Our editorial authors and review board members are highly experienced, leading professionals in their respective field. They have dedicated time to assist in our mission to deliver superior content on Your Health Access.  The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints they express on this web site are independent of any organizations with which they are associated.

Bariatric Surgery

Neil E. Hutcher, MD, FACS is the Chairman and Board of Directors member of Surgical Review Corporation. Dr. Neil Hutcher is a recognized leader in the advancement of bariatric surgery, especially as it relates to patient education and advocacy on the federal and state levels.  He is also a past president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).  In addition, Dr. Hutcher has served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at both the Medical College of Virginia and McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Hutcher received his undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, where he also completed a residency in general surgery and specialty fellowship training in transplant surgery. He was also a Managing Director at Commonwealth Surgeons, Richmond, Virginia.

Dentistry

N. Summer Lerch, DDS, FAGD, AAACD, is an examiner for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Accreditation process and is both a Past-President of the New England Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an affiliate of the AACD, and a past Board member of same. In 1989, she joined the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), and became Accredited with the AACD in 1990. She then became an Accreditation examiner and mentor for the AACD in 1992. She went on the Board of Directors of the AACD and then became the editor of the AACD Journal from 1992 through 1994. In 2003, Dr. Lerch was nominated to AACD Ethics Committee, retiring as it Chair in 2007. In addition to being a leader in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, Dr. Lerch also maintains private practice at The Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven Connecticut.

Dr. Lerch is a 1982 graduate of the University of Washington Dental School and a 1984 graduate of the Family Dentistry Residency program from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She went on to attain her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1988.

Esthetic Oral Plastic Surgery and Periodontics

W. Peter Nordland, D.M.D., M.S. is a world recognized leader for his contribution to the dental community in the area of esthetic oral plastic surgery. Dr. Nordland is one of the few Fellows of the prestigious American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and a co-founder and president of The International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons. With his development of this oral plastic surgery sub-specialty, this society serves as a platform for periodontists and oral surgeons interested in esthetic surgery. Dr. Peter Nordland has introduced many new surgical procedures and has developed his own microsurgical instrumentation. He enjoys teaching and is the Director of the Oral Microsurgical Residency Program at the Newport Coast Oral-Facial Institute, is an Assistant Professor of Periodontics at Loma Linda University and has taught at almost every US dental school.  In essence, Dr. Nordland has presented over 400 professional papers and lectures internationally for esteemed state and dental organizations, such as, the American Dental Association, The American College of Prosthodontists, International Dental Federation and much more.  Dr. Nordland has authored or co-authored numerous textbooks, written chapters and several journal publications on Periodontal Plastic Surgery and has recently published a landmark paper on surgical correction of the lost interdental papilla. He is an active Member of the American Academy of Periodontology and maintains a private practice at The Nordland Oral Microsurgical Institute in La Jolla, CA.

Endodontics

Brian T. Quesnell, D.D.S. is a partner of Hillcrest Endodontics where he is continually honored with the San Diego Magazine Top Dentists Award by peers. Dr. Quesnell is also valuable contributor to the dental community as he presents the results of research projects nationally; has published numerous articles in the Journal of Endodontics; and presents seminars and lectures to pre-dental students at the San Diego State University.  Dr. Quesnell is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, California Association of Endodontics, California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Society and the San Diego Endodontic Study Club.   Dr. Quesnell offers a superior approach to Endodontics. Clients also benefit from the advanced technology that allows for greater precision and accuracy in root canal treatment at Hillcrest Endodontics. Dr. Quesnell earned his B.S. degree in biological science and physiology from the University of California at Davis; his DDS degree at the UCLA School of Dentistry where he was the class valedictorian; and completed an advanced general dentistry residency at UCLA before completing a two-year endodontic residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Dentistry.

Dermatology

Jason Lupton, M.D. is well recognized for his lectures throughout the U.S. and Europe on topics involving  the latest techniques and technology in laser surgery. His lectures have been well received by leaders and peers interested in learning about laser surgery, including members of several medical organizations, such as, The American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.He is highly published in peer reviewed journals.Dr. Lupton is the founder of San Diego Dermatology and Laser Surgery where he extends his clinical expertise to all aspects of laser surgery and dermatology.

Dr. Lupton completed his undergraduate and medical training at Georgetown University, a one-year internal medicine internship at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, and his dermatology training at the George Washington University Medical Center and the Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Lupton subsequently completed a highly competitive and coveted one-year laser surgery fellowship at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery.

Charles Crutchfield, III, M.D. of Eagan, Minnesota, is a well respected diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology. He is also a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor of Dermatology at University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Crutchfield’s research activities in the areas of gene expression and cell membrane protein in the treatment for medical conditions has been well received by the medical community. In addition, Dr. Crutchfield has produced more than one hundred teaching presentations and published works, including co-authoring a dermatology textbook.

He has held top level positions in select medical organizations, such as, Board of Directors member of the Ramsey Medical Society. He has been presented with many honors and recognized by leading media outlets for outstanding achievements. Dr. Crutchfield’s educational background is a small example of his commitment to dermatology. Notably, he earned his MD degree and master’s in biology at Mayo Clinic Medical School. Dr. Crutchfield is also an active member in several medical organizations, including: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Chaithanya is a licensed Medical Practitioner, General Physician, Medical writer and a Medical researcher. She is a gold medallist and distinction holder in Medicine and Pharmacology subjects during MBBS. After completing resident-ship in 2008, she started serving in various roles as an ICU in-charge doctor, resident in Psychiatry department, and as a General Physician. She got good credits for her services in treating a wide variety of patients.

Dr. Chaithanya, apart from her clinical service, is a trained and a certified medical writer, medical researcher. She has served various clients [companies and Individuals] worldwide, in successfully completing various medical projects [She has 2500 medical articles and 900 medical research projects written to her credit]. She is an active member of American Medical Writers Association [AMWA]. She founded www.scribomeds.com to service the world of medical communications. She balances her life between Family time, Clinical Practice, and Medical writing.

 Internal Medicine

Dr. Roy Springer, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice , is the past Chairman of the Department of Family Practice at Alvarado and Grossmont Hospitals, San Diego, CA. Dr. Springer is also a Clinical Instructor at UCSD Medical School for both English and Spanish. Dr. Springer maintains private practice in San Diego at the Center for Family Health  where the practice introduced a Mobile Physician Team to better assist disabled and senior citizens throughout the San Diego area in 2010. Dr. Springer is also widely known for his lectures about weight loss and many  across San Diego County participate in the weight loss program through his practice focus.   Over the course of his 30 plus year career, Dr. Springer has also volunteered to provide medical care throughout  the Western Hemisphere and has spearheaded the Tijuana Toy Drive for nearly 20 years.

Neurosurgery

Joseph C. Maroon, M.D., is Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; and Team Neurosurgeon for The Pittsburgh Steelers. Formerly, Dr. Maroon was president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.  Notably, he is a Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at UPMC.

Dr. Maroon is highly respected for his contributions to the medical community as a surgeon, professor, researcher and author. His work in the development of complimentary approaches to inflammatory diseases associated with aging has been well received by peers in the medical community. His work with Mark Lovell, PhD led to the development of the first computerized system for concussion testing and severity called ImPACT© (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). The technology is used by the NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR and over 3000 high schools and colleges in the United States. Dr. Maroon has been honored by the neurosurgical societies of Japan, Korea, Thailand, Egypt, Brazil and Lebanon. He is also a member of the board of directors of Mylan Laboratories, chairman of the scientific advisory board to the General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) and senior Vice President of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). He has authored 5 books and over 250 peer reviewed papers.

Ophthalmology

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler M.D., is a highly sought after eye surgeon throughout the U.S. Recently, he was entrusted by the United States Olympic Committee to treat Bobsled Driver Steve Holcomb’s Keratoconus that enabled him to come back from retirement to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler has pioneered a variety of microscopic eye surgeries, including: the use of Intacs and Holcomb C3-R® treatments for keratoconus and I-Brite® Eye Whitening procedure a proprietary technique not available anywhere else. He also pioneered Visian ICL(insertable contact lens) as an in office procedure.  In addition, he is a UNITED STATES FDA INVESTIGATOR for 13 clinical research trials evaluating new technologies for vision correction.

Dr. Boxer Wachler received the Achievement Award and Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in recognition for his participation in the scientific programs.  He was elected by his peers as one of the world’s best refractive surgeons and honored with a Gold Medal Award by the IIIRSS for his scientific contributions. He received the Faculty Award from the Joint Commission of Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology for many years of service in sharing his expertise, knowledge, and experience with others in the field. He has also been  requested to appear on NBC Nightly News, CNN, Today Show, ABC News, CBS News, FOX News, KCAL9 News, PBS, Good Day LA, Dr. Phil’s The Doctors, and EXTRA to name a few. He has been quoted for his expertise in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Time, US News and World Report, USA Today, Vogue and many others. He has presented lectures on the topic of refractive surgery to thousands of eye surgeons around the world.

Formerly, Dr. Boxer Wachler was Director of UCLA Laser Refractive Center at Jules Stein Eye Institute. In addition, he established industry LASIK guidelines to reduce risk of halos and glare. Dr. Boxer Wachler studied at Dartmouth, Saint Louis University, Edinburgh University, and UCLA. He has educated over 1000 eye surgeons on the topics of LASIK, Intacs, and insertable lenses. He authored the trusted LASIK Consumer Report read by over 73,000 people and “wrote the book” on Keratoconus and Corneal Collagen Crosslinking. He has published and interviewed for over 100 article and book chapters.  Notably, he served on the board of directors to lead LASIK and keratoconus non-profit organizations. He is the founder of Giving Vision organization dedicated to providing eye care to children in need.

Orthopedic Surgery

Nick Shamie, MD, is Co-Director, UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery. Dr. Nick Shamie is a Board Certified Spine Surgeon who has served on the UCLA School of Medicine faculty since he joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2000. He became an Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery when he joined the faculty and has served as the Director of UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center. He is Chief, Spine Service, Wadsworth Veterans Administration Hospital, Los Angeles; Elected Board Member, Executive Medical Board (EMB) of SM/UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital; Board of Directors, American College of Spine Surgery and was President of the American College of Spine Surgery. Dr. Shamies’ scientific research, grant and clinical trial activities have been well recognized. He is highly requested to present lectures nationally and internationally. He has also been highly published in peer review journals, invited manuscripts, book chapters and co-authored a text book entitled, The Encyclopedia of the Back and Spine Systems and Disorders.

Dr. Shamie earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences at UC Irvine and M.D. at the Northwestern University. Dr. Shamie is actively involved in graduate and medical education. He is a recipient of the UCI School of Medicine Award for Excellence in Research. Dr. Shamie is actively involved in both Basic Science and Clinical research in the field of Spine Surgery.

Joseph Zuckerman, MD, is a past president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and Chairman of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Department of Orthopedics. His practice specializes in hip and knee replacement and shoulder surgery. He completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. He then completed a one-year fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Surgery and Arthritis Research at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School. His approach to hip and knee replacement includes use of non-cemented replacements with alternative bearing surfaces and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He has performed over 1,500 hip and knee replacements. He has advanced expertise in Shoulder Problems/Surgery, Shoulder Replacement, Hip Arthroscopy, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement.

Plastic Surgery

Walter L. Erhardt, Jr., MD, FACS, has maintained a leading private cosmetic surgery practice in Albany, Georgia since 1979. Dr. Erhardt is a past president of the major plastic surgery association American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a current director of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and chair of the Written Examination Committee of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has served as chief of surgery at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, has been a member of medical mission teams to India and El Salvador and is currently chairman of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is licensed to practice medicine in both Georgia and Virginia.

Dr. Erhardt graduated cum laude with his BS from Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia, in 1969. He obtained his MD in 1973 from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia

Richard J. Greco, MD, FACS, of Savannah, Georgia, is an active member of and serves on national committees for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, The Lipoplasty Society, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Medical Association. Dr. Greco is board-certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery and has also earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery. His research has resulted in two patents and led to new surgical practices. Dr Greco’s current research is in massive liposuction and new facelift healing techniques. He has authored more than 25 scientific papers, including six medical textbook chapters, and has also edited a book, Emergency Plastic Surgery. Dr. Greco is also a past Vice President of Standards of The American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Vice Chair of the Public Education Committee for the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Greco has also presented lectures for several leading medical organizations, universities and hospitals on a variety of health care topics, including body contouring procedures after massive weight loss, approaches to aesthetic improvements of the arms, breast reconstructive procedures, and new techniques in facial rejuvenation.

He received his undergraduate degree from Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania (summa cum laude), and his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He then completed his general surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, a fellowship in hand surgery at The Hand Center in Philadelphia and a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Greco maintains hospital staff privileges at Memorial University Hospital and Candler/St. Joseph Health Care System.

He specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, including liposuction, body sculpting, abdominoplasty, breast-lift, augmentation mammoplasty, facelifts, nasal surgery, ear surgery, chin surgery, forehead lift, eyelid surgery, skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

James H. Wells, MD, FACS, has been president of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Recently he was elected as a director of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, where he has served as a guest oral examiner for the past 10 years. He is on the Board of Directors at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) in Long Beach, California, where he is in private practice. He serves as a clinical professor of plastic surgery at UCI and is director of resident rotations at LBMMC. He is married and has two children. Dr. Wells initiated the Patients of Courage award and the leadership programs at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons during his presidency.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He completed his general surgery training at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans and plastic surgery training at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville; and he served on the plastic surgery faculty at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Dr. Wells was in the U.S. Navy on the USS Midway as the medical officer during the Vietnam War.

Fitness Nutrition and Rehabilitation

Keith Spennewyn MSc, MPT raised the standards of personal training by authoring one of the first Bachelor of Science degrees for personal trainers for 4-year colleges in the U.S. Keith founded the National Institute of Health Science in 2000 to create an advanced personal training certification program with the requirement of board certified physician approved seminars. Keith was one of 7 leading authorities to present at the U.S. Aerobic Championships Champcamp. He was a Nutritional Consultant for the US Aerobic Team. Keith is a pioneer in the development of whole body vibration methods and training. He was also a Faculty Head and instructor at Globe University teaching kinesiology and biomechanics. In addition, Keith led clinic development for board certified physicians to work with certified master’s level personal trainers. This included the 1st national injury-care and personal trainer program in the US and a national certification-training program.

Keith is highly published and has presented lectures at the World Education Conference for American Council on Exercise and many more. He is also a Med-x qualified rehabilitation specialist, a Certified Personal Trainer with over 10 organizations and has trained World Champion athletes. Currently, Keith is the owner of ReVibe Fitness & Wellness in Burnsville, MN. Keith earned his Certificate of Education at the University of London, his triple BS in Sports Psychology, Biology, and Exercise Physiology at Missouri State University, and his Master’s in Health Sciences/ Metabolic Physiology at Columbia Pacific University in Paulo Alto, CA.