Meet the contributors!
We believe local experiences are important. With that in mind, we’ve partnered with local contributors for their perspectives on a variety of healthy living topics. Here are the writers who helped make this issue possible.
Dr. Katie Borchert
Naturopath, LAc
Dr. Katie Borchert uses natural medicine to increase vitality, youthfulness and Qi flow through naturopathic methods. She trained at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois, and is a licensed naturopathic physician practicing in Prescott and Prescott Valley.
Carmen Catterfield
MA, Honeybee Healing & Counseling Services
Carmen Cartterfield moved to Prescott after receiving her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University in Boston. She’s worked as a group and individual therapist with adolescents and adults and is now in private practice at Honeybee Healing & Counseling Services.
Lori Durr
Owner, Sundara Sanctuary
Lori Durr is the owner of Sundara Sanctuary Wellness Spa & Boutique. She’s spent 25 years focusing on wellness and is a Certified Healing Arts Practitioner, LMT, Licensed Aesthetician, Certified Colon Hydrotherapist and is working on getting board certification in nutrition.
Justin Elder
Senior Regional Sales Manager, Global Medevac
Justin Elder is the senior regional sales manager for Global Medevac – Emergency Medical Transportation. Based in Phoenix, Justin and his team are currently active in five states throughout the West and Midwest.
Chef Alex Erickson
Chef, The Raven Cafe
Alexander Erickson is the head chef at The Raven Café. He has been part of this team and family for six years. Working there has been a delightful experience for him, as the team brings together a fun mix of personalities and flavors.
Dr. Whitney James
MD, Neurosurgery
Dr. Whitney James is a neurosurgeon who applies outpatient surgical solutions to alleviate acute and chronic pain. She specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat spine fractures, back pain, migraines and other neurological pathologies.
Carl Johns
LMT, Director, Asis Massage Education
Carl Johns has been a massage therapist and educator for 25 years. He practices and teaches many Eastern and Western bodywork styles and has specialized throughout his career in working with people with disabilities and complex health conditions.
Lori Kennedy
Communications Coordinator, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lori Kennedy is the communications coordinator for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She has worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years and has been an active participant in the explosive growth of the health and wellness industry.
Ken Lain
Owner, Watters Garden Center
Ken Lain, known as “The Mountain Gardener,” writes weekly columns that are featured nationally. His podcast and YouTube channel by the same name have millions of downloads. During the week he can be found at Watters Garden Center in Prescott.
Dorian Lange
CEO & Co-Founder, Northern Arizona Pain Institutes
Dorian is responsible for the management, administration and business development for multidisciplinary specialty clinics throughout central Arizona that provide integrative treatment protocols for pain management, physical and rehabilitative medicine.
Bridget O’Gara
Communications, Yavapai Regional Medical Center
Bridget O’Gara is a writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in health care. She works with mission-driven organizations, including Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Billie Orr
Prescott Mayor Pro Tem, City of Prescott
Billie has served as a teacher, principal and associate superintendent for Arizona K-12 public schools and at the national level promoting high standards and accountability. She is a member of Frontier Rotary and serves on the boards of Arizona Town Hall, Western Heritage Foundation and the Phippen Museum, among others.
Brittany Peña
NP, Prescott Women’s Clinic
Brittany Peña is a family nurse practitioner board-certified through American Nurses Credentialing Center. Her passion for women’s health has guided her career as an OB/GYN nurse practitioner. She graduated in 2016 from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Rita Carey Rubin
MS, RD, CDCES, Host of YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen
Rita Carey Rubin is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist who hosts YRMC’s Your Healthy Kitchen, an online video series that features cooking tutorials, local guests and simply delicious, affordable recipes.
Coach Jarek Slagowski
Owner & Head Coach, Grind Boxing Gym
Coach Jarek Slagowski was born and raised in Poland. He is a certified USA BOXING, INC coach and has been the coach of the Polish Kickboxing National Team. He’s now owner and head coach of Grind Boxing Gym in Prescott.
Loree Walden
Marketing Manager, Yavapai Humane Society
Loree is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to Prescott in 2010. Her background spans a variety of careers, including 20 years of tax preparation, eight years of radio traffic and her current position as marketing manager for Yavapai Humane Society, where she is able to do what she loves by helping animals through advocating for them to help them find their furever homes!
Bailey Zygutis
Nutritionist and Personal Trainer, Vitruvian Fitness
Bailey Zygutis is a nutritionist and personal trainer with Vitruvian Fitness. With a passion for holistic health, she works with individuals in person and online to create customized programs that teach them to more fully enjoy the benefits of good health.