Professional Bios
Dr. Nancy O'Hara is a board certified pediatrician, Assistant Medical Director for Defeat Autism Now!® Physican Training, and Physican Mentoring Director for Defeat Autism Now!® in Europe . Prior to her medical career, Dr. O'Hara taught children with autism. She graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine. She earned a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. After residency, chief residency and general pediatric fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. O' Hara was in private practice for 8 years. Over the last several years, Dr. O'Hara has been working with Dr. Sidney Baker and other Defeat Autism Now!® practitioners in the research and care of children with autistic spectrum disorder. For the last 8 years, she has dedicated her practice to the integrative and holistic care of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Dr. Gail Szakacs is board certified in Internal Medicine. She graduated from Hamilton College in 1995 with honors. After three years of working in the health-care field and doing medical research, she attended St. George's University School of Medicine where she was a member of the Iota Epsilon Alpha International Medicine Honor Society. After completing her Internal Medicine residency at St. Michael's Medical Center (a Seton Hall University program) in Newark, NJ, Dr. Szakacs worked as a Hospitalist in CT. Through personal involvement with Autism, she met Dr. O'Hara and became very involved in the Defeat Autism Now!® group. In September 2006, Dr. Szakacs began a mentor program with Dr. O'Hara and subsequently joined her practice in January 2007.
Ms. Vicki Kobliner, MS, R.D., is a registered dietitian and Defeat Autism Now!® Practitioner. She received a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in Nutrition from Oregon State University. After completing her internship at Oregon Health Sciences University/Portland VMAC, Ms. Kobliner returned to Connecticut. She has been practicing for 9 years and has been treating children in the autism spectrum for over five years.
Ms. Lori Coda, MS, SpEd., is a behavioral therapist. Lori has a BA in Psychology, a Masters in Special Education, and Postmasters degree training in T.E.A.C.H. and DTI. She has 18 years of Special Education experience and 10 years experience working with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. She offers a range of therapies including, neurofeedback, listening therapy and social skills groups.
Ms. Lauren Lee Stone, PhD, is an advanced BioSet practitioner. Lauren came to BioSet in the search to heal her own children and chose to make it a career after experiencing its success first hand. In addition to a BA from Yale University and a Ph.D. from Cornell University, Lauren has a Masters in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and advanced certification in BioSet.
Ms. Sheila Ring Reed, LCSW, CHHP, BEP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a board certified Holistic Healthcare practitioner and BioEnergetic practitioner who specializes in homotoxicology. Sheila came to BioEnergetic medicine after seeing the success it has had healing her own children and now offers holistic healthcare which incorporates homotoxicology to adults and children. Sheila has a B.A. in Sociology/Applied Social Relations, a B.A in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Work along with certifications in homotoxicology and BioEnergetic Medicine.
Ms. Marina Derman is a Special Education Advocate who works with families throughout the state of CT to gain appropriate educational programming for their children. She is the mother of two children on the autism spectrum and has been a practicing advocate since 2002. She received her advocacy training through the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center in New Haven.
Ms. Tracey Taylor, M.S.W. is a licensed social worker. She has extensive experience working with families with special needs. She offers Parent Support Groups to incorporate coping strategies and valuable resources with others who face the same challenges, one-on-one counseling with children, siblings and older children with ASD, ADHD, OCD. She has a B.S. from Ithaca College and M.S.W. from the University of Connecticut.
