Editorial Staff and Board of Health and Medical Advisors
The Publisher: Oakstone Publishing, LLC dba Personal Best
Personal Best is well known for its high-quality health management publications, which promote
wellness, safety, productivity, shiftwork and personal money management. Thousands of health promotion
programs trust Personal Best to deliver engaging, motivating health communication tools to approximately
4 million recipients in the U.S. and Canada.
Senior Vice President and Publisher
Charles K. Dismuke: Publisher of Oakstone Wellness/Personal Best, Charles also
served as CFO of Oakstone Publishing for four years. He is a CPA who has held increasingly
responsible financial positions, including CFO for Flexible Flyer, senior auditor for Cabot
Corporation, and four years with Arthur Andersen, LLP in Atlanta.
Executive Editor
Diane McReynolds: Executive Editor and co-founder of the original Personal Best
publications. Diane was President of Scott Publishing, Inc. for 16 years, and founded the Healthy
Tykes newsletter program for primary schools in 1998. With 28+ years' experience publishing works
in health care, health promotion and employee communications, she has been chief editor of
Personal Best publications since 1982.
Associate Editor
Susan Cottman: Managing editor of Personal Best print and online publications
since 1999. She also serves as oversight officer and specialist in Canadian and lower-literacy
publications and the custom calendar program. Susan was managing editor of a medico-legal
newsletter reporting on disability and injury issues for workers’ compensation and casualty
adjusters for seven years.
Managing Editor
Liz Carey: Managing editor of Oakstone Wellness Publishing newsletters, ancillary
products and online publications since 2001. She has the primary responsibility of directing
production of the firm's vast collection of published works. Liz worked for 10 years writing,
managing, editing and producing daily and weekly newspapers.
U.S. Advisors
Elizabeth S. Smoots, MD, FAAFP: Specializes in family medicine with an emphasis
in patient education. Her articles have been published in the Harvard Health Letter,
Family Safety & Health, Medscape, Healthgate and WebMD. She has 21+ years' medical experience
in private practice and HMOs with special interest in preventive medicine. Elizabeth has served
as Personal Best Medical Editor and contributing author since 1995.
Zorba Paster, MD: Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of
Wisconsin Medical School, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health. Zorba has been
practicing family medicine for 20+ years; served as a clinical investigator; been published
extensively in professional journals; and has worked in radio and television, including NPR's
On Your Health, and the PBS special How To Live a Long, Sweet Life. Advisor since 1999.
Wm. Richard Ludwig, MD: Specializes in internal medicine. Rick is board
certified in geriatric medicine and Chief Medical Officer of Pacific Medical Center and
Clinics in Seattle. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of
Washington. Advisor since 1992.
Les Hutchinson, PhD: Licensed clinical psychologist with 30+ years of teaching
and clinical practice. Les was chief psychologist for Tennessee Corrections, CEO of community
mental health centers in rural and urban settings, and director of health promotion/wellness at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Advisor since 1995.
Alice Lockridge, MS: Exercise physiologist, advocate, designer and instructor
of exercise technique and safety standards for fitness trainers and wellness coaches; specializing
in physically demanding occupations and diverse fitness needs. Distinguished work: ACE planning
committee for trainer accreditation program; national speaker and author; owner of fitness
instructor training facilities. Advisor 1982-1994; 2008.
Mary Hollins, MS, JD: President of Hollins Risk Management Consulting, LLC.
Mary has 21+ years helping public and private sector workplaces manage risk and minimize losses.
Related works: developing a Risk Management Certificate Program at Bellevue Community College;
publishing articles and presentations on safety and risk management, specializing in high-risk
populations. Advisor since 2002.
Cynthia Gale, MS, RD: Nutritionist with 15+ years' experience counseling and
teaching diverse groups, using a team approach with physicians and other providers. She specializes
in weight issues, diabetes, hypertension and other medical conditions. A member of the ADA, Cynthia
often speaks at schools and businesses on health and nutrition. Advisor since 2007.
Canadian Advisors
Marica Borovich-Law, MSc (Kin) MBA: Seminar leader, trainer and consultant, specializing in
organizational wellness and health promotion. She is a lecturer in the Department of Physical Education
and Recreational Studies, Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta. Advisor since 2003.
Brooke Tomsett, Bachelor of Communications: Social Marketer, at the Grey
Bruce Health Unit, Owen Sound, Ontario for the past 5 years. The role of
Health Unit Body Bulletin Coordinator involves facilitating review of the
newsletter content through various staff members such as nurses, public
health inspectors, dieticians and dental hygienists who work in specific
public health programs. The Grey Bruce Health Unit has been advising
since 2002.
John Brennan, MD, CCFP: Serves as a medical advisor for Honda Canada Manufacturing,
Purolator Courier and Campbell’s Soup Company Canada. He specializes in creating occupational
medicine and wellness programs in manufacturing environments. He also has a degree in Chemical
Engineering and a diploma in Sports Medicine. Advisor since 2007.
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