Executive Director
Charles Platkin, Ph.D., JD, MPH, is a Distinguished Lecturer at Hunter College, City University of New York (Emeritus) in New York City, and the former Executive Director of the Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center. He is also the founder and director of the Center for Food As Medicine (FoodMedCenter.org). Additionally, Dr. Platkin is a nutrition and public health advocate whose syndicated health, nutrition, and fitness column, the Diet Detective, appeared in more than 100 daily newspapers and media outlets. He is also the founder of DietDetective.com, which offers more than 700 articles and interviews on nutrition, food, and fitness.
Dr. Platkin was the founder of Integrated Wellness Solutions (IWS). IWS worked to develop corporate wellness initiatives, including sophisticated online health tools, algorithm-based diet and fitness programs, and print-related content to market health behavior change. IWS also worked with pharmaceutical companies (including Roche and Pfizer), creating digital strategies and tools to assist with patient behavior change. These programs included the first-ever Registered Dietitian nutritional counseling via email program with more than 100,000 patients.
Dr. Platkin was the president and founder of Marinex, a forerunner in health consulting and media relations. Additionally, he was the General Counsel and Vice-President of News Communications, Inc., a publicly traded newspaper and magazine company based in Manhattan that published The Hill in Washington and Dan’s Papers in the Hamptons, among others.
Dr. Platkin is the author of seven books. His first book, “Breaking the Pattern,” was a bestseller in hardcover; it has been used by addiction clinics to assist patients with resolving drug and alcohol-related issues and by more than 20 universities around the country as a text to teach behavioral change techniques to nutrition and dietetic counseling interns. His latest books are “The Diet Detective’s Count Down” (Simon and Schuster, 2007), “The Diet Detective’s Calorie Bargain Bible” (Simon and Schuster, 2008), “The Diet Detective’s Diet Starter Kit” (Diversion, 2011), and “The Diet Detective’s All American Diet” (Rodale, 2012). Dr. Platkin’s new book, “Cheat Death” will be published in 2025. His latest venture is MedicalBx, focusing on micro-hospitals in under-resourced countries to minimize human suffering and enhance health equity and social justice.
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.
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.
