YHPS: What does your job entail? How did you get passionate about it?

 

MD: I have been passionate about fitness, nutrition and health promotion my entire life, and I am thankful everyday that I have the opportunity to work in an area that is my true passion. I have been working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2007. In February 2010, I began developing and leading the worksite wellness program for the employees at NIH.

 

YHPS: Where do you see your field progressing in the next five years?

 

MD: I think the next five years will be a very exciting time for worksite health promotion. There has been tremendous growth and endorsement of new ideas and initiatives over the last decade, but I think we will see a shift from wellness programs managed by human resources departments toward programs managed by medical and wellness professionals.

 

YHPS: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing your organization right now?

 

MD: This is an extraordinary time to be working in the field of wellness in the federal government. With government-wide initiatives from the Office of Personnel Management, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and nationwide initiatives like Let's Move! launched by the First Lady, there is unprecedented support for health promotion. The primary challenge facing the NIH on the wellness front is institutionalizing a comprehensive wellness program that is sustainable with budget fluctuations. 

 

YHPS: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

 

MD: The most challenging aspect of employee health promotion is also the most rewarding aspect. That is helping employees overcome barriers to achieve better health (weight loss, less medications, more energy, greater concentration) though small changes (better nutrition, more activity, less stress).  

 

YHPS: Do you have any other work experience in the health field?

 

MD: I have been working in the fitness and health field for over a decade as a personal trainer, nutrition consultant, physiologist, and soccer coach. I’ve also done short stints in hospitals, research laboratories and gyms. 

 

YHPS: What is your educational background?

 

MD: I earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and Physiology from McDaniel College and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Physiology from University of California-Davis.

 

YHPS: What are your long term professional interests?

 

MD: I aspire to lead an international wellness consortium focused on the entire spectrum of health promotion from the individual to the community and other global health issues.

 

YHPS: What tips would you give young professionals just starting out in the health field?

 

MD: Be open to new opportunities: Avoid missing out on great prospects by being too narrowly focused.

Find your passion: Identify something you would love to do, even if you were not getting paid. Some questions that helped me identify my passion include:

·         What makes you happy? 

·         What do you find easy? 

·         What sparks your creativity?

·         What would you do for free?

·         What do you like to talk about?
 

Get involved: Join organizations and teams, attend events, and become engaged in the areas you enjoy, not just areas you think will benefit you professionally.

 

YHPS: What are your other interests and hobbies?

 

·         Soccer refereeing- college and professional

·         Triathlons, cycling, running

·         Vegetarian cooking

·         Writing and reading

·         Sports nutrition consulting

·         Performing arts

·         Serving on committees