Honoring Excellence in Integrative Health
ACHS is delighted to share the 2026 Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) Award Recipients. This year’s honors celebrate two exceptional ACHS graduates whose work in integrative health continues to educate, inspire, and serve their communities.
The 2026 cycle marked a milestone for ACHS, with a record-breaking pool of over 30 nominees for the DEAC awards, reflecting the growing impact and reach of its global alumni network.
This year’s recipients, Dr. Krista Morton (Outstanding Graduate Award) and Anne Moon Famous Alumni Award, embody a deep commitment to lifelong learning, community engagement, and holistic wellness leadership. Both honorees were recognized during the ACHS Commencement Ceremony on June 12, 2026, where they also shared remarks as featured speakers.
Read on to learn more about this year’s recipients and their inspiring journeys.
2026 Outstanding Graduate Award Recipient: Dr. Krista Morton
Dr. Krista Morton is a 2025 graduate of the Doctor of Science in Integrative Health program at ACHS. Her journey reflects resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to holistic healing.
Before beginning her doctoral studies, Krista faced five years of complex chronic illness, including mycotoxin illness, mast cell activation syndrome, Lyme disease, and multiple autoimmune conditions. These challenges led her to step away from her career as a professional modern dance performer and instructor. Her path shifted after working with an integrative medicine practitioner, inspiring her to deepen her expertise and help others heal.
Already an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Krista sought advanced training that aligned with her goals. After briefly enrolling in a PhD program elsewhere, she found the right fit at ACHS, where she could pursue her doctorate while continuing to run her private practice, SomaSonder Wellness.
Based in Greenville, South Carolina, SomaSonder Wellness serves clients in person and virtually across the U.S. and Canada. Krista specializes in complex chronic conditions, using an integrative, patient-centered approach that combines tools such as bioresonance testing, neurological brain retraining, and Bio-Systems Integration techniques. Her work emphasizes compassion, deep listening, and individualized care.
Her ACHS education further strengthened her expertise, particularly through her dissertation on integrative protocols for mycotoxin illness. Alongside her clinical work, she contributes as a writer and educator for Microbalance Health Products and hosts the Unbound Health and Wellness podcast, and is currently completing a clinical mentorship in integrative medicine.
During her final year at ACHS, Krista experienced the sudden loss of her mother. With support from ACHS faculty, she persevered and dedicated her dissertation to her mother’s memory. Her work continues to make a meaningful impact in integrative healthcare, and ACHS is proud to honor her achievements.
Watch the video below to hear Krista share her thoughts on receiving this award.
2026 Famous Alumni Award Recipient: Anne Moon
Anne Moon is a leader in celiac disease advocacy, holistic nutrition, and community-based care. She earned her Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition from ACHS with honors in December 2023, marking a key milestone in a career rooted in both personal passion and professional impact.
Anne began her studies at ACHS in 2020 during a pandemic-related career shift that allowed her to further her education and expand her ability to serve her clients and community. Her time at ACHS was transformative, giving her the opportunity to integrate her real-world experience supporting individuals with celiac disease with advanced study in nutrition, physiology, and the environmental and emotional factors that influence health. This holistic foundation strengthened her ability to support the whole person, not just dietary compliance.
In 2017, Anne founded Beautifully Gluten Free, a private practice dedicated to celiac disease awareness and individualized support for those living with strict gluten-free needs. Her work focused on more than dietary guidance, emphasizing confidence-building and emotional support as clients navigated complex social situations such as dining out, traveling, and communicating their needs in daily life.
Today, Anne is making a lasting impact through her work with Seattle Children’s Hospital. She began volunteering with its Celiac Disease Program in 2017 and, as the program grew, was appointed in 2020 as the founding Chair of its Advisory Board. In this role, she helped launch major initiatives, including the “Running from Gluten” fundraiser, the program’s Guild, and expanded education and outreach efforts.
In October 2025, Anne was appointed Celiac Disease Program Manager at Seattle Children’s Hospital. In this role, she supports newly diagnosed patients and families, collaborates with clinical teams, and contributes to broader advocacy and policy efforts at both local and national levels. Anne’s career reflects the meaningful intersection of education, lived experience, and service-driven leadership, and ACHS is honored to recognize her impact. You can reach out to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Celiac Disease Program at [email protected].
Watch the video below to hear Anne share her thoughts on receiving this award.
Are you inspired to take the next step in your wellness education? Request more information about ACHS programs today to explore our micro-credentials, certificates, diplomas, and degree pathways in Herbal Medicine, Aromatherapy, Holistic Nutrition, and Integrative Health—and find the program that aligns with your goals.
