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Our Team
John E. Hodgkin, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Hodgkin, the Center for Health pulmonologist. serves as medical director
to the St. Helena Center for Health’s Center for a Smoke-Free Life® . He has
had over 200 journal articles and chapters for books published, relating to
the field of respiratory care, pulmonary rehabilitation and pulmonary
medicine. He obtained his medical degree at Loma Linda University Medical
Center and completed a pulmonary fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
Minnesota. Dr. Hodgkin is the lead editor of the foremost clinical textbook
on pulmonary rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Guidelines to
Success. The book is used by
medical schools, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. Dr.
Hodgkin is a Co-editor of the third edition of Fundamentals of Heart and
Lung Sounds, published in 2004. Dr. Hodgkin is a Past-President and Founding
Fellow of the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation. He was selected for the Outstanding Clinician of the Year
Award, by the California Thoracic Society, in 2007.
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.
Susan Raring F.N.P., M.S.N.
Susan Raring has been a board certified family nurse practitioner for 21
years and R.N. for 37 years. Sue earned her B.S.N. from Upstate New York
Keuka College's highly regarded nursing program and completed her Master of
Science Degree in Nursing at Sonoma State University. She has experience in
addiction medicine, psychiatry, occupational health, family practice,
geriatrics and cosmetic surgery. She loves caring for and helping people
achieve and maintain wellness. As an ex-smoker, she is grateful for every
deep breath she takes while hiking and speed walking on the treadmill. Sue
has lived in Santa Rosa for 22 years and after returning home from "impact
hikes" enjoys needle pointing, sewing for her grandchildren, gardening and
cooking.
Betsy Titus, M.S.
Program Coordinator
She holds a graduate degree in the field of Exercise Physiology from Cal
Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a BA in Health Education from Chico State
University. She worked as a Stanford University research assistant on the
Women’s Health Initiative, one of the most definitive, far-reaching programs
of research on women’s health ever undertaken in the U.S.
Vicki Saunders, M.S., R.D.
Dietitian
Vicki Saunders joined the Center for Health staff in 1979 after receiving
her graduate degree in Medical Dietetics from Ohio State University. Vicki
is an expert in diet behavior modification, having helped thousands make a
comfortable, step-by-step transition to healthful eating.
Arlene Taylor, Ph.D.
Dr. Taylor is founder and president of Realizations Inc., a non-profit
corporation that promotes brain-function research and related educational
resources. A brain-function consultant, author and speaker, she is creator
of The Brain Program. Taylor holds an MS in Epidemiology and Health
Education, as well as doctorates in Health and Human Services and Clinical
Counseling.
Russell Melgar, BA, CPT, CFT
Fitness Specialist and Coordinator
He 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 undergraduate
degree from San Francisco State University in Broadcast Communication Arts.
He holds a second-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate. He is also a
certified personal trainer, certified fitness therapist, and a certified
massage therapist/health educator.
Marcia W. Sturm, MA, LMT
Stress Management Therapist and Yoga Instructor
Marcia has a graduate degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University. Her
thesis integrated her 20-year yoga experience (10 years as a teacher) with
modern psychological therapies to assist individuals on their journey toward
wellness and self-discovery. She 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.
Judy Chaffin, MS, MFT
Behavioral Therapist
Judy is a licensed psychotherapist with a special interest in addictions.
She completed her graduate studies in counseling at Dominican University in
San Rafael, California, in 1988. Since then she has worked with people from
all segments of society around their issues of addiction and personal
development. Before beginning at Dominican, Judy worked for many years as a
college textbook editor. Now, in her spare time, of which there is little,
she finds entertainment and woe in being an on-line bookseller. Judy is a
recovered ex-smoker, just like you: a puff away from a pack-a-day.
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.
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.
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