Paul Priester, professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions, was named as a member of the 2024-2025 Interfaith America Faith & Health Fellows.
The Interfaith America Faith & Health Fellowship began in January and runs through May 2025. Fellows receive a $4,000 stipend to elevate the story of the positive potential of religious diversity as an asset in health care. From medical education to nursing, from the overdose crisis to recovery support, and from long-term care to maternal and infant health, the projects funded through this Fellowship span an array of critical health issues in ways that engage diverse religious traditions to strengthen health outcomes for all.
“This is an exciting opportunity,” said Priester. “I will be able to develop training modules so that Recovery Support Specialists can learn how to respectfully understand the role that faith and spirituality play in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders.”
In 2022, Northern Illinois University was among 11 post-secondary educational institutions to receive funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) program. This two-semester program is designed to support students with lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery to successfully complete all requirements necessary to enter the behavioral health workforce.
As one of the 16-member Faith & Health Fellows, Priester will design and implement projects to advance a broader public understanding of the vital promise of engaging religious identities and communities in health settings.
“Beyond just serving our students, I will make the training freely available to other Recovery Support Specialist training programs across Illinois and with the Illinois Department of Human Services,” Priester said.
Melani Duffrin, interim chair of NIU School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions, said Priester is doing important work through the RSS program, and the additional support through the Fellowship will be valuable.
“The joy the students (in the RSS program) expressed for having career opportunities spoke to the transformative power of the experience,” said Melani Duffrin, acting chair, School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions. “The additional support for enhancing the curriculum speaks to Dr. Preister’s dedication. It is truly a remarkable program.”
Learn more about the Recovery Support Specialist program at NIU.
