Course TITLE

IHBS 615 - Integrated Cardiovascular Health and Clinical Sciences

This course is offered in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (DNM) degree.

Certification

🥇 Graduate Course Completion Certificate
Industry-Aligned & Board-Recognized Credential

Micro-Credentials

📜 Stackable Micro-Credentials
Skill-Based Digital Badges & Competency Units

Ladderized
Curriculum

🪜 Ladderized Learning Pathway
Progress from Fundamentals to Advanced Practice

Credit & Learning Hours

⌛ 3 Academic Credit Units
135 Contact Hours (Lecture, Labs & Projects)

Course Description

IHBS 610 introduces students to the integrated study of neuroscience, psychiatry, and mind-body medicine. Students examine nervous tissue, neural signaling, central and peripheral nervous system organization, sensory and motor pathways, autonomic regulation, neuroendocrine stress physiology, cognition, memory, emotion, psychiatric assessment, mental status examination, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, psychosis, addiction, behavior change, and integrative mind-body approaches. The course connects anatomy and physiology with applied clinical reasoning through neurological examination, mental status documentation, psychiatric case analysis, autonomic pathway mapping, stress-response interpretation, peer-reviewed literature review, and patient-centered mind-body care planning. Special attention is given to the relationship between brain, behavior, emotion, stress, coping, substance use, risk assessment, resilience, professional communication, red-flag recognition, and referral reasoning. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to apply neuroscience and behavioral health reasoning in advanced clinical sciences, integrative health assessment, patient education, and interdisciplinary care contexts.


Learning Objectives

1.       Explain the cellular, anatomical, and physiological foundations of the nervous system.

2.       Differentiate central, peripheral, somatic, autonomic, sensory, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral nervous system functions.

3.       Analyze action potentials, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter signaling, autonomic regulation, and stress physiology.

4.       Interpret basic neurological examination and mental status examination findings in simulated clinical scenarios.

5.       Compare major psychiatric presentations, including mood, anxiety, trauma-related, psychotic, substance-related, developmental, and cognitive disorders.

6.       Apply mind-body medicine concepts to stress regulation, coping, behavior change, patient education, and referral planning.

7.       Evaluate risk factors, protective factors, clinical red flags, and safety concerns in behavioral health case scenarios.

8.       Communicate integrated neuroscience and psychiatric reasoning clearly through written case analysis, concept maps, discussion posts, and clinical reflections.


Meet the faculty

Richard Vincent Narag, MD.

Full Professor of Practice

I am Dr. Richard Vincent Narag, MD, a multidisciplinary health practitioner committed to whole‑person wellness and Christ‑centered service. My academic foundation includes BS Biology, BS Nursing, and my Doctor of Medicine, forming a strong scientific and clinical base for my work in both conventional and holistic care. From 2007 to 2009, I trained with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), focusing on population health, community wellness, and humanitarian service. In 2024–2025, I completed advanced training at Harvard University on the Health Effects of Climate Change, strengthening my advocacy for climate‑responsive health strategies and environmental wellness. Since 2023, I have operated a holistic health company in the Philippines, integrating natural therapies, environmental healing, and my A–Z Holistic System to support individuals, families, and communities. My professional journey also includes extensive teaching experience across health sciences and wellness education. I served as Health and Science Director and Instructor for caregivers and paramedics at Peace Medical Clinic in Caloocan City (2009–2018). I taught Anatomy and Physiology at Golden Valley College (2016–2018) and at Our Lady of Fatima University (2018–2019). From 2023 to 2025, I continued teaching as a Health Science and Clinical Instructor for caregivers and holistic wellness in Mallig, Isabela. These roles reflect my commitment to shaping future caregivers, health workers, and wellness practitioners through compassionate, integrative, and practical instruction. Across all my work—clinical practice, holistic therapy, education, and leadership—I remain dedicated to empowering communities through science‑based care, spiritual grounding, and whole‑person healing.
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