Healthy Learning Paths

Wellness and Learning Presenter Team

	Karrie Bach, RD, is a registered dietitian and certified yoga instructor. She received her bachelor of science in human nutrition and dietetics from Colorado State University and completed her dietetic internship at University of Northern Colorado. Karrie began her nutrition career in the clinical setting at McKee Medical Center and Poudre Valley Hospital in 1992. She changed focus in 1997 to prevention in the community and private settings. Karrie uses an integrative approach when helping clients find their path to wellness. She realizes each person has a unique set of needs and circumstances and honors the wholeness of one’s individuality when offering realistic recommendations, education and guidance. Her passion is in helping children and their families find a realistic avenue towards better health-physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

	Eric Christiansen, MD, is a board certified family medicine physician who has an active practice with Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. Dr. Christiansen graduated from Grinnell College with a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry. He attended the Medical College of Pennsylvania where he received his medical doctorate degree in 1983 and completed a residency in family medicine. Dr. Christiansen has received numerous awards throughout his clinical career including the prestigious Kaiser Permanente Award recognizing outstanding physicians in clinical practice. Dr. Christiansen enjoys working with families and is committed to the success of all children.

	Susan Eichman, MAEd., earned her masters in education in Curriculum Development and Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA., and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. Mrs. Eichman has many additional graduate hours in learning disabilities, psychology, and literacy. Most recently, Mrs. Eichman has focused on the study of brain research and leaning. In her twenty-nine year teaching career, Mrs. Eichman has served as a mentor teacher and facilitated numerous educational programs for educators and parents. Mrs. Eichman remains passionate about sharing her love of learning and dedication to children.

	Mary Haldy, M.S.,OTR has a master of science in occupational therapy and over 30 years of experience working as an occupational therapist in a variety of settings. She has taught parenting classes, seminars for professionals, and written books on the topic of sensory processing. She currently has a private practice in the area of pediatrics.

	Michelle L Kaye, MA, LPC, NCC is a licensed therapist and educator who has been working with youth and families for over 15 years. Her undergraduate degree in Sociology was earned at Colorado College, and her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology was received at the University of Colorado – Denver. Because of her extensive experience in schools, she is especially passionate about working with youth who struggle with learning differences and mental health challenges, helping them to find their unique path to happiness and success. She also focuses on health and wellness issues with her clients, especially with the unique challenges that adolescents (and their families) face. In addition to more traditional forms of counseling, Michelle also facilitates Equine Assisted Counseling for clients of all ages, where horses partner as an integral part of the clients’ healing process.

	Chris Marchioni, MD, has over twenty years of clinical experience as a family medicine physician who has worked extensively with children of all ages. Throughout her medical career, Dr. Marchioni has developed and taught educational programs for parents, childcare professionals, educators, and students. Dr. Marchioni graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and attended the Medical College of Pennsylvania where she received her medical doctorate degree in 1984. She completed a residency in family medicine and remains board certified in this field. Dr. Marchioni’s passion is to support the whole child by connecting wellness and learning for children’s futures.

	Anita Schumann, RN, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas. She spent 5 years in an in-patient setting caring for respiratory and cardiac patients and then worked as a home health care nurse. For the past 10 years she has been working as a Disease Management educator for a Fortune 20 health care technology company. Anita has always recognized wellness, prevention, and early intervention as cornerstones of her nursing practice. She is certified by Toastmasters International as a Competent Communicator in public speaking. Her goal is to empower adults and children to be actively involved in their own wellness.

	Gwen Wernersbach, MPH, CHES, holds a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University, and is a certified Health Education Specialist. She has a true passion for global health, and is deeply committed to chronic and communicable disease prevention. Gwen has worked with a variety of audiences as a Health Educator in sub Saharan Africa, including her experiences teaching HIV prevention in the US Peace Corps with the Red Cross in Lesotho, educating adolescent girls about HIV prevention in Ghana, and facilitating an HIV awareness campaign in Tanzania. In her work in the US, Gwen has worked in numerous capacities to educate the public about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, focusing especially on programs that advance the health and wellness of children and youth. Gwen’s work reflects her strong commitment to decreasing childhood obesity, eliminating childhood hunger, and teaching young people and their families about the importance of healthy eating and regular physical activity.