Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine

Tracie McCargo, PhD, is an author and consultant specializing in behavior change, health and wellness, and organizational leadership. She holds a PhD in organizational leadership and an ALM with a concentration in psychology from Harvard Extension School, in addition to an executive MBA. McCargo co-authored the book Empowering Behavior Change in Patients: Practical Strategies for the Healthcare Professional and serves as an editor for two international medical surveillance journals. Since 2016, McCargo has been actively involved in research and writing within the realms of lifestyle medicine, physical and rehabilitative medicine, and behavior change. Her work has been featured in numerous peer-reviewed journals, covering topics such as increasing knowledge and confidence in behavioral change, developing web-based lifestyle medicine curricula, and exploring the impact of body-mass index (BMI) on functional outcomes post-hip and knee replacements. Additionally, McCargo has investigated the effects of HIV on stroke recovery and delved into social change leadership and COVID-19 health disparities. Driven by her interest in disparities in mortality and morbidity among minority populations during the pandemic, McCargo recently focused on studying complex decision-making processes in crisis scenarios. Her research on nurse managers' experiences in allocating scarce resources during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the provider crisis decision-making model. This model highlights crucial factors for nurse leadership in crisis environments and offers insights to improve patient care and provider well-being. Beyond her academic pursuits, McCargo is deeply involved in supporting nonprofit organizations in the Atlanta, Georgia, community. She is dedicated to making a meaningful impact by promoting health, wellness, and higher education initiatives that benefit society as a whole.