Biography

Dr. Coombs worked clinically as a medical assistant for 10 years in family practice, rheumatology, and pediatric offices. Her passion for patient education seamlessly transitioned to teaching, and upon completing her Bachelor’s in Community Health at Utah Valley University, she became a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and began teaching as a medical assistant instructor. She completed a Master’s in Health Education at Saint Francis University, honing instructional design and curriculum development skills, facilitating her transition to higher education. Most recently, she worked as the Doctor of Medical Science Program Coordinator and adjunct instructor at Rocky Mountain University since the program’s inception in 2019. In 2024, she completed her PhD in Health Promotion and Wellness at Rocky Mountain University. Her research explored the process ultrarunners use to build self-efficacy and empowerment, how they transfer those constructs to other life areas, and whether gender or childhood trauma influences that process. Trail running, chili hot chocolate, and homemade sourdough bread and blackberry jam are the stuff of life. Convincing her two boys that trail running is fun is a daily task.

Education

Teaching

Presentations