Scientific Committee

Jonathan Mendoza, Co-chair
Jonathan practices nutritional medicine in Austin, TX. He is the owner of MSW Lounge, a health and wellness clinic that offers vitamin injections, vitamin IVs, hormone replacement therapy, and yoga classes. He believes that food and nutrition along with hormone balancing will allow our bodies to function optimally. If we give our bodies the right nutrients we will function better. 

Jonathan also believes we need to educate our children on the importance of nutrition. If we can start teaching our children at an early age about how food and health depend on one another, then we can start to make this world healthier for future generations. Jonathan is proud to be part of such a wonderful organization that shares this vision.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys running Austin's beautiful trails with his wife, Merrick, and their son, Omar and can be seen at various Austin music venues. He grew up in south Austin and is proud to call Austin his home. 

"Everyday you are either building health, or building disease."
Irfan Hydari, Medical Director, Emergency Department, Seton Medical Center, Past Board Chair
Irfan Hydari is the Director of the Emergency Department Medical at Seton's flagship hospital in Central Austin. His educational background includes a B.A. in Business Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, an M.D. from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and residency training at the University of Texas at Houston. He also successfully completed an Advanced Post-Graduate Program in Health Management Services at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Irfan loves to travel the world with his partner, Karey, and is newly obsessed with the game of golf.
Nina Beuchler Rebstock, Owner of Big Picture Long Life, Member Development Committee
Nina is a Certified Nutrition Coach, health planner and Kripalu yoga teacher. Nina teaches yoga privately, at the Texas Yoga Retreat, for the Yoga Journal Conference, and at corporate sites. She believes in the fundamental healing powers of yoga for all people.

Nina‘s purpose is to help people thrive in all areas of their lives.   She is always learning and her passion is in helping people create healthy, happy, sustainable lives. That makes service on HealthStart’s Board a natural fit. ​
Shelly Sethi 
Dr. Sethi is a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) at the Austin Regional Clinic.
“I chose to practice family medicine because I would like to help my patients take preventive measures in order to maintain a healthy and happy life. I believe in holistic and integrative care, and hope to work with my patients to encourage them to make beneficial lifestyle choices”.
Carol Spaulding 
Dr. Carol Spaulding has devoted her entire career to making Texas a healthier place. She served in various roles at the Texas Department of State Health Services (formerly the Texas Department of Health) including Deputy Commissioner of Programs and the Bureau Chief for State Health Data and Policy Analysis. Carol is currently a Lecturer with the University of Texas Kinesiology and Health Education Department. Prior to joining the UT faculty, Carol was the Director of Program Evaluation for the Institute for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation at Texas A&M University. She is widely published and her research has examined the Women’s Infants and Children Nutrition program and differences in parental feeding practices among ethnic and economic groups.
Dolly Lambdin, Ed. D.,is a clinical professor in the Department of Kinesiology Health Education at the University of Texas, Austin. She currently serves as President of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). Dolly is the co-author of the award winning textbook series "Fitness for Life." She has been in the teaching profession for 40 years and has taught in elementary schools in New York and Maryland as well as in Austin.
Kirsten K Shepard, DC, LMT
Dr. Shepard has been involved with holistic healthcare for 12 years, beginning in Austin at Lauterstein, Conway Massage School as a massage therapist. She is a chiropractor, massage therapist, and mom. She attended the University of Texas, Austin and graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas. Dr. Shepard is also a board member for the Bipolar Foundation of Central Texas.
Vanessa Errisuriz
Vanessa Errisuriz is a Research Associate with the Latino Research Initiative at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Errisuriz’s research focuses on using a socioecological-based approach to identify significant contributors to child obesity, rural health disparities, and program implementation. She has extensive training in the assessment of physical activity and dietary behaviors as well as a broad background in psychology, with knowledge to assess theoretically-related constructs associated with health behaviors and program implementation. She received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Texas at Austin, a M.A. in Health Psychology from Texas State University - San Marcos, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio.