Dr. Jaya Prakash, MD, MPH
Dr. Jaya Prakash is a retired physician and professor, owner of CoachJaya4Health and known locally as “Coach Jaya”. Dr. Prakash holds an MD degree from the University of Poona (India) and a Master of Public Health degree with concentration in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management from Benedictine University (USA). In her professional career, spanning over 4 decades, she has held positions of increased responsibility, including Academic Department Chair, Program Director, and Professor. She was part of the team to establish HIV and AIDS center in Grant medical College and JJ Hospital in 1980s. She also helped launch numerous degree programs both at bachelors, master’s and doctoral level for regionally and nationally accredited universities. She is very passionate about STEM education and inspiring young and old to explore the world. She recently toured many museums in Europe and in US for insights into best practices and areas to improve for establishing an outstanding children’s museum. As the President-elect of Kiwanis club of Melbourne, she is spearheading as the chairperson, Kiwanis club’s centennial signature project, Space Coast Children’s Museum. Space coast Childrens Museum is being designed as a hands-on children’s “museum”, where children of all ages will explore, play, and learn. “Coach Jaya” offers healthy lifestyle solutions including healthy weight management, plans that support muscle strength through structured nutrition plans, hydration, sleep, and other healthy habits. She has helped well over hundred individuals to achieve and sustain healthy lifestyle. In addition, she offers services that work to reduce stress and anxiety through her individual coaching, group workshops and workplace wellness plans. Some of the important strategies that she focuses on are deeply rooted in the practice of Mindful Awareness Meditation. She has guided a multitude of professionals, students, faculty, parents, and other community groups to effectively deal with day-to-day stress to prevent burnout. Her aim is to help you, not just survive, but THRIVE. She has brought up a daughter who in her on right has illustrious career as a civil engineer with NASA and now continues to inspire her young granddaughter to explore the world through play.