Board of Directors

Board of Directors

	Len Saputo, M.D. HMF Founder & Medical Director Len Saputo, MD, founder and medical director of the HMF, is a board-certified internist who has been in private practice in Contra Costa Country for more than 25 years. He is a health educator, motivational speaker, medical editor and writer, television and radio personality, and twice world champion senior singles tennis player. Over the past decade, he has had a leadership role in the development of an integrative, holistic, person-centered, and preventive model of practice that has come to be known as “Health Medicine.” It is Len’s vision that has brought the model of Health Medicine into clinical practice at the Health Medicine Center in Walnut Creek, California, where he is its medical director. Len is responsible for HMF mission, goals and overall direction. He is the representative to the traditional medical community and is responsible for acquiring top notch speakers. He will coordinate the teaching and educational aspects of the Phase II effort.

	Vicki Saputo, RN Associate Director Vicki Saputo, RN, has played an active role in the development of the Health Medicine Forum since its initial development in l995. Many of the policies and programs have benefited from her input. She also serves as co-host of Prescriptions for Health, a weekly call-in health talk show with her husband. Together, they have promoted Health Medicine to the greater San Francisco Bay Area on Monday mornings at 11 am, Friday mornings from 9:00-11:00 a.m., and Monday through Fridays from 6:30-6:45 am for their 'Fast Track' edition of "Prescriptions for Health" on KEST, AM 1450. At the Health Medicine Center she has served as Executive Director. Vicki has participated as a Reiki practitioner and health guide. Her compassionate support is particularly effective in helping people with pain conditions and acute illness. She has also served as supportive counsel to patients and their families dealing with issues related to death and dying. Mrs. Saputo is a registered nurse with extensive experience in all aspects of critical care nursing, including coronary care, intensive care, respiratory care, the hospital IV team, and post surgical recovery. After attending the University of California, Berkeley, she received her nursing education at the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing. Over the course of her nursing career, she has provided wellness counseling and has worked in four pediatricians' offices. In 1993, Ms. Saputo became interested in the field of holistic nursing. She has become knowledgeable in many aspects of complementary medicine through multiple seminars, workshops, lectures, and personal experience.

	Joni Sare, NE, PC Nutrition Educator, Therapeutic Personal Chef/Catering, Graphic Artist Joni is the Event Coordinator for the Health Medicine Forum. She joined the HMF Board of Directors in 2005 and has been an integral part of its recent success. Her passion for holistic living is the basis for her love and respect for the Health Medicine Forum. Through HMF, she promotes and supports the work of healthcare professionals in their mission to help individuals realize their full health. HMF's educational events brings the practitioners and the public together. She believes individuals are empowered through this process by increasing their awareness about themselves. This awareness fuels the imagination, which carries them into the future in a direction they want to go. Joni sees herself as a health avatar - mentoring and educating others on integrative healthful living. In her private practice she provides nutrition counseling and cook's food with a joyful zeal for her client's specific needs. She also caters wholesome food for private and public events.
	More about Joni Sare...
	Geoffrey Marx, NC Geoffrey Marx, NC, is a certified Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He is a graduate of Bauman College in Berkeley, CA, and holds a Bachelor's Degree from San Francisco State University. He brings to the HMF Board his experience with the National Association of Nutrition Professionals where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and as the editor of NANP's trade journal, the "Nutrition Professional's Quarterly". Geoffrey sees clients with a wide range of health issues in his private practice, which is based on individual assessment, whole foods and conscious eating. His interest in preventive health began at the age of 14 when his father underwent coronary bypass surgery. This life-changing experience was the catalyst for a commitment to understand the biochemistry and psychology of illness and wellness, and a sense of mission to help raise the collective health consciousness in our disease-promoting culture. Geoffrey is passionate about working with people to help them find optimal health and balance in their lives.

	Mitchell Corwin, DC Dr. Corwin joins Health Medicine Forum as a health care practitioner with a passion for collaborative and integrative medicine practice style. His collaborative experiences began as part of the Total Health Sports Medicine Center in Oakland in the early 1980’s, extending into private practice in Berkeley and eventually joining the Health Medicine Center in Lafayette. Dr. Corwin is chiropractic kinesiologist with over 26 years of clinical experience specializing in learning disabilities, scoliosis and heavy metal (mercury) toxicity. His practice style is a unique blend of eclectic applied kinesiology and energetic medicine techniques with an emphasis on chronic illnesses.

	Kathie Thompson Kathie Thompson joins Health Medicine Forum with a long time passion for wellness and education. Kathie began her journey while experiencing her own health concerns and being introduced to integrative medicine through Dr. Frank Shallenberger and his wife Judy. Through her growth assisting Dr. Shallenberger with his Bio-Energy Testing project, she met Dr. Len Saputo and Kay Sandberg at the Health Medicine Institute and became an advocate of the Health Medicine Forum. Kathie enjoys providing community support and awareness through her practitioner alliances and HMF. She spends her days providing business management skills to Walnut Creek dentists Dr. Lynne Martz and Dr. Andrew Marshall where she has the opportunity to share the knowledge she has gained by learning from these amazing health care providers. She spends all free time available with her family and friends whom she adores.

	Nirinjan Bikko-Yee

	Ofer Erez

	Mike Buchele, M.D.

	Daryl Smith

. . .	Our Board of Directors is expanding to include individuals in various areas of expertise. Stay tuned to this page for additional details as they become available.