Total Health Center Staff
Doctors
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Carrie E. Demers, M.D. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Demers is a holistic physician who blends modern medicine with traditional approaches to health. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati and completing her residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Dr. Demers went on to study massage, homeopathy, nutrition, herbal medicine and Ayurveda. She is on the faculty of the Himalayan Institute, and is Medical Director of the Institute’s Total Health Center. Dr. Demers has been interviewed by numerous newspaper, magazine, and book editors regarding her holistic approach to health, and has been quoted in Time Magazine. She has written articles for Yoga International and other magazines, and lectures nationally on Ayurveda and holistic health. Services: |
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Michelle Head, DC A chiropractor and certified applied kinesiologist with a private practice at the Himalayan Institute Total Health Center, Dr. Head has a holistic philosophy of health care. She evaluates the structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health utilizing manual muscle testing. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree with Summa Cum Laude honors from Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, a BA in natural sciences and a BM in piano performance from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Head lectures on stress management, workplace ergonomics, and headache prevention. Services: |
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Therapists |
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Mary Cardinal A yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and educator, she has studied yoga and yoga therapy for 11 years. Ms. Cardinal serves as a yoga therapist for the Himalayan Institute Total Health Center at the Himalayan Institute’s international headquarters in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. She also holds degrees and certification in both traditional and Montessori education. Services: |
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Shari Friedrichsen Teaching yoga for more than 35 years, Shari Friedrichsen is a key facilitator of the Himalayan Institute teacher certification program. Shari has studied asana, meditation, and philosophy with respected teachers Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Rolf Sovik, Amma Sri Karunamayi, and BKS Iyengar. An expert in subtle anatomy, her unique style integrates breath, alignment, and anatomical awareness to draw the student into the inner experience of each posture. Her approach uses yoga as a vital, powerful and compassionate component in healing the body and the psyche. Services: |
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Larry Gerhardt, RN, BSN Larry Gerhardt received his Bachelor of Science of Nursing from the University of Minnesota in 1985, specializing in post-surgical and geriatric nursing. He is currently practicing as a registered nurse in long term care in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A certified biofeedback therapist through the Biofeedback Institute of America, he has been working in this capacity at the Himalayan Institute Total Health Center in Honesdale, PA, since 1992. Services: |
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Sarah Goddard Sarah Goddard has been on a personal journey of healing and spiritual growth for over 15 years. She has taught yoga since 2002 in corporate, studio, and clinical settings. Originally drawn to yoga practice to relieve chronic stress and illness, Sarah has not only regained her health, but has discovered a spiritual dimension of life she finds rich and inspiring. Sarah serves on the teaching faculty of the Himalayan Institute and is the Professional Education Manager at their headquarters, where she has lived in residence since 2004. She holds a Masters Degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Delaware, and completed an eight-year engineering career with W.L. Gore and Associates, prior to joining the Institute. Services: |
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Nema Nyar, MST A graduate of the Santa Fe School of Massage (formerly the Dr. Jay Scherer’s Academy of Natural Healing) Ms. Nyar has been practicing massage continuously for over 20 years. She is trained in Swedish Massage, Myopathic Muscular Therapy, Shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and Bowen Therapy. She often uses energy work in conjunction with deep physical work, and has the ability to find and address causative factors of pain in the body. Services: |
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New Staff |
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Sheela Porter-Smith, FNP Sheela Porter-Smith is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner in Pennsylvania. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Nursing (1987) from the University of Buffalo, and completed Midwifery training as a Certified Nurse Midwife in 1988. She also completed a Post Masters Degree in Family Practice. Sheela has practiced in a variety of settings as a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Midwife. These include a Wellness oriented primary care practice using Homeopathy and Diet, Hospital Birthing Suites using Holistic Midwifery, Correctional Medicine using breathing/meditation/dietary counseling, and Family Planning Clinics using Holistic ways to treat common female health issues. Services: |
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