Formed in 2006, Partners for a Healthy Nevada (PHN) is Southern Nevada’s official obesity prevention coalition. The coalition offers networking, information sharing, and advocacy opportunities for all members as well as a chance to support community projects and activities that encourage physical activity and healthy eating. Membership is free and open to any organization or individual that has an interest in obesity prevention.
Nicole W. Bungum
bungum@snhd.org
(702) 759-1270
Each year, Partners for a Healthy Nevada (PHN) participates in and supports at least one community event to share resources and information with and engage the community on obesity-related topics. PHN has also organized and sponsored educational presentations for public health professionals and the public on obesity-related topics.
The purpose of the PHN Speakers Bureau is to provide education and outreach on the topics of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. The Speakers Bureau includes a full directory of PHN members available to share their expertise with the community.
PHN speakers come from many different areas of professional expertise. Their presentations are available to community groups and organizations free of charge.
Please contact your desired speaker directly to schedule a presentation. Availability may vary, so it’s best to contact speakers at least one month in advance of your event. Speakers are available to address groups of 15 or more people
Avila, Heather
Chief Operating Officer
Weight Watchers of Las Vegas, Inc.
3038S Durango Dr. #100
Las Vegas, NV 89117
702-432-6683 ext. 304
Heather.avila@ww.com
Area of Expertise: Healthy Eating/ Obesity Prevention/ Behavior Modification
Ayala, Carlos
Health Educator
Southern Nevada Health District
Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
280 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
702-759-1270
ayala@snhd.org
Area of Expertise: Nutrition, Physical Activity, Youth and Early Childhood Education
Barber, Brianna
Executive Director
YMCA of Southern Nevada
3521 North Durango Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89129
702-839-4900
bbarber@lasvegasymca.org
Area of Expertise: Health and Wellness, Aquatics, Youth & Family Programming, Senior Adult Wellness, Cancer Survivorship, Diabetes Prevention and Chronic Disease Management Programming
Bosen, Darwin Founder, Trainer and Instructor
T.R.Y Trauma Recovery Yoga
702-727-7182 or 702-409-7903
joyce@traumarecoveryyoga.org or darwin@traumarecoveryyoga.org
Area of Expertise: Providing yoga-based somatic therapies to individuals who’ve suffered trauma or live in crisis to help alleviate the effects of trauma; Providing self-care workshops to help mitigate burnout and compassion fatigue and providing self-regulation training for health-care professionals, caregivers, and those providing social services.
Buffington, Aurora MS, RDN, LD
Faculty Instructor
University of Nevada, Cooperative Extension
8050 Paradise Road, Ste. 101
Las Vegas, NV 89123
702-257-5534
buffingtona@unce.unr.edu
Area of Expertise: Public Health Nutrition, Food Systems
Bungum, Nicole MS, CHES
Supervisor
Southern Nevada Health District
Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
280 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
(702) 759-1270
bungum@snhdmail.org
Area of Expertise: Community Chronic Disease Prevention Programs
Bungum, Tim DrPH
Professor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
School of Community Health
4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453064
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3050
(702) 895-4986
tim.bungum@unlv.edu
Area of Expertise: Physical Activity Behavior and Determinants, Epidemiology, Pedestrian Safety
Byrne, Ciara
Co-CEO
Green Our Planet
6795 Edmond St.
Las Vegas, NV 89118
702-624-8912
ciara@greenourplanet.org
Area of Expertise: School Gardens, STEAM Education
Enders, Jessica, RD
Children’s Heart Center
3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Ste. 515
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-990-4834
jenders@childrensheartcenter.com
Area of Expertise: Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs; Cystic Fibrosis Nutrition
Feliz-Barrows, Donna
Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition
702-245-5209
donna.feliz-barrows@unlv.edu
Expertise: Community outreach, minority health and equity
Haboush-Deloye, Amanda, PhD
Associate Director and Director of Programs for PCANV
UNLV Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy
702-895-1040 (Main) 702-895-5908 (Direct)
amanda.haboush@unlv.edu
Area of Expertise: Childhood obesity, eating disorders, mental health, child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse
Howell, Deborah
702-481-9763
Deborah@victoryinaction.com
Area of Expertise: Licensed Physical Therapist, health education, youth empowerment, healthy lifestyle education
Lindsay, Anne, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
8050 Paradise Rd., Suite 101
Las Vegas, NV 89123
702-940-5434
alindsay@unr.edu
Area of Expertise: Physical activity across the lifespan, Early childhood obesity prevention, health, weight, eating and body issues for young women, Substance abuse and health for women and young girls
Mazzullo, Natalie, MEd
Sanford Center for Aging/UNR Extension
702-948-5911
nmazzullo@unr.edu
Expertise: Healthy Aging
Meacham, Mindy, BS, CHES
Health Educator II
Southern Nevada Health District
Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
280 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
702-759-1270
meacham@snhdmail.org
Expertise: Community Physical Activity Programs
Melendrez, Jose
UNLV School of Public Health
Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition
702-895-5604
jose.melendrez@unlv.edu
Expertise: Minority Health, Health Equity, Community Partnerships
Rucker, Will, MA
Chronic Disease Self-Management Leader, Tobacco Cessation Trainer, Life Coach
Winning With Will – Speaking and Coaching Services
248-388-0258
Will@winningwithwill.com
Area of Expertise: Body, Mind, Spirit Connection; Goal Setting and Planning, Mindfulness, Meditation, General Holistic Wellness, Smoking Cessation and Nicotine Dependence
Schnitzer, Allison, RD, LD
Health Educator II
Southern Nevada Health District
Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
280 S. Decatur Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89107
(702) 759-1270
schnitzer@snhd.org
Areas of Expertise: Nutrition, food systems, healthy vending, nutrition standards, food access, school wellness
Wiener, Valerie, MA, MA
Former State Senator, Author
(702) 221-0068
vwiener@aol.com
Area of Expertise: Childhood Obesity Legislation and Policy, Advocacy, Communications
Woodson, DeVonté
President/Founder
Greater Youth Sports Association
702-800-0847
DeVonte@greateryouthsportsNV.com
Area of Expertise: Physical activity, Exercise Benefits/Research, Youth Empowerment, Sports
One of PHN’s primary goals is to “advocate for state, local, and national policy and environmental changes that support physical activity and healthy eating.” PHN and our members have been and are currently involved in a variety of advocacy efforts to make our community a healthier place to live. On occasion, PHN members form separate work groups to support specific obesity-related topics and issues including BMI data collection and school wellness. To see the current list of advocacy priorities, view the PHN Obesity White Paper or visit the Resources page.
The PHN School Wellness Taskforce is comprised of PHN coalition members that work to promote school wellness in various capacities. A major focus of the group is to support full implementation of the CCSD Wellness Policy (R-5157) in local schools. The taskforce meets quarterly and is open to any coalition member with an interest in school wellness.
For more information, contact Allison Schnitzer at schnitzer@snhd.org