Since 2015, she has distinguished herself as the executive director of I THRIVE, a digital advocacy campaign aimed toward survivors of sexual abuse, mental illness, and trauma.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, May 20, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Heather R. Curtis, MD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Curtis has established herself as a respected professional in the medical field with a focus on psychiatry. Since 2015, she has distinguished herself as the executive director of I THRIVE, a digital advocacy campaign aimed toward survivors of sexual abuse, mental illness, and trauma for patients in the Salt Lake City area. I THRIVE primarily focuses on survivor advocacy and service work within the community, featuring a comprehensive array of holistic and integrated medicine techniques, including breathwork, yoga, and meditation as well as a platform from which trauma survivors can work together to empower themselves. I THRIVE's signature initiative is the Kintsukuroi Project – named for the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer, the project seeks to emphasize post-traumatic growth and the recognition that something can become more beautiful after it has been broken.
Bearing a particular focus on the field of psychiatry, Dr. Curtis is also working to establish herself as a tele-psychiatrist for Luminous Psychiatry, through which she aims to provide remote mental health services and integrative medicine cares to a wide variety of patients. In addition, she holds the role of adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she imparts her knowledge to the next generation of medical professionals. Prior to these roles, she served in various frontline roles in the medical field, including as the medical director and attending psychiatrist of Bingham Memorial Hospital's New Leaf Behavioral Health Unit in Blackfoot, Idaho, and at the Jordan Valley Medical Center West Valley Campus in West Valley City, Utah.
To remain aware of developments in the field, Dr. Curtis sustains her membership with several relevant organizations, including the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Women's Association, and the American Psychiatric Association.
Building upon a solid educational foundation, Dr. Curtis completed her adult psychiatry residency training program at the University of Utah in 2019 after an internal medicine internship at Providence St Vincent Medical Center from 2014 to 2015. She earned her allopathic medical degree from Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine in 2014 and holds a Bachelor of Science in biology, with minors in chemistry and public health, from Utah State University, obtained in 2010. Her formative years included general education and a London study abroad program through Brigham Young University's David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies from 2005 to 2007. Long driven to pursue continuing education, Dr. Curtis has holds extensive certifications that enhance her expertise, including in programs focused on refugee trauma, psychedelic therapies for PTSD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and many others that contribute to her multifaceted approach to mental health care.
Dr. Curtis hails from a unique and exciting family legacy of military history. Her great-granduncle was the first man shot down during the attack on Pearl Harbor, an experience that inspired much of Dr. Curtis' love for her country, as well as her interest in serving veteran survivors of trauma. During her residency, Dr. Curtis sub-specialized in sexual violence survivor support and veteran trauma, leading her to develop the I THRIVE website and outreach resources to help combat the stigma associated with survivorship of mental illness and trauma. Today, Dr. Curtis serves all survivors of trauma, mental illness, and sexual violence through her organization. She credits much of her success to the unwavering support and inspiration from her parents Jeff and Michelle Curtis —especially her father— and mentors like Vijay Shankar Psy.D., Omar Reda M.D. and Life Coach Kris King, who have significantly influenced her professional journey.
In addition to her primary endeavors, Dr. Curtis has been deeply involved in philanthropic activities since 2014. Her volunteer work has included providing Cognitive Processing Therapy to veterans and leading assist teams at Wings Seminars. Her commitment to community service is further evidenced by her time spent volunteering at the Fourth Street Homeless Clinic and coordinating Future Doctors initiatives during her academic years. In recognition of her contributions and leadership, Dr. Curtis was honored as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Utah in 2023.
Looking ahead, Dr. Curtis envisions establishing a private practice while continuing to advance in her career. She cherishes the idea of starting a family and creating a nurturing home environment akin to the one that played such a pivotal role in shaping who she is today—a testament to the importance she places on family values and personal fulfillment alongside professional achievements.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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