Anissa Gustafson, R.D.
Anissa obtained a Bachelor of Science-Nutrition degree from Montana State University-Bozeman and then continued with her internship at the University of Nevada-Reno. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Southern Nevada Dietetic Association.

Before coming to Children's Heart Center Anissa worked as a clinical dietitian in acute care and long term-care settings. She is also experienced in outpatient nutrition consulting.

Anissa is certified in Child and Adolescent Weight Management and specializes in child nutrition and family counseling. As director of the Risk Factor Reduction Program at Childrens Heart Center, Anissa works with physicians to identify children and families at risk for health problems due to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity or family history. Anissa works with the entire family to develop better eating, exercise and lifestyle habits to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Lorie Coviello, C.E.S.
Lorie obtained a Bachelor of Science - kinesiology degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a Clinical Exercise Specialist with a comprehensive background in the areas of cardiovascular fitness and rehabilitation. Before coming to Children's Heart Center Lorie worked as an exercise specialist in both in-patient and out-patient cardiac rehabilitation programs. Lorie specializes in group and individual exercise program design. As fitness director at Children's Heart center, Lorie works with physicians as well as a registered dietician to treat children at risk for obesity related diseases. Lorie also designs exercise programs that are tailored to the specific needs of those with congenital heart problems and those with identified risk factors that may lead to future heart disease.

Dr. Beth Creel, Clinical Psychologist.
Beth is the Clinical Psychologist. She completed her undergraduate program in psychology at California State University Northridge and did a combined Masters/PhD program in clinical psychology at the California Graduate Institute. Dr. Creel also holds a certification as a grief recovery specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. Dr. Creel was the administrator at Los Feliz Gardens Home, a housing facility for the mentally ill, and the administrator for Starview Adolescent Center, a group home for adolescence in the probation system with behavior disorders. For the past 15 years, Dr. Creel has combined working with the psychiatric population in her private practice to include educating and motivating children and adults in mental health awareness and behavior modification, as well as conducting motivational corporate training programs. At the Children's Heart Center, Dr. Creel works with children and families that are dealing with existing cardiac conditions and those children who are at risk for a cardiac condition. Her work includes one to one and family counseling where effective coping skills are addressed as well as grief recovery therapy for families who have lost a loved one. Her preferred form of counseling is behavior modification through cognitive behavioral therapy.

Daniella Ferrari, R.D.
Daniella has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in Nutritional Sciences and Community Health Education. She has master's degree in Health Promotion from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and completed a dietetic internship from Marywood University. She has experience in a variety of community nutrition settings educating children and their families and has worked as a clinical dietitian. She has attended the Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management Training and the Adult Weight Management Training from the American Dietetic Association and is a certified Eating Coach. Daniella works with the entire family to develop better eating, exercise and lifestyle habits to achieve and maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Christine Riley, R.D.

Christine Riley is a Registered Dietitian certified in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nevada-Reno, and completed her dietetic internship with the V.A. Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT.

Prior to working for the Children's Heart Center, she spent over 12 years focusing her clinical experience in both long-term care and assisted living settings.

In her current position as the Risk Factor Reduction Program Supervisor, Christine counsels children and families about the importance of healthy eating, activity and lifestyle choices to help reduce their risk of developing heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

Cynthia Walton
Cynthia obtained a Bachelor of Science – Kinesiology degree from Texas A&M University and completed an internship with Scott and White Clinic in College Station, Texas. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Before coming to Children's Heart Center, Cynthia worked as the clinical exercise physiologist for the Non-Invasive Cardiology Department at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Cynthia specializes in individual and group exercise program design for children at risk for heart disease. As the exercise physiologist for the Risk Factor Reduction Program at Children's Heart Center in Reno, Cynthia works with physicians as well as a registered dietitian to treat children at risk for obesity related diseases by working with families to develop a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise.

Emily Bonabian, Exercise Physiologist
Emily obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University. Before coming to Children's Heart Center Emily worked as a Physical Therapist Technician. As part of the Cardiac Risk Factor Reduction team, she helps to create innovative ways to educates children and their families about the importance of regular physical activity.