Title:‘Thinking outside the box’ with integrative medicine

As one of the only institutions to offer a Master of Science (M.S.) in integrative medicine and health sciences, Georgetown University continues to be at the forefront of holistic medicine with a program that prepares students for careers in health care and research through advanced education in biomedicine and progressive medical practices.

What began in 2003 as a program centered on bridging the study of evidence-based holistic approaches to health and biomedical sciences still remains the only one of its kind in the United States. Lady Nwadike (G’18) says that uniqueness compelled her to apply to Georgetown.

“I didn’t really know about integrative medicine as an educational field before I applied,” says Nwadike, now oncology program coordinator at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. “But once I started learning about the positive impact it can have, when practiced correctly, on a person’s health care, I knew that I wanted to be instrumental in educating people about their options to complement their biomedical treatment plan.

“It became a calling that was important for me: to make sure that these different health options were getting across to people who looked like me—young, Black women—as well as those who are older, and those who are looking for other non-pharmacologic methods to manage chronic pain. Georgetown does a really good job of thinking outside of the box and has many specific programs focused on integrative medicine. I think this is what makes Georgetown stand out from other universities in the U.S.”

Through the 11-month program, students take not only science courses but also examine chronic disease prevention and well-being through changed behaviors as well as holistic approaches that are supported by evidence of efficacy and effectiveness—herbs, vitamins and supplements, meditation, diet/nutrition, exercise, acupuncture, and massage therapy—that selectively incorporate elements of complementary and integrative medicine into allopathic treatment plans.

Taking care of patients starts with medical students learning self-care, explains program director Hakima Amri, professor of biochemistry and physiology, co-founder of the Integrative Medicine Initiative, and head of the division of whole person health and wellness at Georgetown University.

“There is always great research going on at Georgetown. We just finished a study on the use of transcendental meditation to reduce stress, anxiety, and burnout in medical students,” says Amri. “I am seeing this increase in interest in integrative medicine from our young generation. I think they have more awareness about their health, want to have more options in their toolkit, and try different modalities to promote health and wellness.”