I received my Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology School of Psychology and my Master’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago (specializing in neurobiology). I completed my residency and post-doctoral fellowship in health psychology and psychotherapy at Rush Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. I received my Bachelor’s degee in zoology from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). And on a personal note, I was raised in Evanston, Illinois. I am married with three children and currently live in Lake County, Illinois.

Over the years, I have worked extensively in the area of health psychology with my partner, Dr. Joel Okner, board certified cardiologist. We have been working together since 2000. Together we wrote our first book, entitled: The No Bull Book on Heart Disease: Real Answers to Winning Back Your Heart and Health. It is the culmination of years of shooting from the hip, direct, honest communication style.

I have been fortunate to have Dr. Okner as such a close friend and colleague.