Armed Forces To Holistic Health | achs.edu

Nov 11, 2020 11:00:00 AM | Military Friendly School Armed Forces To Holistic Health | achs.edu

ACHS Professor and Veteran Abbey Skinner discusses her time in the armed forces and how the military is beginning to embrace holistic health.

Veterans Day blog header abbey skinner

This article was written by ACHS Professor Abbey Skinner in honor of Veterans Day 2020. She served with the United States Air Force and was on active duty for 14 years.

Hi, my name is Abbey Skinner and I’d like to share with you how I went from “boots to books”! Since the age of 8, I was drawn to alternative approaches of medicine because I felt that allopathic medical doctors failed myself and my younger brother when we were both in a time of desperate need. That was the catalyst for what I like to call “my beautiful obsession” with health, which still motivates me to this day.

Fast forward to age 17 when another passion of mine sparked – service to others and travel. I joined the Air Force to protect our county and its people while simultaneously studying alternative medicine. I took it all in – from culture, food, health, living conditions, politics, human relations, etc. and decided I needed a break from all that globe-trotting after 14 years on active duty! Timing is everything; I was offered a teaching position at the Community College of the Air Force and fell in love with the classroom, connecting with others on meaningful topics, and learning from each other. Then the time came to make a decision – do I stay, or do I go???

I decided if I could combine my passions, teaching what I love and helping others with their health, I’d close the military chapter of my life… and off I went out into “the real world”. I hung up my uniform and traded my boots for books; 6 years later I’m still doing what I love at the American College of Healthcare Sciences – teaching holistic health! 

In honor of Veterans Day, I’d like to highlight how proud, excited and happy I am to see the military and holistic health worlds collide! A military veteran is defined as “a person who served for any length of time in any military service branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard) and has an honorable discharge (separation or retirement) from the military” [1].

Holistic health is defined as “an approach to medical care that emphasizes the study of all aspects of a person's health, including psychological, social, and economic influences on health status” [2].

So once again, how do these two very different worlds collide?

Bottom line, there’s a need! A pill, or surgery… that WAS the question. But today, it’s become so much more than that. The patient (veteran) is put first, our very own VA has embraced this concept and created a program called “Whole Health” - their new motto is “what matters to you”. Words cannot express how thankful I am to see approaches such as meditation, chiropractic care, yoga, diet, mind/body/soul in the military health world!!! This literally is my dream come true.

I encourage you to learn more here:

https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/

The Circle of Health is the new model to approach a veteran’s needs:

VA circle of health-1

Thank you to all of my fellow veterans out there, those of you who wholeheartedly support us, and our holistic health care advocates, you are the change our future needs – we couldn’t be here without you!

achs holistic nutrition request more information

References:

[1]. American War Library (25 Dec 2008). What is a Veteran? Retrieved from http://www.americanwarlibrary.com/whatvet.htm

[2]. NA (2020). Holistic Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/holistic--medicine

Circle of Health Photo: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/index.asp

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a professor at the American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine. 

About American College of Healthcare Sciences

American College founded in 1978, is a fully online accredited institute of higher education specializing in holistic health. Based in Portland, OR; our goal is to make research-driven and science-based holistic health education taught by industry-leading experts accessible to anyone anywhere while still giving students a hands-on experiential learning experience like a traditional college and a strong sense of community, school pride and student bond.

This commitment to our students and graduates reflects in our current survey results that reflect 98% of our students would recommend ACHS to a friend or family member.

We believe education is the most powerful tool for changing an individual and the world around us. 

When a person enrolls as ACHS, it is vitally important that they graduate with tools they need to forge their own holistic and sustainable missions, build up their communities confidently and changing the face of healthcare with knowledge.

For more information visit achs.edu.

Abbey Skinner, BS, MIFHI, HHP

Written By: Abbey Skinner, BS, MIFHI, HHP

Abbey Skinner earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Alternative Medicine in 2011 from Everglades University while serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Abbey has always had a passion for holistic health and nutrition, which prompted her to separate from 14 years of service in May of 2014 to follow her dreams of helping others and continuing her education. Abbey discovered her love for teaching while on a special duty assignment for 3 years as an instructor for the Community College of the Air Force – she decided when leaving her Air Force career that nothing could be better than combining the two… teaching your passion! Her love for holistic health, teaching and learning led her back to ACHS where she’s been a nutrition faculty member since September of 2015.