Integrative medicine is a new style of medical practice that reaffirms the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, focuses on the whole person, is informed by scientific evidence and thereby uses all appropriate therapies, healthcare professionals and other disciplines to achieve optimal healing and health
All factors such as the mind, body, spirit and community that influence health, wellness and disease are taken into consideration. The integrative medicine specialist working collaboratively with the patient employs whenever possible only evidence-based interventions from both conventional and ancient healing arts that are natural and less invasive. Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically because good medicine is based in good science. These concepts of treatment, health promotion and the prevention of illness are paramount to the integrative medicine specialist who shares the patient’s journey toward better self-care, deeper self-exploration and transformative healing.
In 2016, the American Board of Physician Specialties under the auspices of the American Board of Integrative Medicine offered a national daylong examination to those physicians in good standing with their state medical associations who successfully graduated from an approved integrative medicine fellowship which generally consists of over a thousand hours of additional study over a two-year period. Attaining and maintaining this level of expertise by continuing medical education and mandatory repeat board examination every 10 years is a commitment by integrative medicine specialists to offer the highest possible level of expertise and professionalism to their patients and fellow physicians.
Now that fellowship trained, board-certified integrative medicine specialists are available to consult on complex medical and surgical cases both in and out of the hospital, this time-honored practice of physicians requesting the assistance of other specialty trained physicians can now bring the principles of integrative medicine into mainstream of medical practice. The notion that integrative medicine is an unregulated marginalized medical practice is no longer true.
Life is stressful, but not all stressors are harmful especially if they are balanced with daily relaxation. Rather than medicating away life stressors with potentially harmful substances, integrative medical care will promote daily relaxation using breath work, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, massage, self-hypnosis, botanicals, and spiritual practices such as mindful meditation and prayer
This is the ultimate goal – not just for integrative medicine but for life. As we experience the inescapable deterioration that accompanies aging, we seek healing. This is not to be confused with treatment or curing an illness. We seek balance and harmony for our body, mind and spirit. The integrative physician provides the healing presence to make that happen.
Wellness and Successful Aging (WASA) was started in May 2012, two years after its founder, Joseph F Mambu MD, completed the prestigious integrative medicine fellowship at the University of Arizona‘s Center for Integrative Medicine (AzCIM). Under the leadership of its creator, Andrew Weil MD, and consistent with its mission to teach, heal and transform, the fellowship’s comprehensive two-year curriculum was further developed by an outstanding and dedicated faculty from the various disciplines that collectively comprise the field of integrative medicine.
Its proprietary Health Risk Assessment collects data from 12 different health domains and documents to progress its WASA members make from one membership year to the next. Another new exclusive resource being developed at WASA is Wellness Trakker℠, and Internet-based, bidirectional, user-friendly patient engagement program which ensures up-to-date medical records between consultation visits. The personal health information of each WASA member is encrypted for high level security and fully compliant with HIPAA. This feature provides password-protected, real-time, no cost access to each member’s medical record wherever and whenever and by whomever they choose.
What started as an attempt by Dr. Mambu to introduce traditional primary care patients to the purest form of integrative medicine quickly developed into a robust consultative service with a powerful synergy resulting in extraordinary positive outcomes. The healing power of this clinical scenario is now an innovative medical delivery model that finally allows both primary and specialty medical offices to consult fellowship trained board-certified integrative medicine clinicians to introduce appropriate holistic evidence-based CAM therapies to their patients.
This model although still a work in progress is an integrative medicine consultation practice with a one-of-a-kind highly developed operational design which refines itself as it expands from one medical office to another. In summary, WASA patients can now access the knowledge and health benefits of a properly implemented, comprehensive, continuous integrative medicine program in their own neighborhood. Accessing a board-certified integrative medicine specialist and adding holistic management of one’s healthcare no longer requires traveling to a medical center or university hospital.
Ms. Palmgren graduated from Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing in 1971. After raising her children, she did office based nursing for cardiologists at Graduate Hospital for two years. She returned to work by starting her own business that focused on nutrition, whole foods, weight loss and behavior modification. Returning to the hospital setting after five years, she worked as a staff nurse at Elkins Park Hospital in the rehab department for over three years.
Taking that knowledge, she then worked for Jeanne’s Hospital Home Care for the next ten years. During this time, she became certified in geriatric nursing and acquired a certification in teaching yoga. She also studied multiple complementary modalities. Ms. Palmgren returned to office nursing in 2000 where she was the RN that helped supervise and instruct patients to manage their complex diagnoses. She currently administers the Health Risk Assessments in addition to assisting with daily office operations at WASA.
Dr. Dana Kerner, is a general internist in solo practice since 2000. Dr. Kerner is Board certified in Internal Medicine, she is also a 2018 graduate of Dr Andrew Weil’s fellowship in Integrative Medicine from the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona’s School of Medicine. Prior to receiving her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1997, Dr. Kerner graduated magna cum laude in 1992 from West Chester University.
Optimize and maintain a new level of health by adding collaborative integrative medical expertise to their routine primary healthcare
Successfully achieve a health promoting change in their daily lifestyle utilizing motivational health coaching
Holistic annual executive-level physical examinations
Expedite a recovery from a recent serious illness
Complex chronic medical problems requiring extra time and customized care
A broader approach to the rehabilitation of complicated physical disabilities associated with strokes and CNS injures
Holistic palliative care with end-of-life goalsetting and hospice
60-minute one on one sessions with the physician – These sessions will establish, measure, and adjust as needed, a personalized integrative treatment plan. Any necessary referrals to other Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners will be discussed and made accordingly at that time.
Exclusive WASA Membership Hotline – Members have access to a 24/7/365 private telephone hotline to WASA clinicians for health and wellness issues and any questions related to their integrative medical care plan.
Health Risk Assessment© (HRA) – The HRA is given at the beginning and end of each membership year. It is a 2-hr visit conducted by a licensed clinician that measures 12 areas of health risk resulting in an aggregate health risk score. Various diagnoses, medications and supplements, nutrition, exercise, pollution awareness, sleep, spirituality are just some the domains measured. Answers from each domain are weighted and scored annually allowing WASA members to monitor changes in their respective health risks over time.
Access to WASA’s Archive of Scientific Publications – Exclusive access to critically reviewed articles from the extensive library at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine discussing the pros and cons of various Complementary and Alternative therapies
Wellness Trakker℠ –
Members have access to an exclusive bidirectional Internet-based communication system. This electronic system’s capabilities are numerous with the most important feature allowing members and clinicians to be continuously engaged. Whether seen every month, 3 months, 6 months or yearly – a member’s interim medical information and chart will remain up-to-date.
An additional attractive feature will be its member-friendly but highly secure repository for personal health information. Wherever and whenever a member needs it, their medical record will be quickly accessible via the internet through WASA’s website. Even while travelling, using any computer access (even a smart phone), a member’s medical records and related data will be accessible. With a member’s permission, any health care provider will be able to access their history, EKG’s, imaging reports, consultation letters, etc. and thus provide the most timely and appropriate medical care without duplication of services and with no additional costs to the member.
Full Membership (Four visits annually)
$2500 annually, or ($1300 semiannually) per Member
Additional Patient Family Members* (Four visits annually)
$2000 annually, or ($1050 semiannually) per Member
Half-WASA Membership (Two visits annually)
$1250 annually, or ($675 semiannually) per Member
Additional in-office WASA visits
$300 per visit for Full Members, $600 for Half Members
Home bound WASA membership
$150 per visit additional
Integrative Health Coaching
$500 per three 1-hour sessions
One Time Executive Level Annual Physical Examination**
$750
WASA is not an acute care office. The integrative medical advice from WASA is a consultative service that requires its members to have a primary care physician.
WASA has chosen not to participate with Medicare or any commercial insurers. It is an annual membership, not a fee for service office.
Tieraona is recognized as one of the leading experts in integrative medicine, particularly in the area of women’s health. She has studied and practiced massage therapy, martial arts, midwifery, and herbal medicine before going on to receive her medical degree. Tieraona has long been an advocate for health care that is compassionate, effective, equitable, and environmentally conscious.
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