UNT Health’s Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences program earns nationwide recognition

Drs. Misti Zablosky and Debbie Gillespie accepted the award at a ceremony on yesterday.

UNT Health Fort Worth lately was chosen as a 2025 American College of Lifestyle Medicine Special Recognition Award recipient within the graduate class for creating the college’s Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching program.

The award honors the visionary management of Drs. Misti Zablosky and Debbie Gillespie, who developed the progressive program to embed evidence-based life-style drugs in increased schooling and put together the following era of well being professionals to deal with, reverse and stop persistent illness by means of therapeutic life-style interventions. UNT Health’s program is housed inside the college’s College of Health Professions.

“We are thrilled to honor UNT Health’s Master of Science in Lifestyle Sciences and Health Coaching program with our Special Recognition Award in the Graduate Category,” mentioned Sami A. Bég, MD, MPA, MPH, FACLM, chair of ACLM Awards Committee. “Drs. Zablosky and Gillespie showed remarkable vision in bringing lifestyle medicine into the academic setting with this first-of-its-kind program. Their leadership is playing a pivotal role in advancing lifestyle medicine as the future of healthcare and educating the next generation of professionals. On behalf of ACLM, it’s a privilege to recognize both them and UNT Health’s groundbreaking program.”

The award was introduced throughout ACLM’s LM2025 Conference on the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine.

The ACLM Special Recognition Awards honor people and applications that make distinctive contributions to advancing the sector of life-style drugs. Award classes embrace scientific, enterprise and innovation, well being methods and businesses, graduate and undergraduate research, authorities and well being coverage, medical college, analysis, and residency and fellowship.

Programs and people are evaluated on their measurable influence and skill to combine life-style drugs in progressive ways in which affect the expansion and utility of the sector.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it affirms the vision and hard work of our faculty, staff, students and partners who helped bring this program to life,” Zablosky mentioned. “It has been a privilege to contribute to advancing lifestyle medicine within graduate education, and we are thrilled to see the field’s continued growth and impact.”

Zablosky, chair and affiliate professor within the Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being within the College of Health Professions, and Gillespie led the event of the Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences program, which merges life-style drugs rules with teaching competencies set by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches.

Graduates acquire the evidence-based data and sensible abilities they should assist people and communities stop and handle persistent illness by means of sustainable life-style adjustments.

“This recognition shines a light on the creativity, heart and vision that drive UNT Health,” mentioned Dr. Christopher Ray, provost and senior vp. “Drs. Zablosky and Gillespie saw an opportunity to reimagine how we prepare health professionals—not just to treat illness, but to champion wellness and prevention. Their work embodies our commitment to transforming health care through education, innovation and compassion.”

The Health Care Clinician Track inside the program is designed for professionals who’re actively treating sufferers or getting ready to enter scientific observe. This pathway focuses on making use of life-style drugs rules in real-world care settings, empowering clinicians to deal with the basis causes of persistent illness and promote long-term well being and well-being.

The ACLM recognition highlights UNT Health’s nationwide management in integrating preventive, evidence-based approaches into well being schooling. By embedding life-style drugs into academia, the college helps reshape how well being professionals are educated and the way preventive care is delivered.

“This recognition underscores the transformative work happening within the College of Health Professions,” mentioned Dr. Christa Lo, interim dean. “Drs. Zablosky and Gillespie have created a program that not only equips graduates with the tools to improve health outcomes but also redefines what it means to educate for prevention, wellness and compassion. We’re proud to see UNT Health leading the way nationally in advancing lifestyle medicine.”

The Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences program is now accepting purposes for its spring cohort. For extra data, go to www.unthealth.edu/phwb.