Contributing Authors
Rita Kikoen
Rita Kikoen is a licensed professional business coach and Certified Executive Mastermind Coach. Her company, On Your Team Business and Executive Coaching, is located in Burr Ridge, Ill.
Judith M. Bernardi, PhD
Dr. Judith M. Bernardi is a licensed and certified social worker who runs a private practice specializing in medical illness counseling. She has trained physicians, nurses and other health professionals in the psychosocial care of patients.
Christopher Boquist, MD
Christopher Boquist, MD, is board-certified in family practice.
Daniel Carlson, DC
Dr. Daniel Carlson is a chiropractor with the Spine Center of Williamsburg. He completed his undergraduate training at the State University of New York-Fredonia and received his doctorate at the National University of Health Sciences.
Brenda Cicero, MS, CCC-SLP
Brenda Cicero, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist who co-facilitates a stroke support group.
Marnee Colburn, PhD
Marnee Colburn, PhD, is a clinical child and adolescent psychologist.
Laurie Craigen, PhD
Laurie Craigen, PhD, specializes in issues of adolescent mental health including self-injury, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and familial/relationship issues.
Mark Croucher, DC
Mark Croucher, DC, is a doctor of chiropractic and the founder of The Spine Center of Williamsburg.
R. Douglas Cullom, MD
R. Douglas Cullom, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in refractive, cataract surgery and general ophthalmology. He is the director of Cullom Eye and Laser Center and the Hampton Roads Center of Vision Correction. He is a member of Hampton Roads Eye Associates and Riverside Medical Group.
Lisa Curry, DMD
Lisa Curry, DMD, is a general dentist and founder of Curry Dental Center, PLC, in Lightfoot.
John E. DeGruttola
John E. DeGruttola is senior vice president for sales and marketing at Optima Health, a Virginia-based health plan with more than 380,000 members, nationally-recognized for its quality, service and innovative programs.
Sasha Digges, Jr., PT
Sasha Digges, Jr., PT, is the founder and president of CORE FITNESS & PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab. He is a licensed physical therapist, a certified athletic trainer, and a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Anna Dube, DPT
Anna Dube, is a doctor of physical therapy at Reach for Performance, Inc., in Williamsburg
Lester Dubnick, MD
Lester Dubnick, MD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating the emotional side of chronic illness in the context of stress and mind-body medicine.
Pamela N. Dumont, DVM
Pamela N. Dumont, DVM, is a veterinarian and the founder of Godspeed Animal Care in Williamsburg.
Melinda Dunn, MD
Melinda Dunn, MD, is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist practicing in Williamsburg and other Peninsula locations. She is the director of the Women’s Imaging Pavilion at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
Mark E. Ellis, MD
Mark E. Ellis, MD, is the founder of Peninsula Cancer Institute. He has practiced cancer medicine in Williamsburg since 1989. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He also serves as medical director for cancer services for Riverside Health System.
Thomas Fithian, MD
Dr. Thomas Fithian is an orthopaedic surgeon at Hampton Roads Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. He completed medical school and his orthopaedic residency training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Additionally, he had the privilege of completing a one-year shoulder fellowship with Dr. Charles Neer, who is often referred to as the "father" of shoulder surgery.
Caroline Fornshell
Caroline Fornshell is a certified personal trainer and certified dietetics consultant. She helps clients achieve weight loss through diet, exercise and lifestyle improvements.
Robert Gibbs, Jr.
Robert Gibbs, Jr., is an associate at the law firm of Mellette PC.