Carroll College students are blending healthcare education with hands-on community service through Montana’s first Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group (LMIG), an outreach program of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Officially recognized last fall, Carroll became the first college in the state to join a growing national network of more than 200 Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups. Open to students of all majors, the organization focuses on how everyday habits can help prevent, delay, and even treat chronic disease.
Lifestyle medicine emphasizes six key pillars of health: nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, healthy relationships and social connection, and avoiding risky substances. Rather than relying solely on medications, the approach highlights the power of sustainable daily choices to improve long-term wellbeing.
This spring, Carroll students have been putting those principles into action through monthly Community Dinners at Helena Food Share under the guidance of Dr. Gerald Schafer. Students plan menus, shop for ingredients, prepare meals, and serve nutritious dinners designed around whole, minimally processed foods.
The initiative has created opportunities for students to learn practical skills while serving the broader Helena community.
“The goal of our Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group is to help people understand how healthy lifestyle choices can prevent and even help treat chronic disease,” said Callie Gembala, a sophomore health science and public health major from Bigfork. “Serving meals at Helena Food Share has been a meaningful way to focus on the nutrition piece of that, showing that whole, minimally processed foods can be both nourishing and enjoyable.”
Callie said the experience has reinforced an important lesson for future healthcare professionals.
“Many chronic conditions are strongly influenced by lifestyle,” she said. “Some of the most powerful interventions in medicine come from supporting sustainable, healthy daily habits rather than solely relying on pills or supplements.”
Kylie Munsinger, a senior health science major and co-president and co-founder of the organization from Kalispell, said students worked throughout last summer to establish the club before receiving official recognition in the fall.
“This semester, we have focused primarily on the lifestyle medicine pillar of nutrition by hosting community dinners at Helena Food Share,” Kylie said. “These dinners aim to educate Carroll College students on preparing and serving nutritious meals while bringing the Helena community together to enjoy tasty, whole-food-centered meals.”
For Kylie, the service experience has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the group’s work.
“I have loved being involved in every step, from planning the menu and shopping for ingredients, to prepping, serving, and sharing meals with the Helena community,” she said.“One of my favorite aspects is being able to serve each person individually and telling them a little about what’s on their plate. I love how such simple ingredients can bring a community together.”
She added that she hopes to carry the principles of lifestyle medicine into her future career as a physical therapist.
As Carroll students continue to serve meals and grow the organization, the Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group is demonstrating how education, wellness, and service can come together to strengthen both students and community.
