Ruth Q. Wolever, PhD, NBC-HWC is the Director of Vanderbilt Health Coaching and a Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She holds adjunct appointments in the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and Meharry Medical College. Ruth is a founding Director and was the inaugural President of the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. She has also served as Chair of the Certification Commission since its inception. A clinical health psychologist and nationally-board certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC), Ruth has over 28 years of experience training and mentoring medical and allied health professionals in behavioral medicine, emotional health and coaching. Her expertise includes designing, implementing, and evaluating mind-body interventions for medical patients and those at risk for chronic disease. Internationally recognized for her expertise on health coaching and mindfulness, Ruth studies health coaching, mindfulness-based approaches to self-regulation and lifestyle change.

Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NCCIH, Office of Women’s Health, NHLBI, NIDCD, and NIDDK), United States Air Force, Coalition for Better Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, industry, and philanthropy. She has co-authored over 85 papers and academic chapters as well as 340 peer-reviewed presentations. Ruth is particularly interested in the intersection of mindfulness, patient empowerment, and inter-professional training in serving patients with chronic conditions.