Dr. Chris Omni, MPH, MLS
Dr. Chris Omni, MPH, MLS affectionately known as the Health Hippie, is a Black women's health researcher, eco-mindfulness coach, and award-winning author. Her research explores nature’s influence on the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of Black women. Dr. Omni's dissertation, Black Joy in Green Spaces: A Nature-inspired, Endarkened Visual Narrative Inquiry about Black Women and Joy, was recognized as the 2024 Outstanding Dissertation of the Year by the International Association of Autoethnography and Narrative Inquiry. By blending her 25-year background in public health with her foreground in art education, Dr. Omni’s presentations provide a counter narrative to the typical deficit lens generally applied to the Black experience.
Meet The Health Hippie
Artist's Statement
I am a creation of the Creator.
I am a vessel that has brought forth life and breathes life to others.
I walk in a Divine anointing of the Ancestors.
Through this vessel, my work honors my Divine assignment -
To create and hold spaces of healing and self-restoration.
All of my artistry and being is inspired by Mother Earth. It is
through this energy that I honor the singularity of healing
through expansive mediums such as performance, writing,
photography, installations, films, and speaking.
My art represents my spiritual practice.
Spirituality is Art!
International
& National Honors
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2025 Florida State University Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year
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2024 Rising Professional presented by Kansas State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences
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2022 semi-finalist, 3-Minute Thesis winner presented by the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
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2021 First place, 3-Minute Thesis winner presented by Florida State University
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2019 International Community Ambassador presented by iChange Nations
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2018 American Small Business Champion presented by SCORE
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2018 Black People who Rock presented by New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
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2015 Minority-owned business of the Year presented by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce
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2015 Woman of Achievement and Outstanding Entrepreneur presented by Topeka Chamber of Commerce
I have a Divine assignment: To create and hold spaces of self-restoration and healing. As an expansion upon that assignment, I research #BlackJoy through the methodologies of narrative inquiry and photo elicitation.
~ Dr. Chris Omni, MPH, MLS
Research History
Dr. Chris Omni, MPH, MLS is on a mission to create lasting change. Dr. Omni continues to increase the depth of her search for better pathways to increased, collective Black health and wellness.
Stage One:
Dr. Omni researched physical activity (walking) among Black women between the ages of 39 and 64 as her master's thesis.
The Human Behind
the OMNI Institute of Well-Being
Outside of teaching, mentoring, and winning awards, Dr. Omni can be found tending to her 80+ potted plants, walking her two dogs, or passing out hugs to people who need and/or want an emotional release. A single encounter with Dr. Omni will leave you feeling heard, seen, and valued.
