As a Registered Nurse and 2012 graduate of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), I have seen firsthand how empowering this lifestyle change can be! I have been a health and wellness advocate for over 25 years and have facilitated CHIP classes in community, corporate, doctor’s office and virtual settings. I am driven by the difference this has made in my life and by the patients and CHIP participants I have known over the years that have experienced the reversal of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, various autoimmune diseases and more. My nursing experience working with patients that have undergone open heart surgery has given me a strong foundation and drive to guide and support individuals through lifestyle change.

My goal is to continue to be healthy and active throughout my life and provide resources, education and tools that will empower others to take control of their health. CHIP provides these resources and the classes support and inspire change that can truly transform lives!

I am a 2015 graduate of CHIP and haven't forgotten how it influenced my lifestyle. With a strong family history of heart disease and cancer, nourishing my body with healthy food, exercise and mindfulness-based practices is always at the top of my mind. I look forward to being a part of the program as a facilitator and offering support and guidance to all the participants.

I recently retired from Ohio University after spending the last 26 years of my career as the WellWorks Director, facilitating risk reduction programs and health coaching services. I was a founding board member of Live Healthy Appalachia and served on the board for 10 years. I also co-host a weekly radio program on WATH with a focus on health and wellness!

Participating in CHIP has had a tremendously beneficial impact on my health. I have always been a fairly active person and, what I thought, was a healthy eater. However, because I've long had an interest in studying nutrition and health, when the opportunity to participate in CHIP presented itself, I jumped on it. Through this, I discovered there was SO much more I could be doing to facilitate optimal health for myself! I have implemented changes in my diet and lifestyle based on what I learned in CHIP that have resulted in my cholesterol being lowered to a stellar level, better gut health, reduced arthritis pain, and greatly improved sleep (prior to CHIP I used an over-the-counter sleep aid but now I don't need it)! I found the knowledge gained through CHIP so profound and impactful that I decided to become a part of the team that helps spread the word. I look forward to seeing you in class. Here's to a more healthful you!

As a graduate of CHIP in 2012, I have seen the power of this program work not only in my life, but many others. I have lost over 100 pounds and more importantly, I have been able to keep it off for 6 + years. Before CHIP I would tell you I was a mom and a banker. Today, I am still a mom and a banker, but I am also a photographer, hiker, reader, traveler, writer, weight lifter, speaker and so much more.

CHIP gave me the opportunity to build the life I always knew I should be living. CHIP will give you the tools to make better choices in your life that could lead you on the path to better health and happiness.

I have been a public health educator and nutrition hobbyist for more than 19 years. I practiced a pretty healthy lifestyle by the average American standards. But, in my early 40's, I started getting arthritis pain in my hands. My cholesterol had been on a gradual incline for as long as I had been testing it. Prior to CHIP, my cholesterol was well above the threshold for healthy. I have been eating a plant-based diet for more than 6 years now. That means most of the foods I choose to eat are greens, beans, grains, and every kind of vegetable and fruit imaginable. I have more variety in my meals than ever, and I love cooking!  But the best part is that I don't have any arthritis pain and now my cholesterol stays in a healthy range. 

Greetings! My name is Heidi Fischer and I am a registered dietitian and have facilitated CHIP on the Ohio University Athens campus since 2012.

I too am a CHIP graduate and have personally experienced how this program enhances quality of life and improves health. I am a working mother with a family that includes three small children, so I know the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a busy schedule. Thankfully, CHIP gave me the information and tools that I needed to raise a happy, balanced, healthy family!