Belmont University stone sign outside on a sunny day with flowers blooming

CARES

Center for Abundance, Resilience, Excellence & Spirituality

Advancing Health & Human Potential

Welcome to the heart and soul of transformative growth and holistic well-being! Operating from within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) at Belmont University, CARES works to maximize human potential and community flourishing. CARES aspires to apply the expertise within CPHS as we work strategically with partners and other stakeholders to address complex challenges and advance health. 

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Our Mission

To advance community flourishing through purposeful partnerships.

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Our Vision

To have a global impact through the development of changemakers equipped to address complex challenges and advance health.

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Pursue CARES initiatives with us to advance health and wellness for all.

Our Goals

Graphic containing CARES goals which are listed below

RESEARCH: Establish transdisciplinary research initiatives focused on identifying and addressing well-being and health outcomes.

ADVOCACY: Partner with stakeholders to advocate for evidence-based strategies that improve well-being and health outcomes.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Foster sustainable and impactful civic flourishing by developing mutually beneficial partnerships with diverse communities.

PRACTICE ENHANCEMENT: Advance practice by establishing a continuous learning culture that engages in scientific inquiry to contribute to evidence-based practice and transformational leadership.

EDUCATION: Integrate experiential and service learning across disciplines to maximize human potential and well-being.

What sets CARES apart? 

CARES operationalizes “caring” as we foster life Abundant and Resilience as we work to provide Excellence from a foundation grounded in Spirituality. These guiding principles anchor our pillars of research, advocacy, community engagement, practice advancement, and education. CARES is uniquely positioned to work in collaboration with vital stakeholders to impact population health at the local, state, and national levels. By integrating evidence-based practice and perspectives of experts within CPHS, CARES provides a holistic understanding of population health outcomes.

Group of students gathered together working on a class assignment in home health lab

Research: Research with Impact

CARES is committed to impactful research initiatives. By focusing on multi-disciplinary research that directly identifies and addresses well-being and health outcomes, CARES will ensure that its findings translate into evidence-based practices, informing real-world solutions.

People in remote village in Honduras receiving care in an outdoor tent

Advocacy: Advocacy for Policy Change

CARES will identify issues through research and actively work toward influencing policies that can improve well-being and health outcomes at both community and systemic levels.

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Community Engagement: Community-Centric Approach

CARES will prioritize community partnerships. The center will actively collaborate with diverse communities to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial initiatives.

man pointing to booklet he is holding up to show the group of students how to do an activity

Practice Enhancement: Continuous Learning Culture and Collaborative Practice

CARES places a strong emphasis on advancing practice through a continuous learning culture ensuring students and practitioners remain at the forefront of the latest advancements in their respective fields.

Classroom full for students listening to a panel of professors lecture

Education: Excellence in Experiential Learning

CARES will integrate experiential and service learning across disciplines. This approach not only maximizes impact but also ensures that students and community members actively participate in and benefit from the center's initiatives. As a teaching centered university, Belmont faculty and staff are responsible for preparing students for vocational roles and equipping them to be change-makers by creating a world where all are heard, respected, and included. CARES provides a mechanism for faculty, staff, and students to build connections and alliances with community members and other partners and stakeholders to implement actions to improve health equity, access, opportunity, and health outcomes for all people.

Our Projects

Our People

Christian Williams
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Christian Williams

Director of BSPH Program, Director of CARES & Assistant Professor
Phone: 615-460-6962
Email: christian.williams@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey 438
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Leigh Ann Bynum
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Leigh Ann Bynum

Assistant Director of Collaboration and Education & Professor
Phone: 615-460-6587
Email: leighann.bynum@belmont.edu
Office Location: McWhorter Hall 319
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Foundational Leaders

Get Involved!

Pursue CARES initiatives with us to advance health and wellness for all.