Agenda
The conference will feature engaging keynotes, interactive workshops, and opportunities to connect with leaders in integrative medicine, along with anti-inflammatory lunch each day of the event.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
| 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM | |
| Registration | |
| 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | |
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Welcome
Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM | |
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Plenary 1: What Are We Missing? The Case for Complexity in Natural Medicine
Presenter(s): Andrew Weil Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | |
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Plenary 2: Community as Medicine
Community As Medicine is a joyful, high-vitality, heartfelt, intimate, playful, and dynamic exploration of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Based on the work of Dr. Elizabeth Markle and Open Source Wellness, this experiential keynote aims to shift our approach from talking about health to experiencing wellbeing together in a way that rapidly generates a culture of authenticity, candor, and alignment. Prepare to move, laugh, connect, and reflect - all while directly experiencing the model that’s breaking down silos, achieving outstanding health outcomes, pioneering highly innovative clinic-community-payor-government partnerships, and scaling nationally via the YMCAs and related Community Based Organizations.
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Markle, Sally St. John Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM | |
| Break & Exhibitor Hall | |
| 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM | |
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Plenary 3: Clinical Studies on Mushroom Mycelia For Pandemic Response: Applications for Integrative Medicine
Presenter(s): Paul Stamets Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | |
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Lunch & Exhibitor Hall
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| 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM | |
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Clinical Mentor Information Session
Are you an AWCIM Fellowship graduate with at least two years of clinical integrative medicine experience and a passion for teaching? The Fellowship includes a one-year Clinical Mentorship as part of the curriculum, and we’re looking for enthusiastic, experienced integrative medicine providers to join us as Clinical Mentors.
To learn more and see if this opportunity is right for you—join Rosalyn DePalo and Danna Park for a Clinical Mentor Information Session over lunch on Thursday, March 12, from 12:15–1:00 PM in HSIB 321/322. Bring your lunch and your questions!
Location: Room 321 |
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IHeLp Information Lunch
Location: HSIB Cafe Bolo |
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Sponsored Informational Lunch: Fatty15
Ferroptosis is a newly recognized form of cell death first identified by researchers at Columbia University in 2012. Since then, more than 20,000 peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated its role in accelerating aging and contributing to cardiometabolic disease, liver dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Emerging research suggests that correcting key nutritional deficiencies may help reverse ferroptosis, slow biological aging, and reduce downstream health risks.
Location: HSIB Room 322 |
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| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | |
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Drumming Sounds: The Science, History, and Application of Recreational Drumming and Sound Medicine as an Evidence-Based Intervention in Integrative Healthcare - Concurrent 1A
Andrew and Monica of Drumming Sounds explore the historical roots, scientific research, and modern clinical applications of recreational drumming and sound medicine. This session presents evidence-based findings on how rhythm and vibration support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and group cohesion. Participants will experience and discuss how these tools are being used in integrative health care. Join us to discover how drumming can serve as a powerful, accessible intervention for both individual and community transformation.
Note: This session takes place outdoors in a tent. Please bring a hat and sunscreen.
Presenter(s): Andrew Ecker Location: Highland Lawn |
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Food for Thought - Eating to Enhance Mental Health - Concurrent 1B
While most health care providers easily link nutrition with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, less is recognized about food's role in mental health. This session will cover the evidence for ways to improve our brain and nervous system health with nutrition, and easy strategies to incorporate these into our busy lives.
Presenter(s): Wendy Kohatsu, Acacia Herndon Location: AWCIM Cantor Building |
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Herbal Tea Blending Experiential - Concurrent 1D
This session will provide attendees a hands-on opportunity to create their own medicinal tea. The session will include an overview of the principles of herbal tea blending with many herbs available to include a personalized blend.
Presenter(s): Lise Alschuler Location: HSIB Room 531/532 |
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Laughter Yoga Experiential Workshop - Connecting Mind and Body through Laughter - Concurrent 1C
Laughter Yoga is a fresh, accessible and fun approach to health and healing. When we laugh our bodies release a potent cocktail of positive hormones and chemicals studies have shown can reduce pain, eliminate stress, boost the immune system and improve heart health. It combines stretching with breath and laughter exercises designed to maximize this positive response. In this hour long experiential session, we'll gather as a group to experience this process first hand.
Loose fitting clothing is recommended. Presenter(s): Scotty Johnson Location: HSIB Room 305 |
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Wandering from Ancient Practices to New Devices - Concurrent 1E
In this experiential session, Drs. Maizes, Reardon and Takayasu will present the panoply of ways to activate the vagus nerve. We will discuss ancient practices as well as the evidence for noninvasive and invasive stimulation. Participants will watch brief demos and be able to experience newly available devices, including those FDA cleared for various physical and mental health conditions.
Presenter(s): Katie Takayasu, Victoria Maizes, Julie Reardon Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | |
| Break & Exhibitor Hall | |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | |
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Against Disease: Writings of Resilience - Concurrent 2D
When someone receives the diagnosis of cancer or any life-threatening disease, the world stops. This humbling diagnosis changes forever the life of that person. The diagnosed person is forced to face his/her/their own fear of death. How does one write about something so enormous that it seems often beyond the imagination? Participants will receive writing models, prompts and time to write and share their work.
Presenter(s): Pamela Uschuk Location: HSIB Room 442 |
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Energy Medicine – Practices to Increase Energy for Our Patients and Ourselves - Concurrent 2C
In this short workshop, we will utilize energy practices to increase wellbeing for clinicians and patients. The evidence for each practice will also be presented. Attendees will be able to use the practices for self-care or demonstrate to groups to assist others.
Presenter(s): Ann Marie Chiasson Location: HSIB Room 306 |
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Food for Thought - Eating to Enhance Mental Health - Concurrent 2F
While most health care providers easily link nutrition with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, less is recognized about food's role in mental health. This session will cover the evidence for ways to improve our brain and nervous system health with nutrition, and easy strategies to incorporate these into our busy lives.
Presenter(s): Wendy Kohatsu, Acacia Herndon Location: AWCIM Cantor Building |
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Operationalizing Community As Medicine: Integrating Group Coaching in Clinical & Community Settings - Concurrent 2E
This practical and inspiring session explores the implementation of the Community As Medicine® (CAM) model—a group-based, experiential approach to lifestyle medicine—within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), YMCAs, and other community-based settings.
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Markle, Sally St. John Location: HSIB Forum |
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Social Media Workshop: Influence Without the Ick - How to Build Your Online Presence with Integrity - Concurrent 2B
This interactive workshop helps clinicians and healthcare professionals build a meaningful, ethical, and authentic presence online. We’ll cover best practices, tools, and platform-specific strategies to share your expertise and connect with your audience effectively. Bring your smartphone for a hands-on content creation session where you’ll practice creating posts you can use right away.
Presenter(s): Nicole Dahl, Jennifer Roelands Location: HSIB Room 880 |
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The Medicine of Movement: Dance, Neuroplasticity, and the Power of Joy - Concurrent 2A
This talk explores the emerging neuroscience behind dance as a powerful form of neuroprotective medicine. Drawing from research on neuroplasticity, sensorimotor integration, and affective neuroscience, we examine how structured movement practices like dance enhance cognitive resilience, emotional regulation, and brain health across the lifespan. We also highlight dance’s unique capacity to activate joy and community connection, offering an evidence-based intervention with both clinical and public health relevance.
Presenter(s): Geeta Maker-Clark Location: HSIB Room 305 |
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| 4:00 PM - 4:15 PM | |
| Break | |
| 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM | |
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Cannabis and Pain: Exploring both the Risks and the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids - Concurrent 3B
Join us for a dynamic lecture exploring the evolving role of cannabis and cannabinoids in pain management. This session will review current evidence on the efficacy, safety, and clinical applications of medical cannabis, address practical considerations for patient selection and monitoring, and discuss strategies for navigating the challenges and uncertainties in this rapidly changing field. Attendees will gain actionable insights to better counsel patients and optimize pain management outcomes using cannabinoid-based therapies.
Presenter(s): Stephen Dahmer Location: HSIB Room 305 |
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Improving Compliance with Nutritional Recommendations Through Food Story Coaching - Concurrent 3C
There is overwhelming evidence that suggests compliance with dietary and nutritional supplement recommendations improves health outcomes, yet many patients are still unsuccessful in implementing a prescribed nutrition plan. There are numerous reasons compliance with nutritional recommendations is low including limited resources of time, money, and energy, but what is continuously missing from the conversation is the role our mental and emotional experiences play in our decisions involving food. It is fundamental that we engage patients in an exploration around their relationship with food in order to support them making sustainable dietary changes. We can do this through Food Story Coaching, a simple line of questioning and coaching that facilitates their internal exploration of this topic.By engaging in this process with our patients we can facilitate positive, sustainable change to help them achieve long lasting remission and health. This presentation aims to educate participants on the impact and necessity of this work, as well as teach them practical skills they can easily integrate into their clinical practice.
Presenter(s): Marisa Soski Location: HSIB Room 306 |
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Optimizing Metabolic Health for Every Patient - Concurrent 3A
The success, failures and challenges of GLP-1 agonists have revealed something critical for all patients - a key component of metabolic health is weight health, and specifically weight health hormone function is a key performance indicator for optimal health. This session explores how to assess and optimize weight health whether using an agonist or not.
Presenter(s): Ashley Koff, Myles Spar Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM | |
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Seeds of Change: Academic Innovations in Integrative Medicine
The “Seeds of Change: Academic Innovations in Integrative Medicine” poster session highlights innovative educational, clinical, and wellness initiatives advancing Integrative Medicine across undergraduate and graduate health professional education. This interactive session showcases the work of rising leaders—whose projects span areas including clinical innovation, wellness, culinary medicine, lifestyle medicine, and care for special populations. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with presenters and exchange ideas that can be adapted to diverse academic and clinical settings. The poster session is designed to foster connection, collaboration, and the dissemination of practical innovations shaping the future of Integrative Medicine.
Location: HSIB South Patio |
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Friday, March 13, 2026
| 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM | |
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(Optional) Morning Yoga Session
This 45-minute session offers a gentle-to-moderate Hatha Yoga practice designed to awaken the body, release tension, and cultivate calm focus. Participants will be guided through postures, mindful breathing, and light stretching, followed by a short sound-bath meditation using singing bowls and ocean drum to promote relaxation and mental clarity. The session is suitable for all experience levels and is designed to leave attendees feeling refreshed, grounded, and ready for the day’s conference activities. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable, easy-to-stretch clothing to support gentle movement.
Location: HSIB Room 305 |
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Sponsored Informational Breakfast: MBiota: From Fuel to Function: Harnessing Elemental Diet for Gut and Microbiome Restoration
Session Objectives
By the end of this presentation, participants will:
Understand the mechanism of action of elemental diets
Review clinical evidence supporting their use in microbial overgrowth and related GI conditions
Learn how advancements in formulation have improved tolerability and real-world use
Speaker
Ali Rezaie, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Associate Professor of Medicine
Medical Director, GI Motility Program
Director of Biotechnology, MAST Program
Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles
Location: HSIB Room 322 |
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| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | |
| Exhibitor Hall | |
| 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | |
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Introduction to the Day
Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM | |
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Plenary 4: Beyond the Microbiome: Clinical Strategies for Dysbiosis — Weeding, Seeding, and Feeding with Precision
Dysbiosis doesn’t just disrupt the microbiome—it impairs digestion, absorption, motility, immune regulation, and neurotransmitter signaling. In this advanced clinical session, Dr. Vivian Asamoah presents a functional framework for evaluating and treating dysbiosis using the principles of weeding, seeding, and feeding. Attendees will learn to recognize symptom patterns, match them to microbiome phenotypes, and apply phased interventions with precision. Goal to deliver practical decision-making tools, timing strategies, and protocols to restore gut function from the inside out.
Presenter(s): Vivian Asamoah Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM | |
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Plenary 5: The Medicine for Disconnection, Overwhelm, and Anxiety
The whole world is tangled in a tangle, who will untangle this tangle?” This is a question the historical Buddha asked 2,600 years ago. As clinicians we enter healthcare out of a compassionate motivation to alleviate suffering. Yet, conventional medical training often lacks the tools to navigate the suffering inherent in clinical practice. Without training and support, many clinicians are experiencing burnout, disconnection, and moral injury, as they find themselves unable to sustainably practice compassionate medicine. This presentation will explore the transformative potential of contemplative medicine in addressing these challenges of modern healthcare. Let’s untangle the tangle together with good medicine.
Presenter(s): Chodo Campbell, Koshin Paley Ellison Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | |
| Break & Exhibitor Hall | |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | |
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AII (Artificial Integrative Intelligence) From Promise to Practice: AI’s Role in Shaping the Future of Integrative Medicine - Concurrent 4C
Discover how Artificial Integrative Intelligence (AII) is transforming the landscape of integrative medicine by bridging the gap between promise and practice. This panel will explore how AI-driven tools are enhancing diagnostic accuracy, enabling highly personalized treatment plans, and streamlining clinical workflows, while also addressing the challenges of integrating AI ethically and maintaining patient-centered care. Attendees will gain practical insights into leveraging AII to improve outcomes and efficiency in integrative medicine, and learn how to critically evaluate and responsibly adopt these emerging technologies in their own practices.
Presenter(s): Stephen Dahmer, Joseph Feuerstein, Sunita Mohanty, Gondy Leroy Location: HSIB Forum |
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Effective Vaccine Communication Without Confrontation - Concurrent 4B
This session will help you to feel more comfortable and effective when addressing immunizations with vaccine-hesitant patients and families. We will explore some common missteps to avoid, as well as introduce four powerful tools of persuasion that can be used when discussing vaccines and in many other contexts as well. The presentation will include videotaped demonstration of these techniques.
Presenter(s): Ken Hempstead Location: HSIB Room 442 |
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Hormonal Health at Midlife: A Whole-Person Framework for Perimenopause Care - Concurrent 4A
Perimenopause isn’t just “the beginning of the end”—it’s a complex, often misunderstood transition that impacts hormonal health and whole-person wellbeing. This session will clarify what perimenopause is (and isn’t), review symptom patterns and common issues, and connect midlife changes to each woman’s unique health history and health future. You’ll leave with integrative strategies—lifestyle, supplements, hormonal and pharmacologic tools—that help patients navigate this stage with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Presenter(s): Anna Barbieri Location: HSIB Room 305 |
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| 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM | |
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Lunch & Exhibitor Hall
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| 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | |
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Fellowship Information Lunch
Location: HSIB Cafe Bolo |
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Sponsored Informational Lunch: Pendulum
Location: HSIB Room 322 |
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | |
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Drumming Sounds: The Science, History, and Application of Recreational Drumming and Sound Medicine as an Evidence-Based Intervention in Integrative Healthcare - Concurrent 5D
Andrew and Monica of Drumming Sounds explore the historical roots, scientific research, and modern clinical applications of recreational drumming and sound medicine. This session presents evidence-based findings on how rhythm and vibration support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and group cohesion. Participants will experience and discuss how these tools are being used in integrative health care. Join us to discover how drumming can serve as a powerful, accessible intervention for both individual and community transformation.
Note: This session takes place outdoors in a tent. Please bring a hat and sunscreen.
Presenter(s): Andrew Ecker Location: Highland Lawn - Drumming |
|
|
Herbal Tea Blending Experiential - Concurrent 5C
This session will provide attendees a hands-on opportunity to create their own medicinal tea. The session will include an overview of the principles of herbal tea blending with many herbs available to include a personalized blend.
Presenter(s): Lise Alschuler Location: HSIB Room 531/532 |
|
|
Laughter Yoga Experiential Workshop - Connecting Mind and Body through Laughter - Concurrent 5B
Laughter Yoga is a fresh, accessible and fun approach to health and healing. When we laugh our bodies release a potent cocktail of positive hormones and chemicals studies have shown can reduce pain, eliminate stress, boost the immune system and improve heart health. It combines stretching with breath and laughter exercises designed to maximize this positive response. In this hour long experiential session, we'll gather as a group to experience this process first hand.
Loose fitting clothing is recommended. Presenter(s): Scotty Johnson Location: HSIB Room 305 |
|
|
Savoring the Change: Culinary Medicine and Menopause - Concurrent 5E
“Savoring the Change: Culinary Medicine and Menopause” explores how food can be a powerful ally in navigating the menopause transition. This interactive one-hour session will equip participants with culinary medicine strategies to personalize nutrition recommendations that alleviate symptoms and support long-term health. Attendees will learn to integrate evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and budget-friendly dietary guidance into routine care for midlife women. Emphasis will be placed on key foods and nutrients that impact hot flashes, mood, cognition, bone strength, and cardiometabolic health.
Presenter(s): Anne Kennard, Mari Ricker Location: AWCIM Cantor Building |
|
|
Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Wandering from Ancient Practices to New Devices - Concurrent 5A
In this experiential session, Drs. Maizes, Reardon and Takayasu will present the panoply of ways to activate the vagus nerve. We will discuss ancient practices as well as the evidence for noninvasive and invasive stimulation. Participants will watch brief demos and be able to experience newly available devices, including those FDA cleared for various physical and mental health conditions.
Presenter(s): Victoria Maizes, Katie Takayasu, Julie Reardon Location: HSIB Forum |
|
| 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | |
| Break & Exhibitor Hall | |
| 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM | |
|
Against Disease: Writings of Resilience - Concurrent 6C
When someone receives the diagnosis of cancer or any life-threatening disease, the world stops. This humbling diagnosis changes forever the life of that person. The diagnosed person is forced to face his/her/their own fear of death. How does one write about something so enormous that it seems often beyond the imagination? Participants will receive writing models, prompts and time to write and share their work.
Presenter(s): Pamela Uschuk Location: HSIB Room 442 |
|
|
Energy Medicine – Practices to Increase Energy for Our Patients and Ourselves - Concurrent 6F
In this short workshop, we will utilize energy practices to increase wellbeing for clinicians and patients. The evidence for each practice will also be presented. Attendees will be able to use the practices for self-care or demonstrate to groups to assist others.
Presenter(s): Ann Marie Chiasson Location: HSIB Room 306 |
|
|
Operationalizing Community As Medicine: Integrating Group Coaching in Clinical & Community Settings - Concurrent 6D
This practical and inspiring session explores the implementation of the Community As Medicine® (CAM) model—a group-based, experiential approach to lifestyle medicine—within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), YMCAs, and other community-based settings.
Presenter(s): Sally St. John Location: HSIB Forum |
|
|
Savoring the Change: Culinary Medicine and Menopause - Concurrent 6B
“Savoring the Change: Culinary Medicine and Menopause” explores how food can be a powerful ally in navigating the menopause transition. This interactive one-hour session will equip participants with culinary medicine strategies to personalize nutrition recommendations that alleviate symptoms and support long-term health. Attendees will learn to integrate evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and budget-friendly dietary guidance into routine care for midlife women. Emphasis will be placed on key foods and nutrients that impact hot flashes, mood, cognition, bone strength, and cardiometabolic health.
Presenter(s): Mari Ricker, Anne Kennard Location: AWCIM Cantor Building |
|
|
Social Media Workshop: Influence Without the Ick - How to Build Your Online Presence with Integrity - Concurrent 6A
This interactive workshop helps clinicians and healthcare professionals build a meaningful, ethical, and authentic presence online. We’ll cover best practices, tools, and platform-specific strategies to share your expertise and connect with your audience effectively. Bring your smartphone for a hands-on content creation session where you’ll practice creating posts you can use right away.
Presenter(s): Nicole Dahl, Jennifer Roelands Location: HSIB Room 880 |
|
|
The Medicine of Movement: Dance, Neuroplasticity, and the Power of Joy - Concurrent 6E
This talk explores the emerging neuroscience behind dance as a powerful form of neuroprotective medicine. Drawing from research on neuroplasticity, sensorimotor integration, and affective neuroscience, we examine how structured movement practices like dance enhance cognitive resilience, emotional regulation, and brain health across the lifespan. We also highlight dance’s unique capacity to activate joy and community connection, offering an evidence-based intervention with both clinical and public health relevance.
Presenter(s): Geeta Maker-Clark Location: HSIB Room 305 |
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| 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM | |
| Break | |
| 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM | |
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Plenary 6: Psilocybin Mushrooms for Healthy Consciousness
This presentation will first look at the clinical evidence for mushroom mycelium supporting the immune and nervous systems, from humans to bees. Since mental states influence innate immunity, the talk will then look at the influence of psilocybin for enhancing immunity, neuro-regeneration, and consequentially its potential for addressing a wide range of mood disorders.
Presenter(s): Paul Stamets Location: HSIB Forum |
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| 5:00 PM - 5:15 PM | |
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Closing
Location: HSIB Forum |
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