Our Endocrinology, Diabetes & Nutrition Experts
Gulnar Poorsattar, M.D., F.A.C.E., C.D.E.
Gulnar Poorsattar received her M.D. degree at Dow University Medical School. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Maryland. Her Endocrinology and Metabolism Fellowship was completed at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Poorsattar is board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Holistic Medicine, and she is a Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (F.A.C.E.). She is a Certified Diabetes Educator (C.D.E.) as well.
Prior to coming to Ventura, Dr. Poorsattar practiced for 20 years in Rockford, Illinois and was Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Rockford. She was appointed director for the Center for Diabetes Control (CDC) by the National Diabetes Advisory Board (NDAB).
Active in the community, Dr Poorsattar received the Rotary Club Service Above Self Award. She is a Paul Harris Fellow. Dr Poorsattar was also awarded the YWCA Leadership Award in Science.
Currently Dr Poorsattar has an extensive Diabetes Education and Prevention Center in Ventura, is a charter member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and is active in the California chapters of AACE, AMA, ADA, AADE, and HGF.
Susan Speer, M.S., R.D.
Susan Speer is our own nutrition expert and health coach, who has been providing diabetes management classes at the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology since January, 2005. Susan is a certified diabetes educator, a registered dietitian with a Master's degree in nutrition, and a fellow of the American Dietetic Association. But don't let that scare you. Susan's lively and entertaining style make learning fun and interesting and her down-to-earth approach means participants leave with practical information they can use in their everyday lives.
Susan has been developing and teaching programs in health promotion and disease management for over 30 years in both academic and public health settings. In the past Susan was a clinical instructor for the UCLA School of Medicine and director of nutrition education for the SM-UCLA Family Practice Residency where she taught nutrition and health education to physicians for 16 years. She was also director of complementary and alternative medicine education at the SM-UCLA residency and continues to use her expertise in herbs and dietary supplements in her practice today.
Currently, Susan continues as the chief program consultant and health coach for the Ventura County Worksite Wellness Program. Susan develops and teachs programs in everything from weight control and diabetes managment to smoking cessation and stress reduction. As a health coach, Susan works with individuals to help them make lifestyle changes that result in personally improved health and wellness.
Susan is also director of nutrition services at the St. John's Cancer Center and nutrition professor at Moorpark Community College. She is a frequent invitational speaker and has made presentations to a host of community and professional organizations including the Wellness Community, the US Forest Service, Camarillo Healthcare District, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, St. John's Diabetes Academy, and the Oaks Health Spa to name a few.
Mary Farkas, M.S., M.A.
Mary Farkas is a registered dietician who has over 25 years experience helping people take control of their health and live life with love, joy and compassion.
She obtained her Masters in Science Degree from Tufts University in 1982. She has been a Registered Dietitian since 1982. She obtained her Masters in Counseling Psychology Degree from University of San Francisco in 1993.
She will lead the Weight Reduction Support Group this fall and winter at the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology.