DIRECTORS

Leonard Perlmutter
Bio
Founder and director of The American Meditation Institute, Leonard is the author of “Transformation,” The Journal of Meditation as Mind/Body Medicine and the award-winning book “The Heart and Science of Yoga® : AMI’s Empowering Self-Care Program for a Happy, Healthy, Joyful Life.” His AMI MEDITATION entry-level course has been accredited by the Albany Medical College, American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, the Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses and American Nurses Association to receive medical education credit. Leonard has been a student of Yoga Science since 1975 and a direct disciple of mind/body medicine pioneer Swami Rama of the Himalayas.

Leonard Perlmutter

Founder & Director

Jenness Perlmutter
Bio
A world-renowned artist whose paintings have often graced the covers of “Transformation” journal, Jenness is co-founder of The American Meditation Institute. She has been a student of Yoga Science since 1975, and is a direct disciple of mind/body medicine pioneer Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Jenness is a gifted teacher who shares her practical understanding and insights into the similarities between Eastern and Western philosophies.

Jenness Perlmutter

Co-Founder

FACULTY

Bernie Siegel, MD
Bio
Mind/body medicine pioneer Dr. Bernie Siegel did his surgery training at Yale New Haven Hospital. During his practice as a surgeon Bernie learned how powerful the mind can be in healing the body. Since the 1970s, he has worked with patients to help them heal––often teaching them how to deal with issues regarding disease and mortality. His first book, published in 1986, was the popularly acclaimed Love, Medicine & Miracles. As a member of the AMI faculty, Bernie has taught continuing medical education classes to physicians and healthcare professionals.

Bernie Siegel, MD

Susan B. Lord, MD
Bio
Susan graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and is in private practice in Great Barrington, MA focusing on prevention and treatment through mindful living and lifestyle changes. She served as Course Director for the Food as Medicine program at the Center for Mind/Body Medicine from 1996-2007.

Susan B. Lord, MD

Mark Pettus, MD
Bio
Mark is a board-certified internist and nephrologist currently serving as Director of Medical Education and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at UMass Medical School. Mark is the author of The Savvy Patient and It’s All in Your Head: Change Your Mind, Change Your Health, & Change Your Life.

Mark Pettus, MD

Beth Netter, MD, AMI-MT
Bio
Beth is an holistic physician and acupuncturist in Albany, NY. She graduated from the University at Buffalo’s School of Biomedical Sciences, and completed her residency in anesthesiology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Beth is an AMI certified meditational therapist, and currently serves as Chair Emeritus of AMI’s Department of Medical Education.

Beth Netter, MD, AMI-MT

Anita Burock-Stotts, MD
Bio
A student at AMI since 2003, Anita Burock-Stotts is board certified in Internal Medicine.  She currently practices Functional Medicine in Guilderland, New York, and serves as a member of the AMI Department of Medical Education. Anita is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University (BS in pre-med, Phi Beta Kappa, 1976). She graduated Medical College of Pennsylvania (Alpha Omega Alpha, 1980). She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1983.

Anita Burock-Stotts, MD

Anthony Santilli, MD
Bio
Tony received his medical degree from the University at Buffalo, having completed his fellowship at Weill Cornell University and his post graduate training at Brown University. He is board-certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine in Schenectady and Amsterdam, NY, and serves as Co-Chair of the AMI’s Department of Medical Education.

Anthony Santilli, MD

Jesse Ritvo, MD
Bio
Jesse graduated from Harvard College and received his medical degree from the Brown-Dartmouth Medical Program. Jesse is currently the assistant medical director of inpatient psychiatry at the University of Vermont Health Center-Central Vermont Medical Center, as well as an assistant professor of medicine at UVM.

Jesse Ritvo, MD

Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD
Bio
Gustavo is a speaker, author, consultant and psychologist. After obtaining his Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology from Hofstra University, he completed post-doctorate degrees in both cognitive therapy and forensic psychology. He serves as Chair of The American Meditation Institute’s Psychological Education Department.

Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD

Kristin Kaelber MD, PhD, FAAP, FACP
Bio
Kristin graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in Cleveland, Ohio. She serves as a member of the AMI Department of Medical Education, and has been practicing Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine since 2015.

Kristin Kaelber, MD, PhD

Sara Lazar, PhD
Bio
Sara is an instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and an Associate Researcher in the Psychiatry Department at Massachusetts General Hospital. As a leading neuroscientist in the field, her team was the first to show how meditation and yoga influence both brain structure and human behavior.

Sara Lazar, PhD

Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD
Bio
Renee is currently the medical director of the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center, Saratoga Springs, NY. She recently served as chairperson of the Department of Family Medicine as well as President of the Medical Staff at Saratoga Hospital. Renee is board certified in Family Medicine offering the principles of Yoga Science to her patients in the form of a nutrition Rx and complementary pain management program.  Renee serves as serves as Co-Chair of the AMI’s Department of Medical Education.

Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD

Valerie Chakedis
Bio
Valerie has been a student at the American Meditation Institute since 2017, and is a member of the AMI Board of Directors. She has worked in both the public and private sector as a teacher, educator, consultant and manager. The common element in her life has been teaching and facilitating learning for others. Valerie earned her Doctorate of Education in Adult Learning and Continuing Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1992. In 2019 she led the development of the Yoga Science Lab® course. This class offers AMI students an entertaining, interactive environment to conduct Yoga Science experiments, and hone their skills with the practice of meditation-in-action. Valerie co-teaches this course quarterly each year, and also is active in providing extensive creative and technical support for all of AMI’s online webinars, events and classes.

Valerie Chakedis, Ed.D.

MEDITATION INSTRUCTORS

André Tremblay
Bio
Having been educated in Switzerland, Andre has been a dedicated student at AMI since 2009, and currently serves as the manager of the AMI bookstore. His many years of dedicated study and earnest practice give Andre a sensitive perspective on all aspects of Yoga Science. In addition to teaching introductory meditation classes, Andre assists teaching easy-gentle yoga postures at the annual AMI’s annual Physicians’ CME Conference.

André Tremblay

Jennifer Masters
Bio
Jennifer is a professional writer who has worked in multiple industries including healthcare, education, and the arts. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Jennifer is also a registered hatha yoga teacher and a dedicated student of Vedic chanting. She has studied Yoga Science at AMI since 2019 and served as book editor for YOUR CONSCIENCE.

Jennifer Masters

YOGA INSTRUCTORS

Melanie Gloeckner, RYT
Bio
Melanie initiated her study of Yoga Science and Philosophy in 1998 as a student at The American Meditation Institute. In 2012, she completed her advanced level, yoga teacher training 500 hour certification. A skilled and sensitive professional, Melanie is currently bringing the joys and therapeutic benefits of a daily yoga practice to the 50 plus community.

Melanie Gloeckner, RYT