CEO/Executive Director:  Jennifer Coomes 

EDUCATION

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• Professional Science Masters in Applied Nutrition, 2019, University of Arizona

• Masters of Science (MS) in Biotechnology with concentration in Genomics/Bioinformatics, 2017, Johns Hopkins University

• Masters of Science (MS CRM) in Clinical Research Management, 2015, Arizona State University

• Certificate in Yoga Instruction (200hr, Anusara Yoga style), 2007

• Diploma in Therapeutic Massage (815.5hr), 2001

• Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Psychology, 1999, Depauw University

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CERTIFICATIONS

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• CN, Certified Nutritionist, State of Washington

• CERT Member, Community Emergency Response Team

• Washington State Telemedicine Training Certificate, WA State Telehealth Collaborative

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

•  E-RYT(200), Experienced & Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance

• Certified Yoga Continued Education Provider, Yoga Alliance​

• Birth Assistant Basics Course, NW Birth Assistants

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Jennifer Coomes CN, MSCRM, MS, MS, BA, E-RYT (200) is a Clinical Nutritionist, a Yoga Teacher Trainer, and Birth Assistant.   She moved to Washington in 2012 after living in Arizona and growing up in Indiana.  She has settled down currently in Sammamish, WA and has created these two companies to help inspire a better and healthier community that is engaged proactively in good lifestyle practices, prevention, and having a positive impact.

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Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship from being a business owner since 2002.  Soon after graduating college in Indiana, Jennifer started out as an Internal Audit Coordinator for a parent and minority automotive supplier company where she wrote internal audits, trained internal auditors, conducted audits, and gave presentations to executive staff. Her work lead to the QS-9000 certification for both companies before she committed to pursue her dream of studying medicine.
 

In Arizona, Jennifer was a physical therapist assistant, medical massage therapist and instructor, and yoga teacher.  She managed a private practice for 11 years, managed an integrative yoga studio at one point, and was part of the adjunct faculty for nearly seven years for a community college helping to lead teach a medical massage program with case study supervision.  In private practice, she's been able to work with clients such as weekend warriors, those needing physical or chiropractic therapy, those recovering from major medical and trauma/abuse, as well as professional athletes.    

In 2012, Jennifer moved to WA state and continued pursuing studies in medicine after studying naturopathic medicine in Arizona.   She gained masters degrees in clinical research management (ASU), bioinformatics/genomics/immunology (Johns Hopkins University), and applied nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and nutrigenomics (University of Arizona).  She has also done internships in basic nutrition in a corporate medical center for underserved populations/refugees as well as a clinical nutrition and functional medicine apprenticeship. 

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Jennifer is a Certified Nutritionist in Washington state and specializes in the area of chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, inflammation and immune responses, genomics, nutrigenomics, precision medicine, specialized and detoxification diets, and women's health.  She has published various research articles in the area of natural medicine and inflammation, some of which have won awards.   She has a great desire to help innovate patient care and medical therapies so that standard of care becomes more personalized to the individual needs, environment, genetics, and health.

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Due to being a sexual assault survivor with clinically and physically diagnosed PTSD, Jennifer also began a quest as  Clinical Nutritionist to create specialized nutrition plans to help balance the body's response to trauma.  Jennifer was diagnosed with a severe form of PTSD, likely complex PTSD, where her symptoms could be debilitating after a PTSD event.  After a few years working with the justice system and medical care systems, she could see the evidence of rape culture and lack of solid treatment plans for those desperately needing long lasting solutions.  As a result, Jennifer has begun doctorate level work and research to help bring the treatment of PTSD to the forefront in medical care with integrative solutions.  She believes that trauma does not have to be a dominating way of living life and that there is a way through.  Jennifer is thankful for all of the compassionate and understanding medical and justice personnel as well as trauma survivors she has met in connection on her journey.  Above all, her thanks goes to God (Mother and Father) for the protection, guidance, and support given to her throughout her life, especially in the hardest moments. 

As a woman who has been in and out of poverty for most of her life, Jennifer has chosen to be the generation in her family that breaks the cycle of poverty and abuse.   Jennifer is a true survivor and by setting the boundaries of respect and worth, she hopes to lay the foundation for other women to also break down barriers associated with rape culture and gender inequality along with harmful mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual abuse. 

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Jennifer brings a rich foundation of experience to Essence Health and Research / Project Thrive, which comes from her deep empathic connection, experiential learning, spiritual training, entrepreneurship experience, intense and rigorous medical study and training, and personal growth.  For more information on Essence Health and Research / Project Thrive services, click on the "Services" link on the menu bar or the "Shop" link to check out our Online Store!

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Welcome to Essence Health and Research / Project Thrive!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jennifer Coomes CN, MSCRM, MS, MS, BA, E-RYT

Executive Director/CEO/Finance Manager

ADVISORY BOARD

Coming soon!