Executive Director and Founder
Dr. Charles Platkin, PhD, JD, MPH is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity (FoodMedCenter.org), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bridging traditional allopathic medicine with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle science to improve healthspan. The Center translates rigorous longevity research into practical, scalable strategies that extend not only lifespan, but the number of years lived in good health. Its work focuses on peer-reviewed research, public education, community-based interventions, and expanding universal access to healthy, affordable food while advancing a smarter, more equitable food system that measurably improves health outcomes.
A nationally recognized scholar and leader in public health, nutrition, and food policy, Dr. Platkin is a Distinguished Lecturer (Emeritus) at Hunter College, City University of New York. He holds both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Public Health with a specialization in nutrition, as well as a Juris Doctor. His multidisciplinary training uniquely positions him at the intersection of law, public health, and clinical nutrition, allowing him to address complex health challenges through integrated academic research, policy innovation, and real-world community implementation.
From 2012 to 2023, Dr. Platkin served as Executive Director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center, where he played a pivotal role in shaping food policy in New York City and advancing research on food access, obesity prevention, and public health nutrition.
In addition to his academic and nonprofit leadership, Dr. Platkin has built and led ventures across publishing, digital health, real estate, and healthcare infrastructure. He is the co-founder of Diversion Books, an independent publishing company established in 2010 that became an early innovator in digital-first publishing and intellectual property strategy. Diversion has published hundreds of fiction and nonfiction titles, working with bestselling and award-winning authors while helping redefine modern independent publishing through data-driven marketing and flexible rights models.
His entrepreneurial portfolio also includes serving as Founder and Managing Director of Magoo Properties, a real estate development and management company; Chief Strategy Officer of PopCom Health, where he guides behavioral-science-based health education initiatives; and Co-founder and Director of MedicalBx, which designs and deploys boutique hospitals and modular mobile medical clinics to expand healthcare access in underserved communities. Across these ventures, his focus remains consistent: building scalable systems that improve access — whether to reliable health information, healthy environments, or clinical care itself.
Dr. Platkin has published in numerous peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, BMC Obesity, the International Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, and others. His research focuses on nutrition behavior change, food policy, obesity prevention, and longevity science.
He is the author of eight books. His forthcoming book, Eat to Cheat Death: Using Food as Medicine to Live Better, Live Stronger, Live Healthier, and Live Longer (Simon & Schuster, 2027), synthesizes intensive research on healthspan science and nutrition-driven longevity. His first book, Breaking the Pattern (Red Mill Press 2002; Plume 2004), became a hardcover bestseller and has been used in addiction treatment clinics and in more than 20 universities to teach behavioral change techniques to nutrition and dietetic counseling interns. His additional titles include The Diet Detective’s Count Down (Simon & Schuster, 2007), The Diet Detective’s Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon & Schuster, 2008), The Diet Detective’s Diet Starter Kit (Diversion, 2011), and The Diet Detective’s All-American Diet (Rodale, 2012).
His contributions to public health and food policy have earned statewide and national recognition. In March 2019, he was cited by the Governor of New York State for his contributions to the development of nutrition materials for NYS Mentoring. In November 2018, he was honored by City & State as a Politics of Food honoree for his leadership in food policy reform. As a principal investigator, he has secured multiple grants supporting research and large-scale initiatives related to nutrition, food systems, and community health.
Beyond academia and research, Dr. Platkin has been a prominent public educator. He served as host and executive producer of WE tv’s I Want to Save Your Life, guiding participants through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle transformations. His nationally syndicated “Diet Detective” column ran for nearly 20 years in more than 150 daily newspapers and media outlets. He has appeared on thousands of radio programs and in major print and digital publications, bringing complex health and nutrition science to broad public audiences.
Across his academic, entrepreneurial, media, and nonprofit work, Dr. Platkin’s mission remains consistent: to redefine how we measure and improve health by prioritizing healthspan, evidence-based nutrition, and systems-level change.
Chief Nutrition Officer
Gayle Reichler, MS, RDN: Gayle is an accomplished Registered Dietitian, Lifestyle Coach, and culinary professional in the field of nutrition and wellness. Gayle contributes as a writer and editor at the Center for Food As Medicine. She’s authored her book “Active Wellness” released internationally, and a cookbook “Feel Good For Life.” She is an Adjunct Professor at New York University, teaching graduate elective courses she created for the Nutrition & Foods Dept., including Wellness Nutrition, which encompasses hands-on nutrition education and Business of Nutrition, teaching students how to write a realistic business plan for an independent nutrition-based business.
As a culinary graduate from the International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute), Gayle launched one of NYC’s first successful healthy diet-specific home meal replacement businesses and created the Skinnyme line of stevia-based, gluten-free chocolates for national distribution. She is the Founder of the Active Wellness Program, an 8-week group Wellness Program promoted by the American Heart Association taught in Fortune 500 Companies in New York City, in place of Weight Watchers, by trained Dietitians. The Active Wellness Program encompassed using motivational interviewing to focus on eating, exercise, stress management, and habit change. Her varied skills and ventures underscore her significant impact in wellness and nutrition. Gayle has been a guest lecturer at home and abroad, including Canyon Ranch, has appeared on the Food Network featuring healthy recipes, has created and taught healthy cooking courses at the New School For Social Research, worked as an RD with Dean Ornish and his Preventive Medicine Research Program for over 10 years, and has published original research in JADA, relating to chef’s knowledge of healthy cooking. Gayle is a consultant, editor, and project manager at the Center for Food as Medicine. Gayle is also the Chief Nutrition Officer.
Chief Policy Advisor
Alexina Cather is the Director of Policy and Special Projects at Wellness in the Schools, a national nonprofit that teaches public school students healthy habits to learn, live, and thrive. She is also the Chief Policy Advisor and Deputy Chair of the Board of Advisors at the Center for Food as Medicine, where she works to increase equity and access to food as medicine treatments, programs, and interventions. Before her current role, she was the Director of Policy Advocacy and Sustainability at the James Beard Foundation, where she led the foundation’s efforts towards food system change.
For six years, she was the Deputy Director at the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center, where she worked to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions to prevent diet-related diseases and protect food security. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with policy makers, community organizations, advocates, and the public to increase access to more nutritious foods and to create healthier, more sustainable food environments.
Alexina currently serves on the advisory boards of the NYC Healthy School Food Alliance, the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center, and the Weill Cornell Community Advisory Board, and is a Steering Committee Member and Co-Chair of the Healthy Eating and Active Living Action Team at the New York State Cancer Consortium. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Integrative Biology and holds a Master of Public Health from the University of San Francisco. Alexina was the Lead Co-Chair for New York City Mayor-Elect Eric Adams’ food policy transition team.
Her passion for connecting all people, and especially children, with real, healthy food is inspired and powered daily by her three sons. Prior to her career in food systems, she was a semi-professional soccer player in the Women’s Premier Soccer League and worked as a science teacher in a school program at a children’s hospital.
As a single mother of three energetic boys, I’ve mastered the art of juggling chaos with purpose. After years of working in New York City, I relocated to Vermont in 2020, seeking space and balance for my family—though I still commute to NYC for work and often joke that my logistical skills rival those of a seasoned circus performer. My drive to create a healthier future for children, including my own, has always fueled my work in food policy and public health. I earned a B.A. in Integrative Biology with a minor in Anthropology from UC Berkeley and later completed a Master of Public Health at the University of San Francisco, combining my love of science with a deep commitment to community well-being.
Professionally, I’ve dedicated my career to building a more equitable, nutritious, and sustainable food system. I currently serve as the Director of Policy and Special Projects at Wellness in the Schools, a national nonprofit committed to teaching students healthy habits for life. I also work with Food Tank on policy initiatives and serve as Deputy Chair of the Board of Advisors at the Center for Food as Medicine. Prior to these roles, I led policy advocacy at the James Beard Foundation and spent six years as the Deputy Director at the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. My work has always centered on forging connections between policymakers, advocates, researchers, and communities to ensure all families—especially those in underserved areas—can access real, nourishing food.
My path hasn’t been linear, but it has always been driven by heart, grit, and an unwavering belief in the power of food as a tool for justice and health. From my early days as a semi-professional soccer player to teaching science in a children’s hospital, I’ve learned to approach challenges with resilience and creativity. Being a mother has only sharpened those instincts. My children are my greatest inspiration and daily reminder of why this work matters. I believe moms are some of the most effective change agents in the world, and I’m proud to be building something meaningful—not just for my own family, but for millions of others.
Deputy Director
Sarahrose Hendrickson, MPH is a dedicated public health professional and advocate with a diverse career spanning public health innovation, community empowerment, and entrepreneurial leadership. She earned her Master of Public Health degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from New York University and has worked extensively at the intersection of health equity, systems design, and research.
Currently, Sarahrose collaborates with The Center for Food as Medicine, where she plays a vital role in curating research, managing partnerships, and contributing to impactful strategies that advance nutrition and health initiatives. Previously, she contributed to the development of start-up solutions, gaining valuable experience in strategic operations, evidence-based program design, and data-driven decision-making.
As a former Peace Corps volunteer in eSwatini, Africa, Sarahrose partnered with the Ministry of Health and community leaders to implement nationwide life skills curricula and evidence-based HIV/AIDS education programs. She also facilitated workshops to empower adolescent girls and young women and created platforms for local youth to engage in community development and problem-solving.
In addition to her public health work, Sarahrose is experienced in grant writing, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and leveraging emerging technologies for impactful solutions. She has also led efforts in leadership development and cross-functional collaboration to address complex social challenges. A passionate advocate for innovation and sustainable impact, Sarahrose consistently emphasizes a people-centered approach in all her endeavors.
Sarahrose is committed to advancing public health through innovative strategies and continues to contribute to the field with a blend of creativity, analytical insight, and community-focused leadership.
Community Affairs Director
Shannon Gartman Platkin is a community health and food-as-medicine practitioner with more than two decades of experience in wellness, nutrition, and community engagement. As Community Affairs Director at the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity, she works directly with public schools and community partners to support the development, operation, and sustainability of school-based food production farms.
Shannon plays a hands-on role in helping schools establish, maintain, and harvest their farms, assisting with planting, harvesting, and basic farm operations while helping integrate food production into school life without adding burden to educators or staff. Her work focuses on translating food-as-medicine principles into practical, day-to-day systems that support student learning and community health.
She has worked closely with Dr. Charles Platkin on numerous community initiatives, including projects connected to the New York City Food Policy Center, helping bridge research, policy, and on-the-ground implementation.
Formally trained as a culinary spa chef, Shannon brings a whole-foods, health-forward culinary perspective that connects food production with preparation and nutrition education. She has been growing her own food for more than 15 years, strengthening her understanding of food systems from seed to plate.
Shannon is an ACE-certified personal trainer and has worked as a fitness and wellness professional for more than 20 years, with experience in functional fitness, strength training, mobility, and lifestyle-based health coaching. Her long-standing work in health and movement informs her holistic, healthspan-focused approach to community wellness.
Earlier in her career, she spent over 30 years as a professional model, an experience that shaped her perspective on body image, sustainability, and long-term health. Today, her work centers on empowering schools and communities to use food, movement, and education as foundational tools for lifelong health.
Farm Manager & Communications and Grants Associate
Navi Chandra Gast is a food systems and sustainability professional with a strong interest in the intersection of Food as Medicine, community health, and regenerative food production. He serves as Farm Manager and Communications and Grants Associate at the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity, supporting both the operational and strategic work of the Center’s community-based food initiatives.
In his farm management role, Navi supports the day-to-day operation of school-based food production farms, including planting, harvesting, system maintenance, and coordination with school partners to ensure farms function reliably and integrate smoothly into school environments. His work helps ensure that food grown on-site directly supports nutrition education, community access, and healthspan-focused programming.
In addition to farm operations, Navi contributes to the Center’s communications and development efforts, assisting with grant research and writing as well as social media content development and strategy. He helps translate the Center’s work into clear, accessible messaging for funders, partners, and the broader public.
A native of Seattle, Washington, Navi studied Politics and History, with a long-standing interest in the relationship between public policy, food systems, and health. He was introduced early to the principles of Food as Medicine by his parents, both physicians, which shaped his understanding of food as a foundational determinant of health.
At age sixteen, Navi worked on a farm in Antigua, Guatemala, where he gained firsthand exposure to community-based food production and the role it plays in social cohesion and health. He has since continued exploring how culturally rooted food systems and communal food practices support well-being.
Navi has experience working on political campaigns and with policy-focused organizations, conducting donor outreach, supporting digital strategy, and researching and communicating policy. During college, he interned with a collaborative policy group focused on building regenerative, nutritious, and sustainable food systems across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with particular attention to Indigenous fishing rights and regional food sovereignty.
Based in New York City, Navi brings an integrated approach to food production, communication, and policy—supporting the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity’s mission to use food as a practical, community-driven tool for improving healthspan.
