“Experience a new way of thinking about health, experience a new you.”
In our fast paced society, information is a commodity. At HCI, we make it a priority to be on the cutting edge when it comes to Nutritional and Preventative Medicine. Dr. Strand and his staff are committed to developing high quality education, creating practical resources, and fostering an online community of like-minded individuals. Health Concepts International is a family run business, and although we are small in number, our belief in Dr. Strand's principles of health and wellness forces us to think BIG! Our mission is to help each individual experience LIFE UNINHIBITED.
Dr. Ray Strand
Founder and President of Health Concepts InternationalRay D. Strand, M.D., graduated from the University of Colorado Medical School and finished his post-graduate training at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California. He has been involved in an active private family practice for the past thirty-five years. He has focused his practice on nutritional medicine over the past 15 years while lecturing internationally on the subject across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Dr. Strand is the author of many best-selling books including: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine [Thomas Nelson 2002], Death by Prescription [Thomas Nelson 2003], Healthy for Life [Health Concepts 2005], and Living by Design [Health Concepts 2007]. Dr. Strand lives on a horse ranch in South Dakota with his wife, Elizabeth. The couple have three grown children- Donny, Nick and Sarah.
Sarah Koontz
Vice President of Health Concepts International
Sarah Koontz has been working alongside her father, Dr. Ray Strand, for more than a decade. She is passionate about his message of health and wellness, and dedicated to sharing these life-changing principles with as many people as possible. Sarah served as Project Manager during the development of Dr. Strand's Online Medical Practice at www.healthconceptsint.com, and continues to assist Dr. Strand with the vision and direction of the web site. Sarah lives in South Dakota with her husband Ryan and their two little girls.
Ryan Koontz
Web Site ManagerRyan Koontz holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. With his engineering background and specific training in Computer Numeric Controlled Milling Machines, Ryan has been an invaluable resource for us during the development of the www.healthconceptsint.com web site. His current role includes Content Management and Web Site Maintenance. Ryan is a loving and supporting husband and father.
Sammi Ricke
Support Services & Bookstore Manager
Sammi Ricke has been with Health Concepts since 2008. Her current role includes public relations, service to our membership, and monitoring website operations. She is also responsible for shipping Dr. Strand's educational material nationally and internationally. Sammi lives in South Dakota with her husband, Ryan, and two small children.
Sammi's E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Brenda Biberdorf
Registered Dietition & Healthy for Life Consultant
Brenda is a registered dietitian and a licensed nutritionist from South Dakota. She has been working
in private practice the last four years helping a wide range of people meet their health goals with the
power of lifestyle change including individuals with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, poly
cystic ovarian syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity to name a few. Brenda is excited to join the
Health Concepts International team and spread Dr. Strand's message to stop dieting and learn how
to be healthy for life. She and her husband Josh have two energetic little boys.
Sarah Brooks
Web Site EditorSarah Brooks holds a B.S. degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English. She is responsible for editing all the website content for Dr. Strand's Online Medical Practice. She is a stay-at-home mother of four young children and interested in all things related to health and wellness.
HCI Staff Photography Credit: Johnny Sundby
