REGISTERED DIETITIANS

(our nutrition experts)

Emily Gelsomin
MLA, RD, LDN

Co-director of Be Fit

Emily is a senior clinical outpatient dietitian with a Bachelor of Nutritional Science from Penn State and a Master of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy from Boston University. She has worked at MGH since 2005 and helped develop the hospital's Choose Well Eat Well program.  She has written for Harvard Health and regularly posts articles for MGH. She is committed to improving our societal relationship with food. As an avid cook, she believes in the power of both vegetables and warm bread. ​

Kelsey Whalen
​RD, LDN

Clinical Dietitian

Kelsey is a clinical outpatient dietitian with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and Bachelor of Arts in theater from UMass Amherst. She also has a background in hospital food service management. Kelsey is a lover of yoga, music and the outdoors. She is passionate for educating her patients about nutrition and helping them to develop healthy habits. Kelsey guides her patients to identify barriers to wellness in their everyday life and then works with them to develop lasting solutions.

Erin Child
MS, RD, LDN

Clinical Dietitian

Erin is a clinical outpatient dietitian with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Oberlin College, Dietetic Certificate from Simmons University, and Master of Science in Nutrition Interventions, Communication and Behavior Change from Tufts University. She completed her dietetic internship at MGH and joined the hospital's outpatient nutrition team shortly after. Erin is passionate about finding small, sustainable changes that her patients can make to support their long terms goals. 

Lillian Sonnenberg
DSC, RD, LDN

Be Fit Founder Emeritus 

Lillian was part of the MGH team that developed and implemented Be Fit in 2005 and the Choose Well Eat Well program in 2010. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Simmons College, a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, a Doctorate of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Boston University, and was also an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School.  Lillian is passionate about employee wellness, helping people navigate healthy food choices, and simplifying nutrition messages.

PERSONAL TRAINERS

(our fitness experts)


Cliff Seeto

      Co-director of Be Fit     

Cliff is the General Manager of The Clubs at Charles River Park.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Springfield College and has over 35 years of experience in the industry working in large multi-purpose health clubs, as well as with a fitness equipment manufacturer.  He has been with CCRP/MGH since 2001 and has helped develop and expand the Be Fit program since its inception in 2005.  He believes keeping active is key to a long, healthy life for your mind as well as your body. 


Joe Dankese

Fitness Director

Joe was encouraged to participate in sports at an early age and came to enjoy how much stronger he felt when he worked out.  He went on to study exercise science in college and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer.  He aims to design workouts to enhance performance and achieve optimum physical fitness while also improving quality of life.


TJ Chella

NASM Certified Trainer

Becoming a personal trainer was a no-brainer for TJ.  Growing up, he was always involved in sports. He later realized he could take his passion for fitness and make it a career. He works using different training styles to tailor individual responses and gets great pleasure helping to push people to reach their goals and achieve more than they thought possible.


Danny Murphy

Corrective Exercise Specialist

Danny is certified by National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). As a trainer at Williams College and North Adams State College, he had the opportunity to train, assess, and rehabilitate athletes in a variety of sports. Danny became a personal trainer so he could continue teaching and learning every day to help individuals reach their peak performance.

Robert Chalukian

NASM Certified Trainer

Robert has been involved in fitness for nearly three decades. He has completed marathons, triathlons, and has trained in martial arts. He places emphasis on functional training and his fitness programs include strength training, aerobic conditioning, plyometrics, and flexibility. For Robert, exercise is a way of life.  He takes it very seriously and has fun doing it. He believes staying fit is the real fountain of youth. 

Steve Power

NASM Certified Trainer

Steve had an early interest in both sports and health.  He has been with the Be Fit program since its inception and was a revered trainer at The Clubs at Charles River Park well before that.  He maintains a following of loyal clients and specializes in weight and resistance training for a variety of fitness levels and needs.
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