Smart for Life® DIET DOCTORS

Dr. Sasson E. Moulavi (Dr. Sass), M.D. is the Medical Director of Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida and is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He completed post graduate training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Moulavi holds Board Certification in Bariatric Medicine and is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. He has completed the Annual Practical Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity at Harvard University and is a member of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine as well as the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. For more than 13 years he has specialized in the study and treatment of Bariatric Medicine. Dr. Moulavi has directed the operation of multiple Weight Loss Centers in both the United States and Canada. Prior to 1995, he practiced as a family doctor in Canada. His passion is also to protect our planet by keeping our food supply clean of toxins and providing healthy choices for generations to come.
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Richard A. Arms, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ in Overland Park, Kansas. Dr. Arms completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, KS. and is a graduate of the University of Kansas Medical School, in Kansas City, KS. Dr. Adams completed his internship at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and his residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. After completing his military services with the U.S. Public Health Services in Seattle, Washington, as a General Medicine Officer; Dr. Arms was a staff internist with Kaiser Permanente, Kansas City, MO., part of the medical staff of St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, KS., Medical director of the Heartland Hospice and Home Health, and Medical Director of the Odessey Hospice. Dr. Arms has also been involved in private practice with St. Joseph Health Clinic, Kansas City, MO., Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy, Independence Sanitarium and Hospital, Independence, MO., The Denver Clinic, Denver, CO. as well as the St. Joseph Hospital and Presbyterian Medical Clinic, Denver, CO. Dr. Arms is associated with numerous professional organizations including being a Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, F.A.C.P. American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City, Johnson County Medical Society of Suburban Kansa City, Southeast Clinical Society and Kansas City, Society of Internists. Dr. Arms has been a frequent lecturer at the University of Kansas Medical Clinic, Kansas City, KS, as well as at the University of Missouri Medical School, Kansas City, MO., and has been a Medical director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri.

Harry Azadian, M.D. is Medical Director for the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ locations in the Greater Boston Area and is a graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Medical School. He began his career in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. After two years serving in the Medical Corps., he completed surgical internships and residencies at the University of California Hospitals in San Francisco, University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and at Harvard Surgical Service, Boston City Hospital. Previous to joining Smart for Life Weight Management Centers,™ Azadian served as the Medical Director of Raytheon Company and ran a long-time private practice for general and vascular surgery in Cambridge, Mass. For 20 years, he was a clinical instructor in Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Past Director of Emergency Services, Past Chairman of Professional Activities and Utilization Review, Past President of the Medical Staff, and Senior Visiting Surgeon at Cambridge Hospital. Azadian remains on the staff of Santa Maria Hospital and holds several Society memberships including Phi Betta Kappa, Massachusetts Medical Society, and the American College of Surgeons in addition to serving as President of the Cambridge Medical Improvement Society.

Barry Blumenthal, D.O. is the Medical Director of the Smart for Life Weight Management Center in Aventura, FL. Dr. Blumenthal has been in practice in the Aventura area for 12 years in both his own Family Medicine, Addiction and Geriatric Office/Hospital Practice as well as holding positions at area nursing homes over the years. Blumenthal has earned many degrees from University of Illinois, Touro College, Columbia Pacific University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University. He is board certified in Addictionology, Geriatrics, Family Medicine and has made presentations throughout the United States on various topics related to medical specialties. Dr. Blumenthal is passionate about helping patients achieve improved health and lose weight. He is proud to be able to improve the lives in Aventura through the Smart for Life program.

Anthony L. Capasso, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Smart for LifeTM Weight Management Centers in the Greater Jacksonville area. Dr. Capasso received his Bachelor of Science degree Cum Laude in Biology from Ohio State University and his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his Medical Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Florida, Jacksonville campus and was board certified by ABIM in internal medicine. Since graduating, he has worked with the University of Florida in Jacksonville as an Associate Medical Professor, while at the same time entering into his Internal Medicine private practice. Dr. Capasso was the first Associate Medical Director for Haven Hospice in Jacksonville, and continues his involvement with this non-profit organization. He also serves on the board for Physicians Preferred Malpractice Insurance Company. Dr. Capasso’s interests include fitness and nutrition. He is excited to be on the Smart for Life team and able to help others achieve weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.

Jose Cruz, M.D. graduated from the Institute of Medical Sciences in Havana, Cuba where he practiced medicine for 10 years. After moving to the United States, Dr. Cruz completed his residency training in Family Practice at Montgomery Hospital, affiliated with the Temple School of Medicine in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Board Certified in Family Practice, Dr. Cruz holds medical licenses in both Pennsylvania and Florida, and is a member of the American Association of Family Practitioner (AAFP), the American Association of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME), and the American Medical Association (AMA). Currently, Dr. Cruz is the Medical Director of Smart for Life in New Port Richey, Florida in addition to having his own practice, Nova Care Medical Center. Dr. Cruz is dedicated to helping patients make lifestyle changes by losing weight in order to improve their health and wellness. He is also interested in anti-aging, preventive medicine that offers the possibility of improving your personal appearance without any surgical risks.

Barry Goldsman, M.D. is Medical Director for the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ locations in the Greater Montreal Area and is a graduate of McGill University, Department of Graduate Studies, and received his M.D.C.M. degree from the McGill University School of Medicine. Dr. Goldsman started his career as a Clinical Associate at Ottawa General Hospital, University of Ottawa. He also worked as an emergency physician at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, McGill University, and physician for the Montreal Expos Baseball Club, Director Department of General Medicine, Montreal Chest Institute, Royal Victoria Hospital, of McGill University. Dr. Goldsman has also conducted research at the Department of Biochemistry of McGill University and has ten years in primary medical practice, ten years experience working in emergency medicine, five years teaching family medicine residents, seven years teaching Advanced Cardiac Life Support, five years experience working in coronary and intensive care units, and extensive biochemistry research related experience.

Scott R. Greenberg, M.D. is a Medical Director of Smart for Life Weight Management Centers in the Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey Area and is a graduate of Rutgers University and Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. Dr. Greenberg completed his residency in Family Practice at the Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and served as a member of the hospital institutional Review Board. Dr. Greenberg is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, a member of the American College for The Advancement in Medicine and a member of the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine. He holds Board Certification in Family Practice and has received proficiency certification in Chelation Therapy. He is also a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and is a recipient of the Physicians Recognition Award from the American Medical Association. Dr. Greenberg is the author of “Self Care Anywhere.” He lectures extensively on prolotherapy, a treatment for chronic pain, as well as cancer alternative therapies. He has published articles on alternative medicine, been interviewed in health magazines and featured on health-related television programs.

Suzanne Hayes Sword, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ in Overland Park, Kansas. Dr. Sword completed her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College in Holyoke, Massachusetts and received her medical degree from New York Medical College, New York, NY. Dr. Sword completed her internship at the New Rochelle Hospital, New Rochelle, NY. and her residency programs at Sisters of St. Mary’s hospital, Kansas City, MO. in Internal Medicine and Family Practice, as well as a receiving a Fellowship in Family Practice Medicine. Dr. Sword has been associated with Saint Joseph Health Clinic, Kansas City, Missouri, Specialty Hospital of Mid America in Overland Park, KS, and Mid-America Rehab Hospital, Leawood, KS. Dr. Sword is Board Certified in Family Practice Medicine and has won the Bausch & Lomb Science Award, Cor ET Manus, Achievement Award, as well as continuing medical education recognition from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association.

Richard E. Kowalsky, M.D. is a medical consultant for the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ location in Boca Raton, Florida and is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kowalsky completed his undergraduate studies at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Dr. Kowalsky completed his internship in medicine at the Beth Israel Medical Clinicn New York and his post graduate studies in Obstetrics & Gynecology, also at Beth Israel Medical Clinic, NY. Dr. Kowalsky also served in the United States Navy as a physician at the St. Albans Naval Hospital, St. Albans, NY, in the development and as an attending physician in Planned Parenthood of Boca Raton. Dr. Kowalsky was also involved in his own private practice of Obstetrics & Gynecology in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Kowalsky has Board Certification with the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, has been associated with Boca Raton Hospital for 25 years, West Boca Medical Clinicas the Chief of Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology for 16 years, and has been a lecturer for the Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL., and Pre-Professional Medical Education Program. Dr. Kowalsky is affiliated with and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the American College of Business Executives.

Dr. James Evans Lyne, M.D., is the medical director of the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ in Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. Lyne is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and completed his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and received his doctorate of medicine degree from Vanderbilt Medical School in 1987. After completing an internship in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics At North Carolina Baptist Hospital of Wake Forest University, he went on to work in emergency medicine and urgent care for the next twelve years, including seven years in the University of Tennessee emergency room in Knoxville. Dr. Lyne is on the medical staff at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute, where he provides primary care and does initial evaluations of incoming patients. He also holds a doctoral degree in engineering and has been a member of the faculty at the University of Tennessee for 14 years, teaching human physiology to biomedical engineering students.

Allan Magaziner, D.O. is a Medical Director of Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ in the Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey Area and is a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Magaziner also completed a Fellowship in Allergy and Environmental Medicine and post graduate training in Clinical Nutrition and Preventive Medicine. He is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Medicine, as well as being a Certified Nutrition Specialist and holding advanced proficiency in Chelation Therapy and Hyperbaric Medicine. Dr. Magaziner is the Immediate Past President of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and a member of its Board of Directors. He also serves as a clinical instructor at the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and holds membership in the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, American college of Nutrition, American College for the Advancement in Medicine, American Osteopathic Association, and the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Magaziner is the founder and director of the Magaziner Clinic for Wellness and is known as one of the nation’s leading authorities on nutrition, preventive medicine and environmental illness. He has lectured extensively to physicians and the public both in the U.S. and abroad on health and nutrition-related topics, hosted his own radio programs for many years and has been widely quoted in national health magazines and newspapers. Dr. Magaziner has authored numerous books that include the recently released, The All-Natural Cardio Cure: A Drug-Free Cholesterol and Cardiac Inflammation Reduction Program (2004), as well as Chemical Free Kids: Safeguarding Your Child’s Diet and Environment (2003), Total Health Handbook: Your Complete Wellness Resource (2000), and the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Living Longer and Healthier (1999) which have guided thousands of readers toward a healthier lifestyle.

Mitchell Mednick, D.O. graduated from Binghamton University and received his medical degree from the New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1984. His internship was at UMDNJ / Kennedy Memorial Hospitals and his residency in Osteopathic Principles and Practices was at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Mednick obtained a certificate in Anesthesiology from Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He obtained his M.S. in Public Health from Wagner College. Dr. Mednick served as assistant professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practices at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and was chairperson of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at Metropolitan Hospital in Philadelphia. In private practice, Dr. Mednick has devoted his career to preventative medicine and the treatment of structural disorders through the use of weight management, exercise and osteopathic manipulation.

Dr. Sergio Menendez-Aponte, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers™ located in Orlando, Florida and is a graduate of the National University of Mexico. After moving to the United States, Dr. Menendez completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland and a residency in Clinical Pathology at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx in New York. He later worked as a Clinical Pathologist at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. Since 1992, he has had a private practice specializing in Internal Medicine in Winter Park, Fl. Dr. Menendez is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and in Clinical Pathology. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and of the Central Florida Medical Association.

Dr. Henry Sadek, D.O. is Co-Medical Director for the Smart for Life Rapid Weight Loss Centers™ locations in the Greater Philadelphia Area and is a graduate of Kansas State University and attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree. Dr. Sadek completed his internship at Suburban General Hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sadek has completed courses in neuromuscular thermography, the ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine) course in Chelation Therapy, and has his certification as an Osteopathic Acupuncturist and is also certified in Family Practice Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Dr. Sadek has maintained a general family practice office in Philadelphia since 1975. Dr. Sadek is also a member of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, the Acupuncture Society of Pennsylvania, and the American Osteopathic Association.

James Seberger, M.D., Ph.D. obtained his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology, followed by his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his dissertation on the surface carbohydrates of metastatic cells in 1998 and completed medical school in 2003. His medical education continued in the Family Medicine program at Via Christi, Wichita, Kansas, with his completion of residency in 2006. A life-long interest in nutrition and health led him to his current position as medical director of the Smart for Life of Wichita. He says, “In residency I was always a nut about diet and exercise. This is a natural fit for me.” Dr. Seberger has used his scientific training to expand the understanding of metabolism and disease. The idea of a “caloric clock” couples cell division with metabolism. “Cell division is finite. As cells come to the end of their divisions, the pathology we associate with the end of life—coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension and renal insufficiency—occurs. Many times this can be slowed and reversed by diet and exercise.” “Our goal at Smart for Life is to identify the stress, eating and living patterns which are leading to our obesity and early demise. On the medical program we use a special scale to measure fat mass and fat free mass. This allows us to carefully control calories, protein and activity. We can then adjust these to make a person increase their lean body weight while decreasing fat mass. This is a journey in which we humbly accompany our patients.” “The ultimate goal is not weight loss, but an understanding and control of the forces which lead us to eat and live unhealthy lives.”

Naveed Shafi, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers in both Wellington, FL and Scarsdale, NY. He is the Director of Fitness Research and Development for the Smart for Life Rapid Weight Loss Centers. Dr. Shafi has been working extensively with Smart for Life Weight Management Centers for several years and has accumulated approximately 25,000 patient encounters thus far. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine as well as Primary Care Sports Medicine. After graduating from Ross University School of Medicine, he completed his internal medicine residency at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. He has served as one of the professional team physicians for the Florida Panthers, Florida Bobcats, and the Miami Fusion. Dr. Shafi completed his fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of South Carolina. There he served as a team physician for the University’s Division I athletes, the Capital City Bombers and the Columbia City Ballet. As the Medical Director of Sports Medicine for Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL, he was the youngest Medical Director of any Division I University in the US. Dr. Shafi attends Harvard University’s conferences on the Practical Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity annually. He also has expertise in exercise prescription and rehabilitation, clinical orthopedics, and is certified in Hyperbaric Medicine as well. In addition to being a guest lecturer at several medical conferences on bariatric medicine and various sports medicine topics, Dr. Shafi is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and the American College of Sports Medicine. As a physician and former certified personal trainer, Dr. Shafi brings much experience and knowledge to the Smart for Life Weight Management Centers.

Sabina Singh, M.D. is Board Certified in Family Practice and acts as the Medical Director of the Smart for Life™ Weight Management Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Singh has been practicing medicine since 1994 and is licensed in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. In 2001, Dr. Singh received the Bellin Hospital VIP Award and found the time to act as the physician leader of the Bellin Medical Group’s Clinic Excellence Committee (2002-2006). In addition to her duties at Smart for Life, she currently practices at Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Internal Medicine & Family Practice. Dr. Singh is excited to be part of Smart for Life: "From early in my medical career, I've always had an interest in prevention, wellness and weight management. The evidence that maintaining a healthy weight likely contributes to disease prevention and wellness is overwhelming. However, most physicians have little to offer their overweight patients. I'm very excited to be administering a medically and scientifically sound program that is easy for patients to follow and works so quickly."