Ask the Expert Lecture Series

Ask the Expert Lecture Series
A host of topics addressing health, wellness, nutrition, lifestyles and aging.


9:30 am

Is there life after menopause

This program will cover the signs and symptoms of menopause and and how to survive this transition.

Speaker:  Marie Christine Nkodo, M.D.  Dr. Nkodo is a board certified ob/gyn.  She completed her internship in family medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore and her residency in OB/Gyn at Howard College of Medicine.  Her areas of interest include women and HIV.

Why do you need a Geriatrician? - What unique things Geriatricians do. 
This program will cover how an Internist with special training in Geriatrics approaches patients over age 60.  

Speaker:  Stephanie Trifoglio, M.D., F.A.C.P. Dr. Trifoglio is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. She has been in private practice in Greenbelt, Maryland for twenty three years.  She has been giving medical education presentations in the community for most of that time.  She lectures to seniors, school groups, and medical residents, in Maryland, and across the country.

Childhood Obesity:  Long-term Consequences

Childhood obesity has significant long-term effects on the physiological health and psychological well being of children.  Parental awareness and engagement in preventing and managing childhood obesity is essential for the health and well being of our children.  

Speakers:  Arneshuia P. Bilal, MSN Ed,BS,RN,CCRN,  is an Associate Professor, Nursing, Prince Georges's Community College and Natalie A. Webb, MS, RD is an Associate Professor Department of Health, Nutrition and Physical Education.

Big Fat Lies: Why Beef and Eggs Are Healthy and Help You Lose Weight

Discover why eating saturated fat and cholesterol are actually good for our health. Can avoiding red meat and eggs actually make us fatter, diabetic and increase our risk of heart disease? You’ll be shocked at what the science really shows and why nutritional science is deeply flawed.

Speaker:  Mark Shields B.S Exercise Science, Pn1 Nutrition Coach, is a fitness nutrition coach and Wellness Coordinator at the Bowie Senior Center where he’s been described as the “Dr. Oz of the center”.

10:30 am

Osteoarthritis and Exercise:  

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 27 million adults in the US.  The most effective treatment is exercise but since OA is a disease of 'wear and tear', it is important to know what exercises to do. Appropriate low impact exercises for land and water will be discussed and demonstrated.

Speaker:  Candee Van Iderstine graduated UMBC in 1977 with a degree in physical therapy and has worked as a physical therapist in an acute hospital, home health, pediatrics, industrial rehab, aquatic rehab, outpatient orthopedics and neurology.  She is now retired and teaching continuing education seminars for physical therapists.

Eating for Fat Loss

Discover the 6 rules of great nutrition that will help you lose fat and boost energy levels. Forget counting calories or points. Our ancestors didn’t need to do these things to keep their weight in check, and neither do you. It’s really simple, but the weight loss industry has made it so complicated. Discover how just one trick can take your chance of success from 5% to 90%.

Speaker:  Mark Shields, B.S Exercise Science, Pn1 Nutrition Coach, is a fitness nutrition coach and Wellness Coordinator at the Bowie Senior Center where he’s been described as the “Dr. Oz of the center”. 

Abs Revealed

Learn the secrets to training the abs and get answers to the most common frustrations with ab training.  Enjoy the opportunity to see some of the exercises that have made Abs Revealed a top-selling fitness book and discover the top 3 nutrition tips for training the abs. 

Speaker:  Jonathan Ross is an award-winning fitness expert who knows what it takes to get and stay fit in the real world.  He lost his father to obesity at over 400 pounds, then helped his mother lose 170 pounds.  He is a two-time Personal Trainer of the Year Award-Winner, a fitness expert for Discovery Fit & Health and author of, Abs Revealed, a best-selling book on abdominal training.  He can be reached through www.AionFitness.com and www.AbsRevealed.com

Update in the Management of Diabetes

 The presentation will include prevention, complications, monitoring parameters and medication management of Diabetes.

 Speaker:  Marie-Therese Oyalowo, Pharm.D., BCOP., R.Ph., R.N., Dr Oyalowo is the Owner Pharmacist of Comcare Pharmacy, established in 2002, serving the Bowie, Mitchellville and Crofton area. She won the 2008 Small Business of Year Awarded by the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce.  Prior to the establishment of Comcare Pharmacy, she had held various clinical positions including 7 years as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy and Director of the drug information services at a major University. 

11:30 am

Keep Your Brain Buff

Discover specific strategies for using exercise to keep your brain in tip top shape!  Learn simple and fun strategies for making physical activity more engaging and how it keeps your brain and body buff.  You will leave with several ideas you can easily incorporate right away.

Speaker:  Jonathan Ross is an award-winning fitness expert who knows what it takes to get and stay fit in the real world.  He lost his father to obesity at over 400 pounds, then helped his mother lose 170 pounds.  He is a two-time Personal Trainer of the Year Award-Winner, a fitness expert for Discovery Fit & Health and author of, Abs Revealed, a best-selling book on abdominal training.  He can be reached through www.AionFitness.com and www.AbsRevealed.com

Balance issues that occur with aging and what you do about it

The causes of balance problems will be discussed along with techniques proven effective to improve functional balance without walking aids.  This includes using balance challenge exercise at home, with the Nintendo Wii gaming system and using the Epley maneuver for BPPV which can cure the most common cause of balance problems.

Speaker:  Candee Van Iderstine graduated UMBC in 1977 with a degree in physical therapy and has worked as a physical therapist in an acute hospital, home health, pediatrics, industrial rehab, aquatic rehab, outpatient orthopedics and neurology.  She is now retired and teaching continuing education seminars for physical therapists.

What We Eat Now Will Affect Us Later

The program will cover how to avoid colorectal cancer and mention dietary steps that can be taken to decrease the likelihood of colon cancer. The presentation will include nutritional aspects and touch on preventative screenings.

Speaker:  Dr. Melanie L. Jackson is a Board certified Gastroenterologist who graduated cum laude Morgan State University and has a medical degree from Howard University.  Dr. Jackson is affiliated with the American Gastroenterology Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American College of Gastroenterology, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the National Medical Association. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.  She lives in the Bowie community and her motto is “what you eat now will affect you later”.

Understanding and Maximizing Social Security Income

Receive an overview of the social security program and then delve into the specifics as pertaining to maximizing the income received from the Social Security Administration for a single person and to married couples.  I will discuss the various strategies and options that couples have when trying to maximize their social security income. 

Speaker:  Brian Ritter is an attorney with Byrd and Byrd in Bowie, Maryland.  He received his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law in May 2011 where he graduated magna cum laude.  Prior to going to law school, he attended the University of South Carolina where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in political science and a minor in criminal justice.  Brian is a member of the Maryland Bar Association, the Prince George’s County and Calvert County Bar Associations, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, as well as a member of the James Cawood Inn of Court in Annapolis, Maryland. At Byrd and Byrd, Brian focuses his practice on elder law and estate/probate matters, while also being involved in the firm’s litigation practice. 

12:30 pm

Oh, my aching back – how and why it hurts.

The program will cover a discussion on basic spinal anatomy. This includes the tissues that can cause pain and how they can be damaged in normal activities of daily living. Simple explanations of several common spinal problems will be given. If you have been told that you have sciatica, scoliosis, stenosis or a “disc” problem you shouldn’t miss this lecture.

Speaker:  Dr. James Keyes, D.C graduated from the State University of New York College at Geneseo with a degree in Biochemistry. Dr. Keyes worked for Merck Pharmaceuticals Biologic division GlycoFi for two years prior to returning to school for his Doctorate at New York Chiropractic College . The final year of his residency he was selected for a competitive placement at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center. During his time there he participated in clinical rotations with physical medicine and rehab, neurology, neurosurgery, pain management and intervention. He is excited to practice evidence based patient centered care in the Gambrills and Bowie communities.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a chronic but treatable ailment. This program will discuss the risk factors, symptoms and treatments for PAD.

Speaker: Dr. Vinay Satwah is Board Certified as a Fellow in Internal Medicine of the American College of Ostepathic Internists (FACOI),  and is Board Certified in General Cardiology. Dr. Vinay Satwah completed a 7 year combined Bachelor of Science/ Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2003. Dr. Satwah completed his cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowship at Deborah Heart & Lung Center. Dr Satwah has worked at St. Peter's University Hospital, Drexel University School of Medicine, and is a current Staff Physician at Center for Vascular Medicine.

Six (6) Interferences to Health

Learn and discuss how body structure, toxins, emotion, allergies/sensitivity, nutrition and electromagnetic pollution interfere with the status of our health.

Speaker:  Dr. Thomas K. Lo received a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from National University of Health Science, Chicago, Illinois, Lives and solo-practices in Crofton, MD since 1984.  Certified in Activator Method Technique, Cold Laser Therapy and Clinical Nutrition. Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management. Fellow, International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture Diplomate, American Association of Integrative Medicine,   He was the attending Chiropractor for 2004 US Olympic Decathlon Team and is currently the treating Chiropractor for the Ballet Theatre of Maryland.