Join Michelle Larivee and Penny Ashford for an Empowering Brain Health Conversation Hosted by WTHN | Moderated by Deborah Norville
Penny Ashford and Michelle Larivee, Founder of WTHN, would love for you to join us for an evening focused on brain health. Together we will hear from some of today's leading voices in preventative health:
Dr. Kellyann Niotis - the first preventatively trained neurologist
Dr. Juveria Abdullah - Expert in internal and integrative medicine
Dr. Ralph Esposito - Naturopathic physician, supplements + integrative medicine, and Chief Science Officer of AG1
Hollie Hristov, PA - Preventative Brain Health Specialist
We'll explore what you can do now to protect and optimize your cognitive function for the long term, the latest on creatine and protein for brain support, smart exercise strategies (both physical and mental), and how medications like GLP-1s interact with muscle mass and cognition.
The conversation will be moderated by Deborah Norville. It promises to be an engaging event of ideas, insights, and inspiration around keeping our brains healthy and thriving.
EVENT ELEMENTS:
Express Acupuncture & Ear Seeding*: Experience the ancient practices that help keep the body and mind in balance (5:30-6:30)
Panel Discussion: Experts share their practical, evidence-based strategies to preserve and enhance brain function (6:30-7:30)
Light Bites and Drinks from Honeybrains
*limited availability
MEET THE PANELISTS:
Dr. Kellyann Niotis is a preventive neurologist specializing in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Lewy Body Dementia risk reduction, and the world’s first fellowship-trained physician in this field. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine and the Director of Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia Prevention Research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases. She also runs a private practice in New York City dedicated to personalized brain health care. A leading voice in dementia prevention, she blends cutting-edge research, clinical expertise, and compassionate care to help patients protect and optimize their brain health before symptoms begin.
Dr. Juveria ("Juvy") Abdullah is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine, known for her whole-person approach to care. She serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and practices at a private concierge primary care and integrative medicine clinic in Manhattan. A graduate of Columbia University and Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Abdullah combines her academic background with evidence-based strategies in nutrition, sleep, movement, gut health, and mind-body wellness to support lasting health. She has practiced and taught medicine at leading institutions and continues to advocate for holistic high-quality care.
Dr. Ralph Esposito is a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in preventive and lifestyle medicine to extend healthspan. He completed his medical internship in Urology at NYU Langone, holds a clinical Master’s in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and is an IFM Certified Practitioner. His clinical background includes working alongside some of the most respected leaders in longevity and preventive medicine, bringing that expertise into his own integrative, evidence-based approach. Dr. Esposito serves as Chief Science Officer at AG1, where he has led the company in scaling global research and formulation efforts focused on precision nutrition solutions. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at New York University.
Hollie Hristov is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Preventive Neurology and among the first nurse practitioners in the U.S. formally trained in this field. She began her career at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she trained alongside leaders in Alzheimer’s prevention, contributing to the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic and serving as Director of Clinical Operations for the Women’s Brain Initiative. Hollie’s clinical expertise lies in developing personalized, evidence-based care plans that integrate genetics, lifestyle, and medical risk factors to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. She currently serves as a research consultant at the Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases Florida, where her work focuses on translating cutting-edge research into proactive strategies for long-term brain health.
Kirstin Bunton MSTOM, LAC is a licensed acupuncturist that values natural herbal remedies, along with acupuncture, as a way to keep the body in a state of vitality. In sessions with Kirstin, you’ll find a tailored treatment that provides your body the space to regain balance and harmony, as well as a literal and figurative “therapeutic touch” to your overall wellness journey.
THE MODERATOR:
Deborah Norville is a nationally known broadcaster, two-time Emmy© winner and New York Times Best Selling author. She was recognized as the longest running anchor in American television when she stepped away from her 30-plus year run at the helm of the syndicated television news magazine “Inside Edition” in May 2025. She now hosts a new trivia game show called “The Perfect Line,” which premiered in the fall of 2025. She is the author of several books, including the New York Times Best-Seller, Thank You Power: Making the SCIENCE of Gratitude Work for YOU, detailing the science behind the practice of gratitude and the cognitive benefits that can result. She is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Emmy© Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Science Daytime Emmys. She has also been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and is a member of the inaugural class of Grady Fellows at the University of Georgia. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Women’s Forum of New York, and Women Corporate Directors, and a director for the Broadcasters Foundation of America.