Drs. Misti Zablosky and Debbie Gillespie accepted the award at a ceremony on yesterday.
UNT Health Fort Worth recently was selected as a 2025 American College of Lifestyle Medicine Special Recognition Award recipient in the graduate category for creating the university’s Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching program.
The award honors the visionary leadership of Drs. Misti Zablosky and Debbie Gillespie, who developed the innovative program to embed evidence-based lifestyle medicine in higher education and prepare the next generation of health professionals to treat, reverse and prevent chronic disease through therapeutic lifestyle interventions. UNT Health’s program is housed within the university’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,” said 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 presented during ACLM’s LM2025 Conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine.
The ACLM Special Recognition Awards honor individuals and programs that make exceptional contributions to advancing the field of lifestyle medicine. Award categories include clinical, business and innovation, health systems and agencies, graduate and undergraduate studies, government and health policy, medical school, research, and residency and fellowship.
Programs and individuals are evaluated on their measurable impact and ability to integrate lifestyle medicine in innovative ways that influence the growth and application of the field.
“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 said. “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 associate professor in the Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being in the College of Health Professions, and Gillespie led the development of the Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences program, which merges lifestyle medicine principles with coaching competencies set by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches.
Graduates gain the evidence-based knowledge and practical skills they need to help individuals and communities prevent and manage chronic disease through sustainable lifestyle changes.
“This recognition shines a light on the creativity, heart and vision that drive UNT Health,” said Dr. Christopher Ray, provost and senior vice president. “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 within the program is designed for professionals who are actively treating patients or preparing to enter clinical practice. This pathway focuses on applying lifestyle medicine principles in real-world care settings, empowering clinicians to address the root causes of chronic disease and promote long-term health and well-being.
The ACLM recognition highlights UNT Health’s national leadership in integrating preventive, evidence-based approaches into health education. By embedding lifestyle medicine into academia, the university is helping reshape how health professionals are trained and how preventive care is delivered.
“This recognition underscores the transformative work happening within the College of Health Professions,” said 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 applications for its spring cohort. For more information, visit www.unthealth.edu/phwb.
