LCDR Morrisa B. Rice, MHA, RS

Q. What do you do?
A. I am a public health analyst in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Women’s Health (OWH). I am a Lieutenant Commander in the US Public Health Service which
requires me to manage essentially two careers.

Q. How do you stay healthy?
A. I maintain a good balance of work, exercise and play in my life. I enjoy coordinating and collaborating on activities related to women’s health and a good class of pure kickboxing twice a week. I eat as healthy as possible and love to spend time with the family including engaging in physical activity.

Q. Why is staying healthy important to you?
A. First I must set an example to my children that our bodies are the temple of God and we must take care of them in order to live according to his will. Secondly, I want to be around as long and possible for my family and have the best quality of life well into my senior years.

Q. How have the women in your family influenced your healthy lifestyle?
A. My mother supported and encouraged me to pursue my passion for dance since I was
three  (3) years old. She took me to dance classes, encouraged me to participate in dance performances, and be active in my daily life. On the other hand, there are women in my family that struggle with weight loss and that increased my desire to begin early on in life taking care of myself and establishing a healthy lifestyle. My grandma had heart disease and cancer and that also
influenced me to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Q. How do you stay spiritually healthy?
A. I have daily talks throughout the day with the Lord and begin my day by giving thanks to the higher power. I enjoy meditating and was encouraged through reading “The Secret” to maintain a positive attitude of “Yes I can”…

Q. Do you have a workout or exercise regimen?
A. Absolutely, in the winter months I tend to lay off the running a bit but take a kickboxing class twice a week which includes cardio, strength training and boxing. I also incorporate salsa cardio into my regimen because of my love for dancing. In the summer months I enjoy running outdoors.

Q. Do you have any special girlfriends that you have relationships with and if so, why are those
relationships important?
A. My sister circle is one of the most important aspects of my life. The relationships that I have
developed with my sisters are true, honest and sincere. We serve as mentors, confidents, and listeners to each other. Most importantly we are reliable and real. With me, do not ask me a question if you do not want an honest answer especially when it comes to taking care of our spiritual, emotional and well being.

Q. Girlfriend advice???
A. Be true to yourself and love yourself first…Be willing to listen and not always talk. And Most Importantly…Make God the head of yourhousehold…

Q. How have you been affected by Lupus?
A. I have close family members who have been diagnosed with Lupus and I became aware of the
effects of Lupus in 1995 when one of my family members became very ill. However, I watched these
strong women take control of Lupus and not let Lupus control them or take away their essence of
being a woman. As a result in my current position at HRSA OWH, I was able to be involved in the HHS OWH Lupus Awareness Planning Committee.