Benefits of an Integrative Approach and a Personal Update
I got my walking stick!
I am excited to share that I have graduated from the Integrative Medicine Fellowship at the Univerity of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
Wow, finding it hard to believe two years have passed since I started. Being an Integrative medicine fellow has been an inspiring and transformative experience.
During these past two years, I deepened my knowledge and skills in mind-body medicine, nutritional health, botanicals, dietary supplements, traditional whole systems of healing, and integrative approaches to hundreds of health conditions.
What is Integrative Medicine?
"Integrative Medicine (IM) is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies."
Andrew Weil Center of Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine is Overall health and well-being and incorporates a whole health system approach while considering lifestyle, mental health, and environment. Integrative medicine offers a personalized plan that meets an individual's needs and goals. Treating symptoms or fixing the problem doesn't effectively have long-term health benefits. In addition, integrative medicine offers a variety of complementary and conventional therapies that can support your journey to optimal health.
Why might you pursue an Integrated Medicine approach?
A more holistic health plan that looks at mind, body, and spirit, including emotional and physical aspects of one being in a more comprehensive care plan to identify root causes for health issues.
A more proactive perspective on prevention using lifestyle changes, nutrition, and other natural therapies and preventing illness before it starts or reversing chronic illnesses
A desire for personalized care that emphasizes the relationship between the practitioner and patient. Integrative approach tailors to the patient's unique needs and circumstances. It offers a more comprehensive approach to the person's health issues.
One who believes that the body has an innate healing capacity to heal. That optimal conditions so that the patient's body can heal itself or promote healing and incorporating natural therapies, herbal medicine, and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture in mind-body treatment, such as meditation and mindfulness.
One desires to complement conventional medicine with integrative approaches for maximizing healing for chronic illness and recovery from illness or injuries. One wants to explore all options for treatment and maximize chances for healing and recovery.

I am grateful for the friendships and community from the fellowship. This training has equipped me with the tools to provide personalized patient care that addresses unique individual needs and challenges.
Also, the training provided me with a broader perspective on health, wellness, and healing using a whole system approach, incorporating lifestyle and more comprehensive methods to treat and reverse diseases. Finally, I want to thank the fellowship directors, faculty, staff, and co-fellows who have encouraged and supported me throughout my journey, and I am excited about the future.
On graduation in Tucson, Dr. Weil handed each fellow a walking stick. The stick's composition is sturdy, made out of agave, a symbol offering me support and balance for the journey ahead. Moreover, it serves as a reminder that I am not alone. Instead, I am part of a larger international community of health practitioners from all over the world supporting each other and take comfort in knowing that now I am forever part of this movement of healthcare that provides patient-centered, evidence-informed including the whole person, including physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of health and wellness.
Congratulations on your wonderful achievement!