Dr. Beth Frates is a visionary physician and educator who is revolutionizing how medicine is practiced and taught. As President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (2022–2024), Associate Professor, Part-Time at Harvard Medical School, and an award-winning educator, Dr. Frates is a pioneer in lifestyle medicine and well-being models for optimal health and happiness. She emphasizes the importance of a healthy body, a peaceful mind, and a joyful heart, which has inspired patients, clinicians, and students alike. This interview provides a window into Dr. Frates’s influence, not by her own words, but through the voices of her teaching assistants, who experience her passion, mentorship, and innovation on a daily basis. Join us as her TAs share what it’s like to learn from a leader who doesn’t just teach Lifestyle Medicine but embodies it.
This article offers a view of Dr. Frates’s educational philosophy and impact through the experiences of those who have worked most closely with her in the classroom: her teaching assistants.
- Yasmina McBride, a longtime teaching assistant and collaborator of Dr. Frates, is a Futurist and Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston.
- Tracie McCargo, EMBA, PhD, serves as a Teaching Assistant at the Harvard Extension School for “Culinary Psychology and Wellbeing from the Inside Out.” She is also Co-Faculty for The Science and Art of Behavior Change and has worked closely with Dr. Frates for nearly a decade.
- Irena Matanovic, MA, was a student in Dr. Frates’ Lifestyle Medicine course at Harvard Extension School before serving as a teaching assistant for nearly 10 years. Her academic focus shifted to health coaching and education after experiencing the personal impact of Dr. Frates’ teachings.
- Will Sullivan, MA, is a former student of Dr. Frates at Harvard Extension School who later joined her teaching team as a Teaching Assistant. His time working with Dr. Frates has profoundly shaped his approach to both health education and personal well-being.
- What makes Dr. Beth Frates an exceptional and impactful educator?
Across the board, the teaching assistants agreed that Dr. Frates brings a rare combination of expertise and genuine care to the classroom.
Yasmina McBride reflected on how Dr. Frates doesn’t just rely on her subject matter knowledge, though it is extensive, but pours energy and enthusiasm into every interaction, making each moment count.
Tracie McCargo emphasized Dr. Frates’ heartfelt compassion, describing her as a teacher, communicator, mentor, and guide. This compassion is felt deeply by everyone she encounters.
Irena Matanovic noted that what sets Dr. Frates apart is her passion for both the subject and the people she teaches. Her attention to learning students’ names, greeting them individually in person or online, and making each person feel seen has a transformative effect on the classroom atmosphere.
Will Sullivan added that Dr. Frates teaches by example. Her presence is uplifting and infectious, drawing people into the material with ease. Her teaching isn’t just informed by knowledge, but it’s also embodied in her lifestyle and character.
- How has working alongside Dr. Frates shaped your perspective on lifestyle medicine?
For Yasmina, being exposed to Dr. Frates’ evidence-based approach to lifestyle medicine gave her the confidence to speak with clarity and credibility about the discipline. The science came alive through Dr. Frates’ practical applications.
Tracie credited Dr. Frates with introducing her to the field entirely. Watching her work has continually deepened her appreciation for lifestyle medicine’s power to transform lives.
Irena explained that Dr. Frates’ passion and integrity made it impossible not to take lifestyle medicine seriously. Her consistent emphasis that the field is not “new age” but grounded in science helped reshape student perspectives and validated Irena’s own path toward health coaching and education.
For Will, working with Dr. Frates provided tools for his own life and showed him how powerful it can be when people take agency in their health. Observing her in action helped him witness students brighten and flourish as they adopted the core principles of lifestyle medicine.
- What have you learned from Dr. Frates that has influenced your own approach to teaching or healthcare?
Yasmina shared that Dr. Frates’ student-centered philosophy is a cornerstone of her own teaching approach. She recalled how Dr. Frates dedicates significant time to learning about each student’s goals and background before class begins, using this knowledge to build connections and promote success.
Tracie said Dr. Frates taught her the importance of compassion and excellence. She now approaches every lesson, article, or research piece with the question: “How can this help someone’s life?”
For Irena, the most profound lesson was discovering that people who feel heard and empowered can change their lives. Experiencing this shift herself during a health crisis, she was inspired to change her career path entirely and now helps others do the same.
Will noted that Dr. Frates models what it means to be a therapeutic presence. He learned that delivering content is not enough. The educator’s demeanor, attentiveness, and authenticity are what create a lasting impact.
- What is it like to be part of Dr. Frates’ teaching team? How does she foster collaboration and mentorship?
Yasmina described being on Dr. Frates’ teaching team as a fast-paced, rewarding experience that calls for high energy and commitment. Dr. Frates provides room for growth through thoughtful delegation, encouraging team members to stretch and shine.
Tracie called the team a “dream team,” explaining that Dr. Frates creates an environment where everyone supports and learns from one another. Her mentorship is constant, whether overt or subtle, and she makes sure both students and TAs are always growing.
Irena shared that every contribution is welcomed and valued. Dr. Frates pushes her team to take on new challenges while offering steady encouragement. Sometimes, she said, you believe in yourself simply because she believes in you so strongly.
Will echoed this, adding that Dr. Frates comes to meetings prepared, upbeat, and receptive. She creates space for everyone’s voice and ensures that her full attention is present in every interaction.
- Can you share a memorable moment or experience that highlights Dr. Frates’ dedication to her students?
Yasmina remembered how office hours with Dr. Frates felt like a standing-room-only concert. Students showed up in large numbers, eager for extra time, and Dr. Frates gave it generously, often adding stories, studies, and more context to fuel their curiosity.
Tracie recalled how Dr. Frates would pause a class to support a student emotionally or academically in real time, always knowing how to meet them exactly where they were.
Irena spoke about her own experience reaching out to Dr. Frates years after completing a class. Not only did Dr. Frates remember specific details about her life, but she also offered practical opportunities for growth and mentorship on the spot.
Will offered a scene that few can forget. Dr. Frates is teaching class while hula-hooping. It was a joyful and powerful reminder of the physical activity pillar of lifestyle medicine, delivered with her trademark authenticity and humor.
- What is one lesson or insight from Dr. Frates that has stayed with you and continues to shape your professional journey?
Yasmina said that Dr. Frates taught her the power of hard work, prioritization, and surrounding oneself with good people. She doesn’t teach balance as a myth; she models intentional living.
Tracie emphasized the importance of presence. She now sees clearly that the energy and attention an instructor brings to class can change everything for a student.
Irena said she learned to always be open to learning and to see students not just as recipients of knowledge but as sources of wisdom. Teaching, for her now, is a bidirectional exchange.
Will spoke about wisdom. Through her sincere belief in others, Dr. Frates inspires people to believe in themselves. That shift, he said, is the root of lasting behavior change and healing.
- If you had to describe Dr. Frates’ teaching in three words, what would they be and why?
Yasmina chose: Inspirational, Evidence-based, Engaging, describing every element of Dr. Frates’ approach, from her lectures to her personality.
Tracie offered: Compassionate, Enthusiastic, Poised, highlighting her unique ability to balance calm clarity with infectious joy.
Irena named: Passion, Love, Kindness, and added one more: Authenticity. She emphasized how Dr. Frates embodies everything she teaches.
Will described her as: Genuine, Motivational, Reliable. He noted how her consistency, warmth, and energy leave a lasting impression, whether in a classroom or years down the road.
A Teaching Legacy Rooted in Purpose
Through the reflections of her teaching assistants, a clear portrait emerges of Dr. Beth Frates as a teacher who leads by living what she teaches. Her classes are grounded in science, animated by passion, and elevated by compassion. She builds community not only among students but also within her own teaching teams, fostering growth, collaboration, and joy at every step.
The influence of her teaching stretches far beyond syllabi or grading rubrics; it resides in the personal transformations she helps spark. Dr. Frates doesn’t just inform minds; she uplifts hearts. Her teaching assistants carry forward her legacy, not as carbon copies, but as empowered educators and practitioners shaped by her trust, generosity, and enduring belief in their potential.
Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Yasmina McBride, Tracie McCargo, EMBA, PhD, Irena Matanovic, MA, and Will Sullivan, MA, for sharing their reflections. Their insights paint a powerful picture of what it means to be part of Dr. Frates’ teaching team. Through their experiences, we glimpse the energy, dedication, and love that define Dr. Frates’ impact on her students, colleagues, and the future of healthcare education.
