Transformations: The Napa Valley Weight and Lifestyle Management Program ™

James A. Peters, MD

James A. Peters, M.D. is passionate about educating and motivating people to make healthier lifestyle choices. He is board certified in preventive medicine with a focus in integrative, lifestyle and nutritional medicine. He has extensive primary care experience and is highly trained in treating diabetes, asthma, weight management, smoking cessation, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, COPD, osteoporosis, and hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Peters integrates traditional medicine with evidence-based interventions from nutrition, botanicals and alternative therapies.

Dr. Peters is a graduate of Loma Linda University's School of Medicine and has a second doctoral degree from Loma Linda University in public health with a special emphasis in health promotion and prevention. He also is a registered dietitian and has a strong appreciation for the power of nutrition and the role it plays in health. Additionally, he is a registered respiratory therapist and has over 30 years of experience with various lung health problems.

Vicki Saunders, MS, RD
Nutrition Educator

For 25 years, Vicki Saunders has been counseling individuals and organizations on optimal nutrition. Vicki is an expert in diet behavior modification, having helped thousands make a comfortable, step-by-step transition to healthful eating. Ms. Saunders received her MS in Medical Dietetics from Ohio State University. She began her career as a dietician in Tennessee and joined the St. Helena Center for Health in 1979. She has extensive experience with therapeutic diets, vegetarian diets and eating disorders. In addition to her counseling work for the  program, she lectures on nutrition and teaches cooking classes.

Lisa Hinz, Ph.D., ATR
Clinical Psychologist

Lisa Hinz is a clinical psychiatrist and a registered art therapist. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a doctorate in psychology. Dr. Hinz earned a post-doctoral certificate in art therapy at the University of Louisville. She is currently an adjunct professor in the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Master of Arts degree program in art therapy.

For more than twenty years, Dr. Hinz has focused her clinical work on helping people with eating disorders. Dr. Hinz has published professional articles and presented research papers on the prevention and treatment of eating problems. She brings with her wealth of knowledge of the psychological aspects of eating to the Transformations Program.

Outside of work, Dr. Hinz enjoys watercolor painting, especially scenes of beautiful Napa Valley. In addition, she loves teaching art history and art techniques in her children’s elementary school classrooms. Lisa is proud to be married to cardiothoracic surgeon, Andreas Sakopoulos and is mother to their three children.

Russell Melgar, BA, CPT, CFT
Fitness Specialist and Coordinator

Russell brings an extensive background of instructing various sports and fitness activities as well as practical and theoretical training in rehabilitation, exercise and massage to the Center for Health." He received his Bachelors Degree from San Francisco State University in Broadcast Communication Arts. Russell has a second-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate. Russell is also a certified personal trainer, certified fitness therapist, and a certified massage therapist/health educator. He was most recently employed by Meadowood Napa Valley Health Spa as a personal trainer and gym manager." 

Marcia W. Sturm, MA
Stress Management Therapist / Yoga Instructor

Marcia has a Masters Degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University. Her thesis integrated her 20-year yoga experience (ten years as a teacher) with modern psychological therapies to assist individuals on their journey toward wellness and self-discovery. Marcia has discovered progressive relaxation and guided visualization techniques direct clients toward a more stress-free life, while gentle Yoga postures help build strength, flexibility and self-awareness. Certified in Integrative Yoga Therapy and licensed in massage, Marcia combines these skills to offer students a supportive environment in which to grow toward wellness and self-discovery. When not on the Yoga mat, Marcia enjoys reading, playing golf and hiking

Mary Jane Franus, MS, MFT
Rehabilitation Therapist

With extensive training and experience in addiction disease, family of origin, and family dynamics, Mary Jane brings compassion, enthusiasm and expertise to the Center for Health. She is a licensed psychotherapist who received her master’s degree at San Francisco State University and has worked with people of all ages and backgrounds. A life-long organic gardener, Mary Jane plans to integrate a therapeutic gardening component into her work at the Center for Health.

Susan Witt
Chef

For 21 years Susan Witt has been creating delectable cuisine for clients across the United States such as Julia Childs and former President Bill Clinton. She holds a Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Before venturing west, Susan worked as the Chef de Cuisine at Agora, a posh Providence hotel restaurant and cooked for the James Beard House in New York City.

Following in love with the quaint town of St. Helena, Susan ventured to the Napa Valley where she worked as resident chef for Beringer Vineyards. After the birth of her son, Chase, Susan became a personal chef for some of Saint Helena's finest residents. She has worked for the St. Helena Hospital for more than three years and loves teaching cooking classes. She spends her free time in the great outdoors with her family and Hank the wonder dog.

Carrie Gehrke,
Business Coordinator

Carrie Gehrke joined the Center for Health team as the business coordinator in July 2007. She has worked for St. Helena Hospital for 12 years in different departments and comes to the Center for Health with a passion for health and nutrition.

Carrie was born at St. Helena Hospital and, except for two years when she attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, has lived in the Napa Valley her entire life. Carrie holds an associate’s degree in fashion merchandising and started her own style and wardrobe consulting business in 2007.