History of the School of Integrative Health

Key Historical Milestones

The School of Integrative Health at Notre Dame of Maryland University has a fifty-year history as one of the leading academic organizations for integrative health in the nation. The organization has progressively evolved from a singularly focused small acupuncture clinic and school to offering a wide array of graduate integrative health graduate programs. Key milestones in the School of Integrative Health’s lineage are listed below.

1974:

The organization was originally incorporated in Maryland as the College of Chinese Acupuncture, U.S., as an outgrowth of a program begun in Kenilworth, England, in which U.S. students studied acupuncture in the five-element acupuncture tradition.

1975:

The organization was re-incorporated as the Centre for Traditional Acupuncture, one of the first acupuncture clinics in Maryland.

1978:

The organization amended its charter and the name of the organization is changed to the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (TAI), as a reflection of its growing multi-faceted approaches.

1980:

The Maryland State Board for Higher Education (now the Maryland Higher Education Commission) approved TAI to serve as a school and teach acupuncture in Maryland.

1985:

TAI became the first school accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NACSCAOM, now known as ACAHM).

1986:

The Maryland Higher Education Commission approved TAI to award graduate degrees, in the form of the Master of Acupuncture (M.Ac.) degree.

2000:

The organization took on a new name in recognition of its expanding mission and scope – Tai Sophia Institute. The name linked the Chinese word Tai, meaning “great,” and the Greek word for wisdom, Sophia. The new name continued to honor the Eastern healing traditions on which the institution had been founded, while the inclusion of Sophia signaled the philosophy that underpinned every program offered.

2001:

The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (now the Middle States Commission for Higher Education) accepted Tai Sophia as a candidate for accreditation.

2002:

TAI expanded its academic portfolio to include graduate programs in herbal medicine and applied healing arts, including the first herbal medicine master’s degree in the U.S.

2006:

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education granted initial accreditation to Tai Sophia Institute.

2010:

Tai Sophia expanded its academic portfolio to include graduate programs in health and wellness coaching.

2011:

Tai Sophia expanded its academic portfolio to include graduate programs in integrative nutrition. Tai Sophia’s health and wellness coaching programs received initial accreditation from the International Coaching Federation.

2012:

Tai Sophia expanded its academic portfolio to include graduate programs in health education and promotion, and the nation’s first master’s degree in health and wellness coaching.

2013:

The organization achieved university status with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the name of the institution was changed to Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). With this landmark achievement, MUIH became one of a small number of regionally accredited universities in the country exclusively committed to integrative health. MUIH began offering programs online, which made its programs available nationally and internationally and resulted in a significant increase in enrollments. MUIH expanded its academic portfolio to include the nation’s first master’s degree in yoga therapy.

2014:

MUIH’s M.S. Yoga Therapy program received initial accreditation from the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

2015:

MUIH expanded its academic portfolio to include doctoral programs; doctoral programs were launched in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition. MUIH’s health and wellness coaching programs received initial accreditation from the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching.

2018:

MUIH expanded its academic portfolio to include graduate programs in Ayurveda.

2019:

MUIH’s M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health program received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Nutrition Professional Accreditation.

2023:

MUIH announced an agreement for Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) to first acquire MUIH and then merge MUIH into the NDMU as the School of Integrative Health.

2024:

MUIH and NDMU announced completion of the change-in-ownership step that moved the two institutions closer to a subsequent merger of MUIH’s graduate-level programs into NDMU. The two universities entered into a transition period before the final approval of a second-step merger of MUIH’s programs into a new School of Integrative Health at NDMU. During the transition period, NDMU owned and operated MUIH as a separately authorized and separately accredited postsecondary institution.

2025:

NDMU announced final approval and effectuation of the second-step merger of MUIH’s programs into a new School of Integrative Health at NDMU. The School of Integrative Health at NDMU is the first and only school dedicated to integrative health within a comprehensive university in the U.S.

Awards

Student Awards

Excellence in Integrative Health Award

The Excellence in Integrative Health Award recognizes students who especially demonstrate academic, clinical, or research excellence; MUIH’s values; healing presence; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership within their program; engagement in professional activities within MUIH; or service to their fellow students, program, or the University. The faculty nominate and select the students in their program who best exemplify these qualities.

2024 Awardees

Angelina Andriacchi, Nutrition
Harriet Baayeh, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Lauren Dixon, Health and Wellness Coaching
Monica Alatorre Guzman, Nutrition
Valerie Hesslink, Yoga Therapy
Gabrielle La Chapelle, Nutrition
Kate Nelson, Health Promotion
Bennet Novak, Herbal Medicine
Jenny Prevost, Integrative Health Studies
Elaine Proulx, Integrative Health Studies
Ellen Rudolph, Health Promotion
Rebecca Wanee, Yoga Therapy

2023 Awardees

Madea Allen, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Thomas Austin-Braxton, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Jaime Brown, Yoga Therapy
Lindy Burns, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Maria Valentina Fajardo Delgado, Nutrition
Jo Hawkins, Health and Wellness Coaching
Abbey Howell, Herbal Medicine
Barbara Iachini, Health and Wellness Coaching
Laura King, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Maya Lechowick, Nutrition
Erin Lewis, Integrative Health Studies
Lisa Loring, Integrative Health Studies
Jessica Myers, Health Promotion
Marie Najjar, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Claire Officer, Health Promotion
Elaine Proulx, Integrative Health Studies
Yukiko Riley, Ayurveda
Laurie Stover, Integrative Health Studies

2022 Awardees

Madea Allen, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Karen Andujar, Health Promotion
Bethany Cherry, Health and Wellness Coaching
Tanya Claggett, Integrative Health Studies
Sheila Cohill, Health and Wellness Coaching
Sean Emery, Herbal Medicine
Elizabeth Garriott, Health and Wellness Coaching
Tacey Gosling, Health Promotion
Sunni Ingalls, Yoga Therapy
Laura King, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Anica Lewis, Ayurvedic Wellness
Holly Owens, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Tina Paul, Ayurvedic Wellness
Reanetta Perkins, Nutrition
Yukiko Riley, Yoga Therapy
Maribeth Savoie, Health Promotion
Elyce Shapiro, Nutrition
Laurie Stover, Integrative Health Studies
Felicia Taliaferro, Yoga Therapy
Jennifer Tillman, Health and Wellness Coaching
Christina Vollbrecht, Nutriton
Xu Wu, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Research Poster Award

This award recognizes the student poster in MUIH’s Research Symposium that demonstrates high quality research that adds new knowledge or a new perspective and enhances the field of integrative health.

2024 Awardees

Anna Lappas-Collins, M.A. Integrative Health Studies, Experiences and Expectations of Yoga for Mental Health of a Globally Mobile Population: A Research Study Design

2023 Awardees

Lisa Danahy, Christine Aspen, Robin Forbes, and Kaetlyn Springer, M.S. Yoga Therapy program, Yoga Therapy as Complementary Care for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Secondary Osteoporosis.

2022 Awardees

Kylee Curry, Lara McNeil, and Anna Flores, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program, Thyrotoxicosis Following High-Dose Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Supplementation: A Case Report.

2021 Awardee

Lorraine Hamilton, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program, Effects of a Low Glycemic, High Fat Diet on Female Fertility in Premenopausal Women: A Narrative Review.

2020 Awardee

Demetrice Morrison, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program, Personalized Nutrition and High Dose Vitamin D3 for HIV-infected Teen with Chronic Hypovitaminosis D: A Case Report.

Student Commencement Speaker

The Student Speaker is a graduating student that embodies MUIH’s values with an inspirational message that connects their personal experience to that of other students and to the impact that MUIH graduates and the field of integrative health can have in the world.

2025 Speaker

Monica Alatorre, M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health

2024 Speaker

Linda Simons, Doctor of Acupuncture

2023 Speaker

Noor Salem, M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health

2022 Speaker

Mandee Walton – M.A. Health and Wellness Coaching

2021 Speaker

Jessica Titchenal, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition

2020 Speaker

Michele Weston, M.A. Health and Wellness Coaching

Student Community Award

The Student Community Award honors graduating students who have provided extraordinary service to their class or to the University in one of more of the following ways: service to the learning of classmates or other students, service to the MUIH community, demonstration of leadership qualities, demonstration of commitment to being involved with furthering student life, and/or participation in activities on behalf of the school. The faculty in each program nominate and select the graduating students who best exemplify the qualities required to receive this award.

2021 Awardees

Ashley Adams, Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Kim Albuerne, M.S. Yoga Therapy
Ericka Cauthon, M.S. Health Promotion
David Feuz, M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health
Storie Garrity, M.A. Health and Wellness Coaching
Rupinder Hundal, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Ayurvedic Wellness Practices
Andrea Inscoe, M.S. Therapeutic Herbalism
Katie Kecman, M.S. Health Promotion
Linda Lichens, M.S. Yoga Therapy
Emily Martin, M.A. Integrative Health Studies
Bernice Mwangi, M.A. Health and Wellness Coaching
Jennifer Silvia, M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health
Haneefa Willis-Johnson, Doctor of Acupuncture
Karen Zhussanby, M.S. Therapeutic Herbalism

2020 Awardees

Monthserrat Boston, M.S. Yoga Therapy
Christine Cherpak-Castagna, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
Kim Davis, M.S. Health Promotion
Mark Greiner, Master of Acupuncture
Etta Hornsteiner, M.A. Health and Wellness Coaching
Megan Jones, M.A. Health and Wellness Coaching
Joani Maher, M.S. Nutrition and Integrative Health
Kathryn Nehil, M.S. Therapeutic Herbalism
Joanna Starling, M.S. Health Promotion
Leslie Tomlinson, M.S. Yoga Therapy
Liza Wade, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Ayurvedic Wellness Practices

Employee Awards

T. James Truby Community Service Award

The T. James Truby Community Service Award recognizes an MUIH employee who is providing outstanding service to the local, regional, or national community. The awardee embodies the values of MUIH and Jim Truby by making a difference and volunteering their time, actions, talents, and passion in service to others. The award is named in honor of James (Jim) Truby a long time MUIH Board member and supporter of MUIH. He was fiercely committed to community service as evidenced by his active involvement, leadership position roles, and support of many non-profit organizations.

2023 Awardee

Daryl Nault, Research

2022 Awardee

Eleonora Gafton, Nutrition

2021 Awardee – Inaugural Award

Lawrence McGill, Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Faculty Awards

University Marshal

The University Marshal is a member of the MUIH community who has demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Their work enriches the student learning experience, enhances the curriculum, advances the field of integrative health, demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning, and exemplifies the values of MUIH. The University Marshal is selected annually by the provost in accordance with these attributes and accomplishments. The University Marshal carries the University Mace and leads the procession and recession during the Commencement ceremony.

2025 Marshal

James Snow, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine

Additional Nominees:

Amy Burkholder, Nutrition
Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Heidi Most, Acupunture and Herbal Medicine
Daryl Nault, Research
Janet Padgett, Acupunture and Herbal Medicine
Sara Walsh, Ayurveda, Integrative Health Studies, Yoga Therapy

2024 Marshal

Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies

Additional Nominees:

Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
Keren Dolan, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Daryl Nault, Research
Bhodi Tims, Herbal Medicine
Serena Wills, Health and Wellness Coaching

2023 Marshal

Oscar Coetzee, Nutrition

Additional Nominees:

Atiera Abetamarco, Health Promotion
Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Fushena Cruikshank, Health Promotion
Eleonora Gafton, Nutrition
Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Liz Lipski, Nutrition
Kathy McNeely, Nutrition
Daryl Nault, Research
Elizabeth Owens, Nutrition and Integrative Health Management
Marilyn Peppers-Citizen, Yoga Therapy
Tracy Soltesz, Integrative Health Management

2022 Marshal

John Courie, Herbal Medicine

Additional Nominees:

Atiera Abatemarco, Health Promotion, Research
Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
Bevin Clare, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition
Amanda Courie, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Fushena Cruickshank, Health Promotion
Camille Freeman, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine
Eleonora Gafton, Nutrition
Dana Halkowski, Yoga Therapy
Ryan Kneessi, Nutrition
Sherry Leiken, Health and Wellness Coaching
Liz Lipski, Nutrition
Tracey Meyers, Yoga Therapy
Betsy Miller, Herbal Medicine
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Heidi Most, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Elizabeth Owens, Nutrition, Integrative Health Management
Marilyn Peppers-Citizen, Yoga Therapy
Denyse Peterson, Yoga Therapy
Rebecca Pille, Health and Wellness Coaching
Sarajean Rudman, Integrative Health Studies, Ayurveda, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Katherine Smith, Health Promotion, Health and Wellness Coaching
Hunter Thompson, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Kerri Westhauser, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Alex York, Integrative Health Studies

2021 Marshal

Atiera Abatemarco, Health Promotion and Research

Additional Nominees:

Jillian Bar-av, Herbal Medicine
Ron DeMartin, Integrative Health Management
Laurie Ellington, Health and Wellness Coaching
Betty Kipphut, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Sophia Kuziel, Health Promotion
Julia Mandes, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Tracey Meyers, Yoga Therapy
Sarajean Rudman, Ayurveda and Integrative Health Studies
Daniel Schrier, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Sherryl Van Lare, Nutrition

2020 Marshal

Heidi Most, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Teaching Award

This award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching and associated activities within the past academic year. These individuals embody the mission and values of MUIH in their teaching, mentorship, and interactions with students. Their teaching evaluations reflect their commitment to quality, innovation, and adaptability in a progressive environment.

2024 Awardees

Atiera Abatemarco, Health Promotion
Susan Testa, Nutrition
Claudia Wingo, Health Promotion

Additional Nominees:

Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
Suzie Carmack, Yoga Therapy
Dart Clancy, Herbal Medicine
Bevin Clare, Herbal Medicine
Oscar Coetzee, Nutrition
John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Camille Freeman, Nutrition
Eleanora Gafton, Nutrition
Tijen Genco, Health and Wellness Coaching
Tamara Gondre, Nutrition
Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Kathleen McNeely, Nutrition
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Marilyn Peppers-Citizen, Yoga Therapy
Sherryl Van Lare, Nutrition
Christine Vollbrecht, Nutrition
Denise Wagoner, Nutrition

2023 Awardees

Angie Dabbs, Health and Wellness Coaching

Additional Nominees:

Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
Victoria Yunez-Behm, Nutrition
Kelli Bethel, Yoga Therapy
Oscar Coetzee, Nutrition
John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Rachelle Dixon, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Keren Dolan, Nutrition
Camille Freeman, Nutrition
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Daryl Nault, Research
Frank Neely, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Patty Owen, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Marilyn Peppers-Citizen, Yoga Therapy
David Riley, Nutrition and Research
Daniel Schrier, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Susan Testa, Nutrition
Sherryl Van Lare, Nutrition
Kerri Westhauser, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

2022 Awardees

Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Renee LeClair, Nutrition

Additional Nominees:

Kelli Bethel, Yoga Therapy
Rachel Brumberger, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Oscar Coetzee, Nutrition
Camille Freeman, Nutrition
Eleonora Gafton, Nutrition
Tamara Gondre, Nutrition
Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Julia Mandes, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Heidi Most, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Linda Simons, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Marlysa Sullivan, Yoga Therapy
Hunter Thompson, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Sheryl Van Lare, Nutrition
Heming Zhu, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

2021 Awardees

Eleonora Gafton, Nutrition
Yevgeniya Libkhen, Nutrition

Additional Nominees:

Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
Jillian Bar-Av, Herbal Medicine
Rachel Brumberger, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Janice Campbell, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Oscar Coetzee, Nutrition
John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Camille Freeman, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine
Mary Fry, Nutrition
Randy Gastwirt, Nutrition
Celeste Homan, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Liz Lipski, Nutrition
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Daryl Nault, Research
Sarajean Rudman, Ayurveda and Integrative Health Studies
Linda Simons, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Marlysa Sullivan, Yoga Therapy
Jennifer Swetz, Nutrition
Hunter Thompson, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Tamara Gondre, Nutrition
Kathy Warner, Nutrition
Heming Zhu, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

2020 Awardee

Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching

Excellence & Innovation in Service Award

This award acknowledges a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence and innovation in service to MUIH. The individual selected to receive this award exemplifies MUIH’s values with special distinction and has shown innovation in their approach to meet a need within the MUIH or external community.

2024 Awardees

Christina Vollbrecht, Nutrition

Additional Nominees:

Suzie Carmack, Yoga Therapy
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Sherryl Van Lare, Nutrition

2023 Awardees

Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Heidi Most, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Additional Nominees:

John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Daryl Nault, Research
Janet Padgett, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

2022 Awardees

Janice Campbell, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Additional Nominees:

John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Sherry Leikin, Health and Wellness Coaching
Janet Padgett, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

2021 Awardees

Michael (Bhodi) Tims, Herbal Medicine

Additional Nominees:

Janice Campbell, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
John Courie, Herbal Medicine
Sherry Leiken, Health and Wellness Coaching
Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies
Janet Padgett, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Marlysa Sullivan, Yoga Therapy
Hunter Thompson, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

2020 Awardee

Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies

Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award

This award recognizes faculty members who are actively supporting MUIH’s institutional commitment to enhancing the fields of integrative health and higher education through scholarship and evidence-based research.

2024 Awardee

Daryl Nault, Research

2023 Awardee

Marybeth Missenda, Integrative Health Studies

Additional Nominees:

Suzie Carmack, Yoga Therapy

2022 Awardee

Heidi Most, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Additional Nominees:

Christine Cherpak, Nutrition
Liz Lipski, Nutrition

2021 Awardee

Katherine Smith, Health Promotion, Health and Wellness Coaching

2020 Awardee

Liz Lipski, Nutrition

Research Poster Award

This award recognizes the faculty poster in MUIH’s Research Symposium that demonstrates high quality research that adds new knowledge or a new perspective and enhances the field of integrative health.

2024 Awardees

Marybeth Missenda, John Courie, Amy Talcott, Christine Mineart, Daryl Nault, Elizabeth Ahmann, Micah Saviet, and Nancy Morell, Facilitators and Barriers to Adhering to the CONSORT Herbal Intervention Guidelines: Preliminary Results

2023 Awardees

Marybeth Missenda, John Courie, Elizabeth Ahmann, Micha Saviet, Daryl Nault, Nancy Morell, Amy Talcott, Ajowa Ifateyo, and Rachel Keeney, Facilitators and Barriers of Adhering to the CONSORT Herbal Intervention Guidelines: Study Design.

2022 Awardees

Steffany Moonaz and Tanisha Luthria, Development of a Flexible Yoga Therapy Protocol for Pairing with Acupuncture Therapy to Help Manage Chronic Pain

2021 Awardees

Daryl Nault, Marybeth Missenda, Atiera Abatemarco, Christine Cherpak-Castagna, Steffany Moonaz, Study Design to Validate an Evidence-Based Medicine Skills Assessment for Integrative Health.

2020 Awardees

Daryl Nault and Steffany Moonaz, Development of international yoga reporting guidelines -CLARIFY.

Great Esteem Award

The Great Esteem Award was based on nominations by MUIH students. This award was given to faculty members in recognition of their outstanding commitment to students’ excellence throughout their program of study. It reflected the important qualities and virtues of an instructor who demonstrated exceptional dedication to learning, promoted professional growth and transformation, and demonstrated the values of the University to an extraordinary degree, among other criteria.

2020 Awardees

Liz Ahmann, Health and Wellness Coaching
Tracey Meyers, Yoga Therapy
Betsy Miller, Herbal Medicine
Sarajean Rudman, Ayurveda and Integrative Health Studies
Katherine Smith, Health Promotion, Health and Wellness Coaching
Linda Simons, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
Susan Testa, Nutrition