Faculty
How our students describe program faculty:
“Kind,” “brilliant,” “very fair,” “extremely personable”, “fantastic,” “wise,” “terrific,” “very knowledgeable,” “timely,” “organized,” “fast responder,” “turns grades around quickly,” “gives helpful feedback,” “insightful,” “humorous,” “caring,” and “engaged.”
Michelle Pearce, PhD
Program Director, the Graduate School
Dr. Michelle Pearce, PhD is a professor in the Graduate School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and holds an adjunct faculty position at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Pearce received a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Yale University and completed a medical psychology internship and two post-doctoral fellowships at Duke University Medical Center. She is a clinical psychologist, licensed to practice in Maryland, and a board certified health and wellness coach. Her program of research examines the role of religion/spirituality in mental and physical health. Her current research focuses on the integration of spirituality into psychotherapy for the treatment of depression, PTSD, and moral injury, as well as a national training for spiritual competency in mental health care. Dr. Pearce has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. She has also published a book for mental health professionals called “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Christians with Depression: A Tool-Based Primer” and a book for a general audience called “Night Bloomers: 12 Principles for Thriving in Adversity.” Dr. Pearce has developed and implemented numerous wellness programs for medical and graduate students, patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. In addition to directing the Integrative Health and Wellness Program, she will be teaching the Advanced Skills in Integrative Mind-Body Interventions and Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching courses.
Delia Chiaramonte, MD, MS
Dr. Chiaramonte is the founder and CEO of the Integrative Palliative Institute and host of The Integrative Palliative Podcast. She is Board certified in Family Medicine and Palliative Medicine and certified by the Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is an experienced clinician and medical educator and is the former Associate Director and Director of Education of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Integrative Medicine and the former Division Chief of Integrative and Palliative Medicine at Greater Baltimore Medical Center/Gilchrist. Dr. Chiaramonte earned a master’s degree in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland and is on the program faculty. She has published several textbook chapters, lectures frequently to medical audiences, and offers CME programs to physicians and other clinicians on the topic of integrative symptom management. She is currently writing a book on the topic of supporting families who are caring for a loved one with a serious illness. Dr. Chiaramonte has won multiple teaching awards and was voted a “Top Doc” in Baltimore by her physician peers in 2019-2022. Dr. Chiaramonte will be teaching the Clinical Application of Integrative Health and Wellness.
Polina Robinson, ND, MS, CNS, LDN
Dr. Polina Robinson is a skilled educator with faculty positions at numerous health and medical programs ranging from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. At University of Maryland, she is the instructor for the Introduction to Integrative Health and Wellness course. She holds a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from National University of Health Sciences, a Master of Science degree in Anatomy and Physiology Instruction from Northeast College of Health Sciences, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree from National University of Health Sciences, and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. At her Chicago-based practice, Nourish Natural Healthcare, Dr. Robinson has helped individuals with a wide variety of conditions, but her clinical focus is women’s health and pediatrics. She is also passionate about advancing healthcare from sickness management to health promotion and has met with lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to advocate for integrative medicine initiatives and transform healthcare policies.