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Our Team

Robert Verkerk, PhD
Executive and Scientific Director
Robert Verkerk PhD is an internationally acclaimed expert in health, agricultural and environmental sustainability with nearly 40 years of experience in the non-profit sector, academia and as a consultant. His extensive academic background in ecology and sustainable agriculture, including an MSc, PhD and postdoctoral fellowship at Imperial College London, helped him develop his passion for applying ecological and sustainability principles to healthcare. In 2002, Dr Verkerk founded the Alliance for Natural Health International (ANH-Intl) and has acted as its executive and scientific director since. He has directed legal actions to protect the right to natural health, been at the forefront of developing science-based approaches to evaluating risks and benefits of natural therapies, and has been the principal scientist developing a new model for proactive, health regeneration and health system sustainability. Dr Verkerk has authored some 60 papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings, is a fellow of the American College of Nutrition and contributes regularly to magazines and other popular media. He is an accomplished and inspirational speaker and communicator on a wide range of issues relating to sustainability.
Michael Sikora
Michael Ames-Sikora
Editorial Director
Michael is the Managing Editor and Policy Analyst for the Alliance for Natural Health USA. As the self-dubbed "Minister of Content," he is responsible for researching and writing the Pulse of Natural Health newsletter in addition to other content in support of ANH's communications and legislative work. He received a BA in Political Science from Rutgers University and an MA in Politics from the New School for Social Research. His background is in political advocacy, having previously worked in Washington, DC and Atlanta in the nonprofit sector before settling in Tarrytown, NY.
Jo Twombly
Deputy Director, Head of Policy and Advocacy
Jo Twombly is deputy director at the Alliance for Natural Health USA. In this role she manages ANH's legislative and advocacy efforts. Prior to her time at ANH, Jo served as a legislative assistant for a member of Congress and gained experience working in government affairs, grassroots advocacy, communications and marketing for multiple nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Jo holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston University and a master’s degree in global studies and international affairs with a focus on nonprofit management from Northeastern University.
Ronald Hoffman, MD
Board President and Medical Director
Dr. Ronald Hoffman is recognized as one of America’s foremost complementary medicine practitioners. He was founder and Medical Director of the Hoffman Center in New York City, and now maintains a private practice there. He is also author of numerous books and articles for the public and for health professionals, and is host of the popular nationally-syndicated radio program Intelligent Medicine, and the Internet podcast of the same name. He is active in several medical professional organizations, and is a past President of the country’s largest organization of complementary and alternative doctors, the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM). He is a frequent guest on radio and TV, and is frequently quoted in popular magazines and newspapers. He is also called upon to lecture both to the public and to groups of medical professionals.
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Meleni Aldridge
Board Member, Treasurer
Meleni Aldridge has been immersed in the field of natural and integrative medicine for over 30 years. She is a practicing clinical psychoneuroimmunologist, functional medicine practitioner, certified Metabolic Balance coach and DNALife Practitioner. For 11 years, before joining the Alliance for Natural Health International (ANH-Intl), Meleni lectured at St Mary’s University College, Middlesex on the Sport Rehabilitation programme. In July 2005, she joined the ANH-Intl. In her role as executive coordinator, in which she remains today, she works closely with Dr Robert Verkerk, executive and scientific director, positively shaping the scientific and regulatory environment required to facilitate the future development of natural and sustainable healthcare. Meleni combines broad knowledge of the natural and integrative health sector with a deep understanding of the regulatory framework in the UK and Europe. Meleni is not only an experienced nutrition and lifestyle practitioner with over 30 years of experience, she has also triumphed over her own autoimmune thyroid journey. Her passion for the power of nutrition and lifestyle interventions to ignite the body’s miraculous self-healing pathways is a major driver behind her professional endeavours.
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Gretchen DuBeau. Esq.
Board Member
Gretchen DuBeau joined the Alliance for Natural Health USA as Executive and Legal Director in 2008 and served in that role until 2023, when she transitioned full-time to the Board of Directors. A lifelong environmentalist and devotee to natural health and healing, Gretchen has found the perfect culmination of her interests at ANH-USA, where she works to shift the current medical paradigm to one that embraces whole person health, including mind, body, and spirit, as the standard of care. Gretchen supports the Integrative Medicine Consortium (IMC) as the Public Affairs Chair and the Public Policy Co-chair, serves as Board Advisor to the International College for Integrative Medicine (ICIM), and joined the boards of ANH-USA in 2010 and ANH-International in 2012, where she serves as Advocacy Coordinator. She also served on the Axios Institute Board as President from 2014-2020, the Praktikos Institute Board as President from 2014-2020, and the Board for the Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) as Treasurer from 2011-2018. In 2015 Gretchen became an Advisory Board member to the Documenting Hope Project, which is proving our children can recover from childhood illnesses, such as Autism, with the support of integrative medicine. Gretchen is an attorney and practiced environmental law and policy for five years before joining ANH-USA to work on natural and regenerative health issues. She also holds a Masters Degree in Applied Healing Arts and has studied herbal medicine extensively.
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Ruth Westreich
Board Member
Ruth Westreich is a life-long artist, activist and passionate philanthropist. She has integrated all facets of herself to be a global change maker. She believes deeply that we cannot have personal health without planetary health. The two are inextricably connected. Ruth also believes it is possible to make sea changes in our understanding of ourselves and the natural world we inhabit by reconnecting to our source. Above all, Ruth is a connector and strategist who creates communication bridges that bring together people from varied disciplines in health, the environment, discovery science and investigative journalism. The Westreich Foundation uses thought-provoking art, activism and philanthropy to engage and unite people around the science and societal issues that erode and threaten human and planetary health, while providing an educational platform that inspires, connects, and supports organizations and people working toward healthier people and the planet. For decades, The Westreich Foundation has supported a variety of people and causes, including Natural Medicine, Nutritional Science, Whole Person Health Care, and focusing on Environmental Toxins that erode the health and vibrancy of all life.
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