Our Staff

Judith Nolan

PhD, MSN, NP-C, Center Director

Judy was called to nursing later in her career. She began her career as a research scientist but was drawn to medicine as she was interested in seeing the application of basic research. She chose nursing because she enjoyed providing ongoing care for patients and having the special relationship patients develop with their nurses.

Her desire to become a nurse practitioner was driven by her belief that the more care that is provided in an outpatient setting, the better, which is where nurse practitioners excel. One of Judy’s main goals is to keep patients out of hospitals and living and interacting in the community while they are undergoing care. Judy has a particular interest in non-medication-based treatments, so the holistic approach of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a perfect fit. She especially enjoys the great teamwork with her colleagues at 8th Element and watching her patients heal quickly and successfully.

In her spare time, Judy is usually attached to her dog and enjoys cooking with her husband.

Joseph S. LoPresti

MD, FACS, Supervising Physician

Dr. LoPresti graduated from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, then completed his residency in General Surgery at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. He entered private practice following this, while also serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at LAC-USC. He moved to Seattle several years later, where he continued in private practice as well as becoming a member of the teaching faculty in surgery at Swedish Medical Center. It was here that he had his first experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of life-threatening bacterial infections.

He returned with his family to their native California to re-establish practice there. Through these years, he has gained experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the healing of complex wounds and post-operative compromised wounds. When Dr. Gordon approached him with the opportunity to become involved with 8th Element, he did so enthusiastically to expand the knowledge and experience with hyperbaric oxygen in surgical patients. He believes that hyperbaric oxygen has the potential to be a valuable adjunct in the healing of post-operative wounds and looks forward to expanding the horizons of knowledge and utilization.

In his free time, Dr. LoPresti enjoys playing, writing, and recording music in his home studio, bicycling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Hugo Moreno

Hyperbaric Technician

Hugo Moreno was both born and raised in the Bay Area. A certified emergency medical technician by profession, he garnered experience through years of service on an ambulance. Currently, Hugo finds himself enrolled in a fire academy with aspirations of securing a role as a full-time firefighter in the Bay Area.

During his leisure hours, Hugo derives pleasure from strumming the guitar, embarking on hikes with his dogs, and exploring record stores.

Trenton Louie

Hyperbaric Technician

Trenton began his career in engineering, working for several tech companies. During this time, he developed a stronger desire to help others and wanted to make an impact in people's lives. When the COVID pandemic hit, he came to the realization that the best way to make a difference may be to join healthcare. He is now currently learning the coursework while gaining in-person skills at the center in order to make the transition to nursing.

When not balancing classes or helping patients, he enjoys working out at the gym and catching up on sleep. He also tries to motivate his very lazy dog to move more by playing catch and going on walks. At home, he tends to his plants, experimenting with trying to grow unique and uncommon garden and indoor ones. And every now and then when inspiration hits, he'll also pick up a paintbrush and canvas.

Julia Nicholson

Hyperbaric Technician

Julia is a recent graduate from University of California, Berkeley, where she studied Mathematics and Computer Science. After years of staring at a computer screen, she took her desire to care for people in their time of need and became an EMT. She is interested in studying healthcare, particularly holistic medicine. When she’s not helping at 8th element, Julia is climbing a rock, catching a wave, running, or doodling.

Shay Smiley

Hyperbaric Technician

Shay is a recent graduate of the University of California, Davis, where she studied Human Development. She is currently applying for a Master of Science in Nursing and plans to pursue a Doctorate of Nursing Practice to become a healthcare provider. She enjoys working at the clinic, gaining valuable healthcare and patient experience that prepares her to be a well-rounded nurse and individual. Outside of the clinic, she loves immersing herself in nature, surfing, practicing yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Eesha Singh

Hyperbaric Technician

Eesha recently graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied Human Biology. She is currently applying to medical school and aspires to become a pediatric neurologist, serving underserved neurodiverse communities. Eesha leads two nonprofit organizations focused on health education and resource distribution in her spare time.

Toshie Dempsey

Nurse Practitioner

Toshie started her career as a certified nurse midwife and handled 294 deliveries directly and assisted thousands of deliveries and OB/GYN surgeries in Tokyo, Japan. After she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area decades ago, she continued her nursing career focusing on women’s health. Reproductive health, endocrinology, and infertility (REI) is where she started serving in the LGBTQ community for 15 years to achieve their dream of building their family via third-party reproduction. Later, she earned a certified nurse practitioner degree and focused on performing health assessments on patients undergoing third-party reproductive services, primary care practice, and home visits.

At the 8th Element, she enjoys being part of the team to support patients during the challenging transition of becoming their true selves. Her goal is to focus on each patient’s well-being as a whole person in the multicultural community. It is a great reward to assist each wonderful and unique individual in the LGBTQ+ community. She strives to provide a feeling of security and comfort as if they are at home.

In her spare time, she spends time strolling on the beach with her two golden retrievers, enjoys gardening, and travels around the world.

Norma Perez

Nurse Practitioner

Norma is a Nurse Practitioner with a diverse background in healthcare and a passion for integrative care. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in Gender and Women’s Studies, with a focus on health, social justice, and marginalized communities.

She then completed the Master of Science in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). These experiences have shaped her approach to patient care, emphasizing cultural sensitivity, advocacy, and a holistic view of health.

Her clinical experience includes Emergency Medicine where she learned to provide high-quality care in multidisciplinary teams under pressure while addressing the psychological, social, and emotional needs of patients. Her passion for integrative medicine was influenced by her grandmother’s pharmacopeia garden, filled with healing herbs and natural remedies, which was a key part of her early understanding of health and wellness.

Outside of her professional life, she finds joy in spending time outdoors. On her days off, she enjoys walking her cats at the park, riding her bike, and hiking.