Our Team

Faculty

Misti Zablosky 002

Misti Zablosky, PhD, LAT, CHWC, DipACLM

Chair and Associate Professor
Director- Physical Health/ForeverFit
Diplomate International Board of Lifestyle Medicine
IREB 460L
817-735-2756
misti.zablosky@unthsc.edu

Bio

Dr. Zablosky is a distinguished professional with a diverse background spanning education and healthcare. She achieved her Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University in May 2012, with a research focus on the “Assessment of Burnout in Athletic Training.” Her academic journey also includes an M.S. in Kinesiology with a Minor in Athletic Training from the University of North Texas, along with a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science, specializing in Athletic Training, and a Minor in Biology from Tarleton State University.

Currently holding the position of Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being, Dr. Zablosky plays a pivotal role in the administration and development of educational programs.

Dr. Zablosky boasts an extensive career, notably as an Associate Professor of Health and Wellness at Paul Quinn College. Here, she served as the founding department head for the college’s inaugural bachelor’s degree program in Health and Wellness. Her unwavering commitment to curriculum development, faculty leadership, and student advisement made a substantial impact on the program’s remarkable success.

In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Zablosky has made significant contributions to the field of healthcare as a Clinical Athletic Trainer at Sports Medicine-Children’s Medical Center. Her comprehensive care, expertise in concussion testing, rehabilitation, and injury prevention have benefited numerous patients.

Dr. Zablosky is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a multifaceted career dedicated to advancing health and wellness through education and healthcare expertise.

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Bethany Brady, MPH, RD, LD, CDES

Program Director Clinical Nutrition and Assistant Professor
IREB 470C
817-735-2758
Bethany.brady@unthsc.edu

Bio

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Debbie Gillespie, EdD, MS, RDN/LD, NBC-HWC, ACC, DipACLM

Assistant Professor
Diplomate International Board of Lifestyle Medicine
IREB 470D
817-735-7638
deborah.gillespie@unthsc.edu

Bio

Debbie Gillespie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being. She is one of the first International Board of Lifestyle Medicine certified Registered and Licensed dietitians in the U.S. with over 30 years of experience across a broad spectrum of dietetics including clinical, oncology and cardiovascular research, renal, health promotion, and public health education.

She earned her B.S. in Dietetics from Miami University, an M.S. in Medical Dietetics from Saint Louis University, and an EdD in Health Professions Education from A.T.Still University. She has completed advanced Professional and Faculty Wellcoaches® trainings, has earned the ACC credential through the International Coach Federation (ICF), and is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. 

She has served as the founding Interim Chair for the Department of Lifestyle Health Sciences, the Program Director for the Graduate Certificate in Lifestyle Health, and has been a leader in providing nutrition, emotional intelligence, culinary and lifestyle medicine education at HSC.

She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and learning about different countries and cultures, and is passionate about nutrition education and health coaching.

“I am thrilled to be collaborating with an extraordinary team of educators and researchers who recognize the important role coaches play in facilitating growth and expanding the capacity for sustainable lifestyle change for optimal health, vitality and well-being.”

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Cynthia Powell, MA, CHWC, IWLC

Assistant Professor
IREB 480C
817-735-2764

Cynthia.powell@unthsc.edu

Bio

Cynthia earned her M.A. in Education and Human Development with a Concentration in Organizational Leadership and Learning from The George Washington University, and a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Social Science with a Concentration in Psychology and Sociology from James Madison University.  She is a Certified Health and Well-Being Coach, a Certified Integrative Wellness and Life Coach, and a Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher. 

Cynthia has studied Mind-Body Medicine through Harvard Medical School, and Lifestyle Medicine for Coaches through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine & Wellcoaches.  With over 15 years of senior leadership experience in education and health care settings, she also serves as a Faculty Senator, a Wellbeing Champion, and provides coaching and training in a variety of areas including mindfulness, resilience, self-care, and stress management. 

In addition, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as dancing, traveling, exploring the arts, and being in nature.

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Karrie Curry, PhD, MS, CHES

Assistant Professor
IREB 480A
817-735-2757
Karrie.curry@unthsc.edu 

Bio

Dr. Curry achieved her Ph.D. in the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University in December 2023, with a research focus on mental health and cognitive functioning. Her academic journey also includes an M.S. in Kinesiology with Minors in Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology from the University of North Texas, along with a B.S. in Psychology from Texas Christian University. 

She served as the Exercise Physiologist and a Clinical Research Coordinator at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas before joining the team at HSC. Additionally, Dr. Curry has made academic contributions as an Adjunct Instructor in Kinesiology at Tarrant County College District since August 2017. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist.  

When Dr. Curry is not at HSC; she can usually be found on one of the many area swimming pool decks cheering on her son in high school and club swim meets. She enjoys acrylic painting, Latin dancing, and spending time with her family.  

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Victor Peña-Araujo, NBC-HWC, BA, MB, BCh, BAO, MRCSI, Dip ACLM 

Medical Director
Adjunct Instructor

Victor.Pena@unthsc.edu

Bio

Dr. Victor Peña-Araujo is a former surgeon with a decade of clinical experience and the founder of a boutique lifestyle medicine health coaching company. Dr. Peña is a speaker, advisor, digital health consultant, and has been teaching medical and nursing students on the wards or remotely for 15 years.

Dr. Peña is a medical graduate and a post-graduate member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

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Noah B. Gentner, PhD, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, ICF-ACC, RHC

Assistant Professor
noah.gentner@unthsc.edu

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Jennifer Singh, MD, DipABLM

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Diplomate International Board of Lifestyle Medicine
Jennifer.Singh@unthsc.edu

Bio

Dr. Singh serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Health Professions at HSC and Assistant Professor at LSU Feist Weiller Cancer Center. She received her M.D. from LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport and completed her residency in combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.

Although she has always been an avid home cook, her interest in a whole-foods-plant-based diet was piqued five years ago when her father was diagnosed with leukemia. A thorough evidence review prompted her to lead her family to change their diet for maximum health and wellness. Now with a special focus in Lifestyle Medicine, nutrition, and behaviors to treat and prevent chronic disease.

She lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with her husband and children, and can usually be found gardening, biking, and of course, cooking with family and friends

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Teresa Wagner, DrPH, RDN, LD, CPH, CPPS, CHWI, CHWC, DipACLM

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Clinical Executive for Health Literacy, SaferCare Texas
Director, Community Health Worker Training Program
Diplomate International Board of Lifestyle Medicine
IREB 470C
817-735-2404
teresa.wagner@unthsc.edu

Bio

Dr. Wagner is an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Professions. She teaches Communication in the Lifestyle Health Sciences program and teaches nutrition in the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program on campus. Dr. Wagner also serves as Clinical Executive for Health Literacy at SaferCare Texas and as Director of the Community Health Worker Training Program.

She’s certified in Public Health, Patient Safety, Lifestyle Medicine, Health Coaching and a certified Community Health Worker Instructor. Dr. Wagner has delivered multiple programs, speaking engagements and trainings on health literacy issues. Additionally, she established both a multi-stakeholder health literacy collaborative with the DFW Hospital Council Foundation and Health Literacy Texas, a statewide nonprofit to build community around health literacy efforts in Texas. As a result of her work, she has received both the 2018 Texas Health Literacy Hero Award as well as the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Christian University.

As a registered and licensed dietitian, certified community health worker instructor, and health coach, Dr. Wagner combines her passion for health literacy and wellness education by helping people navigate their health care.

“I am excited to teach in the M.S. in Lifestyle Health Sciences & Coaching program and the Community Health Worker Training program to share my knowledge and experience with our students. Being able to combine Health Literate Communication with Health Coaching and Community Outreach prepares our students as providers of the future with the skills needed to empower people to make lasting lifestyle changes to stay healthy and well. Even if people are living with chronic disease, having a provider coach to guides them, imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their disease contributing to overall quality of life. Health is definitely wealth when it comes to life quality!”

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Brittany Linde, PhD

Adjunct Assistant Professor
brittany.linde@unthsc.edu

 

Staff

Alexandra Garcia 1

Alexandra Garcia, MPH, CPH

Academic Program Manager
IREB 460R
817-735-2763
Alexandra.Garcia@unthsc.edu

Bio

Alexandra Garcia holds a Master’s in Public Health from HSC at Fort Worth and a B.A. in International Studies from The University of North Texas. She has been with the Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being at HSC since 2019.

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Administrative Coordinator
IREB 470B
817-735-2425

Education Partners

Thriving Teams Institute

Empower Fort Worth

Content Contributors 

Mark Brackett, PhD

Caroline Adams-Miller

Chuck Gillespie, CWP

Jane Ellery, PhD

David L. Katz, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACP, FACLM

Joel Bennettt, PhD, MA, CWP

Speakers

Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH

Rani Polak MD, MBA, Chef

Laura Klein, Chef

Mark Hyman, MD

Margaret Moore aka Coach Meg

 

Department Email: pershlthandwb@unthsc.edu