Alexander's experience includes 9 years working as an alcohol and drug counselor for Inland Valley Recovery Services where he facilitated outpatient groups, aftercare groups, parenting classes, and anger management classes where he was successful in motivating clients and building relationships to help clients reach their full potential. Alexander facilitated interventions and guided families through the intervention process and connected the family and client to a healthy family relationship.

Alexander is a member of CCAPP California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals. For the last 17 years, he has been on the Recovery Happens Committee and helps behind the scenes of this county-wide event.

When not working or facilitating interventions Alexander enjoys paintballing and spending time with his family at home.

Chrystal Montejo
DPH