SMHP Founding Member, Volunteer, Committee Member, LowCarbUSA® Co-founder Pam Devine Earns Metabolic Health Practitioner (MHP) Accreditation

Metabolic health is increasingly being recognized as a pivotal player in the prevention and management of numerous medical conditions. The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners (The SMHP™) plays a vital role in this recognition, having crafted a rigorous accreditation process that certifies clinicians’ and non-clinicians’ understanding and competence in dietary and lifestyle interventions addressing metabolic health. 

We are delighted to spotlight Pam Devine, co-founder of LowCarbUSA®, and Founding Member and full-time volunteer at The SMHP, who recently earned her Metabolic Health Practitioner (MHP) Accreditation from The SMHP.

An Advocate for Metabolic Health

Beyond her role as Operations Manager for LowCarbUSA, Pam is an unyielding advocate for the value of therapeutic carbohydrate reduction. Through her work, she aims to educate individuals about its science-backed benefits, which hold promise in improving metabolic health and offering benefits, and potential reversal and remission of a long list of medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, CVD, Alzheimer’s, mental health conditions and more.

About the MHP Accreditation

Metabolic Health Practitioner accreditation certifies that the practitioner has met The SMHP™ standards — demonstrating the understanding of concepts and showing proficiency in practice — adopted by The SMHP for diet and lifestyle practices that address metabolic health.

Professionals accredited by The SMHP™ may offer nutrition and lifestyle education and coaching in line with SMHP guidelines for improving metabolic health, but only medical professionals may dispense medical advice.  Education and coaching should not be misconstrued as medical advice or treatment.  Furthermore, non-medical practitioners may not diagnose, prescribe, or medically treat any individuals seeking their services; instead, they should direct all clients to seek medical advice for health conditions from an appropriate medical professional—ideally, one that is familiar with and supportive of the use of carbohydrate restriction and lifestyle modifications to improve metabolic health.

Continuing Metabolic Health Education (CMHE) credits, which are required for accreditation,  ensure that accredited professionals remain updated with evolving practices. These credits, gained from recognized events (including the LowCarbUSA Symposium for Metabolic Health conferences), are required both for initial accreditation and on a recurring annual basis.

In Pam’s Words

Explaining her reasons for pursuing this accreditation, Pam shared insights from her journey. “I think we should be just as educated as we can be, especially if we’re representing an organization that provides education,” she said. By understanding the historical trajectory of nutrition recommendations, Pam believes that she can shed light on the potential new standards of care, making a compelling case for carbohydrate reduction.

What’s particularly noteworthy is Pam’s emphasis on education’s role in transforming healthcare outcomes. Discussing her interactions with other practitioners, she recounts, “When Doug and I were representing The SMHP at the conference in Denver, we had even more time to talk to people. One of the practitioners that I talked to told me how having the Metabolic Health Practitioner accreditation brought validation to her, and was valued by administrators and colleagues. It’s really inspiring to us.”

Pam recalled one conversation in which a doctor explained just how important the accreditation was to them. “They explained that earning the MHP accreditation meant more to them than when they received their medical degree, which is astounding,” she said.

Drawing upon her radiology background, Pam highlighted the depth of the courses, covering aspects from anthropology and human physiology to specific macronutrients and micronutrients. With this knowledge, she is equipped to direct people effectively, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with medical professionals.

Pam’s passion for metabolic health extends beyond just personal education. “Every lecture and story I hear inspires me to make sure we continue raising awareness and elevating educational opportunities to reach more practitioners,” she said. Her mission, clear and unwavering, is to amplify the importance of metabolic health and empower more professionals to be informed advocates.

The Transformative Power of  Education

The significance of Pam Devine’s MHP accreditation extends far beyond a personal achievement. It highlights the transformative power of education in metabolic health. The SMHP is committed to fostering an environment where more professionals like Pam can emerge, equipped with the knowledge to revolutionize healthcare. As we celebrate Pam’s accomplishments, we are reminded of the vast potential of therapeutic carbohydrate reduction and the difference informed practitioners can make in countless lives.