Presentations and Events

Showing of The Quiet Epidemic followed by Guest Panel Discussion

May 21, 2023

Charles R. Wood Theatre, 207 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801

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Panelists

The guest panel will include internationally renowned best-selling author and Lyme expert and physician, Richard Horowitz, MD; award-winning author and investigative journalist, MaryBeth Pfeiffer; microbiologist and nationally recognized patient advocate, Professor Holly Ahern; filmmakers Lindsay Keyes and Winslow Crane-Murdoch.

“After years of living with mysterious symptoms, a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist are diagnosed with a disease said to not exist: chronic Lyme disease. The Quiet Epidemic follows their search for answers, which lands them in the middle of a vicious medical debate. What begins as a patient story evolves into an investigation into the history of Lyme disease, dating back to its discovery in 1975. A paper trail of suppressed scientific research, and buried documents reveals why ticks—and the diseases they carry—have been allowed to quietly spread around the globe.”

The award-winning documentary, The Quiet Epidemic, started in the Capital District…

About eight years ago, Lindsay Keyes and Winslow Crane-Murdoch were suffering with Lyme disease, both patients of internationally renowned Hudson Valley Lyme disease physician and expert, Dr. Richard Horowitz. When Dr. Horowitz’s nurse practitioner, Jenn Goldstock (who now has a private practice in Latham, N.Y.), learned that they were both filmmakers, she introduced them and they jumped at the chance to work together professionally to alert the public to the dangers of Lyme disease and the plight suffered by Lyme patients.

One of Lindsay’s and Winslow’s first information-gathering stops was to Uncommon Grounds coffeehouse in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where they met with Lyme Action Network founders Chris Fisk and Holly Ahern who helped to map out the scope of the Lyme disease problem and threads to follow in the development of their story. A history of flawed science, politics, and conflicts of interest has shaped the Lyme disease narrative for decades, much to the detriment of the patients. The filmmakers had first-hand knowledge of the disease and the politics entwined in the topic. They traveled the country for several years to interview experts from coast to coast, building a more accurate narrative of the disease and patient experience. They also won impressive professional and financial support, including that of Pennebaker Hegedus Films, for their project.

Now, eight years later, the film is complete. The Quiet Epidemic has received immense acclaim at film festivals across the country, and is now available for private showings. The Lyme Action Network is proud to present The Quiet Epidemic at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls, N.Y. on May 21, 2023, at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available at the Wood Theater Box office at (518) 480-4878 or online here.

Nurse Practitioners on the Front Lines

of Lyme Disease Treatment

A Zoom Presentation

Coming Soon

 The Lyme Action Network invites you to join us for a unique session of presentations and Q& A on tick-borne diseases.

In a world where there are too many tick-borne disease victims and far too few trained medical providers to help them, a new genre of nurse practitioners, specially trained and certified in Lyme and tick-borne disease diagnosis and treatment, is stepping into the breech to provide the informed medical care that is so difficult to find in many communities.

Establishing solo practices, or working alongside physicians, or creating nurse-practitioner group practices to offer specialized care, nurse practitioners bring a welcomed new option to the treatment scene. 

The Lyme Action Network will present an informational webinar featuring three nurse practitioners who have been pioneers in their field, specializing in the care and treatment of Lyme and tick-borne disease patients, both adults and children. LAN’s Professor Holly Ahern will welcome guest panelists  Jennifer Goldstock, NP; Natasha Ruiz; NP; and MaryBeth Charno, NP, in a discussion about the work they do, how their practices offer choices for patients, and how other nurses can join these specialized ranks. A general Q&A from the audience will follow.

Panelists’ bios are below:

Jennifer  Goldstock BSN, MSN, ANP-BC

Jennifer Goldstock is co-founder of SynRG Integrative Health in Latham, N.Y.  With  15+ years of clinical nursing experience and an additional eight years as a nurse practitioner, her broad experience has taught her much about the strength and perseverance of the human body and spirit, particularly through her work with HIV/AIDS patients. She came to realize that the conventional medical model, while excellent in many respects, falls short in the approach to the treatment of many chronic diseases. Functional medicine, on the other hand, seeks to understand all of the factors that influence our health, looking for the root cause of illness and understanding how lifestyle and environment interact with genetics to create imbalances that can cause and perpetuate disease.

Extensively trained through the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), Jenn has worked extensively with Richard Horowitz, MD, and Ronald Stram, MD. Jenn’s experience has taught her that the current medical system does not always provide sufficient answers to many patients’ illnesses. She has learned that good care requires taking the time to get to know the patient, and provider and patient need to work as a team to tackle complex medical issues. Jenn believes that lifestyle is a critical part of good health: good nutrition is good medicine and bad nutrition is bad medicine. Her approach to health and wellness includes identifying lifestyle elements and choices that can translate into health or illness. Genetics play a significant role in our overall health. “I believe that our genes load the gun, and our environments and lifestyles pull the trigger,” says Jenn. “I focus on wellness, prevention, and creating a self-care plan that supports healing with the use of dietary, nutritional and occasionally pharmaceutically appropriate interventions. We are much more than merely our symptoms. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves, given the proper tools.”

EXPERIENCE:

• BS Nursing, Sage College, Albany, N.Y. (Summa Cum Laude)
• Masters of Science Nursing Adult Nurse Practitioner, Sage College, Albany, N.Y.
• Stram Center for Integrative and Functional Medicine, Delmar, N.Y.
• University of Colorado Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology – Denver, Colorado
• Illinois Masonic HIV/AIDS, Chicago, Illinois
• St Peter’s Hospital Outpatient Cancer Care Center, Albany, NY
• Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner ANCC
• ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) Member
• IFM (Institute of Functional Medicine) Member

Natasha Ruiz, BSN, MSN, FNP-C

Natasha Ruiz, FNP-C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner, holding her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the SUNY Polytechnic Institute. She has board certifications through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. Prior to co-founding SynRG Integrative Health and Wellness, Natasha worked at The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine and The UltraWellness Center with Dr. Mark Hyman. Natasha also worked as a Registered Nurse in the Integrative Medical Department at Canyon Ranch as well as in the ICU at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y., two experiences she found invaluable in learning how to take a truly integrative approach to medicine.

While in school, Natasha became increasingly frustrated with the conventional approach to medicine—dispensing medication just to treat symptoms, without knowing the root cause or seeing results. She decided to find out the “why” behind the “what” that was causing her patients’ health problems and treat body, mind, and spirit as one, rather than continue simply treating the symptoms.

Natasha’s areas of expertise include:

• Pediatric Lyme disease
• Comprehensive treatment for Lyme and tick borne disease, adrenal dysfunction, mold and biotoxin treatment, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes , cardiovascular disease, food allergies/sensitivities, Gastrointestinal, disorders, anxiety/depression, ADHD/ADD PANDAS/PANS and autoimmune disease.
• Nutrition and Lifestyle management including stress reduction and weight loss
• Disease and diagnostic assessment: Acute and Chronic Illness
• Treatment: holistic, personalized approach including prudent pharmaceutical intervention, safe and effective natural botanical medicine, nutrition and IV therapies

Mary-Beth Charno, RN, MSN, ANP-C

Mary-Beth Charno, RN, MSN, ANP-C is a graduate of Stony Brook University with a Master’s degree in Advanced Practice Nursing, and Pace University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Mary-Beth worked for ten years in oncology.  She started her career in hospital nursing at the bedside of acute cancer patients; then advanced to Certified Chemotherapy Nurse, treating in outpatient settings at both Memorial Sloan Kettering and Monter Cancer Center. Some of her most interesting work was spent as nurse manager at an alternative cancer center in Long Island where she learned insulin potentiation therapy, IV nutrient drips, ozone therapy, ultraviolet light therapy and unique nutritional approaches. 

Early in her career she became Board Certified as a Holistic Nurse through the American Holistic Nurses Association.  She has spoken at many nursing grand rounds, conferences, and retreats, teaching nurses and organizations the value and benefits of holistic patient care.

As a nurse practitioner, Mary-Beth worked alongside such great mentors as Dr. Richard Horowitz, learning his MSIDS model of treating Lyme disease; Dr. Joseph Jemsek, understanding his polymicrobial pulse therapy of antibiotics; and Dr. Maurice Beer, honing her functional medicine skills. These invaluable teachings are the foundation of her protocols today.

Mary-Beth is a member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, completing their preceptorship program in 2020; The Institute for Functional Medicine; ISEAI – The Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI): and the N.Y.S. Nurse Practioner’s Association.

Mary-Beth is in private practice treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and mold illness in the Hudson Valley of N.Y. and in Smithtown, Long Island.

 SAVED TO YOU TUBE  

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTXTo-yWGZkRwrQ9X6X7E0A/feed

Topic: A Naturopathic Approach to Lyme and Tick-borne Diseases
Recorded: Sep 10, 2020 

A NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO HEALING LYME

AND OTHER TICK BORNE DISEASES

Dr. Nitya Jessica Eisenheim, N.D., is a naturopathic physician who is passionate about herbal medicine, cooking, healthy food and community building. Nitya grew up in New York City going to conventional doctors. She did not know a dandelion from a tomato plant, muchless realize that plants can actually heal you. Dr. Eisenheim has had the opportunity to treat hundreds of patients in all stages of Lyme disease while mentoring with Dr. Emily Maiella at Windhorse Naturopathic Clinic in Brattleboro, VT. As many of her family members have suffered from incorrect treatment of Lyme disease, she also is passionate about preventing Lyme disease from becoming a chronic illness. Dr. Eisenheim, graduated from Bastyr University, a leading research and educational institution. For more information, see her website at www.cedarroseheals.com.

Coming this fall…

CHILDHOOD LYME DISEASE

The CDC recognizes more than 400,000 new cases  of Lyme disease each year.  The population cohort suffering the greatest impact of diseases carried by ticks are children, as their lifestyles place them at greatest risk – they play on the ground, in the woods, in leaves, with pets, and are generally closer to places where ticks lurk – awaiting their next meal.  

Recognizing Lyme disease in children can be a very difficult task as the symptoms in children can differ significantly from adult symptoms, and young children often are unable to explain what’s bothering them. 

Nurse Practitioner, Natasha RUiz, NP-C will offer a presentation on what every parent and teacher should know about pediatric Lyme disease.  

Natasha will discuss sign, symptoms, and treatments.  Lyme disease can trigger PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndroms) and PANDAS (Pediatric Auaatoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep, and she will offer information on these conditions.

Presentation details to follow.