When it comes to blending medical expertise with a commitment to improving the quality of life, Dr. Beth Frates is truly one of a kind. With a career dedicated to the study and practice of lifestyle medicine, she has built a remarkable legacy of helping others transform their lives. Whether through her academic work at Harvard, her books and research, or her coaching and wellness programs, Beth Frates has made a significant impact on both the medical community and the general public.
The Journey to Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Beth Frates’ story begins with a deep-rooted passion for health, one that traces back to her personal experiences. She was deeply impacted by her father’s heart attack and stroke when she was just 18 years old, a pivotal moment that set her on a path toward medicine. This early experience highlighted the importance of preventative care and lifestyle choices in maintaining health, a message Dr. Frates has carried with her throughout her career.
Beth Frates graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude with a dual major in psychology and biology, and later earned her medical degree from Stanford Medical School. She then went on to intern at Massachusetts General Hospital and complete her residency at Harvard’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, where she served as the first female Chief Resident.
However, it was her work in lifestyle medicine that truly set her apart. Dr. Frates is often referred to as a pioneer in this field. In 2008, she launched the first Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group (LMIG) at Harvard Medical School, which focused on teaching students the importance of the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social relationships, and avoiding risky substances.
Making an Impact in Academia
Dr. Frates didn’t just stop at creating a group—she built an entire curriculum around these six pillars. In fact, she developed the first-ever bachelor’s and master’s level lifestyle medicine course at Harvard. Her class, Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine, became an instant success. In her first year of teaching, Dr. Frates won a Letter of Commendation for Teaching from Harvard University, a recognition she has earned multiple times over the years.
But that’s not all—Dr. Frates also co-authored The Lifestyle Medicine Handbook, a textbook that has become a standard resource for many universities and healthcare professionals. This book has helped to solidify her as an authority in the field.
Furthermore, Dr. Frates’ dedication to teaching and mentoring has made her an invaluable resource to the next generation of healthcare leaders. To date, she has mentored over 60 students, colleagues, and healthcare professionals.
Leadership in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Frates has also held significant leadership roles in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). In 2022, she was elected president of the organization, marking a milestone as the third woman to hold this position. Her leadership has helped shape ACLM’s mission and broaden its reach, and she continues to serve on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Her dedication to the cause of lifestyle medicine goes beyond academia; she’s deeply committed to helping healthcare professionals adopt and practice healthy lifestyle changes themselves. After all, as Dr. Frates points out, physicians who model healthy behaviors are more likely to encourage their patients to do the same.
Coaching and Consulting for Better Health
Despite her many academic and leadership responsibilities, Dr. Frates continues to work with patients in her lifestyle medicine coaching and consulting practice. She believes that real change happens gradually, through sustainable lifestyle shifts rather than quick fixes. Her coaching focuses on helping individuals achieve permanent changes by incorporating small, lasting adjustments to their daily habits.
Additionally, she served as Director of Lifestyle and Wellness at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Surgery, where she worked to bring lifestyle medicine into the daily lives of physicians and healthcare providers.
Author and Speaker
Beth Frates is also a well-respected author and speaker. She co-authored several books, including Essentials of Clinical Nutrition in Healthcare, a textbook that advances knowledge in the area of nutrition in lifestyle medicine. Her book, The Lifestyle Medicine Handbook: An Introduction to the Power of Healthy Habits, was recognized as one of the 100 Best Medical Books of All Time by BookAuthority. This book has helped countless individuals, healthcare professionals, and patients understand the power of healthy lifestyle habits.
As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Frates has traveled across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa, delivering talks and continuing medical education (CME) courses to doctors and healthcare workers, spreading the message of lifestyle medicine worldwide.
A Focus on Wellness and Philanthropy
In addition to her medical work, Dr. Frates founded the nonprofit Paving Wellness, which advocates for the use of lifestyle medicine as a treatment approach. Through this organization, she has worked to create programs that address all dimensions of wellness, including a sense of purpose, energy management, time-outs, attitude adjustments, and goal-setting.
Through her nonprofit, Dr. Frates has worked to expand the scope of lifestyle medicine by introducing additional dimensions beyond the six traditional pillars. These extra factors include finding purpose in life, managing energy effectively, taking breaks, maintaining a positive attitude, setting goals, using variety, and continuously seeking new information.
Dr. Frates’ PAVING the Path to Wellness program combines her lifestyle medicine framework with motivational interviewing, providing individuals with the tools they need to create lasting change.
Conclusion
Dr. Beth Frates has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the field of lifestyle medicine. Her dedication to improving the lives of others through practical, science-based strategies has made her a respected figure in the medical world. Whether through her work at Harvard, her books, her leadership in ACLM, or her nonprofit work, Beth Frates continues to help individuals and healthcare professionals alike live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
If you’re looking to learn more from Dr. Frates or explore her work further, you can visit her website or check out her books. Here are some links to get started:
- Beth Frates LinkedIn
- Beth Frates Official Website
- Lifestyle Medicine Information
- The Lifestyle Medicine Handbook on Amazon
- Paving Wellness Website
- PAVING Path to Wellness Workbook on Amazon
Through her work and legacy, Dr. Frates has not only changed the conversation about health and wellness but has helped many people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
