The professionals at the Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity include experts in medicine, psychology, nutrition and physical fitness from Dell Children’s Medical Center, University of Texas Southwestern Austin Programs, University of Texas at Austin, and the Texas Child Study Center. They are dedicated to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic facing Central Texas today.
Stephen J. Pont, MD, MPH, FAAP
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Medical Director, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity Medical Director, Austin ISD Student Health Services UT Southwestern, Austin – Department of Pediatrics UT Austin – Department of Advertising Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Caron Farrell, MD, PhD, FAAP
Medical Director, Healthy Living Happy Living Program, Texas Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas Chief of Staff, Seton Shoal Creek Hospital Pediatrics Assistant Professor, UT Southwestern Austin Assistant Clinical Professor, UT Medical Branch, Texas A&M University Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Seton Mind Institute
Meisa O. Ezekial, MD
Pediatrician, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES), Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Edwin Batista, CPNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES), Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Jane Simpson Gray, PhD
Director of Behavioral Health, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity Director of Psychology Training, Texas Child Study Center Clinical Assistant Professor, UT-Austin Department of Educational Psychology
David Heckler, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas Texas Child Study Center
Sasha Jaquez, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Texas Child Study Center
Lauren Brauer, MS, RD, LD
Lead Registered Dietitian, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Lizette Taboada, RD, LD
Clinical Dietitian Senior, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES), Healthy Living, Happy Living/Vida Sana, Vida Feliz Program, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.
Gaby Ceniceros, RD, LD
Clinical Dietitian Senior, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES), Healthy Living, Happy Living/Vida Sana, Vida Feliz Program, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Celisse Morgan Valdovinos, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES) clinic, Healthy Living, Happy Living/ Vida Sana, Vida Feliz Program, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
James Wilson, MS, ATC, LAT, CSCS
Certified Athletic Trainer, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES) clinic, Healthy Living, Happy Living/ Vida Sana, Vida Feliz Program, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy
Hugo A. Villegas Jr, MS, CTRS
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES) clinic, Healthy Living, Happy Living/ Vida Sana, Vida Feliz Program, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Austin
Logan Jenkins, MBA
Program Manager, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Cherelle VanBrakle, MEd
Project Coordinator Senior, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Mollie Ewing, RN
Registered Nurse/Nurse Coordinator, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Carmen Torres
Patient Access Representative, Activating Children Empowering Success (ACES) clinic, Healthy Living, Happy Living/ Vida Sana, Vida Feliz Program, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Rabia Iqbal
Patient Access Representative, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Diolanda Lovings
Senior Department Assistant, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas
Alison J. Lee, LCSW
Graduate Research Assistant, Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, Texas Child Study Center