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SPARKPRO TRAINING

SparkPro Training is designed to help Coaches increase their knowledge and skills to provide improved services for patients and further their careers. In addition, we connect businesses and organizations with trained and certified coaches to deliver world class care.

TRAINING LEADERS

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Kaye Kramer, DrPh, MPH, RN is the Director of SparkPro Training, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Previously, as the Director of the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Prevention Support Center (DPSC) for more than a decade, Dr. Kramer's work focused on translational research in the community; specifically implementing and evaluating an adaptation of the lifestyle intervention shown to be effective in a large National Institutes of Health funded clinical research trial, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Dr. Kramer continues to focus on evidence-based population health promotion and disease prevention, with a specific emphasis on diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction;  she has multiple publications in the field of diabetes prevention, lifestyle intervention and community translation. Dr. Kramer leads SparkPro Training efforts in offering training and education  for providers across the US, and is part of the team that delivers the virtual and in-person SparkPro Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Training and DPP Master Training.

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Jacqueline Ely, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and Wellness Coach. Jacqueline has extensive experience in coaching and enjoys helping people reach their health/wellness goals to unlock their true potential! Jacqueline believes it is important to set small attainable goals that fit into your big picture goals. Her motto is if you can dream it, you can achieve it through hard work and determination. She is also an avid equestrian athlete and when not coaching individuals she can usually be found in the barn with her horses!  Jacqueline presents the Mindful Eating On The Go and At Home course.

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Julie Frischkorn, MSW, LCSW, is the Vice President of Behavioral Health with PeopleOne Health.  Her background is in psychotherapy having worked with individuals and families in residential facilities and private practice settings.  Julie earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston College, is a Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator and a Registered Yoga Teacher.  Julie has been teaching and training in classrooms, non-profits, and corporations for the past 15 years.  Stepping out of the office has allowed Julie to build community partnerships, de-stigmatize mental health services, and provide wider access to resources for emotional wellbeing. Julie delivers the Mental Health First Aid Training and Intercultural Competency Workshops.

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Andrea M. Kriska, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health. She is a physical activity epidemiologist who has guided many NIH studies in the areas of both physical activity assessment and lifestyle intervention. Dr. Kriska led the development of the physical activity component of the original Diabetes Prevention Project (DPP) lifestyle intervention curriculum as part of the national DPP Lifestyle Resource Core at the University of Pittsburgh. She continues her involvement in physical activity intervention and assessment in the DPP Outcomes Study, and has maintained a similar role in several other multi-center and single site studies. With a focus and passion towards prevention, Dr. Kriska is PI of an NIDDK study involving the translation of the DPP’s successful behavioral intervention into diverse community settings ranging from senior centers and the worksite to the military.  Dr. Kriska is known for her work in minority health since much of her research and service efforts have focused on underserved populations in which prevention efforts are most needed.  Dr. Kriska is part of the team that delivers the virtual and in-person SparkPro Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Training and DPP Master Training. 

Christy Link

Christy Link, MS, RD, LDN

Christy Link, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and Health Coach for PeopleOne Health.  She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and dietetics and a minor in psychology.  This is where she also completed her dietetic training. She spent three years in a cardiometabolic research lab studying the effects of diet on established and emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease at The Pennsylvania State University.  She has several written works but is most proud of her publication highlighting the health benefits of chocolate!  Christy has extensive experience in counseling and developing nutrition-focused educational materials/nutrition programs.  Christy presents the Skills for Patient-Centered Care course.

Stephanie Patek

Stephanie Patek, BSPS is a Population Health Consultant, Speaker and Certified Lifestyle Wellness Coach with a combined 20 years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Wellness, Training and Consulting. Stephanie has considerable experience with implementation of wellness strategies and programming spanning a variety of industries, cultures and sizes, wtih a focus on operations and partnerships to help programs thrive. In addition to being a Certified Lifestyle Coach, Stephanie holds certifications in Holistic and Women's Fitness. Stephanie delivers the Time Management Course.

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Suzy Peck, BS, is a Client Success Manager and Health Coach for PeopleOne Health.  She has Bachelors degree sin Nutrition Science and Kinesiology. Suzy has completed extensive coursework in Motivational Interviewing (MI), taught graduate level MI courses at the University of Pittsburgh, and leads MI training for PeopleOne Health coaches.  As a lifestyle coach, she has had many years of experience using MI in practice with individuals, as well as through delivery of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, for which she is also a Master Trainer. Suzy has a passion for health, all-encompassing wellness and helping people reach their fullest potential.  Suzy teaches the Motivational Interviewing introductory course.

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Tammy Salata, MBA, BSN, RN is an RN Care Manager with PeopleOne Health.  Her background is in behavioral health, spending 9+ years working with the most acutely mentally ill patients in an inpatient hospital setting. Tammy earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Healthcare Management from Walsh University and her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Ohio University. Tammy has worked as an RN caring for patients and as the Director of Nursing/Patient Services Inpatient Psychiatry for Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Tammy also has experience teaching psychiatric nursing clinicals for Walsh University’s Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program. Tammy is passionate about eliminating the stigma that surrounds mental health. She made the career change from a hospital setting to the PeopleOne Health team to allow her a greater opportunity to provide mental health education, as well as support others in improving their mental wellbeing and becoming their personal best. Tammy delivers the Mental Health First Aid Training.

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Linda N. Semler, MS, RD, LDN has over 25 years of experience implementing behavioral weight management programs for group and individual lifestyle interventions. She was an interventionist at the Pittsburgh Clinical Site for DPP, the Nutrition Coordinator for DPPOS, and served on the study's Lifestyle Resource Core and the Lifestyle Advisory Group. Linda is the Nutrition Coordinator for the Diabetes Prevention Support Center where she addresses nutrition related issues and assists in training and supporting the efforts of those who are delivering DPP Group Lifestyle Balance. Linda is part of the team that delivers the virtual and in-person SparkPro Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Training and DPP Master Training. 

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Kati Szamos, MS, has been a Lifestyle Coach for more than twenty-five years and Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach Master Trainer for the past ten years. Kati was the Program Coordinator for the Baylor Scott and White Health and Wellness Center and led the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program implementation there, which was recognized by the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program.  Kati also has extensive training and experience with Motivational Interviewing.  She is passionate about diabetes prevention and health. Kati enjoys creating art paper collages and is an avid reader of historical fiction.

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Elizabeth M. Venditti, PhD is the Director of the Diabetes Prevention Support Center, and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine with a secondary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Venditti was an integral member of the DPP Lifestyle Resource Core since its inception in 1996 and served as its director from 2002-2015. She has extensive experience in the development, training, implementation and investigation of long-term behavioral weight management protocols for individual and group lifestyle interventions.  Currently, Dr. Venditti is the principal investigator for the DPP Outcomes Study and a co- investigator on several other behavioral medicine and public health trials.  She is also the principal investigator of an NIH-funded dissemination study. Dr. Venditti is representing SparkPro Training as part of the inaugural training class of the National DPP Group Lifestyle Coaching Skills Certificate Program. This certificate is a training initiative designed to enhance group lifestyle coaching competencies and spearheaded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the National Board for Health and Wellness and the National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Venditti is part of the team that delivers the virtual and in-person SparkPro Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Training and DPP Master Training.