Practitioners

Are you an MD or DO and have an interest in joining a collaborative team? Contact us about career opportunities to join the PMC staff.

PMCM Staff Directory

Elson M. Haas, MD, Medical Director
Integrated and Preventive Medicine Health Care Consultant/Educator

Dr. Elson Haas has been in medical practice since he graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1972 and then interned at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA. Over the past 35 years, he has studied and incorporated many healing disciplines -- Western and Eastern Medicines, Nutrition and Detoxification, Herbology, and Mind/Body Healing - into his ongoing practice. Since 1980, Dr. Haas incorporates all of these modalities with medical and functional testing into his practice that he terms Integrated Medicine.

Dr. Haas specializes in creating programs utilizing dietary changes, detoxification, and nutritional and herbal supplements. He writes about these in his seven popular books on health and nutrition, beginning first with the 1981 edition of Staying Healthy with the Seasons (new edition, 2003). Review his books on the Books page.

Dr. Haas lectures and teaches nationally and is a regular radio guest and writer for health magazines. His local detoxification programs are popular, affordable, and transformative. See Dr. Elson's upcoming events.

Judy Lane, NP, MS
Nurse Practitioner, General Medicine
Women's Health, Natural Therapies

Judy Lane received her MS, RN and NP degrees from Pace University and New York College in 1975, followed by an internship in Internal Medicine at New York VA Hospital. She continued to work in Ambulatory Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. In 1985 Ms. Lane entered private practice with leading physicians in the field of Integrated Medicine in New York. She has lectured extensively and has appeared in the media with a focus on women's health issues and natural hormone testing and therapies. Judy Lane has been with PMCM since 1994, creating individually designed health programs for her patients. She is the Medical Center's Director of Women's Health.

Elaine Hannah, NP, MSN
Nurse Practitioner, Integrative & Complementary Healing
Children's Health, Homeopathy

Elaine Hannah began her health care career in 1982 with a BSN form James Madison University in Virginia. After graduation, she worked in Critical Care, High Risk and Labor and Delivery, and Emergency Medicine. For several years, she had the opportunity of serving as a Park Medic in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks during the summer season, while spending the rest of the year in specialty critical care in Virginia. In 1990 she relocated permanently to California in order to devote full time practice and study to alternative medicine. She graduated from University of California, San Francisco with a MSN and NP with a specialty in Integrated Complementary Healing. While at UCSF, Elaine was a Pulmonary Fellow and over the course of her career she has participated in several double blind, clinical research studies evaluating the efficacy of alternative mind-body approaches in healthcare. Elaine uses a balance of approaches that she knows will work, and likes to use a team approach in concert with other practitioners. Elaine has always believed that the human body has an amazing ability to heal itself if given the right kind of support.

Associates with their practice at PMCM location:

Richard L. Shames, MD
Integrated Medical Doctor
Health Care Consultant

Dr. Richard Shames is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Prior to entering private practice, he received extensive training in conventional medicine with the U.S. Public Health Service, the National Institutes of Health, and other facilities. In the 1970s, as Medical Director of the Wholistic Health & Nutrition Institute (WHN) in Mill Valley, CA, Dr. Shames and staff began the blend of conventional medicine with safe and appropriate natural remedies.

Dr. Shames' philosophy of medicine is more completely expressed in his books, including his most recent book Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled? and his previous Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health, both co-authored with his wife Karilee Shames PhD, RN. The two of them teach Seminars nationwide to both healthcare providers and the general public.

Dr. Shames considers himself a Consulting Physician and Personal Health Coach, currently focusing on thyroid and adrenal disorders and their many related conditions. His innovative approach to "internet medicine" and telephone coaching has many devoted clients around the country.

Michael E. Rosenbaum, M.D.
Nutritional Medicine, Allergies & Chronic Fatigue, Healthy Aging, Integrative Diagnostics

Dr. Rosenbaum majored in Biochemistry at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, with a Minor in Psychology, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1963. He attended Graduate School at Hebrew University, Jerusalem from 1965-66, earning his Master of Sciences Degree in Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine. Dr. Rosenbaum earned his M.D. Degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in June 1968, after which he conducted his Internship at The French Hospital in San Francisco during 1968-69. His Residency Training was at University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine from 1969-72, after which he maintained a Psychiatry Practice in Community Mental Health Programs in Los Angeles and San Francisco from 1972-79. Dr. Rosenbaum is also Certified by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) Medical Acupuncturist. He is International Spokesperson for Sun Chlorella, Kyoto, Japan and Sun Chlorella, USA, Torrance, California. Dr. Rosenbaum has been Instructor in Clinical Nutrition at SF State University 1984-1985, where he also served as a member of the Advisory Boards and Scientific Review Panel. He has been the President of the Orthomolecular Health Medical Society and former editor of the Society's Journal. He was the past President and on the Board of Directors for The Healthy Foundation.

Thomas H. Reece, DO, ND
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine,
Cranial Sacral Therapy

Dr.Thomas Reece is the newest addition to Preventive Medical Center. He brings a wealth of knowledge. Dr. Reece received a doctorate in medicine in 1982 from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He returned to school and earned a second doctorate in medicine, with honors, from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Reece has been in practice for more than twenty years and is one of only a few practitioners with the dual degrees in both Naturopathic and Osteopathic Medicines.

Dr. Reece is board certified in Family Practice by the American College of Osteopathic Family Practitioners. For five years he was the Medical Director of the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and he is also associated with the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Reece specializes in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. He uses a variety of techniques, including Cranial Sacral therapy, Myo-fascial release, Muscle Energy work, as well as Strain/Counterstrain and Direct techniques. Dr. Reece utilizes acupuncture techniques he has learned both here in the United States and China to treat a variety of conditions. These special therapies referred to as multi-faceted treatments are helpful at correcting structural and pain problems.

Georjana Shames, L.Ac.
Acupuncturist Georjana Shames (Pronounced "GeorgeAnna Shahmus") L.Ac., Dipl.OM, CMT, works alongside her father Richard Shames MD at the Preventive Medical Center offices in San Rafael and Cotati. Specializing in thyroid, menopause, stress, and child/teen, she trained at the world-renowned Five Branches Institute and is licensed at state and national levels for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Her Chinese herbal formulas are individually modified based on each patient's tongue/pulse diagnosis and symptoms. It is said that Acupuncture awakens the body's original intelligence to heal itself; Georjana Shames is thorough, attentive, and compassionate in administering your medical care.

Carol Butterfield, Dip. Ac.
Medical Intuitive, Health Consultant

Carol is an experienced and gifted practitioner. After more than two decades of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture practice, her intuitive skills have blossomed, enabling her to see people and their subtle energies more clearly, and thus provide them with the support and guidance for deeper understanding and healing. Carol is a graduate of San Francisco College of Chinese Medicine in 1987 and had further training in Beijing, China with many world class acupuncturists. She has also been doing her medical intuitive practice for many years working with people in all areas of life, including many celebrities.

Janara Iman-Thomas, CN
Certified Nutritionist, Herbalist, Detox Specialist

Trained in nutritional systems and health from both Western and Eastern perspectives, Janara believes the key to radiant health and beauty comes from the inside out and starts on your plate. She has developed customized, natural nutritional and dietary programs utilizing the highest quality foods and herbs to gently coax the body to heal itself, while enhancing greater energy and support to bring the body to its own natural of state of balance. Janara graduated from the San Francisco State University Nursing program in 1978 with the goal of becoming a nurse dietician, and studied Dietetics and Culinary Food preparation at CCSF. Since 1979, Janara became certified as a nutritionist and herbalist from the Dr. Roger Williams School of Nutrition Science, and a certified Clinical Herbalist from New Dimensions in Herbal Healing. Janara studied 5-Element Theory and Ayurveda with Dr. Vasaant Lad in New Mexico, becoming certified at the Ayurvedic Institute in WA. She has accumulated over 1000 hours of classical homeopathy and clinical training, and received her certification in Microcurrent Therapies for pain and injury from the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley and MMT Micro current Therapy. Janara holds a Medical Esthetician License since 1989.

Steve Sisgold, M.A.
Body Centered Therapist, Breathing and Emotional Release Consultant/Educator

Steve Sisgold has been in practice over 25 years, since he became certified in Body Centered Therapy from the Hendricks Institute and earned a BS in Business and a Masters in Communications. Steve is a regular guest on TV and radio shows, appearing on ABC, NBC, PBS, CBS TV, plus OPRAH and Montel Radio. He has taught thousands how to use their innate body intelligence what he coined BQ, to create better health, prosperity and richer, more authentic relationships.

In Steve's sessions he focuses on helping individuals Boost their Mental And Physical Life Force using Transformative Breath Exercises, Movement, Guided Imagery, Emotional Release and Conscious Communication Protocols. He specializes in Stress Management, Releasing Emotional Trauma, Grieving a Loss, Addictions
Weight Issues and Phobias

His latest book, What's Your Body Telling You? launched at #7 on the SF Chronicle bestsellers list and # 1 on Amazon in 3 categories. Steve lectures on Wellness and Increasing Resilience and Productivity, throughout the US and Canada.