Meet Our Staff at Kotsanis Institute
Beverly Kotsanis
Chief Executive Officer
I’m Beverly Kotsanis and I have been operations manager of the Kotsanis Institute of Functional Medicine since we opened our doors in Texas in 1983. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the Loyola University of Chicago and have attended postgraduate studies in business at Rosary College, River Forest, IL, and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. I love this place. There is always something new to learn and the patients are fascinating. Our team is awesome, and they are really more than just a team. Over the years, they have become my family. As a matter of fact, we have several family members on staff here. Jana and Lindsay are mother and daughter. Of course, I am "married to my job," having worked with my husband, Dr, Kotsanis, now for more than 35 years. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We always celebrate each other’s birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and sometimes divorces. Everyone on staff, who has a child or children, has had one or more of them work in our office at some time or another. Who says you can’t pick your family?
David Smithson, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Smithson attended college at the University of Mississippi, and medical school at the University of Oklahoma. During his medical career, Dr. Smithson completed his internal medicine residency at O.U. Tulsa, and later did a sports medicine fellowship in Birmingham, AL at the American Sports Medicine Institute, headed by Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Smithson has accomplished many things during his lengthy medical career, including private practice, working for the United States Navy, and serving as a team physician for the Auburn University Athletic Department. Dr. Smithson began to transition to functional medicine more than 12 years ago, including work in bio-identical hormones, nutrition, stem cells, exosomes, platelet rich plasma (PRP), and oxygen therapies.
Pam Rust
Administration
I’m Pam Rust, and I love children. As a clinical medical assistant, every day here brings something new and wonderful. You never know what the kids are going to say. Our wonderful patients keep me on my toes and always laughing. In my 17 years working with Dr. Kotsanis and our team, I have met hundreds of kids and adults from all over the world. I regularly attend continuing education meetings and meet new people. As a native of Ft. Worth, TX, I never expected to meet so many different kinds of people. We really get to know our patients. I love every minute I work here.
Jennifer Hughes
Administration
Hey there! I’m Jennifer and I’m part of the administration team here at Kotsanis. I’m a born and bred Texan and a TCU graduate…GO FROGS! I have a son and a crazy golden pyrenees, both keep me busy when not at work. I’m an extroverted introvert who loves helping people, which makes it perfect for the work we do here. Our patients are all like family to us and that’s something you just don’t see at typical doctors’ offices.
Rachel Jackson
Registered Nurse
Hi! My name is Rachel Jackson, I have been working with Dr. Kotsanis and staff since January 2019 as part of the clinical staff. I graduated from LVN school in 2013 and came onboard here while I was in school for my RN license. I graduated with my RN license December 2019 and grateful Dr. Kotsanis and Beverly were so helpful while I finished my degree. I love working here with the staff an helping our patients down their journey. I am grateful to be here and be a part of this awesome team!
Diane DeMore, BS, CCN
Holistic Nutritionist
Hi, I’m Diane DeMore and I am a Holistic Nutritionist, with over 25 years of experience in the alternative health field.
I received a BS in Holistic Nutrition, through Clayton College of Natural Health in 2006. I also hold a Certified Nutritionist degree, through NINES, and Certified Nutritional Consultant through the Nutrition Institute, Kansas City, MO. I hold certifications in kinesiology and microbiology, and a homeopathic doctorate for animals. I am married, and my husband is a rancher and commercial hay farmer, and we have a small farm, with 4 horses (3 are rescues), 2 mini donkeys, 2 family cows, 3 sheep and 2 dogs, so I enjoy animal homeopathy with all of them. I also have an extensive knowledge of nutritional supplementation, and have worked in retail health food stores, and other clinics. I am a good go-to person for vitamin questions.
Nakos Kotsanis
Micronutrient-phytochemical anti-cancer researcher
I am here to keep Dr. Kotsanis well informed and scientifically documented through Pubmed articles concerning integrative medical literature. Due to my scientific interest in vitamin C and cancer. I have the contacts (i.e. Dr. Hickey, Dr. Lawson at Oregon State University, Dr. González-Guzmán, Dr. Levy, and of course Greek scientists that support us) that I make with great scientists who are experts in vitamin C research and its usefulness in health and medicine. I also advise and inform with the guidance of Dr. Kotsanis’ people, who with their consent, would like to learn how to prevent or approach an illness, such as cancer, through our Actouarios Nutritional Therapy (research and anecdotal observations).
In addition, I give talks on behalf of the Kotsanis Institute on integrative medicine to doctors and scientists. I provide "open-to-the-audience" seminars to discuss the usefulness of micronutrients and phytochemicals on health and quality of life. I also continue updating the Actouarios protocols according to recent scientific data, patient’s feedback, and personal contacts. The literature and research never stop.
I believe in keeping us internationally known and to make the public become aware of the effort and dedication that my mentor, Dr. Kotsanis, has been putting into integrative medicine for the last 30 years. For me, it is a great honor to work beside him.
