Dr. Carolina Rodriguez-Cook, MD, Program Manager for The SHIELD Program at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center continues to demonstrate her commitment to advancing community health and wellness through professional development and evidencebased practice. On February 26, 2026, Dr. Rodriguez-Cook completed the eight-week certification program, Health and Wellness: Designing a
Sustainable Nutrition Plan, at Harvard University Medical School.
This comprehensive program focused on designing sustainable, personalized lifestyle interventions rooted in the principles of lifestyle medicine. Through the certification, Dr. Rodriguez-Cook strengthened her ability to assess individuals’ lifestyles while considering societal and environmental factors that influence health outcomes.
She gained advanced coaching techniques and relationshipbuilding strategies to effectively support behavior change and long-term wellness.
The program emphasized designing and implementing personalized health plans that integrate nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social support. It also explored how healthy lifestyle practices prevent and manage chronic diseases using the latest evidence-based guidelines. Dr. Rodriguez-Cook further developed skills in applying behavior change theories, motivational interviewing, and the five-step collaborative cycle to empower individuals across all life stages.
By incorporating the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and fostering growth mindset and resilience, Dr. Rodriguez-Cook continues to enhance The SHIELD Program’s impact, inspiring sustainable health practices within the communities it serves.
For more information about The SHIELD Program, contact Dr. Rodriguez-Cook at Office: (803) 744-1968, Mobile: (803) 429-2803, or by email at CRodriguez-Cook@brookland.cc
