Laurel, Md. – Maryland University of Integrative Health is pleased to announce that it has appointed Dr. Duston Morris as the new chair of its health and wellness coaching department. He brings a wealth of professional experiences to the role as a health and wellness professional, faculty member, researcher, and academic administrator.
Dr. Morris’ career includes a strong emphasis on individual and community health and wellness. Since 1990, he has developed and managed health, wellness, fitness, personal training, and recreation programs in a variety of clinical and community settings. He is also the recipient and nominee of numerous professional awards and currently serves as the President of the Arkansas Society of Public Health Education and is an Education/Credentialing Ambassador for the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). He has an extensive record of research and scholarly publications and presentations. His research activities include work in physical activity and exercise, health behavior, and interprofessional education. He is a senior editor of the international multidisciplinary MedCrave Online Journal of Public Health and serves as a reviewer for the International Journal of Psychological Studies and the American Journal of Men’s Health. Dr. Morris is professionally active with the Society of Public Health Education, the American Council on Exercise, and USA Triathlon.
“Health and Wellness Coaching is a critical component of the client support and care continuum. It’s a profession that helps people move forward on that care continuum by developing a genuine partnership with each person, where coaches use creative and engaging techniques and strategies that help facilitate the behavioral change process. With lifestyle-related disease and illness accounting for about half all mortality and a large majority of health care costs, people would greatly benefit from health care professionals that address how the interaction between personal choice, behavior, and their environment impact health and overall quality of life. This is exactly the role of the health and wellness coach. Coaches go beyond general health and well-being. They help their clients thrive and flourish.” said Dr. Morris.
Dr. Morris holds a Ph.D. in Health Behavior and Health Promotion from the University of Arkansas and an M.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is certified as a health education specialist through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing and a certified health coach through the American Council on Exercise.
“Dr. Morris brings a student-centered perspective with an emphasis on preparing graduates for both current and future job markets. His background as a health education specialist broadens the expertise within the department, and his combination of research, teaching and administrative experience is ideal for leading the academic programs forward,” notes Dr. James Snow, Dean of Academic Affairs.
About Maryland University of Integrative Health
Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) is a leading academic institution focused on the study and practice of integrative health and wellness and one of the few universities in the U.S. dedicated solely to such practices. Deeply rooted in a holistic philosophy, its model for integrative health and wellness is grounded in whole-person, relationship-centered, evidence-informed care.
Since 1974, MUIH has been a values-driven community educating practitioners and professionals to become future health and wellness leaders through transformative programs grounded in traditional wisdom and contemporary science.
MUIH has more than 20 progressive graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, offered on-campus and online. In the on-campus Natural Care Center and community outreach settings, MUIH provides compassionate and affordable healthcare from student interns and professional practitioners, which delivers more than 20,000 clinical treatments and consultations each year.
For more information visit www.muih.edu