Food as Medicine Virtual Conference - Friday, April 19, 2024
This virtual conference seeks to provide an introduction to the importance of considering food as medicine. Join this webinar to learn more about how food can be used as medicine, see a cooking demonstration, and hear about community-based solutions to this important issue.
Event Agenda (PDF)
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About Our Presenters
Dr. Tony Linares trained in Family Medicine at the University of California, Davis and recently completed a fellowship and board certification in Integrative Medicine. As a professional member of the Teaching Kitchens Collaborative, he is passionate about food as medicine and the use of “up-stream” lifestyle behavior change to prevent chronic diseases. Most recently, Dr. Linares served as the Regional VP and Medical Executive for Anthem National Accounts at Elevance Health. He worked closely with large employer groups in the West Region (CA, NV, CO) to optimize health benefits and wellness programs to reduce the burden of chronic medical conditions and lower the total cost of health care. Prior to joining Elevance Health in 2006, he served as VP of Medical Affairs at Lumetra in San Francisco where he led a national Medicare project to support doctors use of electronic health records to improve quality of care. He received the Innovator of the year Award by Healthcare Informatics Magazine in 2005 for his commitment to assist physician practices and staff in the adoption of new technologies. Over the past 30 years he has served in diverse leadership roles which include the founding medical director for California’s Department of Managed Health Care to oversee quality for managed care plans. He was the corporate VP of Medical Plans for CIGNA Healthcare and the founding CMO for the Order of Saint Francis Health Plan in Illinois. Early in his career, Dr. Linares served in the National Health Service Corps of the Public Health Service. As a family physician at the San Ysidro Health Center, a FQHC on the US- Mexico border, he provided clinical care for pediatrics, maternity services and adult medicine. He continues to be a strong advocate for primary care access to historically disadvantaged communities. Dr. Linares received his BS degree from Defiance College with specialized immunology research training at Ohio State University School of Medicine before completing his MD at Case Western Reserve Univ. He joined the Defiance College Board of Trustees in 2015.
Dr. Seema Sarin is an accomplished physician and a leader. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She has had 20 years of experience in primary care and urgent care, as well as lifestyle and preventive medicine. She currently serves as a Medical Director at Elevance, Commercial and Specialty Business, serves as the chair of the Lifestyle Medicine, Integrative Health and Food as Medicine workgroup. She is also part of the Health Related Social Needs Advisory Panel and Health Equity Groups. Dr. Sarin’s experience includes consulting and serving as the director of Lifestyle Medicine at EHE Health, a nationwide preventive health company, where she spearheaded the Health Mentorship Program. This program, based on the principles of Lifestyle Medicine, provides a multidisciplinary approach to provide year-round support, guidance, and motivation to develop and sustain positive behavior changes, with proven clinical outcomes in improving risk factors and management of chronic disease. She has also provided oversight for clinical, virtual, and digital medical programs, to optimize access to personalized preventive care, including at Elevance Health, as a clinical co-lead for the Whole Health Concierge Care Plus program. At the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Sarin is the co-chair of the Lifestyle Medicine in the Workplace Committee and an advisory council member for the Global Positive Health Institute. She co-authored the book entitled The Practitioner’s Guide to Lifestyle Medicine, published in 2022. She obtained her medical doctorate and dual degrees in biology and psychology, with honors at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She then trained at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where she completed her residency. Most recently she was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, in November 2022. She is passionate about supporting our members to lead healthier, happier, and more productive lives.
