Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine

Erminia M. Guarneri, M.D., FACC, medical director and founder

An English literature major as an undergraduate at New York University, Dr. Guarneri earned her Master’s degree in bioengineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York and her medical degree from SUNY Medical Center in New York where she graduated number one in her class. She served her internship and residency at Cornell Medical Center, where she was chief medical resident, and served cardiology fellowships at both New York University Medical Center and at Scripps Clinic.

Since 1995, she has been an attending interventional cardiologist at Scripps Clinic and is currently a member of Scripps Clinic Medical Group. Dr. Guarneri founded the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in 1999 with a vision to heal people through science and compassion.

A member of the American College of Cardiology, Alpha Omega Alpha, the American Medical Women’s Association and a diplomat of American Board of Holistic Medicine, Dr. Guarneri is board certified in cardiology, internal medicine, nuclear medicine, and holistic medicine and holds licenses in New York and California. She has authored several articles that have appeared in professional journals such as the Journal of Echocardiography and the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Guarneri participated as a member of the writing committee for the American College of Cardiology Foundation Complementary Medicine Expert Consensus Document. This expert consensus statement on integrating complementary medicine into cardiovascular medicine was published in 2005. Click here to view the pdf.

With ground-breaking new research and unparalleled experience, Dr. Guarneri weaves the science and drama of the heart’s unfolding in her new book, The Heart Speaks, a poignant collection of stories from heart patients who have benefited from integrative medicine approaches. Her book The Heart Speaks and the Center’s lifestyle change program have been featured on the Today Show.

She has been recognized for her national leadership in integrative medicine by the Bravewell Collaborative. Read press release about her nomination for the Bravewell Award

R. Brett Ringler, executive director

Brett received his undergraduate degree in health care administration from California State University, Northridge and has achieved board certification through the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) along with the designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE).

Brett is an experienced and proven leader with more than 20 years of managerial and executive experience in health care, has written articles for professional publications and has served as an expert witness in several practice management cases.

Before coming to Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, he spent eight years as a practice management consultant and served in many interim management roles. Earlier practice management positions include the roles of administrator and chief financial officer with large physician practices. With a strong interest in entrepreneurial business, he specializes in strategic planning, practice mergers and start-ups, financial management, physician compensation and conflict resolution. Brett has a particular interest in integrative medicine and is sensitive and responsive to patients who need and want health care options that include a focus on healing body, mind and spirit.

At Scripps Integrative Medicine, he is dedicated to facilitating the best possible corporate culture and operational environment that supports the highest levels of quality medical care in a healing environment. During the past three years, Brett has been instrumental in the successful financial turnaround of the Center by implementing solid operational infrastructure.

Brett is simultaneously serving as executive director of cardiology at Scripps Clinic. Brett is a NAUI certified SCUBA diving instructor, avid Sport fisherman and regularly competes in open water swimming events such as the annual La Jolla Rough Water Swim 3-mile Gatorman® and the La Jolla Tour of Buoys 5-mile swim. He lives in San Marcos with his wife and two children.

Rauni Prittinen King, R.N., B.S.N., H.N.C., CHTP/I, director of programs and planning and founder

Rauni has more than 20 years of experience in critical care nursing. She is a certified Healing Touch practitioner and instructor, who has been coordinating Healing Touch workshops at Scripps hospitals since 1993. Rauni teaches Healing Touch, provides holistic consultations, designs programs and gives presentations on lifestyle changes and healing environments in the United States and Europe. She was previously the nurse case manager for the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease—now the Healing Hearts Program. Rauni received a BSN cum laude from Arizona State University.

She is a certified holistic nurse and is also certified in hypnotherapy. Additionally, she has a degree in interior design. Rauni is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and Healing Touch International. She integrates complementary healing with traditional medicine and sees herself as a bridge in the process.