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Faculty Member

Dr. Merilee Larsen

Biography

Dr. Larsen completed her undergrad at Utah Valley State College and her Masters (MPH) and Doctorate (DrPH) at Loma Linda University. Dr. Larsen is an Associate Professor and she has been teaching at UVU for over 20 years and has taught at the University of Utah and in private industry. Merilee is an E-RYT500 and has taught Yoga for over 20+ years.

Education

DrPH - Doctor of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 2017

Major: Health Education

MPH - Masters of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 2012

Major: Public Health Practice

BS, Utah Valley University, 2006

Major: Community Health

Teaching

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Health Coaching II, Spring 2026

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Lifestyle Medicine, Spring 2026

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Lifestyle Medicine, Spring 2026

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Mindfulness/Meditation/Breathwork, Spring 2026

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Supervised Coaching, Spring 2026

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Supervised Coaching, Spring 2026

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Supervised Coaching, Spring 2026

Presentations

Larsen, Merilee , Symposium on Teaching and Learning, "Joy in Teaching", Office of Teaching and Learning, Online. (March 27, 2026)
Larsen, Merilee , Russell, Eric , Baker, Ryan , McGuire, Jeremiah , Ethics Week, "Ethical AI in Public Safety and Healthcare | AI and it's Human Impact", UVU | Center for Ethics, UVU. (October 2, 2025)
Larsen, Merilee , Weigel, Chris , Ethics Week, "Wrestling With AI Policy at UVU | AI and it's Human Impact", UVU | Center for Ethics, UVU. (October 2, 2025)
Larsen, Merilee , Barber, Melinda , Roots of Knowledge | Medical History Tour, "Reproductive Life Planning", UVU, Bingham Gallery. (August 27, 2025)
Larsen, Merilee , Barber, Melinda , CHPS Welcome Back | AI for Teaching, "AI for Teaching", CHPS. (August 14, 2025)
Larsen, Merilee , UVU CHPS Advisors | Retreat, "Workplace Wellness". (July 21, 2025)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Thiesset, Heather , Rushton, Ryan , Barber, Melinda , Lutz, Stephanie , Parker, Emmalie , Larsen, Merilee , (2025) "Exploring the Implications of Health Insurance Literacy and Healthcare Utilization in Higher Education" (Issue: 4, vol. 41). Journal of Health Administration Education. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/aupha/jhae/2026/00000041/00000004/art00008
Larsen, Merilee , Barber, Melinda , "Utah Valley University Health and Wellness Coaching Program Certification" . National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).
Thiesset, Heather F., Barber, Melinda , Hall, Sarah M., Johnson, Emma , McBride, Elaine , Larsen, Merilee , (2024) "Understanding the effects of nutrition and mental health conditions for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD)" (Issue: 3, vol. 20). Journal of Opioid Management. https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.0843
Larsen, Merilee , Barber, Melinda , Parker, Emmalie , Rushton, Ryan , Thiesset, Heather , (2024) "Making a Case for Health Insurance Literacy in College Students" (Issue: 1, vol. 8). Orem, UT: The Journal of Student Leadership.
Thiesset, Heather , Barber, Melinda , Clark, Maren , Larsen, Merilee , (2024) "Differences in Pain Management Practices in College Athletes by Sex at a Single Academic Institution." (vol. 11). Salt Lake City, utah: Utah Women's Health Review. https://uwhr.utah.edu/differences-in-pain-management-practices-in-college-athletes-by-sex-at-a-single-academic-institution/
Barber, Melinda , Larsen, Merilee , Thiesset, Heather , (2023) "Psychological Perceptions in College Athletes after Injury" (Issue: 2, vol. 7). Orem, Utah: Journal of Student Leadership. https://www.uvu.edu/slss/jsl/

Awards

Faculty Excellence Award

Faculty Senate - March, 2022

CHPS Faculty Excellence Award

CHPS - March 11, 2021

Faculty Excellence: given to a faculty member or adjunct for her/his demonstrated excellence in teaching, service and scholarly activity/creative works. Nominees must have demonstrated one or more of the following over the previous 12 months_
Excellence in teaching through activities that advance the quality and practice of teaching and learning, and/or application of effective and/or unique teaching strategies, including (but not limited to) active learning, learning communities, student’s portfolios, creative assessment, and innovative uses of technology. This may be demonstrated through SRI scores, OTL training, etc.Demonstrated an exceptional level of service through committee participation and leadership, or community and service learning.A record of research publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or research-oriented texts or participation in national and/or international conferences through presentation of papers published in conference proceedings and/or digests.

Best Design for Health 1100 Online - 3rd Place

Office of Teaching and Learning

This was an award for online course development and implementation for Health 1100 - online.

Outstanding Educator of the Year

UVU Alumni Services

This award was given by the students through alumni services. This was a huge honor for me.

Adjunct Faculty of Excellence

College of Science and Health

This was an award for outstanding teaching