The Whole Health Continuum: Conversations with UWS President Nathan Long

UWS has been a long-time partner with the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Corporation (NCMIC). Like UWS, NCMIC has partnered with all the other major chiropractic programs across the country, supporting educational initiatives, starting into practice trainings, sponsoring continuing education events, and much more. We share the same goal of educating future chiropractic professionals who will go on to advance and positively transform the health and well-being of the communities they serve. Mr. Siebert (Dave) is relatively new to the CEO role but has worked at what seems almost every level of the organization over the past few decades. His passion and dedication to the work shines through in this interview. To learn more about NCMIC, visit https://www.ncmic.com/To learn more about UWS, visit us at https://www.uws.edu 

UWS had the privilege of meeting with Ms. Michell Hay, CEO of Heraya Health, an Oregon-based organization that offers health care purchasers integrated healthcare solutions that control costs while optimizing members’ healthcare experience. We allow members to invest in their health and well-being by providing convenient access to our select network of high-quality care providers. She discusses the impact of Heraya on integrative health practitioners as well as leading a major brand transformation shifting from CHP to Heraya. To learn more about Heraya Health, visit https://www.herayahealth.com/To learn more about UWS, visit us at https://www.uws.edu

Dr. Battaglia joins me to discuss his compelling vision for a contemporary, cutting-edge approach to delivering clinical education and services, ensuring that whether the individual is a practicing chiropractor, naturopath, counselor and beyond that students and graduates see themselves as part of a larger integrated clinical delivery experience with conventional healthcare modalities. Dr. Battaglia is also a celebrated and accomplished chiropractor who has dedicated much of his career to linking the professions. To learn more about UWS, visit https://www.uws.edu. 

Want to know what the alumnus and faculty experience in the Doctor of Chiropractic program is actually like? Dr. Lady brings both sides to this interview, offering why she believes UWS is a great fit for future chiropractic students seeking to truly be evidence-based practitioners. As one of the program's finest, she represents a long line of faculty stretching back nearly 123 years!To learn more about UWS, visit us at https://www.uws.edu.  

Dr. Michele Tilstra, inaugural program director of the Occupational Therapy doctoral program, celebrates the launch of the program (January 2026), discusses the structure and unique flexibility of the program, and gives the audience an inside look into her own journey. To learn more about UWS, visit https://www.uws.edu. 

In this episode, Dr. Amy O'Hana, Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at UWS, shares how the program is changing the mental health landscape and the program's approach to offering a uniquely rigorous, asynchronous academic program. To learn more about UWS, visit us at https://www.uws.edu. 

Dr. Sarah Castillo, Program Director of the Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) programs at UWS, discusses what SPP is all about including what graduates can expect to accomplish with their degrees. She also offers up some personal insights explaining how she found her way into the field. To learn more, visit us at https://www.uws.edu. 

In this episode, Dr. Martha Kaeser provides insights into the UWS DC program, her background, and what sets us apart. To learn more, check us out at www.uws.edu. 

In the inaugural episode of The Whole Health Continuum, Dr. Alisa Bates joins President Nathan Long to discuss the future of online higher education. Together, they explore Dr. Bates’s journey into academia, her roles as dean and vice provost, and how these positions shape innovation and access. The conversation highlights key changes in higher education over the past two decades, what quality looks like in online programs, and insights into the University of Western States’ College of Graduate Studies offerings—plus much more.[This is a University of Western States Podcast, a proud member institution of The Community Solution Education System, an integrated, nonprofit system that works collaboratively to advance institutional sustainability, increase student success, and enhance community impact.]-----Learn MoreVisit us at www.uws.edu to learn more about our universityVisit the College of Graduate Studies program offerings: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Programs | UWSDoctorate of Occupational Therapy | Occupational Therapy DegreeHuman Nutrition and Functional Medicine Degrees | UWSSports Psychology Degree Programs Online and In-Person | UWSSports Medicine Master's Degree Program - Online | UWS----Executive Producers: Mr. Phil Giangrande, Podcast Producer & Coach, PhilGPodcasts President Nathan Long, University of Western StatesProduction Team: Karla Meier, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Brand Communications, The Community Solution Education SystemNick Sperry, Video Producer, The Community Solution Education SystemMarcie Miller, Senior Graphic Designer, The Community Solution Education SystemIsabel Phillips, Communications and PR Specialist, The Community Solution Education System