Marilyn Magaram Center

for Food Science, Nutrition, and Dietetics


Sequoia Hall 120 
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330-8308

Phone: (818) 677-3102

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Annette Besnilian, EdD, MPH, RDN, CLE, FAND

Executive Director


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MMC Nutrition and Wellness Clinic

Nutrition Assessment and Counseling

Telehealth services are now available through the Marilyn Magaram Center (MMC) Wellness Clinic. From the comfort of your home, you can meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) using Healthie, an online platform that can be used from any device – desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile phone. In Healthie, clients can photograph meals, journal, track data, and set short-term and long-term goals. Sessions are HIPAA-compliant and tailored to meet your individualized needs. With secure video calls and messaging, you can meet one-on-one with one of the RDNs on staff who specialize in general nutrition, wellness, diabetes, cardiac health, plant-based diets, sports nutrition, gastro-intestinal health, youth sports, child nutrition, older adult nutrition, and renal health. The MMC Wellness Clinic also offers group classes, wellness workshops, and dietary analysis which are all available virtually.

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Your Health Is Our Priority

A primary destination for nutrition education and resources for the greater Los Angeles area!

To serve as the trusted nutrition and dietetics resource within our community, inspiring individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle changes through innovative education and counseling services.

Track your diet for three days using an online food journal, to generate a comprehensive report reflecting your eating habits and specific nutrient intake.

Our center houses one of the few Bod Pods in Los Angeles. Known as the gold standard for body composition measuring, this state-of-the-art technology detects small changes in body fat and lean body mass, enabling you to meet your nutrition and fitness goals as efficiently as possible.

Designed to guide individuals to a healthier and more fulfilling life, our workshops cover topics such as diabetes prevention & management, cancer & wellness, weight management, and corporate wellness. You will discover the tools and motivation to incorporate health and wellness in all aspects of your life. Activities include: 

  • Nutrition lectures
  • Food demonstrations & cooking classes
  • Gardening Workshops
  • Yoga
  • Relaxation/Mindfulness training

Gain confidence in making healthy food choices by meeting one-on-one with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in-person or online. With your specific needs in mind, our RDNs will provide you with a nutrition plan that is both realistic and attainable.

Meet Our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Jeri Gertzman 

Jeri Gertzman is a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She completed her Dietetic Internship and Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition as part of CSUN’s first Dietetic Internship class in 1991. Jeri began her clinical dietetic experience at Tarzana Hospital, providing inpatient and outpatient nutrition counseling and education to patients with diabetes. In addition to her own private practice, she has worked collaboratively with several endocrinologists, providing individualized nutrition counseling and group classes, as well as workshops and lectures for health management groups and corporate wellness programs.

Specialties: Diabetes self-management and education, medical nutrition therapy in adult and childhood weight management, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular health, plant-based diets and nutrition for health and well-being through all stages of life.

Jocceline Hernandez 

Jocceline Hernandez, MS, RD, CLEC is a CSUN Alumna earning both her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Nutrition Dietetics and Foods Science. She also completed her dietetic internship and lactation educator internship at CSUN. These experiences paved the way to her becoming a registered dietitian and a certified lactation educator who now has over 7 years of experience working at outpatient clinics, postpartum units, school districts, corporate wellness programs, and government agencies. She has experience providing group education, cooking demonstrations, grocery store tours, telehealth and individual nutrition counseling.

As a fluent Spanish speaker and San Fernando Valley native, she is eager to give back to the community she grew up to share her knowledge and passion for nutrition. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the California coast with her family and dog Odie to enjoy local cuisines and outdoor activities.

Specialties: Diabetes, Pediatric and Adult Weight Management, Perinatal Nutrition.

Simona Hradil

Simona Hradil is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from California State University at Northridge, where she is the Sports Dietitian for the Marilyn Magaram Center collaborating with the University’s Athletics Department. Simona specializes in sports nutrition, weight management, gastrointestinal conditions, and eating disorders. She is also the project manager for the BOD POD, where she conducts body composition testing on athletes, students, faculty, and the community. 

Alejandra Perez 

Alejandra Perez, MS, RDN initiated her career in dietetics out of concern for the high rates of obesity and diabetes seen in low-income communities. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Science from UC Berkeley and then completed her Masters in Human Nutrition and dietetic internship at California State University, Northridge. Alejandra enjoys educating others on disease prevention and management. Her ability to communicate fluently in Spanish makes her a great asset in communities with a large Hispanic population. She has worked as a clinic supervisor for WIC, as an outpatient dietitian, and as a project coordinator for CSUN's Marilyn Magaram Center overseeing parent nutrition education programs. Her goal is to help families adopt healthy dietary habits

Specialities: Pediatric and Adult Weight Management, Prenatal Nutrition, Cardiology, Malnutrition, and Diabetes. 

Shely Salemnia

Shely Salemnia, MS, RD, CLE, is a Registered Dietitian passionate about educating others on nutrition and health. She holds her Masters in Human Nutrition from CSUN and her Bachelors in Nutrition from NYU, and completed her Dietetic Internship at CSUN with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and WIC. Shely currently practices Medical Nutrition Therapy at a hospital in Los Angeles, helping people living with Heart Disease, Diabetes, liver diseases, malnutrition, cancer, among other conditions and prevention throughout every stage of the life cycle. She also works in the Neonatal ICU helping babies grow and aiding new mothers with breastfeeding as a Certified Lactation Educator. Most recently Shely has been teaching the Well-Nourished Nutrition Series through the MMC for cancer patients with Tower Cancer Research where she teaches all about nutrition in relation to cancer.  

Specialties: Oncology, Diabetes, Lactation, Sports, Cultural Competency, Plant-based Nutrition  

Madeline Hoeks 

Maddie Hoeks is a Registered Dietitian who completed her dietetic internship and Master’s in Human Nutrition at California State University, Northridge. She started her career in Geriatric nutrition working with adult day health care centers. She currently works as a clinical Dietitian with Providence Healthcare. Her passion is Diabetes care and she has been working with the Marilyn Magaram Center over the past two years in teaching courses for the Thrive With Diabetes Program.

Marilyn Magaram Center

for Food Science, Nutrition, and Dietetics


Sequoia Hall 120 
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330-8308

Phone: (818) 677-3102

Send email

Annette Besnilian, EdD, MPH, RDN, CLE, FAND

Executive Director


Send email

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