Meet the Co-Founders

Behavioral Director: Debra Gill, Ph.D.

• Licensed Psychologist with more than 10 years experience running group programs for weight management.
  
  
• Has clinical expertise in treating individuals and addressing the emotional, social and practical complexities of weight loss, body image, eating disorders, and lifestyle change.
  
  
• Completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Weight Management and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center where she ran treatment groups and directed a study on the factors that contribute to childhood weight gain.
  
  
• Earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a B.A. as a Jefferson Scholar at the University of Virginia (UVA).
  
  
• Is a nationally-certified fitness instructor and personal trainer who has been teaching a variety of exercise formats to groups and individuals since 1990.
  
  
• Has been featured in Family Circle and Parenting magazines for her work with teenagers and families who want to adopt more active and healthful ways of living.

Contact Dr. Gill - dgill@sbhcs.com

Pediatric Endocrinologist: Henry Anhalt, D.O., FAAP, FACOP, FACE, CDE

• Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
  
  
• Recognized by peers for his leadership in promoting state-of-the art care for infants, children and adolescents with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
  
  
• Long-time advocate through media and professional roles of early behavioral intervention to improve the lives of overweight children.
  
  
• 2004 recipient of the Aventis “Best Practice Diabetes Award”.
  
  
• Previously directed a successful weight management program.

Meet our Expert Staff

Dietitian: Mildred “Mitch” Bentler, MA, RD, CSP

• 25 years of clinical experience helping children, adults and families achieve health and wellness goals.
  
  
• Board Certified Pediatric Nutrition Specialist since 1992
  
  
• Served as Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Health Related Professions, Dietetic Internship.
  
  
• Recognized for Outstanding Service, American Dietetic Association, 1999
  
  
• Extensive public speaking experience. Audiences have included medical professionals, lay public, children, and health educators. Media experience includes radio, television and newspapers.

Exercise Physiologist: Reid Rosenthal, MS

• Graduated from The George Washington University with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Exercise Science concentrating in exercise, nutrition, and eating behaviors.
  
  
• Experienced Personal Trainer with a special interest in working with children.
  
  
• Featured panel member on Caucus, New Jersey in February of 2006 where he spoke about overcoming his battle with childhood obesity and how a program like Healthy LIFE would have made his adolescent struggles so much easier.

Clinical Social Worker: Melissa Jacobs, LCSW, CDE

• Has been helping families make difficult health-related lifestyle changes for more than 15 years.
  
  
• Certified diabetes educator and healthy-lifestyle counselor.
  
  
• Experienced coach for parents in the Healthy LIFE program to develop skills and strategies to better support their children.

Program Coordinator: Sean Nealy

• Worked with children and families to gather data for Shape Up Summerville, a community-based weight loss program.
  
  
• Taught high school students in SAT preparation courses.
  
  
• Has completed advanced course work in nutrition and biochemistry.

To learn more, contact our Program Coordinator at
(973) 322-7496 or HealthyLife@sbhcs.com