Pre-Congress Workshops

This workshop aims to empower attendees to learn ways to maintain and improve their physical and emotional well-being, manage their stress levels, mitigate burnout, and achieve flourishing. There will be a review of the science, self-assessment tools, and experiential and teach-backs of brief mind-body (MB) practices and simple positive psychology (PP) interventions. The attendees will create self-care action plans, brainstorm various ways to implement a workplace culture of well-being, and be equipped to apply these lessons with their patients and colleagues. MB practices are activities defined by their focus on interactions between the brain/mind, body, and behavior, and their aim to improve well-being and quality of life, with possible health benefits (Garland 2019). The use of modalities such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi, hypnosis, visual imagery, and biofeedback have been increasing across the United States with rapidly growing evidence to support their use clinically, while promoting a physiological relaxation response (Goyal, 2014). Research in PP has shown significant positive associations between each of the PERMA components and physical health, vitality, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and commitment within organizations (Kern, Waters, Alder, & White, 2014). PERMA predicts the flourishing of groups, communities, organizations, and nations. These skills can also be used in the workplace such as in meetings, team building, and project facilitation to help reduce stress and enhance cognitive function. During this workshop, presenters will focus on experiential, teaching techniques, and ways to overcome obstacles so that learners can later apply these skills at their sites.

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This workshop brings together seasoned leaders from diverse professions, specialties, and institutions to share their hard-won integrative health leadership lessons with participants. Designed to empower emerging academic leaders in integrative medicine and health, the workshop focuses on three core areas.

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This hands-on workshop will explore the shared values, goals, and principles of integrative health (IH) and health equity (HE) within healthcare systems. Both IH and HE value relationship and whole-person centered care models and the honoring of indigenous and marginalized healing traditions. HE initiatives fuel the WHY behind the wholistic healthcare that systems can provide, bringing care to those who are in the most need with the goal of reversing health disparities and inequalities. IH fuels the WHAT behind the care, providing a whole-person approach to health and wellbeing. When Integrative, Whole health care is filtered through a health Equity lens, we move from “I to WE” creating collective power to ignite system and societal change. Integrative health provider well-being is enhanced through deeper connection to purpose and values when focusing care on health disparities. The facilitators of this workshop will explore success stories of IH/HE partnerships within Hennepin Healthcare Systems, a safety-net hospital system within Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Discussion and hands-on, experiential activities will empower participants to break down silos and improve collaboration within their own healthcare systems, forging authentic and robust partnerships between HE and IH. Participants will leave feeling inspired, empowered, and equipped to integrate Health Equity into their Integrative Health clinical, programming, and research endeavors.

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This workshop is designed to provide healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders with the knowledge and tools to integrate nature-based interventions into their settings. Grounded in a growing body of evidence that supports the health benefits of nature exposure, this workshop aims to highlight the impact of Nature and Earth Prescriptions (NEP) in enhancing well-being in people and the planet itself. This workshop has three primary objectives. First, participants will explore evidence-based research findings demonstrating the positive effects of nature prescriptions in clinical, educational, and community settings, as well as education on the importance of reciprocity between people and planet, and the case for earth prescriptions as well. It will offer a foundational understanding of how NEP can be implemented effectively across different settings and populations. Second, the workshop will focus on practical elements of developing and delivering NEP, including selecting safe and appropriate activities, ensuring accessibility, and considering cultural and environmental factors. This hands-on component will help participants navigate potential challenges and refine their skills in delivering NEP interventions. Finally, the workshop will involve experiential activities where participants can practice patient-provider interactions, reflect on their experiences, and boost their confidence in using NEP to promote well-being. By the end of the workshop, participants will feel equipped to develop and implement Nature and Earth Prescriptions tailored to the needs of their unique populations, promoting a holistic, nature-connected approach to health and healing.

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Whole Health and Integrative Medicine clinicians, administrators, researchers, and educators play a crucial role in advocating for policy change, this workshop aims to empower them to take the next step. Members from the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health Policy Committee and the Integrative Health Policy Consortium (IHPC) will share policy successes and lessons in the integrative health and medicine field. This workshop is designed for health care professionals, focusing on skill-building activities to understand the policy change process, explore how implementation of integrative health and medicine is inhibited by structural, legal and administrative barriers, the importance of involvement within their organizations, and leveraging state and local societies for national impact. Through case presentations and resource sharing, participants will gain practical insights into building relationships with legislators, understanding their motivations, and effectively advocating at state and local levels. They will also engage in drafting advocacy materials to use within their organizations and with local legislators.

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The way that we communicate, both personally and in business, has profoundly changed over the past decade. Once thought to be the domain of the young, comfort with social media is now for everyone. Developing a social media presence has become nearly imperative for thought leaders who wish to share their message outside of their immediate professional circles.

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