The MERIDIAN Fall 2026 | Volume 2 Issue 5
Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare
A NOTE FROM DIRECTOR SHARON KANFOUSH, PHD, C-IAYT Exciting new student initiatives were developed this summer! One ready to launch is our new Student Affiliate Program. To follow very soon, after just a bit more fine-tuning, is an accompanying Digital Badge in Integrative Healthcare. In support of student research and projects, a new fundraising initiative is being kicked off! Finally, we are in the early stages of planning the 2027 Integrative Healthcare Conference, scheduled for Saturday, September 18!
SPREADING OUR WINGS! Several new, longer-term initiatives have been under development for some time that are finally coming to fruition. Two – and potentially all three – are designed to enhance awareness, understanding, and engagement in integrative healthcare among students - the future generation of healthcare clinicians, educators, users and champions of integrative healthcare. A student affiliate program will bring awareness, understanding, and engagement. A fundraising initiative will support student activities associated with the affiliate program, and the next biennial conference will present opportunities for students and professionals to come together as a community of like-minded individuals for the exchange of scientific knowledge, practices, and models of application of integrative healthcare.
STUDENT AFFILIATE PROGRAM The Institute actively hosts educational events each semester, in addition to our biennial conference. All of these are completely open and free to students. Another important role is to actively support research in integrative healthcare by faculty fellows. These are faculty projects, but it is actively
encouraged that the results be integrated into courses in order for students to benefit. In some instances faculty projects, or off-shoots of them, may also represent opportunities for students to participate in meaningful mentored research activities in integrative healthcare. From its founding, student involvement has been a primary objective of the Institute. We routinely make faculty aware of upcoming Institute events and ask that they announce them in their classes and to consider, if appropriate, coupling event attendance or participation with a class assignment or to award extra credit for student attendance or participation. We have held events at Homecoming, we sponsored and helped organize an integrative healthcare bingo night for students, and we have held small pop-up giveaway events such as one in which students could pick up a free air plant and learn about the benefits of plants to one’s health. In the 2025 conference, we created opportunities for student organizations and their members to volunteer in exchange for practical material support of their organizations as a means to increase awareness of the
conference and to get more students on-site for the day to see and hear the impressive amount, diversity and rigor of research in integrative healthcare taking place and being presented at their own campus. After a year of brainstorming, conversations and development, the Institute has completed a new – largerscale – initiative to benefit students and increase their engagement. After previously hinting at what was under development, the new Institute Student Affiliate Program has now been completed and will formally launch on September 1st! Following soon on its heels will be the launch of an associated Digital Badge in Integrative Healthcare that students can post on LinkedIn or other professional pages. The two will work in tandem, with students accruing points through completion of a variety of chosen options such as participating in Institute events, successfully completing appropriate coursework, performing community outreach, and/ or conducting mentored research or projects to attain successively higher levels (I-IV) in the student affiliate program and subsequently the badge. More details on this are provided in this newsletter and on the Institute website.
FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE
BIENNIAL CONFERENCE
Mentored student research or other projects are key components of the upper levels of the program and the forthcoming associated digital badge. In support of these, the Institute’s first fundraising initiative is being kicked off!
Early planning for the next conference has begun. We are still working to complete assembly of an interdisciplinary conference planning committee. However, rooms have been reserved, meetings have been held with the provider of the conference app, and lessons learned from the 2025 conference have been revisited. Some new ideas have already arisen in early brainstorming. A tentative conference theme has been proposed, but we are also still welcoming ideas. Similarly, although we have some ideas for a keynote speaker, suggestions are still very much welcome for this as well!
The Institute was founded by an extremely generous donation from anonymous donors and given its mandate to review and fund faculty fellowship proposals in integrative healthcare, to host guest speakers and participatory events, and to organize and host a biennial conference. The first step toward soliciting additional donations came in Spring 2026 in the form of inclusion of an Institute Director’s Discretionary Fund among the available choices in the University’s Give Day fundraising effort. Kicking off now is another new Institute fundraising initiative aimed specifically at support of a new Student Small Grant Fund to support materials needed to conduct student research and projects as well as conference registration and travel grants to enable students to attend and present their research at professional conferences. A donation link is included in this and future editions of The Meridian and has been added to the Institute website.
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE
Most importantly for now, a date has been chosen. So, we ask you to save the date for Saturday, September 18, 2027! Please check back often for more information as it is included in upcoming newsletters and added to the Institute’s website as it becomes available!
A New Opportunity for Students to Engage with Integrative Healthcare: The Launch of our Student Affiliate Program We are excited to announce the launch of the Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare’s first comprehensive student involvement activity—the Student Affiliate Program. Beginning in September, Utica University undergraduate students from any major can connect with the world of integrative healthcare through learning opportunities, community engagement, professional development, and hands-on experiences while earning points toward multiple levels of Institute recognition. Registration is now open and ongoing, giving students the flexibility to participate in activities that align with their interests and goals. The program is intentionally designed around experiences that higher education research identifies as high-impact practices. Students can earn points by attending Institute educational programs, volunteering at events and conferences, completing approved coursework, developing educational materials, participating in community outreach, conducting mentored research, presenting their work, and contributing to The Meridian. Research on high-impact practices has associated these types of experiences with increased student engagement, perceived learning gains, satisfaction, and opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with faculty, peers, and community partners, all activities that align with the University’s new strategic plan.
As students progress through the program, they can earn recognition as Level I, II, III, or IV Student Affiliates of the Institute, with each level representing an increasing level of engagement and achievement. Students will be able to highlight their affiliate status on resumes and professional platforms such as LinkedIn, creating a tangible way to demonstrate their involvement in integrative healthcare. The Institute is also nearing completion of a Digital Badge in Integrative Healthcare, which is planned as a culmination of the affiliate process; students who want to continue beyond Level IV will be able to complete additional activities as well as the required Foundations of Integrative Healthcare course and will then be eligible for the badge once the course is available. The Student Affiliate Program is more than a checklist of activities—it is an opportunity for students to explore, participate, contribute and build experience in a growing field. Whether through research, education, community engagement, or professional development, students can shape their involvement around their own interests while becoming more connected to the Institute and its work to advance integrative healthcare education.
STU D E N TS , S I G N U P TO DAY !
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE
New Fundraising Initiative: Support for a New Small Student Grant Program We are excited to kick off a fundraising initiative to establish a new grant program with the primary focus to support Utica University students’ efforts as they pursue mentored research and integrative healthcare-related projects. Grant funding will help provide students with financial assistance for project-related expenses, as well as opportunities to travel to professional conferences and potentially present to share their research and hard work with a broader audience. As you may recall from a previous newsletter, the Institute had the opportunity to provide funds for a student to present research at a state conference, and the feedback from that experience has encouraged the
Institute to make this available to even more students! By investing in this program, donors can help create meaningful pathways for students to gain hands-on research experience, work alongside mentors, and begin building professional connections and practice important skills that can support their future academic and career goals. While student grants will be a primary focus, your gift to the Institute will also allow us flexibility to support other expanded initiatives and emerging opportunities as we continue to grow!
S U P P O R T TH E I N STI TU TE
FALL EVENTS REMINDER! Learning in Motion: The Feldenkrais Method THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. Speaker: Staffan Elgelid, PhD, PT, GCFP, C-IAYT, ERYT-200, RYT-500, NBC-HWC, Professor of Physical Therapy, Nazareth University, Rochester, NY Join the institute for this introduction to a gentle, mindful, learning approach to movement that can transform the way you feel in your body and go through your daily life.
*RESCHEDULED/NEW DATE* Embedding Health & Wellness into Higher Education Campuses Using the Eight Dimensions of Wellness Model TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 | 4:00 P.M. Speakers: Cicily Talerico, OTD, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy; Trista Richardson, OTD, Professor of Practice in Occupational Therapy; Jae Sung Park, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Exercise & Wellness Studies, Utica University, Utica, NY Some of our ’25-’26 Faculty Fellows will share the focus of their research and present their findings when working with Utica students.
Upcoming events are posted on our website and social media pages, so please check in often and share widely with your contacts! All previous event recordings can be accessed on our website in the Previous Institute Events section at the bottom.
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE
I N STI TU TE E V E N TS
Institute Advisory Council Member to Present at National PAINWeek Conference The Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare is proud to recognize Advisory Council member Christine Sotmary, MS, LAc, CPC, CEO and co-founder of Anodunos, who will share her expertise at the 2026 PAINWeek Conference in Las Vegas this September. PAINWeek is one of the nation’s premier educational conferences for healthcare professionals, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and educators to advance evidence-based approaches to acute and chronic pain management. As a nationally recognized advocate for whole-person pain care, Christine has dedicated her career to improving the lives of people living with chronic pain through education, collaboration, and patient-centered care. Through Anodunos, she has helped develop the Anodunos Method, an interdisciplinary model that prepares healthcare professionals to integrate evidence-informed complementary therapies, medical care, and pain navigation into collaborative care teams. The organization’s work emphasizes the biopsychosocial model of pain, therapeutic
alliance, and coordinated care that empowers individuals while addressing the complex physical, psychological, and social dimensions of chronic pain. Christine will launch the conference by co-leading a four-hour pre-conference certification, “Understanding & Operationalizing the Biopsychosocial Model in Chronic Pain.” She will also present two additional educational sessions: Designing Patient-Centered Systems for Integrated Medical & Whole-Person Care and Establishing the Therapeutic Alliance Across Cultures, Communities, Experiences & Education. Together, these presentations highlight the growing recognition that effective pain management requires collaborative, person-centered approaches that extend beyond symptom management alone. Christine’s leadership reflects the values at the heart of the Institute’s mission—to advance integrative healthcare through education, research, and collaboration. We congratulate her on this well-deserved national recognition and are grateful for her continued service on the Institute’s Advisory Council, where her expertise helps shape opportunities that strengthen integrative healthcare education and practice.
PROVIDERS, ARE YOU LISTED ON THE DIGITAL INTEGRATIVE PROVIDER DATABASE? This free database is a helpful starting point for individuals in New York who are interested in finding integrative healthcare providers. It currently contains over 300 listings, arranged by NYS county, with additions in surrounding states and some in Canada. Database Disclaimer Statement: We do not recommend, endorse, or claim to have any affiliation with any of the providers in this database. This free and public resource is for informational purposes only and is intended to provide an easily accessible potential list for local users to begin their search for integrative care and does not claim to be inclusive of all NY state providers. Users are solely responsible for their choice of provider. Deciding on a provider is a personal decision to meet the unique needs of one’s individual healthcare journey. By using this database, users agree to indemnify and hold the University and its entities harmless from any and all liability, claims, or damages arising out of or in connection with their decision to seek care from any provider listed herein.
Are you an integrative provider who wants to be listed in our database?
CHECK OU T T HE DATA BASE
F I L L O U T TH I S F O R M !
What’s Trending in Integrative Healthcare? A recent 2026 analysis of the 2022 National Health Interview Survey shares great current data: among 27,651 U.S. adults, about 37% reported using at least one complementary/alternative practice in the previous year. Meditation, yoga, chiropractic care, and massage therapy were the most frequently reported. A separate 2024 analysis of 20 years of NHIS data found that meditation, yoga, and guided imagery/progressive relaxation all increased significantly from 2002 to 2022. Other emerging topics that represent areas of growing public and professional interest, not ranked by clinical evidence or effectiveness, include: cold-water immersion, longevityfocused health, red-light therapy/photo-biomodulation, gut health & microbiome, breathwork, wearables & personalized health, and nervous-system regulation. Use data reflect U.S. adults reporting use of complementary/ alternative practices in the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTHCARE
The Language of Medicine: A Guide to the Vocabulary of Modern Healthcare Medical terminology reflects centuries of cultural tradition, scientific discovery, and evolving ideas about health and healing. Terms such as allopathic, osteopathic, holistic, functional, alternative, complementary, and integrative are increasingly common in conversations about healthcare, yet they are often misunderstood or used interchangeably despite describing very different concepts. Some identify healthcare professions;, others represent philosophies of care, and still others refer to longstanding medical systems that developed in diverse cultures around the world. Understanding this vocabulary is more than an exercise in semantics. As healthcare continues to evolve toward collaborative, patient-centered models of care, individuals are increasingly likely to encounter and seek out a wide range of treatment approaches and healthcare philosophies. A clearer understanding of these terms – and the histories behind them – can help patients navigate healthcare conversations with greater confidence, evaluate information more critically, and make more informed decisions about their care. In the United States, conventional medicine refers to healthcare delivered by licensed physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals who diagnose and treat disease using scientific evidence, clinical research, and established standards of care. It is often also referred to as modern, evidence-based medicine or biomedicine. In evidence-based medicine, recommendations evolve, and practices continually get re-evaluated. Central features of American conventional medicine will constantly improve as new research emerges (Sackett et al., 1996). The term allopathic medicine is also sometimes used in reference to conventional medicine, but less commonly. Eighteenth century German physician Samuel Hahnemann coined the term to distinguish his practices from the conventional medical practices of his day. Hahnemann had developed the practice of homeopathy, contending that a substance causing specific symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in a sick person and that repeated dilution enhances a substance’s therapeutic effect. Although it became widely practiced in Europe and later in parts of the world, modern scientific evaluations have generally concluded it does not reliably yield effectiveness beyond placebo for most medical conditions. Nevertheless, the term allopathic remains in educational materials and international healthcare discussions (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [NCCIH], 2025). Osteopathic medicine was a medical approach and new vocabulary term championed in the United States in 1874 by physician Andrew Taylor Still, who believed that effective healthcare should consider the body’s interconnected systems rather than focusing solely on individual diseases, a belief that might sound familiar to those outside the United States. His Americanized philosophy emphasized the importance of supporting the body’s natural ability to maintain health (Gevitz, 2019). Today, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) receive medical education comparable to physicians holding the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Both complete four years of medical school, participate in residency training, are able to prescribe
medications, perform surgery, and practice medical specialties. In addition to the standard medical curriculum, DOs receive training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a handson technique used with some musculoskeletal conditions. While the educational philosophy differs somewhat between MD and DO programs, both are fully licensed physicians who practice modern, evidence-based medicine (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, 2025). The term holistic is often misunderstood because it is not a separate medical system or profession. The word derives from the Greek holos, meaning “whole,” and describes an approach to care that considers the many factors that influence individual health, including physical, emotional, mental, social, environmental, and, for many individuals, spiritual well-being, rather than treating a disease in isolation. The core philosophy dates back thousands of years to ancient medical systems like Ayurveda in India and Traditional Chinese Medicine, which viewed the mind, body, and spirit as connected. However, the modern Western holistic health movement formally began in the late 1960s as a counterculture reaction against heavily technological and drug-based conventional medicine. The first National Conference on Holistic Health took place in California in 1975, leading directly to the establishment of the American Holistic Medical Association in 1978. Importantly, the term holistic does not indicate whether a particular therapy has been scientifically evaluated. Instead, it simply describes a philosophy that can be incorporated into many different healthcare settings. Osteopathic medicine, like the medical systems of homeopathy, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (covered below), embraces a holistic medical philosophy. This philosophy is increasingly reflected in modern, conventional healthcare. Primary care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, palliative care, and preventive medicine all now recognize that nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, social relationships, housing, education, and access to healthcare can influence health outcomes. The World Health Organization has long defined health as more than the absence of disease, describing it as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being (WHO, 2023). Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine are frequently used interchangeably, yet they describe different relationships between conventional healthcare and nonmainstream practices. Complementary medicine refers to non-mainstream approaches used together with conventional medical care. Examples may include meditation to reduce stress during cancer treatment or acupuncture to help manage chronic pain while decreasing reliance on opiates. Alternative medicine refers to non-mainstream approaches used in place of conventional medical care. Because alternative therapies replace rather than complement evidence-based treatment, major health organizations generally encourage patients to discuss these approaches with their healthcare providers before making treatment decisions (NCCIH, 2025). Integrative medicine, sometimes called integrative healthcare, intentionally combines conventional medicine with complementary approaches that have demonstrated appropriate levels of safety and evidence for specific conditions. Rather than favoring one medical tradition over
another, integrative healthcare emphasizes coordinated, patient-centered care that considers the whole person while remaining informed by scientific evidence (NCCIH, 2025). Although the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health uses the terms complementary and integrative together, the term complementary is intentionally avoided by the Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare. This is because it may be interpreted as establishing a hierarchy that places conventional medicine at the forefront and the broad range of research-supported practices, interventions, and natural products that have origins outside of modern Western medicine in a subordinate position. A more balanced definition is that of Witt, et al. (2017): “Integrative health is a state of well-being in body, mind and spirit that reflects aspects of the individual, community, and population. It is affected by: (1) individual biological factors and behaviors, social values, and public policy, (2) the physical, social, and economic environments, and (3) an integrative healthcare system that involves active participation of the individual and the healthcare team in applying a broad spectrum of preventive and therapeutic approaches. Integrative healthcare encourages individuals, social groups, and communities to develop ways of living that promote meaning, resilience and wellbeing across the life course” (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2017). This multi-faceted lens and approach grew from the wisdom of many prior medical systems – including very ancient cultural traditions. Ayurveda originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is among the world’s oldest continuously practiced medical systems. It emphasizes individualized approaches to diet, lifestyle, physical activity, herbal preparations, and overall balance among the body’s systems (Mishra et al., 2001). Ayurveda continues to be practiced worldwide and has influenced many modern wellness concepts. Scientific research has evaluated numerous Ayurvedic therapies, finding the strength of evidence varies considerably depending on the specific intervention. As with any herbal or dietary product, quality and safety can differ among manufacturers, making it important for patients to discuss Ayurvedic therapies with their healthcare providers (NCCIH, 2025). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) developed over thousands of years in China. Rather than representing a single treatment, TCM is a comprehensive medical system with its own methods of diagnosis and treatment and encompasses several therapeutic approaches, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, tai chi, qigong, dietary therapy, and therapeutic massage. Some TCM practices - particularly acupuncture have been extensively studied for selected conditions and
are incorporated into some conventional healthcare settings. Research on other TCM therapies continues to evolve, and recommendations vary depending on the specific therapy and medical condition (Xu & Yang, 2009; NCCIH, 2025). Naturopathic medicine is a distinct healthcare profession based on the principle that the body has an inherent capacity to heal. Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs), where recognized by state law (NY is not yet one of them), receive graduatelevel education that includes nutrition, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling, and other therapeutic approaches. However, educational standards, licensure, and scope of practice vary considerably across the states (NCCIH, 2025). Functional medicine gained popularity over the past two decades and focused on identifying factors believed to contribute to disease - including nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposures, genetics, and metabolism - rather than concentrating primarily on symptom management. Lifestyle medicine emerged more recently and is recognized as an evidence-based medical discipline focused on preventing, treating, and, in some cases, helping reverse chronic disease by addressing modifiable health behaviors. It emphasizes a predominantly whole-food, “plantforward” eating pattern; regular physical activity; restorative sleep; stress management; avoidance of harmful substances; and positive social connections. Both are medical philosophies rather than regulated medical specialties. While both focus on root causes, lifestyle medicine is primarily a behavioral discipline whereas functional medicine brings in a patient’s diagnostic framework that uses advanced testing to map their unique biochemistry and identify specific physiological imbalances. Healthcare vocabulary reflects centuries of cultural traditions, scientific discovery, and evolving ideas about health and healing. Some terms describe educational pathways or healthcare professions. Others describe philosophies or approaches to care. Still others identify historical medical systems that continue to influence healthcare around the world. Understanding these distinctions helps people navigate an increasingly diverse healthcare landscape. It also reminds us that while the language of medicine continues to evolve, the goal remains the same: helping individuals achieve better health through compassionate and evidence-informed care. Realizing the differences in the terms also stands as a reminder to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, clarify that we are saying what we intend to say and understanding what the person we are talking to is trying to convey. This article was developed using peer-reviewed literature and authoritative resources; list available upon request to integrativehealthcare@utica.edu.
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