Wellness Center
Wellness Center Staff
Mari Lippig, RN
Director of Health Services
Mari Lippig is a Registered Nurse and a previous Midwife with over 25 years experience in many areas of medicine. Before joining the Wellness Center at Peace College in January 2008, Mari spent the past six years working in Urgent Care and Women's health in the greater Raleigh area. She has studied many Complimentary Healing Arts including Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Reiki. Part of her mission at Peace is to impart to the students that good health depends largely on good behavior so Mari spends much time talking to students about maintaining a healthy immune system through good nutrition, exercise, rest, multivitamins and multimineral supplements including methods of handling stress and avoiding substance abuse such as alcohol, smoking, and street drugs.
Dr. Anne Smithson
College Physician
Dr. Anne Smithson received an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Psychology from The University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. She then attended Medical School at the University of Virginia, where she graduated in 1986. While in Medical School, Anne met her husband Chip Smithson, who she married during their 4th year. Upon graduating, the two moved to Charlotte, NC in order to complete their residencies together.
In 1988 their first son, Rob, was born. The next year, Anne Smithson and her family moved to Richmond, VA. There she worked for a family practice until 1992 when the Smithsons moved to Raleigh, NC with a new addition to the family, their one-year-old son, Connor. Since that time, Dr. Anne Smithson has practiced at Wake Teen, North Carolina State University, and Meredith College.
Anne takes great interest in nutrition and preventative health measures. She enjoys cooking, exercising, and outings to the theater. She is an avid ACC sports fan, with a great passion for UNC.
Dr. Anne Smithson joined Peace College in the spring of 2010. We are so happy to have her and the wonderful care she provides!
Meredith Stokke, LPC
www.meredithstokkencc.blogspot.com
Meredith Stokke joined the Peace College Wellness Center Staff as a counselor in August 2010. She completed a Bachelors of Art in Sociology and a Bachelors of Art in Theology from Wheaton College, and earned her Master's in Counseling from Arizona State University. Meredith is a Licensed Professional Counselor, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor, who has experience working with adolescents, adults and families in both community-based and private settings. Her professional interests and clinical expertise include anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, social anxiety and panic, life transitions, grief and loss, spirituality, women's issues, eating disorders, body image and self-esteem. She is currently working towards completing her certification as an Eating Disorder Specialist. Meredith enjoys walking alongside young women as they develop coping skills which enable them to lead more full and effective lives, as well as enhance relationships, emotional regulation skills and communication skills. When she is not working at Peace College, she works with clients at her private practice in North Raleigh.
Whitney Johnson, LPC
Whitney Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and also a Nationally Certified Counselor. She holds her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University and her Master’s of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and also Professional Counseling from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA. Her clinical experience includes counseling adolescents, adults, couples and families. She has expertise in the areas of depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, social anxiety and panic, grief and loss, trauma, sexual abuse and women’s issues. She has worked in various professional counseling settings since June, 2005 including a Community Mental Health Center, a Residential Group Home and Counseling Center for teenage girls, and Private Practice. Whitney greatly enjoys working with clients so that they can grow to become healthier individuals and build healthy friendships and relationships in their lives. She maintains a private practice in Raleigh when she is not working at Peace College. Whitney Johnson joined Peace College Wellness Center as a counselor in August 2010 and really enjoys her work with the students of Peace.