About Planted Forward

Doctor Méndez is a triple board-certified gastroenterologist, internist, and lifestyle medicine physician. She specializes in digestive disorders, which include liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and nutrition based-disorders, such as obesity and constipation. Her approach to patients and their diseases is holistic and comprehensive; she does not just want to treat symptoms, but to get to the root cause of an ailment and provide lasting relief. All her methods are evidence-based and she is a proponent of lifestyle changes first to promote wellness.

Dr. Méndez attended Harvard University, where she obtained a B.A. in Latin American Studies, with a minor in pre-medicine. From there, she began her medical training at the ACGME accredited Universidad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico, completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Hospital, and her Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. She has also trained in Epidemiology through Florida International University, and in Plant Based Nutrition through Cornell University.

She was awarded a visiting fellowship at the Mayo Clinic through the Crohnʼs and Colitis Foundation where she received special training in inflammatory bowel diseases. She has also helped lead multiple fund-raising walks to raise awareness for Crohnʼs and Colitis in the Miami area. She was awarded Physician Champion at the Takes Steps Walk 2019 for the GastroHealth Team.

Dr. Rivera-Caudill (aka Dr. Beet) is Board Certified in Pediatrics and a Diplomate in Lifestyle Medicine with over 30 years of experience. She is passionate about teaching children and their families the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: healthy nutrition-, physical activity, sleep, relaxation, social connection and avoiding substances.

Dr. Rivera-Caudill is originally from Florida, Puerto Rico. She graduated Cum Laude from University of Puerto Rico and studied Medicine in Universidad Central del Caribe. She moved to Miami, FL in 1988 for her residency and outpatient fellowship at Miami Children Hospital (now Nicklaus Children’s Hospital).

Dr. Harkin is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, and Clinical Lipidology (Cholesterol Doctor).

After graduating from Boston University School of Medicine, she attended Columbia University for Internal Medicine residency and New York University for Cardiology fellowship. Upon completion of her Cardiology fellowship, including serving as a chief fellow, she remained on at NYU as an Assistant Attending. In her role as a private practice cardiologist in Manhattan, she helped countless patients treat and prevent heart disease. She is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC Cardiology), as well as a member of the National Lipid Association certifying her as a cholesterol specialist doctor and American Society for Preventive Cardiology.

Amanda Sevilla is a registered dietitian, plant based nutritionist, and yoga teacher living in Southern California. She is also a healthcare and wellness influencer in the internet space. Amanda integrates preventative nutrition and holistic health by implementing a combination of mindfulness, yoga, plant based nutrition, and intuitive eating.

Amanda finished her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Loma Linda University and started working as a clinical dietitian shortly afterward. She is also certified in Plant Based Nutrition through the Center for Nutrition Studies. Through her undergrad, she developed an interest in overall wellness so she traveled to India to learn yoga. She has since gained 500 hours of teaching instruction as a new perspective on true, whole health. She is passionate about self love, development, and empowerment. 

In her practice, she aims to treat patients while also integrating preventative health with the experience gathered so far. She actually wanted to be a physician before becoming a dietitian but after learning about the benefits of lifestyle changes – especially with a plant based diet – she decided she wanted to be a physician who also knew the ins and outs of nutrition basics to better serve her patients. 

Visit her website: amandavsevilla.com for more information

Natalie Castro is a licensed and registered dietitian, who is certified in adult weight management and specializes in digestive disorders, food allergies, intolerances and plant-based nutrition. She truly believes in the power of using food as medicine to nourish and heal the body.

Ms. Castro was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and Celiac Disease back in 2001. As a patient of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and autoimmunity, she understands the struggles that patients undergo when newly diagnosed or trying to manage chronic conditions. She also works passionately to establish healthier food environments in the healthcare sector by developing food policies that promote healthier and more sustainable food practices.

Her clinical background is in nutritional support of critically ill patients in the intensive care units. She has conducted research on human subjects, studying both the eating behaviors of individuals and their social influences on food choices. Her research has been published in several Peer Review Journals. Natalie enjoys staying active and finding time to connect with nature. She uses plant-based nutrition to fuel her body and her mind.

Jacque Tarlton, Certified Wellcoach® & Wellness Advocate, is passionate about improving health through fabulous, fun, and scientifically proven lifestyle changes. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and she practiced as a Registered Dietitian (RD) early in her career. She is currently a Certified Wellcoach®, Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) Facilitator, & Corporate Wellness Trainer specializing in the power of plants to improve health & longevity for her clients, and ROI for corporations.

Jacque has studied nutrition, health, and fitness since 1986, and she was introduced to the power of plant-based nutrition in 1994. Jacque has always worked in the health field, and she has gone from deadly addictions to fabulously thriving! It is Jacque’s mission to coach you through your unhealthy lifestyle habits to live your best, happiest, and most vibrant life. And the best part? It’s never too late to start!

Ayten completed her Master’s degree at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, where she specialized in Nutrition Interventions: Design, Operation, and Management. She then completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics at Simmons University and her Dietetic Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). At MGH, she completed a concentration in both inpatient and outpatient medical nutrition therapy in gastroenterology, with a focus in GI surgery, ostomy management, short bowel syndrome, IBS, IBD, SIBO, GERD, Celiac, and food allergies and sensitivities.

Ayten is Chair Elect of the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), Executive Director of a food and climate advocacy organization called the Planetary Health Collective, and CEO of a plant-based GI nutrition practice, Aysa Nutrition. Connect with her on Instagram at @aysa.nutrition.