Her Story
About Patricia
Dr. Patricia A. Lopez, EdD, is a public health strategist, consultant, educator, and founder of Whole Person Health Strategies with more than 20 years of experience advancing health equity, chronic disease prevention, and community-driven wellness initiatives. Her career has focused on serving underserved and historically marginalized populations through health education, community engagement, program design, research, and evidence-based wellness strategies. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Monroe University, where she teaches courses including Health Policy & Management, Research Methods in Healthcare, Healthcare Law & Regulations, Drugs & Behavior, and Introduction to Nutrition & Community Wellness.
Throughout her career, Patricia has worked across community health, behavioral health, chronic disease prevention, and higher education. Her experience includes work with Bronx Health REACH, Montefiore, Columbia University’s Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, and the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. She brings extensive research and classroom experience to her consulting practice, where she supports organizations through whole-person health strategy, capacity building, workforce development, curriculum design, and community engagement. She also collaborates with Salus Strategies on community engagement, bilingual facilitation, strategic planning, and proposal development for community health and social service organizations.
Patricia holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Public Health Education and Promotion from Teachers College, Columbia University, along with certification as a Nutritionist and Holistic Health Counselor through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and AADP. Her approach to public health emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being and reflects her commitment to accessible, sustainable, community-centered health solutions. Through Whole Person Health Strategies, she continues to develop initiatives that help organizations and communities move toward more integrated approaches to health, wellness, and health equity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Patricia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my parents who pursued the American dream after immigrating from Argentina, instilling values like hard work and healthy eating despite a dysfunctional home. My relationship with God has been central to my healing journey since 2006. Having confidence in myself and knowing my purpose and calling has driven me to pursue education strongly as the first in my family to earn a doctorate.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is to keep balance in your life to achieve great things, as shared by the founder of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Working with mentors and coaches to change your mindset is also key, especially coming from a conditioned, dysfunctional family background, to reach your full potential.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself, heal, pursue a higher being, study, and never give up. Do not allow negative thought patterns or evil voices to get the better of you. Keep balance, practice self-love and self-care, especially amid mental health challenges, social media comparison, and generational cycles.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is being seen and recruited for great work in health policy, education, or consulting. Many public health professionals are unemployed or in unfulfilling jobs despite their gifts and goals. Women are not being seen for everything they can do, making it hard in public health right now.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity and being genuine are key, along with keeping public health at the forefront by making things available and affordable for women who are often set back. We must keep women accountable while showing up as our true authentic selves, and I should be compensated for my energy and time creating these resources.
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