The Meridian | Spring 2025

The MERIDIAN SPRING 2025 | Volume 1 Issue 3

Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare

A NOTE FROM DIRECTOR SHARON KANFOUSH, PHD, C-IAYT Winter brought firming up of plans for the Institute’s hybrid biennial conference to be held September 13, 2025. This included finalizing commitments from three invited individuals with impressive and diverse backgrounds and roles in integrative healthcare to open our conference with a keynote panel discussing hurdles and solutions to healthcare integration. Our search for new Institute Faculty Fellows concluded and a number of faculty research fellowship applications have been received; the committee has reviewed them and the fellowship recipients will be announced in the summer newsletter and posted on the website. We have grown the number of educational events this spring to three, all of which were/will be recorded and available for public viewing on the Institute homepage under “Previous Institute Events.” In addition, with the onboarding of our graduate assistant last semester, we have been developing a presence on various social media outlets to reach a broader audience.

Conference Updates The conference website at utica.edu/preventive-andrestorative has been updated significantly to reflect our planning progress, which now includes our invited keynote panelists and their biographies, as well as a list of the individuals who will share their expertise in a separate expert panel on the Integrative Approaches to Maternal Care panel brought on board by past Institute President, Mary Siniscarco. Be sure to check the website for updates and to register to attend when registration opens on April 1.

We are currently accepting abstract submissions at utica.edu/forms/call-for-papers/integrativehealthcare-conference/index.cfm for consideration to give an oral or a poster presentation at the conference, so please consider applying - and please share this with others who may also have work on integrative healthcare to present! The deadline for abstract submission is March 17, 2025. This can include research in the beginning stages, completed research findings, or anything in between. It is an opportunity to not only share integrative healthcare research but also provides a space to connect with others with similar interests.

This year we have added two monetary awards of $250 each for student presenters; a Best Student Oral Presentation and Best Student Poster Presentation, so please encourage students conducting research with a faculty mentor to submit an abstract to be considered to present. It will provide valuable experience for students in preparing an abstract and presenting to community members, as well as

build their resume towards their future careers.

Finally, online registration to participate or attend the conference will be open from TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025 to MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025. Cost of attendance is FREE for Utica University current and active faculty, staff, and students and $100 for Utica University Alumni and any virtual attendees. It is $125 for Standard In-Person Registration, but there is a 20% discount for early registration only during the months of April and May with code EARLYBIRD, so mark your calendars and register early to save! The conference fee includes attendance at all conference sessions, conference materials, and Utica University CEU certificate. For those attending in-person, the conference fee also includes continental breakfast, lunch, breaks, and reception. For conference registration, please see our registration form at utica.edu/forms/events/integrative-healthcareconference/index.cfm.

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Conference Updates continued: We have added a special interest panel at the 2025 conference, which will be on “Integrative Approaches to Maternal Health” to bring together experts to discuss key issues, resources, and accessibility to maternal healthcare, emphasizing the need for advocacy and education. The discussion will feature Utica University faculty sharing their research and advocacy in the Utica area on addressing community resources and disparities in maternal healthcare; exploration of the relationship between mental health and maternal health, myths, and stress normalization

strategies; and outreach efforts, strengthening practitioner-patient relationships, and identifying gaps in maternal healthcare services. Additionally, community resources, including information on doulas and NY IVF services such as acupuncture and yoga, will be shared with the audience. This panel aims to empower attendees with knowledge and strategies to advocate for improved maternal healthcare while fostering meaningful dialogue among professionals, practitioners, and the community.

INVITED SPEAKERS FOR CONFERENCE OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL

SPEAKERS FOR SPECIAL INTEREST PANEL

“Hurdles & Solutions to Healthcare Integration”

“Integrative Approaches to Maternal Care”

Ann Blaney, BSN, RN-BC Coordinator of Integrative Therapies at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA Integrative health offerings include Reiki, aromatherapy, a care channel on television with soothing music and nature scenes, pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy, and more; travels the country sharing how to start integrative health services, organized worldwide integrative health conference.

Lauren Eadline, FNP, APHN-BC, RH (AHG) Nurse Practitioner, Department of Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY Primary care provider, clinical herbalist and plant medicine educator at University Internists East; background in botanical medicine, nutrition and holistic health, experience in internal medicine, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, extensive training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, special interests include chronic disease management, infectious disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and inflammatory conditions.

Staffan Elgelid, Ph.D., PT, GCFP, C-IAYT, ERYT-200, RYT-500, NBC-HWC Professor of Physical Therapy, Nazareth University, Rochester, NY Physical Therapist, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Certified Comprehensive Yoga Therapist; RYT-200; National NBC-HWC Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Author/Editor, Board

of Directors Yoga Alliance 2015-2021.

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE

Mary Siniscarco, MS Associate Professor of Health Studies, Utica University M.S. in Health Education from SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica University, Utica, Deborah Pollack, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology, Utica University M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology & Clinical Psychology (resp.) from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA B.A. in Psychology & Philosophy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD Kaylee Seddio, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology, Utica University Ph.D. in Psychology from University of North Texas, Denton, TX B.A. Psychology - Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX Helen Blouet, Ph.D. Professor of Anthropology, Utica University M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY B.A. in Anthropology from The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Institute Events This spring we are fortunate to have a terrific lineup of multiple events!

February 11

For our first Spring event, we hosted Utica alum Angelica Martin ’11, MS ’14, PA-C for a hybrid presentation on February 11th called “The Taboo Birth: Reframing the Medical Narrative and Empowering Parents at Home”.

She shared a unique blend of personal home-birthing experiences and evidence-based medicine in support of empowering birthing persons to choose their own path for their individual birthing journeys safely. Self-described as a “sciencegrounded, spirit led” practitioner, Angelica brought her several years of experience as a Physician Assistant and her stories of three planned healthy home-births with the goal of sparking conversations about holistic approaches in birthing including midwifery care, doula support, lactation consultants and more. We even had “warming” snacks which can help postpartum mothers. Whole grain chips are a quick source of energy, important for producing milk for infants. The salsa and guacamole are good sources of vegetables containing vitamins to aid wound healing, healthy fats to provide energy, and fiber to help digestion. Garlic is a warming food that promotes circulation and strengthens the digestive system. We also had yummy phyllo-wrapped brie drizzled with honey, which is important for wound healing and pain relief, and cinnamon coffee cakes - highlighting cinnamon as a warming spice that helps with digestion and nutrient absorption.

February 27

A second event this spring was a virtual presentation by YuLing Koh Hsu, Physicians for a National Health Program’s NY Metro Chapter Program Director for the Universal Healthcare Legislative Advocacy Fellowship.

YuLing, and one of the Institute’s Advisory Council Members, Christine Sotmary, Acupuncturist, Nutritionist, and CEO/co-founder of Anodunos: World Without Pain, presented on

“Reimagining Healthcare: The NY Health Act & Movement for Universal Care”. The webinar on Thursday, February 27, 2025 was an engaging and informative discussion on the New York Health Act, the only statewide universal, single-payer healthcare bill in New York intended both to help everyone access healthcare in the face of rising costs as well as to address persistent disparities in healthcare access. In addition to an overview of what the bill covers, how it was developed, the ways it has evolved over time, the challenges it faces, and its current status, it also examined changes to healthcare insurance coverage that may add or expand coverage of some non-Western healthcare modalities.

April 17

Another event this spring will be “From Kicks to Calm: Boost Your Health With Taekwondo,” a hybrid lecture and demonstration event by Master Jung H. Shin, owner and operator of U.S. Black Belt Traditional Taekwondo Martial Arts School in New Hartford, NY. He will present on campus and virtually at 4:00 EST in the Hislop Auditorium, first floor of Thurston hall at Utica University on April 17, 2025. It will provide a comprehensive introduction to this martial art, its techniques, and philosophy. The rich cultural and historical roots that have shaped Taekwondo into a globally respected discipline will be discussed.

Continued practice of Taekwondo has many positive effects on the body, which will be outlined during the training, enhancing physical strength, flexibility, and overall health, as well as the mind, reducing stress, building confidence, and fostering mental resilience. Taekwondo can be beneficial for children as well as adults, with accommodations made for individual needs. Register for the event here: utica.edu/events/2025-04-17/ kickstart-wellness-exploringtaekwondo-mind-and-body-health.

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE

From top to bottom: Angelica Martin ’11, MS ’14, PA-C, YuLing Koh Hsu, and Master Jung H. Shin

New Social Media Presence Our new graduate assistant, Simran Rajni is a dynamic Digital Content Strategist, blending creativity, business acumen, and data-driven insight. With over seven years of experience in digital marketing, fashion design, and retail operations, she has hit the ground running to set up a social media presence for the Institute across multiple platforms. We hope to use them to reach a broader audience, to

advertise for our events, and to be able to give more real time updates of Institute information. Please check out Simran’s hard work on our new profile on LinkedIn at linkedin. com/in/integrative-healthcare/ and follow us on Instagram under @UticaU_IntegrativeHealthcare.

Simran will be working this spring on developing an Institute presence on additional social media platforms, so stay tuned!

Graduate Assistant Simran Rajni

Integrative Wellness Highlights FLOTATION THERAPY Floatation therapy, sometimes called saltwater float therapy, is a sensory deprivation experience that many people find relaxing. The individual floats in a tank filled with warm water and dissolved Epsom salts of magnesium sulfate. The high salt concentration makes the water dense, allowing you to float with little effort. This is typically also done in a dark, quiet room, which reduces sensory stimulation. The buoyancy of the water means you are not even feeling the normal pull of gravity against a firm sitting, standing, or lying surface. In a world in which we are very often bombarded with a multitude of sounds, sights, and other external stimuli through much of our days, this dramatic reduction in stimuli is intended to help you de-stress and help both the body and mind relax.

Floatation therapy has undergone a significant rise in popularity in recent years, with a substantial increase in the number of available float centers in the United States and across the globe. Research supports its effectiveness in reducing stress levels and thereby reducing cortisol levels, blood pressure, and muscle tension, in reducing pain, and in improving sleep quality and one’s general sense of optimism.

Floatation therapy may not be without potential negatives, however, of which people should be aware.

It is critical that you visit a reputable float center in which the tanks/tubs are sanitized on a regular basis since they could otherwise be a breeding ground for bacteria. The high salt concentration can, especially in people with sensitive skin, irritate the skin and it is

important to not participate with any open wounds.

Rarely, some people may be allergic to the Epsom salt used. And floatation therapy can cause a drop in blood pressure in some people. One should consult with their healthcare providers before participating.

Probably one of the more common reasons one might choose not to participate is that the enclosed space of a float tank can trigger claustrophobia in some individuals. This problem may, in some cases, be alleviated by selecting a float center that uses an open tub in a dark room rather than a fully-enclosed float tank.

Our own Institute program manager, Bethany VanBenschoten recently tried floatation therapy Continued on next page

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE

Flotation Therapy continued for the first time. She found it not to be, for her, a very enjoyable experience. “For me, the reduction in outside distractions and stimuli activated my more basic senses, and I was overwhelmed by the salty smell of the room. Coupled with the weightlessness in the water, this caused me to experience nausea and something similar to vertigo for the first few minutes of the 60 minute session. If you have issues with your inner ear or are easily nauseated by new or unfamiliar smells, perhaps use ear plugs (they will provide these), nose plugs, or consider employing the help of some

motion sickness medicine, or choose to have some ginger, peppermint, or chamomile tea accompany your float session.” Other individuals have responded to float therapy more positively and are frequent fliers… or maybe we should say “frequent floaters!” As with other health and wellness modalities, it may not be your cup of tea, but it just might. You won’t know if it is for you unless you try!

Learn more about floatation therapy:

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integrativehealthcare@utica.edu (315) 792-3735 www.utica.edu/integrativehealthcare

Utica University remains neutral and does not endorse or take a position on the events, speakers, or organizations we sponsor or host.

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE Our commitment is to fostering open dialogue, academic freedom, and diverse perspectives while upholding our institutional values and policies.