professional health coaching
HLTH 4400 Professional Health Coaching allows students to hone their health coaching skills learned in HLTH 3400 Facilitating Healthy Lifestyle Change. Through individual or small group sessions, students will provide weekly health coaching to a variety of clients (e.g. students, working adults, aging adults, and/or community members) who have a range of health goals and ability levels. Students will develop leadership and management skills as they collaborate as a coaching team, manage appointments, maintain professional records, and evaluate the effectiveness of health coaching interventions. For students who want to pursue a career in health coaching , this course may be taken twice in order to gain added experience.
meet the professor
Dr. Mitzi Doane
Hi, I'm Dr. Helen Doane. Students call me Mitzi or Dr. Mitzi. I'm an associate professor in the public health program at UMD. I have a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology and Biology from St. Bonaventure University and Master's of Science and PhD degrees in Transactional Psychology. I am a licensed psychologist in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
When it comes to public health, I am most interested in health coaching! HLTH 4400 Professional Health Coaching is my favorite class to teach, because I get to empower students to become outstanding health coaches, and I get to know them very well.
meet the Spring 2021 Health coaches
Allison Carpenter '21
My name is Allison Carpenter, and I am a graduating senior in the UMD Public Health Program, and was recently named the 2021 UMD Public Health Major of the Year.
During my time in the program, I have served as a Communication Assistant, Summer Program Assistant, and now as a Events Coordinator under Dr. V. I have also worked with Dr. Gray as a Teaching Assistant and now a Website Developer and Coordinator for the new Undergraduate Underrepresented Research Program. This semester, I also served as a member of the Public Health Student Advisory Team.
Outside of school, I am a senior jumper and sprinter on the UMD Women’s Track and Field Team. Post-graduation, I plan to seek an entry-level position in the public health field with a focus in health communication. I also have a passion for coaching track and field in my future.
Cassidy Crump '22
My name is Cassidy Crump, and I am a Junior majoring in public health. This spring I have had the opportunity to be a Peer Health Coach for students taking Health and Wellness. I am Vice President of the Public Health Student Group and will be serving as the President in the Fall. This semester I developed skills in guiding and leading clients in achieving their goal(s) and applied knowledge on confidentiality and communication to help the process.
Kourtney Dobmeier '21
My name is Kourtney Dobmeier, and I am a senior majoring in Public Health and minoring in Psychology. This spring, I am working as a Peer Health Coach for students and adults to help them reach their goals. I am also serving as a Communication Assistant for the second time this semester, as a mentor. I am a member of the Public Health Student Group and as of recently, I have been preparing for graduate school to become a registered nurse. This semester, I have been working alongside my clients to better their health in areas of their choosing.
Lindsey Hilgers '21
Hello! My name is Lindsey Hilgers and I am a senior in the Public Health program graduating this spring, May 2021. I am currently serving as a Peer Health Coach and a Lab Assistant for an upper level Public Health course. I am also a member of the UMD Public Health Student Group and a volunteer for Age Well Arrowhead. In regards to Public Health, I am passionate about health advocacy and education. Improving the health of others has always been my passion and choosing Public Health allows me to follow that passion! After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school for Occupational Therapy.
Alyssa Hunter '21
My name is Alyssa Hunter, and I'm a senior in the Public Health Program. This spring, I am interning as a health coach where I assist students and faculty achieve a personal goal. Health coaching with my clients has been fantastic and brings me so much fulfillment to see them achieve their goals! I am looking forward to increasing my coaching abilities through this internship and applying that to my future career as a registered dietitian.
Annmarie O'Keefe '22
My name is Annemarie O'Keefe and I am a Junior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I am majoring in Public Health and hoping to minor in Health Coaching. On campus, I am the president of the Women's Lacrosse team and have been a member since freshman year and on the leadership team for two years now. Public Health captured my attention because I love to help others and it is an emerging field that can have a large impact on so many people.
Alyssia Pucel '21
My name is Alyssia Pucel and I am a senior in the UMD Public Health program with a minor in psychology. I am also a member of the UMD cheerleading team and Mortar Board. This is my second semester as a peer health coach, and I have really enjoyed working with each of my clients. I have learned so much from this experience that will guide me in my future as an occupational therapist!