A Belmont University mobile clinic, labeled “Flourish Health Clinic,” is parked in front of a campus building with white columns. A red ribbon is tied across the front of the trailer, and a woman in a blue and white dress speaks at a podium next to a Belmont-branded truck.

CARES

Center for Abundance, Resilience, Excellence & Spirituality

Research and Practice that CARES

Welcome to CARES—the interdisciplinary research and practice infrastructure of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) at Belmont University. We exist to maximize human potential and community flourishing by bridging academic excellence and real-world impact. We believe everyone is called to live an abundant life, and we leverage the expertise across our college, the Belmont health ecosystem, and several other disciplines across Belmont to help individuals and communities flourish. Our work identifies critical gaps in health and human services, then mobilizes expertise within CPHS and across Belmont University, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to address them.

Our CARES clinics are an example of what becomes possible when research informs practice, and practice generates new questions. Each CARES project reflects this dual commitment: research that fills identified gaps and practice transformation that improves lives. Working with partners and stakeholders in the community, we tackle complex challenges as engaged practitioners building the future of health and human potential

EXPLORE PROJECTS          Meet Our Team

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Our Mission

To advance community flourishing through purposeful partnerships.

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Our Vision

To have a global impact through the development of changemakers equipped to address complex challenges and advance health.

Our Goals 

CARES Framework Diagram Circular diagram showing CARES at the center, surrounded by five key pillars: Research, Advocacy, Community Engagement, Practice Enhancement, and Education. The outer ring reads "Abundance, Resilience, Excellence, Spirituality" CARES ABUNDANCE RESILIENCE EXCELLENCE SPIRITUALITY

RESEARCH: Establish transdisciplinary research initiatives focused on identifying and addressing well-being and health outcomes.

ADVOCACY: Partner with stakeholders to advocate for evidence-based strategies that improve well-being and health outcomes.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Foster sustainable and impactful civic flourishing by developing mutually beneficial partnerships with diverse communities.

PRACTICE ENHANCEMENT: Advance practice by establishing a continuous learning culture that engages in scientific inquiry to contribute to evidence-based practice and transformational leadership.

EDUCATION: Integrate experiential and service learning across disciplines to maximize human potential and well-being.

What sets CARES apart? 

CARES operationalizes “caring” by integrating Abundance, Resilience, Excellence and Spirituality into every initiative. Our research and community partnerships combine academic rigor with practice transformation to improve lives locally and globally. By aligning CPHS expertise with interdisciplinary collaboration, CARES provides a holistic framework for advancing health and human potential.

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A woman performs on stage with an acoustic guitar, singing into a microphone. She wears a black dress with lace sleeves. A screen behind her reads "Mental Health in Entertainment."

Workshop on Mental Health in Entertainment

During Belmont’s Hope Transforms Capital Campaign launch, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Curb College co-hosted a powerful Workshop on Mental Health in Entertainment. The event introduced the new Center for Mental Health in Entertainment—uniting industry, health care and academic leaders to support the well-being of the entertainment community.

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CARES Leadership

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Renee Brown

Senior Associate Dean for Research and Community Partnerships and Professor of Physical Therapy
Phone: 615-460-6719
Email: renee.brown@belmont.edu
Office Location: McWhorter Hall 225
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Renee Brown
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Belmont Formation Collaborative

Leigh Ann Bynum

Professor, Assistant Director of Collaboration & Education of CARES & Assistant Director of the Teaching Center
Phone: 615-460-6587
Email: leighann.bynum@belmont.edu
Office Location: McWhorter Hall 319
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Leigh Ann Bynum
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Sharrel Pinto

Dean, CPHS
Phone: 615-460-6748
Email: sharrel.pinto@belmont.edu
Office Location: Mcwhorter Hall 223
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Sharrel Pinto
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Christian Williams

Department Chair, Director of CARES & Assistant Professor
Phone: 615-460-6962
Email: christian.williams@belmont.edu
Office Location: JCM 438
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Christian Williams

Get Involved!

Work with us to advance health and wellness for all.