Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine: Empowering Future Physicians Through Lifestyle Medicine

Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH) is committed to advancing Whole Person Care in the US healthcare system. As part of this mission, AIH is proud to support the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine’s efforts to train a new generation of healthcare professionals. By integrating the principles of integrative medicine into traditional medical education, the Andrew Weil Center is empowering future physicians to provide comprehensive patient-centered care.

The Integrative Medicine in Residency (IMR) Curriculum

In 2023, AIH provided grant funding to the Andrew Weil Center to enhance their Integrative Medicine in Residency (IMR) curriculum. This innovative curriculum, integrated into 116 residency programs nationwide, is designed to improve physician training through evidence-based, cutting-edge education. Studies have demonstrated that physicians who prioritize their own health and well-being through lifestyle interventions are more likely to recommend similar approaches to their patients.

To foster this connection, the Andrew Weil Center, with AIH’s support, developed and implemented an experiential component for the IMR curriculum. The new Lifestyle Medicine Activity Module includes 12 prescribed activities for residents to engage in around various pillars of health.

Impact on Healthcare Professionals

By providing residents with personal Lifestyle Medicine experience, the Andrew Weil Center aims to foster health behavior adoption among residents, strengthen their knowledge and skills, and equip them to effectively prescribe Lifestyle Medicine to their patients. Faculty have reported that this new approach has enriched the resident experience and alleviated the burden of developing new experiential content. As Dr. Andrew Weil says, “It is during residency that attitudes and behaviors of physicians are formed and knowledge and skills are solidified. This is a key time for physicians in training when exposure to integrative medicine can be the most impactful.”

A Collaborative Vision for the Future

By investing in the training of future physicians, AIH and the Andrew Weil Center are working together to transform the way people are cared for in America. AIH looks forward to continued partnership with the Andrew Weil Center, under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Dalmer and build on the collaboration begun with Dr. Victoria Maizes. As the program continues to evolve and measurements are obtained, AIH looks forward to sharing conclusions regarding this advancing Lifestyle Medicine activities within Integrative Medicine in Residency (IMR) training.