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During a break year before starting college, Bethany Brady developed her passion for nutrition while traveling the world. She witnessed the ravages of malnutrition up close and wanted to learn how to help.

Before pursuing her PhD, Dr. Karrie Curry was an endurance athlete, having competed in eight triathlons, seven marathons and several century cycle races.

Both Brady and Curry bring their vast life, educational and professional experiences to The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. They are now faculty members in department of Personalized Health and Well-Being in the School of Health Professions.

“We’re thrilled to have both Dr. Karrie Curry and Bethany Brady on our

team,” said Dr. Misti Zablosky, the department’s chair and associate professor. “Each of their experiences and expertise aligns perfectly with our department’s mission, and we eagerly anticipate their valuable contributions to our students, department and community. In a meaningful way, each advance our department’s vision of aligning health care and optimal health by being the leading personalized health and well-being department in the nation.”

Curry joins SHP as the newest faculty in the Master of Science in Lifestyle Science program. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Studies and a Master of Science in Kinesiology. She recently served as an exercise physiologist and clinical research coordinator II at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. There, she managed the clinical exercise lab, administered assessments and crafted cardiovascular exercise programs for study participants. She also served as an adjunct instructor in Kinesiology at Tarrant County College District.

Brady is the program director and assistant professor of clinical nutrition. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and a B.S. in Nutrition and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She boasts extensive work experience, including roles as program director at Abilene Christian University and diabetes educator at the Hendrick Diabetes Center. She also worked for the John Peter Smith Hospital System in Fort Worth.

Brady, an Abilene native, said she was drawn to HSC in part because it’s a values-based institution with an emphasis on interdisciplinary education.

“I love that leadership saw this need for nutrition and wanted it highlighted as a part of whole health,” she said. “A lot of other times in my career, I’ve felt like I had to knock on people’s door for them to consider nutrition as a part of patient’s health and well-being. Here, I feel like they understand the value and how it fits in to the bigger picture. I think the dietetics program fits in very well with the whole health initiative on campus.”

Curry said she was always drawn to teaching and exercise. Initially, she wanted to pursue sports psychology. When she enrolled in an exercise physiology class, it changed her entire career trajectory.

“This human body machine is the most amazing thing,” she said. “How it reacts to exercise and physical stress is fascinating, so I continued down that path.”

“I hope to bring this idea of evidence-based healthy living to the department — taking what’s out in research right now relevant to whole health, environmental health, all of the dimensions of wellness and trying to translate that into becoming better health coaches.”

Glenn Forister, dean of the SHP, believes these hires further solidify the Personalized Health & Well-Being department as the premier, most forward-thinking in the country.

“I want to congratulate Bethany Brady and Dr. Karrie Curry on joining our team and its critical mission to create solutions for a healthier community by providing innovative training in health and wellness for the management and prevention of chronic disease,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of how fast our Personalized Health & Well-Being department has grown and the impact it’s already having on the community. I’m excited to see that work continue.”

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