Technical Advisors

MEET THE DOUGLAS BOARD OF ADVISORS

Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Gallagher is uniquely degreed in chiropractic and traditional medicine. He is the director of Medical Wellness Associates, a multi-disciplinary health facility in Jeannette, Pennsylvania and a physician in the Department of Family Medicine at the Ruby Memorial Hospital at West Virginia University. Dr. Gallagher is the best-selling author of Dr. Gallagher's Guide to 21st Century Medicine and co-producer of the nationally syndicated televi¬sion program Nutritional Healing.

Joseph Collins, N.D. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Collins is licensed by the State of Washington as a Naturopathic Physician. His experiences focus on integrative functional endocrinology. He is responsible for the clinical development of a number of diagnostic laboratory functional tests, as well as therapeutic considerations, covering the range from lifestyle through nutritional and herbal choices to bioiden¬tical hormone therapies. He is the author of Discover Your Menopause Type, a book used by healthcare professionals and women to create personalized protocols for menopause. Dr. Collins also provides public and clinical educational support through lectures and online information.

Cindy Woods, M.A., Ph.D. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Woods, founder and CEO of XALT Sports and Omage, LLC, is one of the to psports nutritionists in the country.  Dr. Woods is  a nutritionist and holds a doctorate in psychology as well as national certifications in Performance Nutrition and Sports Training from the International Sports Science Association. She has also studied with the Clgan Research Institute in Sports Nutrition and is a Board member at UCSF. Dr. Woods has practiced sports nutrition, sports psychotherapy, and athletic performance counseling with a clientele of amateur and professional athletes, including NFL and NBA players, for 10 years.

Vern S. Cherewatenko, M.D., MEd -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Cherewatenko received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1986, is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice, and is Board Eligible by the American Board of Bariatric Medicine. Dr. Cherewatenko is one of three founders and current President and CEO of the American Association of Patients and Providers (AAPP). He is also a founding board member of the Puget Sound Physicians’ Association in Washington State. Dr. Cherewatenko has authored The Diabetes Cure. 

Mohammed R. Shayesteh, Ph.D., R.D., C.D.E., L.D. -Advisor
Dr. Shayesteh has a Ph.D. in clinical nutrition and lectures at the Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine. He is a Board Certified Dietitian and has a Certificate of Adult Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association. He is a Board Certified Diabetes Educator with the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educator. Dr. Shayesteh is licensed with the Ohio Board of Dietetics. He has more than 15 years of experience in teaching, research, and designing individuallized diet and exercise programs for obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and other nutrition-related medical problems.

James B. LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N., N.D. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. LaValle is a nationally recognized pharmacist, author, educa¬tor, consultant, and clinical practitioner in the field of natural therapeutics. He is cofounder of the Living Longer Institute, an innovative, integrative, healthcare facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, and author of numerous books including Cracking the Metabolic Code, The Cholestin Breakthrough, Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide, and The Cox-2 Connection, and has coauthored several other titles including Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, and The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs. Dr. LaValle also serves as an adjunct associate professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy.

Van D. Merkle, D.C. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Merkle is a graduate of the Logan College of Chiropractic and has been in chiropractic practice for over 19 years. Dr. Merkle also specializes in nutrition and is a strong proponent of objective patient testing towards the accurate identification and maintenance of health conditions. Dr. Merkle has developed a comprehensive and easy-to-understand testing and nutrition program entitled “Science Based Network,” formerly known as “Mastering Blood Analysis,” which is currently being utilized by hundreds of healthcare practitioners across the nation. 

Shannon R. Price, Ph.D., C.N. -Advisor, Contirbuting Author
Dr. Price is the founder and director of Nutritional Direction, a clinic providing welness counseling in Bedford, Texas. She earned a doctorate in physiology in natural health science from Clayton College of Natural Health and received the Certified Nutritionist designation from American Health Science University. Dr. Price is also a certified Bioenergetic Practitioner concentrating on health as it relates to energy meridian pathways in the body.  In her private practice along with a staff of nutritionists, Dr. Price guides and directs patients' healing on issues such as chronic fatigue, depression, fibromyalgia, weight loss/gain, degenerative and autoimmune diseases, ADD/ADHD, hormonal imbalances, and digestive problems.

Robert Nash, M.D. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Nash is a graduate of Annapolis and of the State University of New York Upstate Medical School, where he also did his neu¬rology residency. Dr. Nash is board certified in neurology and in pain medicine and has been an acupuncturist since 1992. He is the author of Common Sense Medicine and The Serotonin Connection and is active in the promoting complementary/ alternative medicine on the national level.

Rodger H. Murphree II, D.C., C.N.S. -Advisor, Contributing Author
Dr. Murphree is a Board Certified Nutritional Specialist and chiropractic physician who has been in private practice since 1990. He is the founder and past clinic director for a large integrated medical practice located in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of five books for patients and doctors including Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He also consults with other physicians, lectures throughout North America, and conducts two-day doctor continuing education seminars.