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Specialties

Lifestyle Medicine

Achieving good health is about more than fixing problems after they appear. Quality of health often begins with the choices we make every day for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Those choices are at the center of lifestyle medicine, an emerging specialty focused on preventing, treating, managing or even reversing many of the most common chronic diseases in today's world.

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80% of non-communicable conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke are preventable when we make better choices in these key areas:

  • Increasing consumption of whole, plant-based foods
  • Increasing aerobic activity
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Decreasing use of tobacco, alcohol, and other unhealthy substances
  • Maintaining healthy relationships
  • Managing stress

The Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

  • Nutrition

    Food is medicine. Learn how to incorporate more whole foods, fruits, and vegetables into your diet.

  • Physical Activity

    Learn how to make physical activity part of your day-to-day life to improve overall health and well-being.

  • Stress Management

    Stress is inevitable. Learn skills to manage it in healthy and positive ways.

  • Improved Sleep

    Sleep is essential for optimal health. Learn the ins and outs of sleep to get the rest you need.

  • Positive Relationships

    Social connections—friends and family—are key to your wellbeing and directly influence your health.

  • Avoiding Toxic Substances

    Learn strategies to help minimize the impact toxic substances have on your health.

St. Luke's offers both an intensive lifestyle medicine patient program, as well as a-la-carte classes for community members interested in pursuing positive lifestyle changes.
Learn more

Providers

  • John G. Brandecker, MD

    Lifestyle Medicine

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

      see full profile

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

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  • Kyle J. Davis, PHD

    Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Kyle Davis, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in clinical health psychology and behavioral sleep medicine. He has specialized training in mood and sleep disorders, chronic pain, weight management, and in primary care mental health integration. 

    Kyle earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University and his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Rebecca Gettelman, MD

    Rebecca Gettelman, MD

    Lifestyle Medicine
  • Amanda S. Helsley, LCSW

    Amanda S. Helsley, LCSW

    Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Amanda (Mandy) Helsley, LCSW offers supportive counseling to assist with psychological needs related to financial needs and creating a stable environment. In addition, she can assist patients in building coping skills to help lower stress and improve day-to-day life.

    Mandy earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Boise State University with a certification in dispute resolution. She earned a master's degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University, specializing in clinical practice and administration.

  • Molly K. Lynn, NP

    Lifestyle Medicine

    Biography

    Molly Lynn, FNP is certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Boise State University and her master's degree in nursing from Cincinnati University.

  • Joselyn N. Read, RD

    Nutrition Services for Adults

    Biography

    Josie Read, RD specializes in outpatient medical nutrition therapy for lifestyle medicine. She also teaches a number of community nutrition education courses, including healthy cooking classes, and is a facilitator of CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program). She has a special interest in plant-based eating to prevent chronic diseases and optimize overall health.

    Josie earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho. In addition to her passions for nutrition and cooking, Josie enjoys spending time outside mountain biking and running.


  • Jennifer T. Shalz, MD

    Lifestyle Medicine

    Biography

    Jennifer Shalz, MD serves as the medical director of St. Luke’s lifestyle medicine department. She develops and directs programs that use lifestyle interventions to help prevent, treat, and reverse chronic disease.

    Dr. Shalz is passionate about helping people not only live more years, but put more life in their years. Current programs under her management include cardiac, peripheral vascular disease, and pulmonary rehabilitation (referral required); nicotine dependence treatment; care transitions; the St. Luke’s Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP); and the St. Luke’s Center for Lifestyle Medicine at the South Meridian YMCA. 

    Dr. Shalz is a diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base. She practiced at three different VA medical centers after separating as a major from the US Air Force. She was most recently a hospice medical director and worked in supportive oncology at a cancer center prior to joining St. Luke’s.

  • Nancy N. Taylor, NP

    Lifestyle Medicine

    Biography

    Nancy Taylor, NP-C, CCNS focuses on using lifestyle interventions to help prevent, treat, and reverse chronic disease. Her areas of practice include cardiac, peripheral vascular disease, and pulmonary rehabilitation. 

    Nancy is a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from York College of Pennsylvania, and her master's degree in nursing and post-master’s certificate in nursing as a family nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist from Gonzaga University.

Related Programs and Classes

Classes & Events

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  • Change Your Mindset: Online Teams

    Health Management Classes
    price tag icon
    $40.00, Registration Required

    This class is designed to help participants develop a growth mindset in relationship to living a healthy lifestyle.

  • Eat More, Weigh Less: Online Teams

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    Next Date & Time
    Monday, Jun 27, 2022 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
    price tag icon
    $10.00, Registration Required

    Learn about the difference in calorie density and volume of food and how this can benefit overall health and baseline weight.

  • The Joy of Movement: Online Teams

    price tag icon
    Free, Registration Required

    Learn how to enjoy physical activity as well as strategies to make the practice of physical activity more enjoyable.

  • Nutrition Tips for Success: Online Teams

    calendar icon
    Next Date & Time
    Monday, Jun 20, 2022 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
    price tag icon
    $10.00, Registration Required

    Review and discuss the various aspects of your environment and explores ways to promote and encourage healthy eating habits.

Articles & Resources

  • showing 3 of 3

  • Blog Post

    St. Luke's patient, daughter reach Idaho's greatest heights after major heart operation

    Read More

  • Blog Post

    St. Luke's, community help Riggins woman change her diet — and her life

    Read More

  • Blog Post

    One year in, Lifestyle Medicine has plenty of success stories to share

    Read More

Support the Patients and Families at St. Luke's Heart

You Can Make a Difference

You can make a real difference in the lives of patients and families facing medical challenges. We hope you’ll help us provide the exceptional healthcare and support they deserve. We encourage you to get involved by making a financial gift, sponsoring or attending events, or volunteering your time.


Make a Donation to St. Luke's Heart

Ways to Give

Take Care, Someone Needs You.

You take care of others, so take care of yourself. Let us be your partner in health, whether you're recovering from an injury, checking in for your annual exam, or enjoying an online class.

Because when you take care of yourself, everyone around you benefits.

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