Our goal at WellnessMama.com is to provide helpful and informative information that is factually accurate, free of errors, and based on the latest scientific research. In order to accomplish this, we have established a thorough editorial process that includes a medical review of our articles.
Wellness Mama Medical Review & Advisory Board
The Wellness Mama medical review board is comprised of an amazing and diverse group of doctors, researchers, and PHDs.
Dr. Scott Soerries, MD: Medical Director
Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, is a Board Certified Family Medicine Doctor with over 20 years experience, he is an invaluable part of the Wellness Mama team and is also the medical director at SteadyMD.
His vast experience includes:
- Serving as the national Medical Director for Walgreens Healthcare Clinics where he’s supervised the care of hundreds of thousands of patients across the country
- Working as an Emergency Medicine Physician and family doctor
- Serving as the Medical Director for Total Access Urgent Care
Dr. Soerries approach strongly emphasizes helping patients achieve a healthy lifestyle that they can stick with long-term by treating them like a partner in developing and implementing changes in their day-to-day. He focuses on giving patients all the information they need, and helping them make an informed decision, instead of trying to make the decision for them.
As a dad of three, Dr. Soerries also shares in the Wellness Mama mission to create a healthier future for our children through education and small changes.
Dr. Jolene Brighten, ND: Medical Advisor
Dr. Jolene Brighten holds degrees in nutritional biochemistry and clinical nutrition with a doctorate in functional medicine and clinical nutrition and serves as the medical director for Rubus Health in Portland, Oregon. She founded 3 clinics before age 35 and has been involved in nutrition research exploring interventions for maintaining healthy hormones and body composition as we age. Jolene is the best-selling author of Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth and is considered a leading expert in women’s health and post birth control syndrome. Learn more about Dr. Brighten here.
Chris Masterjohn, PhD: Medical Reviewer
Chris Masterjohn earned his PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut in the summer of 2012. He served as a postdoctoral research associate in the Comparative Biosciences department of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and as Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York. He now works independently, producing educational content about nutrition. Learn more about Chris here.
Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO: Medical Advisor
Dr. Anna Cabeca, MD is an Emory University trained gynecologist and obstetrician, a menopause and sexual health expert and international speaker and educator. She created the top selling products Julva® – an anti-aging feminine cream for women, MightyMaca™ Plus – a superfood hormone balancing health drink, and online programs Magic Menopause, Women’s Restorative Health and SexualCPR. She advises the Wellness Mama team on hormone and women’s health topics. Learn more about Dr. Cabeca here.
Dr. Madiha Saeed, MD: Medical Advisor
Dr. Madiha Saeed, MD is a practicing board certified family physician in Naperville and a traditionally published author of a best-selling book The Holistic Rx: Your Guide to Healing Chronic Inflammation and Disease. She is also a mother of 4 holistically raised boys (who also educate the world), on social media she is Holistic Mom, MD, is the director of education of Documenting Hope (a national organization dedicated to heal chronic disease in children), and speaks internationally igniting the world with my energy and passion to ignite a healing revolution! She has appeared in numerous prestigious conferences as their keynote speaker (audience of 12,000), on holistic online summits, radio, newspaper, TV including international Emmy winning medical talk shows. Learn more about Dr. Saeed here.
Dr. Amy Shah, MD: Double Board-Certified Medical Reviewer
Dr. Amy Shah, MD is a double board-certified MD with training from Cornell, Columbia and Harvard Universities. She serves as a medical advisor to Genexa in partnership with the Wellness Mama team. As an allergist and immunologist, she was named one of Mind Body Green’s Top 100 Women in Wellness to Watch in 2016. As an immunologist, she realizes the power of the microbiome to help digestion, natural hormone balance and food sensitivities. Learn more about Dr. Shah here.
Dr. Sheila Kilbane, MD: Medical Reviewer
Dr. Sheila Kilbane, MD is a board-certified pediatrician, trained in integrative medicine. After realizing she didn’t fit into the “box” of conventional medicine, she broke free from big business medicine and disease management and sought additional training in nutrition and mind-body therapies with Andrew Weil, MD. Today, she uses the best of traditional and integrative medicine to find the root cause of illness. Using her seven-step process, along with natural and nutritional therapies, Dr. Kilbane helps families significantly improve or resolve altogether, illnesses such as colic, reflux, eczema, recurrent ear and sinus infections, asthma, allergies, and stomach and GI issues such as constipation and abdominal pain. Learn more about Dr. Kilbane here.
Dr. Mariza Snyder, DC: Medical Reviewer
Dr. Mariza Snyder, DC is a functional practitioner and the author of six books: the bestselling Smart Mom’s Guide to Essential Oils and The DASH Diet Cookbook, as well as The Low Glycemic Index Slow Cooker, The Antioxidant Counter, The Water Infusion Detox Book and The Matcha Miracle. Dr. Mariza is currently working on her newest book, The Essential Oils Hormone Solution.
Dr. Mariza is public speaker with 10 years of experience focusing on women’s hormone health. Dr. Mariza lectures regularly at wellness centers, hospitals, conferences and corporations. She graduated Cum Laude from Life Chiropractic College West in 2008. She has a background in biochemistry and nutrition. She is also the host of the Essentially You Podcast, designed to empower women to become the CEO of their health. Learn more about Dr. Snyder here.
Dr. Terry Wahls, MD: Medical Advisor
Dr. Terry Wahls is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she conducts clinical trials. In 2018 she was awarded the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Linus Pauling Award for her contributions in research, clinical care and patient advocacy. She is also a patient with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which confined her to a tilt-recline wheelchair for four years. Dr. Wahls restored her health using a diet and lifestyle program she designed specifically for her brain and now pedals her bike to work each day. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles.
She conducts clinical trials that test the effect of nutrition and lifestyle interventions to treat MS and other progressive health problems. She hosts a Wahls Protocol Seminar every summer where anyone can learn how to implement the Protocol with ease and success. Learn more about Dr. Wahls here.
Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD: Medical Reviewer
Dr. Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist, translational neuroscientist, inventor, and has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for more than 10 years. He has specifically focused his research on the clinical translation of non-invasive therapies that improve mood, focus, sleep, and quality of life in treatment-resistant illnesses. Dr. Rabin has four patent applications pending and 40 more recently filed. Dr. Rabin received his MD in medicine and PhD in neuroscience from Albany Medical College and trained in psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
You can find him at Apollo Neuro or on LinkedIn.
Dr. Betsy A.B. Greenleaf DO, FACOOG (Distinguished): Medical Reviewer
Dr. Betsy Greenleaf is the first board certified female urogynecologist in the United States. As a pelvic health pioneer, she was recently honored with the title of Distinguished Fellow by the American College of Osteopathic Obstetrics and Gynecology for her dedication to women’s health. She is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. As a premier pelvic educator, she has spoken on many stages from community and industry to national organizations. She is the national spokesperson for the American Osteopathic Association on women’s health with quotes in many of the top media outlets. Dr. Greenleaf is the co-inventor of a pelvic physical therapy device and is CEO of The Pelvic Floor Store, an ecommerce site dedicated to pelvic health (www.pelvicfloorstore.com). Her specialty includes all pelvic health conditions but her passion is treating pelvic pain and chronic infections. She has a holistic approach that incorporates mind, body and soul.
Dr. Lauren Jefferis, MD: Medical Advisor
Dr. Lauren Jefferis, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, and has been practicing for almost 20 years. After successfully reversing her own autoimmune disease through dietary changes, she was inspired to pursue a career in functional medicine. She completed her training at the Chris Kresser Institute for Functional Medicine and combines her traditional and functional medicine experience to help prevent or reverse chronic disease by focusing on lifestyle choices. Dr. Jefferis Is accepting a limited number of patients across the country with SteadyMD.
Dr. Shani Muhammad, MD
Dr. Shani Muhammad, MD is board certified in family medicine and has been practicing for over ten years. Dr. Muhammad trained at a large county hospital system in Cleveland, Ohio and treated a wide variety of medical conditions with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication therapy. Dr. Muhammad believes that health is a spectrum of wellness to illness and we can move the needle towards wellness with lifestyle changes that are sustainable. She is a mother of two teenagers and loves to cook/try new recipes and travel in her free time. She also speaks multiple languages and is accepting new patients across the country with SteadyMD.
Dr. Tim Jackson, DPT, CNS(c)
Dr. Tim Jackson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Rehabilitation, and a Functional Medicine provider. He holds a B.S. Degree in Health Science and Chemistry from Wake Forest University. He serves clients in over 15 countries through his telehealth practice at www.healyourbody.org and has helped thousands over the last 8 years.
Dr. Jackson is the creator of the “The Heal Your Hormones” bootcamp for neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Kruse’s membership community and has contributed to the book “Diagnostic Testing and Functional Medicine” by Ameer Rosic. He has been featured in The Huffington Post, the “Bulletproof Executive” and “Ben Greenfield Fitness” podcasts, on multiple health and medical summits, and in two health documentaries.
He also serves on the medical advisory board for Greensmoothiegirl.com, a site with several million annual visitors and for Your 2nd Half, a foundation that helps athletes with their career transitions.
Dr. Michelle Sands, ND
Dr. Michelle Sands is a #1 International Best-Selling Author, licensed Naturopathic Physician (ND), Co-Founder of GLOW Natural Wellness, and a highly sought-after Female Hormone and Epigenetics Expert. Dr. Michelle, her books and programs, have been featured on ABC, CBS, Outside Magazine, The Boston Herald, NBC, and Fox News, USA Today. Dr. Michelle is double board certified in Integrative Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Michelle has received post graduate certification in Anti-aging, Epigenetics, Hormone Therapy and Functional Medicine. Dr. Michelle is also a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and competitive endurance athlete. But first and foremost, she is a loving wife and a proud mom.
Dr. Michelle believes that nature provides us with everything we need to heal our bodies and live optimally. And while science holds the keys to understanding our innate healing potential, in today’s modern world our bodies and minds are exposed to lots of un-natural things that take away from that optimal level of health.
Today, Dr. Sands sees women from all over the world at her virtual clinic GLOW Natural Wellness, and has a remarkable track record for improving health and happiness with her proven proprietary system, The Glow Protocol.
Dr. Michelle enjoys an active lifestyle and is a 7-time Ironman triathlon finisher, ultra-marathoner, former competitive kickboxer, world champion adventure racer and active, fun loving mom.
Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez, MD
Dr. Ernesto (also known as Dr. E) is a physician by training and an educator by choice. His training background includes an MD degree and additional degrees in Age Management and Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. E, known as ‘The Stem Cell Guy’ is a former Faculty Member for the MMI’s Stem Cell Fellowship. And he is one of very few doctors who can currently claim to have a decade of proven experience in the stem cell field!
He’s a frequent lecturer at professional meetings. Like the A4M, and the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS).
Besides his clinical practice, Dr E is an entrepreneur, healthcare business consultant, speaker, and podcast host. He believes that physician entrepreneurship is the answer to the crisis in healthcare and so his mission, through Practice Growth Formula is to equip doctors and other healthcare professionals with the skills and strategies they need to succeed as healthcare entrepreneurs
He hosts the Dr. E’s Highway to Health Show. A weekly podcast where he simplifies complex medical knowledge into everyday language. In the show, he and his guests discuss the best and newest about living ageless. Like alternative health science, cutting edge nutrition, practical fitness, and overall family wellbeing. Dr. E still works one-on-one with patients from around the world.
Jessica Meyers, MPAP, PA-C, RH(AHG)
Jessica Meyers spent years working as a Physician Assistant, but saw something missing in the mainstream approach in dealing with the ‘undiagnosable’ – the vague symptoms that leave you feeling less than vibrant but with no clear path to wellness. This led her to expand her knowledge through herbal and functional medicine in order to bridge that gap.
Today, she helps clients to reset their health by addressing the root cause behind their struggles. With advanced herbal protocols and functional testing she serves as a concierge guide for elevating the mind, nurturing the gut, balancing hormones, and detoxifying the home and body.
You can find Jessica at her website or on social media.
Cynthia Thurlow, NP
Cynthia Thurlow is the CEO and founder of the Everyday Wellness Project, nurse practitioner, international speaker, and globally recognized expert in intermittent fasting and nutritional health.. She has over 20 years experience in health and wellness and is a 2x TEDx speaker. Her 2nd talk, Intermittent Fasting, a Transformative Technique, has over 8.5 million views.
Cynthia has been featured on ABC, FOX5, KTLA, CW, and in Medium and Entrepreneur. In August 2020, Cynthia was listed in Yahoo Finance as one of the, “21 Founders Changing the Way We do Business.” She’s also the podcast host of Everyday Wellness, which was listed as “21 Podcasts To Expand Your Mind in 2021,”by Business Insider. Cynthia’s mission is to educate women on the benefits of intermittent fasting and overall holistic health and wellness so they feel empowered to live their most optimal lives.
You can find Cynthia at her website or on social media.
Dr. Jennifer Pfleghaar
Dr. Pfleghaar (Dr. Jen) attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to residency at St Vincent’s Mercy Medical Center for Emergency Medicine. Dr. Jen spent one year flying with Life Flight as a flight physician. She now works at local emergency rooms in the community and her office in Perrysburg, OH practicing Integrative Medicine.
She is a graduate from the The University of Arizona: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine’s two year fellowship program (1,000 hour program). Dr. Jen has been featured on the local Podcast Thrive Tribe 419, a guest on Rebecca Regnier’s Full Plate (WTVG 13 abc), and has lectured at the Way Public Library. Her own health history of Hashimoto’s and having children sparked her interest in Integrative Medicine. She is very passionate about helping patients with chronic disease and letting our body heal itself.
Dr. Jen is a Certified Yoga Instructor 200 hr with Aura Wellness Center and Kids Yoga with Yogafit. She is a co-author of the book “Eat. Sleep. Move. Breathe. A Beginner’s Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle”. Her hobbies include spending time with her husband and four children, yoga, running, paddle boarding on the Maumee river and reading all things.
