Meet the Experts

Dr. Terry Schaack has devoted his medical career to the highest levels of patient care and cutting-edge medical research. For more than 15 years, Dr. Schaack was in private practice, providing primary and preventive care to patients in Southern California. He maintains hospital privileges at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California where he was recently elected secretary of the medical staff. Before going into private practice, Dr. Schaack served as a hospital intensivist and as a Director of Emergency Services. At California Health & Longevity Institute, Inc. he is a Medical Director.

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester, New York, Dr. Schaack received his medical education at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Additionally, he trained in internal medicine at Ohio State University and did sub-specialty training in Rheumatology at UCLA. Currently, Dr. Schaack is the primary investigator for a National Genetics Institute study on DNA breakdown and repair. Dr. Schaack received a Senior Rheumatology Scholar Award by the American College of Rheumatology and in 2006 he was nominated as one of the “Best Doctors in America.”

With an ability to translate the latest scientific medical research in nutrition into tips and strategies easily understood by consumers, California Health & Longevity Institute Director of Nutrition Paulette Lambert, RD, CDE (registered dietitian and certified diabetic educator) is a nationally recognized expert in her field.  In addition to being a sought-after speaker for corporate meetings and conferences in the fields of insurance, healthcare, consumer products and more, she can be seen as the nutrition expert on ABC’s Extreme Makeover:  Weight Loss Edition.  She has also appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, KNBC Los Angeles, KABC Los Angeles and KCBS Los Angeles.  She is a regular contributor to Organic Spa and A Woman’s Health magazines as well as being cited frequently for her expertise in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Shape, Los Angeles Times, Smart Meetings and more.

As the Director of Nutrition for the Institute since its opening in 2006, Paulette develops the nutrition programs and protocols for individual consultations, workshops for consumers and corporate groups including “Smart Dining Out” and “Strategies for Healthy Eating” and the popular Wellness Kitchen.  This interactive food experience, a signature program at the Institute, combines nutrition education with a hands-on cooking class in a fun yet informative class set in a made-for-television demonstration kitchen.  Paulette’s passion for delicious food and cooking (she is a self-described “foodie”) allows her to create recipes for the Wellness Kitchen that are infused with flavor and chock full of nutritional content while satisfying even the pickiest of palates.  (In fact, she applied to study pastry at the Culinary Institute of America before deciding to pursue a career in nutrition.) She also provides nutrition support for healthy menu options developed for the restaurants, in-room dining and banquet facilities at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, where the Institute is located.  She works closely with the Institute’s medical team to provide care for each guest’s personal health strategies and needs.  Paulette also spearheads the Institute’s partnerships with local school systems to provide healthier lunch programs for area children.

With more than 30 years of experience in her field, Paulette’s vast experience with clinical nutrition includes expertise in the areas of weight management,  diabetes, heart disease prevention and cardiac care, cancer prevention and management, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, food allergies, supplements, sports training and more.  As a certified diabetic educator, she has lectured extensively for the American Diabetes Association

A graduate of California State University at Northridge, Paulette holds a degree in nutrition and completed her residency at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Texas.  After finishing her studies, Paulette worked for hospitals in Texas and Southern California before becoming the first registered dietitian in California to move to private practice. 

Susan Block began her career in the fitness industry in 1982 at the Sports Club/LA, where she was an aerobics instructor, facility manager, and director of activities over ten years.  In 1993, she managed Warner Brother’s fitness center and later became a fitness consultant for the Motion Picture and Television Industry’s Wellness Program.  By 1998, Susan developed a national fitness coaching program called “Fitness by Phone”.  She has been featured as an expert on exercise adherence in various publications and television shows, including The LA Times, Chicago Tribune, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  Susan holds a degree from UCLA in Kinesiology and Business Administration, and has been a faculty member for the American Council on Exercise since 2000.

Born and raised in Northern California into a family of spa professionals, Damien Craft knew that he would be involved in the spa industry at a very early age.  By age 18 Craft was a certified Massage Therapist and over the next several years Craft held Lead positions in day spas and health clubs throughout the Central Coast of California.  With over 15 years of experience, Damien has held senior management positions at premiere resorts such as Bacara Resort & Spa, Grande Wailea Resort and La Quinta Resort & Club, PGA West. Damien Craft represents Four Seasons Westlake Village as Spa Director of the largest spa within the company: a 41,000 square foot facility featuring 28 treatment rooms and an upscale Fitness Center.  Damien brings passion and energy to his position and is thrilled to provide support and dynamic leadership within one of the Institute’s fundamental pillars.