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Dariush Mozaffarian is a cardiologist, Jean Mayer Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Professor of Medicine at Tufts School of Medicine, and an attending physician at Tufts Medical Center …
Dr. Scanlon is the Director of the Center for Health Care and Policy Research and Distinguished Professor of Health Policy and Administration at Penn State University. His research focuses on understanding the role of measurement, incentives, quality improvement and individual and organizational behavior change for improving important health care outcomes, including clinical quality, patient experience, and economic efficiency.
Dr. Dexter Shurney is President of the Blue Zones Well-Being Institute, a 501c3 subsidiary of Adventist Health, that focuses on applied population health research including social determinants, payment reform, in addition to helping advise health care executives on value-based strategy and operations …
Gary Foster, Ph.D., is the Chief Scientific Officer at WeightWatchers (WW). Foster, a psychologist, obesity researcher and behavior change expert, was previously the Founder and Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education and Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia …
Ms. Freishtat has recently joined the Milken Institute as the Director of Feeding Change. She is an experienced director, transformative leader and strategist with a 20-year track record developing and implementing food system policies and programs …
James Gillespie is a researcher and scholar in management, policy, and strategic dimensions of the healthcare sector, with a particular focus on the intersection of food, health, nutrition, and wellness …
Dr. Manson is a physician epidemiologist, endocrinologist, and Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI of several research studies, including the Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Center In Boston, the cardiovascular component of the Nurses’ Health Study …
Rick Leach is leading initiatives to address food security, public health, and nutrition challenges on global and national levels. Rick is Chairman of the Food as Medicine Advisory Board for Avesis, LLC …
Dr. Will Bruhn is physician, healthcare researcher and entrepreneur and is a leading voice for price transparency and medical appropriateness. He serves as co-founder and chief operating officer of Global Appropriateness Measures, a consortium of physicians with the goal of measuring high-value care and reducing waste …
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Dariush Mozaffarian is a cardiologist, Jean Mayer Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Professor of Medicine at Tufts School of Medicine, and an attending physician at Tufts Medical Center. His work aims to create the science and translation for a food system that is nutritious, equitable, and sustainable. Dr. Mozaffarian has authored more than 500 scientific publications on dietary priorities for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and on evidence-based policy approaches and innovations to reduce diet-related diseases and improve health equity in the US and globally. Areas of focus include defining healthy diets, nutritional biomarkers, Food is Medicine interventions in healthcare, business innovation and entrepreneurship, and food policy. He is one of the top cited researchers in medicine globally, he has served in numerous advisory roles, and his work has been featured in an array of media outlets. Thomson Reuters has named him as one of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds In 2023, Dr. Mozaffarian was nominated by President Biden to serve on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCSFN), a federal advisory committee that aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity for all Americans.
Dr. Mozaffarian received his B.S. in biological sciences from Stanford University, M.D. from Columbia University, and Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard University; and additional clinical training in internal medicine at Stanford University and in cardiology at the University of Washington. He is married, has three children, and actively trains as a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.
Dr. Scanlon is the Director of the Center for Health Care and Policy Research and Distinguished Professor of Health Policy and Administration at Penn State University. His research focuses on understanding the role of measurement, incentives, quality improvement and individual and organizational behavior change for improving important health care outcomes, including clinical quality, patient experience, and economic efficiency. Dr. Scanlon has important expertise in the area of health care payment and financing and interventions to improve the value of health care services provided to patients and patient populations. He has been Principal Investigator on many funded research projects, and has a focus on bridging the gap between clinical and community-based care to improve the quality, value, and cost-effectiveness of chronic illness care. Dr. Scanlon has published more than 100 articles, book chapters and reports and is a frequent speaker to academic, policy and practice audiences. He completed a bachelor’s degree at Villanova University, earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed a doctorate in health services organization and policy at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Dexter Shurney is President of the Blue Zones Wellbeing Institute, a 501c3 subsidiary of Adventist Health, that focuses on applied population health research including social determinants, payment reform, in addition to helping advise health care executives on value-based strategy and operations.
Dr. Shurney’s unique business expertise comes from varied roles he has performed over his career as a senior healthcare executive. Most recently he served as the Chief Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for Adventist Health, a multi-state hospital system that operates in CA, OR, WA, and HI.
Other former roles have included Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of Global Employee Benefits at Cummins, Inc. CMI, Chief Medical Director, Employee Health Plan at Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer at Healthways HWAY, and Senior Advisor Managed Care Strategy at Amgen AMGN. During his tenure at Vanderbilt, he held dual faculty appointments at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Owens Graduate School of Business.
He is the Vice-Chair of the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) board representing 100+ large employer group members, and is a Past-President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). Under his leadership, ACLM launched a new provider education program for Blue Shield of California; led national conversations on provider payment reform and quality metrics; and spearheaded groundbreaking health disparity and equity efforts. He also serves as an independent director on several other boards including the Bon Secour Mercy Health Foundation, National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP), Population Health Alliance (PHA), and the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative (TKC).
Dr. Shurney is a highly regarded national authority on the health care industry with significant expertise in health insurance, employee health and well-being. He is also a well-regarded speaker at industry conferences and corporate events, and has appeared on NBC Today, in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, The Detroit Free Press, and numerous trade publications.
He is co-author of the book Integrating Wellness into Your Disease Management Programs a “how- to” strategic guide for employers that wish to innovate their approach to chronic condition management.
Dr. Shurney received his BS from Loma Linda University and his MD from Howard University College of Medicine. He also has an MBA and MPH from the University of Detroit/Mercy and the Medical College of Wisconsin, respectively. A licensed physician, he is board certified in both preventive medicine and in lifestyle medicine, and is a Fellow in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Gary Foster, Ph.D., is the Chief Scientific Officer at WeightWatchers (WW). Foster, a psychologist, obesity researcher and behavior change expert, was previously the Founder and Director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education and Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia. Prior to Temple, he served as the Clinical Director of the Weight and Eating Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He has authored more than 225 scientific publications and four books on the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity. His most recent book, The Shift, is a national bestseller. Foster has received numerous honors including President of The Obesity Society, Honorary Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology from the American Psychological Association, the Atkinson-Stern Award for Distinguished Public Service from The Obesity Society, and the George Bray Outstanding Scientific Achievements Award in Obesity Research from the American Society for Nutrition.
Ms. Freishtat has recently joined the Milken Institute as the Director of Feeding Change. She is an experienced director, transformative leader and strategist with a 20-year track record developing and implementing food system policies and programs. Holly served as Baltimore City’s first Food Policy Director and Chief of Food Policy & Planning where she founded and directed the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative. Holly spent over a decade building an equitable and resilient food environment by creating policies and programs that directly impact health & economic disparities. As a result, Baltimore City has become internationally renowned for innovative food governance and leadership. Holly has received national and international recognition for her public speaking skills and food systems expertise. She has presented at 125 international and national speaking engagements and has been interviewed by CNN, NBC, Huffington Post, Politico and the Associated Press. In addition, Holly has been awarded numerous accolades for her contributions to food systems, including the Mayors Medallion for Meritorious Service Award, Maryland Daily Record’s Top 100 women, and the 2016 Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Award. Freishtat has served as a food systems strategist, agricultural marketing director, nutrition educator, and grower. She holds an M.S. in Agriculture, Food, and Environment from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University, a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Vermont, and an executive certificate from Carey Business School.
James Gillespie is a researcher and scholar in management, policy, and strategic dimensions of the healthcare sector, with a particular focus on the intersection of food, health, nutrition, and wellness. He is Chief Health Officer at Umoja Food For Health, Co-Founder & Board Member of the Center for Healthcare Innovation , Senior Advisor at Stanford University School of Medicine’s Clinical Excellence Research Center (CERC), Research Affiliate at Yale University School of Medicine’s Center for Digital Health, Affiliated Scholar at University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, and Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company. He is lead author of the book “Patient-Centric Analytics in Health Care: Driving Value in Clinical Settings and Psychological Practice” and co-author of “Business Statistics, 1st Edition, 2024”. Dr. Gillespie’s education includes Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Ph.D., M.S.; Harvard University School of Law, J.D.; Princeton University School of Public Policy, M.P.A.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S.; Carnegie Mellon University Heinz School; and Rand Graduate School. He is fortunate and honored to have served his country in the United States Army Reserves.
Dr. Manson is a physician epidemiologist, endocrinologist, and Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI of several research studies, including the Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Center In Boston, the cardiovascular component of the Nurses’ Health Study, the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL); the COSMOS trial, and the VItamin D for COVID-19 (VIVID) trial. Her primary research interests include randomized clinical prevention trials of nutritional and lifestyle factors related to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogens as determinants of chronic disease, life course-related risk factors for CVD in women, and biomarker predictors of CVD. Dr. Manson has received numerous honors, including the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Population Research Prize, AHA’s Distinguished Scientist Award, AHA’s Research Achievement Award, election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (National Academy of Medicine), membership in the Association of American Physicians, fellowship in AAAS, Bernadine Healy Award for Visionary Leadership in Women’s Health, Alma Dea Morani Renaissance Women Award, James D. Bruce Memorial Award from the American College of Physicians (ACP), and election to mastership in ACP. Dr. Manson has published more than 1,200 peer-reviewed articles in the medical literature, is the author or editor of several books and textbooks, serves as Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary Clinical Trials, and is past president of the North American Menopause Society. She is one of the most highly cited researchers in the world and was one of the physicians featured in the National Library of Medicine’s exhibition, History of American Women Physicians
Rick Leach is leading initiatives to address food security, public health, and nutrition challenges on global and national levels. Rick is Chairman, Food as Medicine Advisory Board, Avesis LLC. He is leading a consortium of academic institutions to establish centers to address public health crises and with experts in the medical community to develop public policy to further scientific research and discovery. Rick recently served as President and CEO of World Food Program, USA, an organization he established in 1997 to shape U.S. public policy and generate resources for the United Nations World Food Programme. He has held leadership roles in both national and international organizations, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Alliance for Representative Democracy and World Wildlife Fund. Rick served on the foreign policy staff for the US House of Representatives Select Committee on Hunger and worked in the Clinton administration to lead a Presidential initiative to increase childhood immunization rates.
Rick Leach is an attorney who began his career practicing corporate and maritime law. He has served on Boards for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Winrock International, American Lung Association, and George Washington University’s Planet Forward. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Dr. Will Bruhn is physician, healthcare researcher and entrepreneur and is a leading voice for price transparency and medical appropriateness. He serves as co-founder and chief operating officer of Global Appropriateness Measures, a consortium of physicians with the goal of measuring high-value care and reducing waste. He is also the founder of Restoring Medicine, a free resource for businesses and patients to combat the high costs of healthcare.
Dr. Bruhn served as a research fellow at Johns Hopkins Medicine and received his M.D. from the University of Oklahoma. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed papers on the topics of reducing healthcare costs, caring for vulnerable populations, and best practices for opioid prescribing.
Dr. Bruhn has a particular interest in metabolic health, longevity, and how chronic disease can be mitigated with healthy eating and lifestyle modifications.
Caitlin Donovan is the Global Head of Uber Health. She joined Uber from MyOrthos, an Orthodontic Services Organization, where she served as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, Caitlin developed her knack for tackling obstacles to patient care as Chief Operating Officer of Circulation and Executive Vice President of Operations at LogistiCare (now ModivCare), specialty benefit managers in the non-emergency medical transportation space. She also served as the Vice President of Operations at CareCentrix with a focus on home health and post-acute care.
Catherine Macpherson is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and leader in healthcare innovation. She is the Senior Vice President of Healthcare Strategy and Chief Nutrition Officer for Mom’s Meals (PurFoods LLC), where she works closely with health plan and other healthcare partners on their home-delivered meals program design to meet clinical, quality, SDOH, member experience and cost savings objectives. She also leads strategic partnerships, product strategy, policy and advocacy work for the organization. Catherine served as Vice President of Medication Adherence and Immunizations at Walgreens, led Healthcare Product Strategy at WebMD and managed health and wellness programs for Ceridian, the National Institutes of Health and the American Institute for Cancer Research. Serving on numerous scientific advisory boards, Catherine has advised health and wellness companies including Retrofit, Livongo and eMindful. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota and her BA from the University of Michigan.
Experienced retail and healthcare leader with expertise in business strategy and transformation, healthcare contracting, and complex negotiations.
• Strong track record of delivering P&L results in growth and transformation of multi-billion business as well as a disruptive startup business at a Fortune 1 company.
• Passionate about developing teams and building relationships with partners and stakeholders to achieve results through collaboration.
• Global thinker who uses data analysis in all decisions and works effectively with technologists to unlock new business opportunities through innovation.
• Skilled holistic and strategic negotiator who considers incentives of all stakeholders within the US healthcare ecosystem; communicates clearly, simply, and persuasively; and creates value for all parties.
As Sifter co-founder and Chief Nutrition Officer, Judy Seybold leads the nutrition innovation, government affairs, and scientific disciplines behind Sifter’s Nutrition as a Service® digital technology for health and retail organizations. She brings regulatory rigor, clinical research expertise, and digital experience developing nutrition applications that deliver scalable Food as Medicine solutions. A retail nutrition pioneer, Judy has developed hundreds of metadata-driven applications and consumer shelf-edge programs that support medically tailored grocery interventions. While in R&D, Judy championed nutrition strategies that included approval of Vitamin D in cheese products, oat health claims, and AHA certifications. Over several decades, Judy has helped grow healthy brands for Fortune 100 companies (Quaker Oats and Kraft Foods); worked with numerous health start-ups (SPINS, ItemMaster, InteliChoice, Label Insight, healthyAisles); and managed several NIH-funded research studies while at Feinberg Northwestern Medical School. She has an MS in Food Science from the University of Illinois and is a Licensed Registered Dietitian and Certified Lifestyle Counselor. Judy represents Sifter on the Tufts FNII Food as Medicine and Nutrition Security working groups, which are creating solutions to support the White House Initiative on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.
Whether as the CEO of a joint venture between Intel and GE, leading innovation at Humana, founding and selling his own company in behavioral health, serving as the President of Health & Wellness for
Walmart US, leading one of the premier at home diagnostics companies, BioIQ or currently as CEO of a premier specialty benefits company, Avesis, Sean has impacted almost every sector of healthcare over the past 30 years. He had the honor of being named Healthcare Leader of The Year by the US Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and in 2019 as the 7th most influential person in healthcare out of the top 100 by Modern Health Magazine.
