As Texas Christian University prepares to offer the nation’s first full academic pathway to lifestyle medicine board certification within an occupational therapy program, Crystal Smith is helping explain how the approach can equip future occupational therapists to address health beyond traditional clinical care.
Smith, assistant professor of professional practice and doctoral capstone coordinator in TCU’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, recently spoke with the Fort Worth Report about the new pathway and the role occupational therapists can play in helping people make sustainable changes in their everyday lives.
“Changing our lifestyle can help reverse, treat or manage disease and help people live a higher quality of life,” Smith said.
Smith spent about a year completing the lifestyle medicine board certification process before developing opportunities to incorporate that training into TCU’s OTD curriculum. The full academic pathway is expected to launch in spring 2027 for second-year doctoral students.
Read the full story from the Fort Worth Report. Smith was also featured on Hoodline.