Dr. Werness is the charismatic lead architect for Akea. He has developed an expertise in treating and preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and all forms of cardiovascular disease. Through his forward-thinking practice and nationwide public lectures, he has attracted a huge following in all areas of naturopathic medicine.

Dr. Werness has dedicated his life to the research and prevention of chronic illnesses. Dr. Werness received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He is the former President for the Institute for Natural Medicine, has co-authored four books on natural healing, and has long studied the effects of nutrition on wellness and longevity.

An accomplished author and expert in the areas of nutrition, health and wellness, Ms. Beare has provided much of the research and insight on Longevity Hot Spots that fueled inspiration for the Akea concept, and the educational components of the Akea website.

Sally is a nutritional therapist who has traveled and lived around the world studying exceptionally healthy, long-lived populations. She has authored two books based on her findings: 50 Secrets of the World’s Longest-Living People (Avalon, USA, 2006) and The Live-Longer Diet (reprinted as The Anti-Aging Diet, Plaktus, UK, 2003). She studied nutritional therapy at one of the UK’s foremost nutrition colleges, the UK College of Nutrition and Health (BCNH), where she also lectures on anti-aging.

Dr. Koltis is a highly educated medical doctor certified by the American Board of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, and by the National Board of Medical Examiners. He has a background in oncology, human anatomy, human pathology and zoology.

Dr. Koltis earned his undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He then worked as a graduate student with a combined appointment in the Departments of Human Pathology and Human Anatomy doing research on congenital malformations. During that time he was also an instructor at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, teaching human anatomy. Subsequently, he attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School and received his Medical Degree in 1981. He completed four years of specialty training in Radiation Oncology at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in 1985, and since then has been in practice full-time as a radiation oncologist.

His medical practice experience includes prior affiliations with many facilities across the United States including Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, in addition to a prior visiting faculty position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1989 he moved to Greenville, North Carolina, and has been on the active medical staff at Pitt County Memorial Hospital and Lenoir Memorial Hospital. He continues to serve as the Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Lenoir Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, and is the Medical Director at the Carolina Radiation Medicine Cancer Treatment Center since that facility opened in August 1998. His long experience with radiation cancer treatment, and the availability of state-of-the-art technology at the Carolina Radiation Medicine Cancer Treatment Centerm serves to offer patients some of the best possible radiation cancer treatment in the area.

Dr. Koltis is a member of many professional organizations including:

• American College of Radiology
• American College of Radiation Oncology
• American Brachytherapy Society
• American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Medical Association
• North Carolina Medical Society
• Pitt County Medical Society
• He has previously served as President of the Lenoir-Greene County Medical Society.

Dr. Koltis is certified by the American Board of Radiology and Radiation Oncology and by the National Board of Medical Examiners. He also has the distinction of being a Fellow of The American College of Radiation Oncology (FACRO).

Dr. Fajgenbaum is a Board Certified Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North Carolina Medical Society. His interests include sports, music, and family.

Dr. Michael C. Fajgenbaum is a Board Certified Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery. He has been with the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic since 1988 and was the team Orthopaedic Surgeon for North Carolina State University Football for 20 years.

He was born and raised in Trinidad in the West Indies. After graduating from Trinity College in Trinidad with a certificate from Cambridge University, he attended Tulane University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1978. He was honored as a Tulane scholar and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma.

He went on to Tulane Medical School and graduated in 1982, earning a residency position at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He completed his Internship in General Surgery and then directly entered the Orthopaedic Department in 1983. During his residency, Dr. Fajgenbaum received additional Sports Medicine training with Dr. Fred Allman of the Sports Medicine Institute of America, at that time the team physician for Georgia Tech and a former Olympic team doctor. Dr. Fajgenbaum also served as Chief Resident, and then joined the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in 1987. During his residency, Dr. Fajgenbaum authored several publications and presented original research at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting.

Upon leaving the University of Florida, Dr. Fajgenbaum joined the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is Board Certified and has recertified with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine.

Shortly after arriving in Raleigh, he was approached by the head coach of the North Carolina State University Football team and asked to become the team Orthopaedic Surgeon. At 30 years old, that made him the youngest Orthopaedist ever to be in charge of an NCAA Division I football program. Over the years he has also served as team physician for Methodist College, the Carolina Mudcats, the Carolina Cobras and Ravenscroft School.

Dr. Fajgenbaum has served on numerous hospital committees, including Quality Assurance and Ethics. He was honored by North Carolina’s physical therapists and Governor Mike Easley by being elected to a two year term on the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in 2005.

Dr. Stevens’ expertise is built from his professional experience as a family practice and sports medicine physician, primary care multi-specialty leader, sports team physician, clinical preceptor, and civic leader.

A long-time resident of Raleigh NC, Dr. Stevens earned a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Doctor of Medicine from East Carolina University School of Medicine, completed a Family Practice Residency at the Fairfax Family Practice Program of the Medical College of Virginia and the first Sports Medicine Fellowship at UNC-Chapel Hill.

In 2004 he founded a corporate health and wellness program that supports several Fortune 100 companies. In March 2011, he founded Executive Health Professionals, PLLC to further develop his health and wellness practice. He also co-founded the American Institute of Healthcare & Fitness, LLC (AIHF) and VitalChart, LLC. In 2003 he founded and continues the practice of family and sports medicine at Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine, with offices located in Cary NC, Holly Springs NC, and at AIHF. He has served as Head Medical Team Physician for the 2006 Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997 as well as Head Company Physician for the Carolina Ballet.

He is board certified in Family Practice and in Sports Medicine and has a particular interest in corporate wellness “from the top down.” He is a dedicated husband and father of three sons, an avid surfer and aspiring triathlete.