November, 2018

Join us Monday, November 5,2018 to celebrate Gratitudes. Benedictine monk, Br. David Steindl-Rast, suggests that two qualities belong in our basic definition of gratitude. The first is appreciation: You recognize that something is valuable to you, which has nothing to do with its monetary worth. The second quality Br. David mentions is that gratitude is gratis: freely given to you.

Robert Emmons, perhaps the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, also argues that gratitude has two key components: “First, it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.” In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves…We acknowledge that other people…gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”

October, 2018

Shari Kaplan, PT obtained her bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and has practiced physical therapy for 20 years in a variety of orthopedic/sports medicine and chronic pain management practices. She has taken a multitude of continuing education courses including myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, joint mobilization, core stabilization, kinesiotaping and therapeutic exercise programs. Shari has come to appreciate that those suffering from chronic pain/illness need a wholistic approach to treatment including hands on, customized movement, stress management and mindfulness education. While promoting changes in activities of daily living – posture, body mechanics, pacing of routine, easy exercise programs – her patients see results in decreased pain and increased quality of life. Currently she practices in Pikesville at Bobbie Collins and Associates Integrative Physical Therapy.

September, 2018

Ms. Green has been engaged in the practice of Law since 1983 and has appeared before both local, appellate and Federal Courts in Maryland and as co-counsel around the country. In 2008, Ms. Green became interested in legal matters arising out of Lyme disease. Her family having been impacted by Lyme, Ms. Green commenced representing Physician’s whose licenses were under attack for prescribing long term antibiotics to Lyme patients. Additionally, Ms. Green became embroiled in litigation arising out the refusal of insurance companies to reimburse physicians for long term antibiotic treatments rendered. Ms. Green is a frequent guest on Television and Radio shows, including but not limited to The Bottom Line, Working Woman, Court TV, Square Off, The Katina Makris Show, Lymelight Radio, The Dr. Pat Show, Guest of Dennis Bernstein KPFA Radio, to name a few.  She has been a guest speaker at the May Day Rally, 2012, Guest Speaker at ILADS on Legislation, was honored for her work on the Virginia Bill by NatCapLyme, was recently featured in Baltimore Magazine, “Ticked Off”, September Issue, and a guest of the Dr. Paul Christos’ Aches and Pains XM Talk Show. She has authored or contributed to numerous articles, both on Law and Lyme.

June, 2018

Mary Pinkard has expertise in multiple wellness domains. She has studied under Qigong expert Dr. Kevin Chen from the University of Maryland, achieved certification in Feng Shui and pursued training in Yoga and Tai Chi. Mary teaches Qigong and group fitness classes  locally and has worked on wellness projects with GBMC, McDaniel College, University of MD Medical School, St. Joe’s Hospital, the Institute for Integrative Health and Walter Reed Hospital. She continues to work at Brick Bodies while maintaining her affiliations with  American Aerobics and Fitness Association, National Qigong Association and the American Dowsers Association. She has a degree in Music Education from Skidmore College and a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson University, and the integration of music and wellness education influences her practice and teaching.

May, 2018

John N. Aucott, MD, is a renowned expert in clinical research on the diagnosis and epidemiology of Lyme disease. He is an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. An internist and Lyme disease expert in the Division of Rheumatology, he is the director of the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center. With more than 17 years of research experience on the crippling effects of Chronic Lyme disease, he has published many studies. Dr. Aucott received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. He is fellowship-trained in infectious disease and geographic medicine. Dr. Aucott was just recently appointed to chair the US Dept of Health and Human Services Tickborne Disease Working Group.

April, 2018

Christina Murphy received her training as a Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s cutting-edge Health Coach Training Program. She also received training as a Care Coach from Elymenate, a company dedicated to the education and prevention of Lyme disease. Her teachers included Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind-body medicine; Dr. David Katz, Director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University; Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating; and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities. Her education has equipped her with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and preventive health. Drawing on these skills and her knowledge of different dietary theories, she works with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results. As a Certified Care Coach from Elymenate and Certified Health Coach from Institute of Integrative Nutrition, she applies her knowledge to help people with dietary, spiritual, intellectual and environmental challenges, especially those with Lyme Disease. As a recuperating patient of Chronic Lyme and Co-infections she understands the challenges facing those with dietary, social and personal lifestyle struggles. She founded the non-profit Can Do With Lyme with the mission to educate about Lyme disease without prejudice, to focus on what is possible and to Live in a Place called Hope.

February, 2018

T’ai Chi Chih® is a series of 20 separate, easy-to-learn moves that circulate and balance the chi, the life force that flows within us. It is not a martial art, but rather a moving meditation that reduces stress and generates vital health and peace of mind. In this fun and entertaining intro workshop you will be taught a few of the T’ai Chi Chih moves, which you can actually take away and practice on your own. You will also be taught how to ground the chi, which helps with focus, clarity, and feeling more present in everyday life. All sizes, strengths, and ages welcome. The moves during this intro to T’ai Chi Chih class may be done seated. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Sharon Sirkis, BSN, became an accredited T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) teacher in 1997, after achieving relief through TCC from many years of chronic pain. She currently teaches TCC at the Ellicott City 50+ Center and UMBC, as well as seated TCC to the MS Day Group at Kernan Hospital. She is also a Reiki Master, a certified Chakra Energy Healing Practitioner, a Black Belt in kenpo karate, and a firekeeper for Native American Sweat Lodge ceremony. Sharon’s T’ai Chi Chih practice grounds her, helps her focus, relaxes her body, and quiets her mind. Her patience in teaching combined with her sense of humor and down-to-earth manner provides for a fun, non-pressured environment in which to learn.

January, 2018

Bruce Fries is an entrepreneur and advocate for patients with chronic illness. His experience includes business startups, operations management, systems integration, sales and marketing, public relations, workflow automation, book publishing, and proposal development. He founded the Patient Centered Care Advocacy Group as a vehicle to facilitate collaboration among Lyme disease patient advocacy organizations and develop a unified approach for advocating with Congress and the Executive Branch. His hobbies include cave exploration, gardening, photography, automotive mechanics, metal working, and heavy equipment.