Christian M. Wright, Ed.D., D.C., M.A. Joins NWHSU as Vice President of Academic and Student Programs

Innovative thought leader brings 20 years of experience in direct patient care, healthcare and higher education

Today, Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU), the premier evidence-based integrative health learning center, announced the appointment of Christian M. Wright, Ed.D., D.C., M.A. as vice president of academic and student programs. Dr. Wright began on Monday, June 29.

With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, healthcare and direct patient care, Dr. Wright will lead and oversee all academic programs to ensure they are of the highest quality and reflect the mission of NWHSU. His leadership will ensure the integrity of planning, budgeting, curriculum and program development. Dr. Wright will work in close coordination with the vice president of academic affairs and advocate for all academic programs at the senior leadership level and externally.

Throughout his career, Dr. Wright has strategically focused on leading the development of innovative programs and curriculum delivery that meets the needs of students and employers in a changing landscape of healthcare, business and education. He has a successful, progressive and diverse professional background that can be attributed to his focus on evolving traditional classroom pedagogy and andragogy to emerging learning-based models that leverage technology residentially, online and in a blended delivery.

“I am thrilled to join the community at Northwestern Health Sciences University and use my experience in higher education, health care and complementary and alternative medicine to enhance student educational experiences,” said Dr. Wright. “I am committed to the institution’s goal of educating and developing patient-centered integrative health care practitioners through innovative and evolving learning methods.”

Before joining NWHSU, Dr. Wright worked in areas of increasing responsibility at Rasmussen College since 2007 – most recently as the dean of internal and external partnerships and general education, and prior to that he served as the dean of health sciences and general education, director of student affairs and member and then chair of health sciences faculty.

Early in his career, he worked as a medical director at Alternative Health Partners and associate director at Heartland Health Outreach in Chicago, providing integrative health care to the Chicagoland community.  Prior to joining Rasmussen, he was also a faculty member at Blue Cliff College, teaching courses in health care sciences, medical assisting, massage therapy, and others. He received his doctor of chiropractic degree from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois in 1997 and received a master’s degree in community counseling (2011) and a doctorate of education, counselor education and supervision from Argosy University in 2019.

“Dr. Wright’s unique and transformative leadership style is proven by his career success as an effective and engaging communicator and program innovator,” said Deb Bushway, Ph.D., president and CEO at NWHSU. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Wright to our impressive bench of academic leaders committed to enhancing learning experiences for students driven to improve our healthcare ecosystem with complementary and integrative care models.”

Download the Press Release here.