Medicine, massage and meditation

Medicine, massage and meditation

Justin Laube knew he was interested in integrative medicine, so when the time came to choose a medical school he went with the University of Minnesota. A big part of the reason was the campus' Center for Spirituality and Healing.

Thanks to resources at the center, the second-year medical student has already had an immersion experience in Chinese medicine, taken a class called "The Healer's Art" and conducted research on meditation's effect on people caring for relatives with Alzheimer's.

With programs, classes and research ranging from coaching to therapies to botanical medicine, enrollment is growing every year. Interest in complementary therapies continues to increase nationwide -- the Association of American Medical Colleges' latest journal issue is all about complementary medicine, with mentions of the university's center throughout.

What's all the buzz about?

Not just for professionals

Although the center has classes and free online information for health care students and professionals, its reach is much broader. "It's kind of like an octopus: We're a central hub with tentacles or arms that reach into every corner of the university," said Mary Jo Kreitzer, founder and director.

In addition to public health, medicine, nursing, food science and nutrition, the center works across disciplines, including with the School of Music for classes on music and healing and the College of Design for information on how to create physical spaces that enhance healing.

Graduate students taking classes at the center include aspiring dentists, veterinarians, MBAs, architects and lawyers. What ties it all together? A goal to educate, research and provide outreach in integrated health and healing, Kreitzer said.

Medical School takes a role

First- and second-year medical students take a required course that incorporates the center's resources.

"It's really important to us to have medical students understand the added values of different types of complementary medicine and blend them into practice," said Deborah Powell, dean of the university's Medical School. "More medical students are very curious about this and understand that patients are asking for more information about different kinds of healing practices."

The Medical School hired someone this year to write the curriculum for complementary medicine. There's also a program for senior medical students to spend a clinical rotation in Hawaii at a place that blends traditional Hawaiian medicine, including healing touch and herbal medicine, with longtime western practices.

Community, campus outreach

In addition to undergrads and graduate students, community members take advantage of the center's resources. Last year Minneapolis resident Jon Rappaport took the one-day Purpose Project workshop, designed to help people find their purpose, especially those who are retiring. One year later, Rappaport is starting up Freetopia Camps Unlimited, a day camp aimed at keeping adults socially connected through recreation and education.

The workshop was "very insightful," he said. "We reevaluated our lives and where we want to go from here, looked at what are our special gifts."

What's next?

Kreitzer started the center in 1995 to find "a better way to address the whole person, body, mind and spirit," she said. With support from Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences at the university, it took off. Now it's one of five places designated by the National Institute of Health as a Developmental Center for Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

And on the horizon is a goal to launch a clinical model that incorporates conventional care with complementary therapies.

"The biggest transformation is happening now. Consumers are saying it's really important that we take charge of our health and become more proactive," Kreitzer said. "Consumers are wanting, in a real, responsible way, to explore their options in healing."

Sarah Moran is a Minneapolis-based health writer.

The University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing is working to foster research, education and outreach in the growing field of integrative medicine.

CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY AND HEALING

• For a list of classes, upcoming events, academic options, research and free online learning, go to www.csh.umn.edu.

• To create individualized healthy lifestyle plans, navigate the health care system and explore complementary therapies, go to the center's consumer website at www.takingcharge.csh. umn.edu.

• Working on Purpose Workshop: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5, McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota, 200 SE. Oak St., Mpls. $125 fee includes materials and lunch. To register, call 612-626-2395 or e-mail somer012@umn.edu.

SARAH MORAN