Integrative Medicine Program

The Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center has combined the best of conventional and integrative therapies for cancer patients into its new Center for Survivorship and Integrative Medicine (CSIM).  Interest in integrative medicine has been steadily increasing over the past few years in cancer centers across the country.  In fact, as many as 73 percent of the U.S. population has used some type of integrative medicine therapy.

What is integrative medicine?

“Integrative medicine is a healing oriented medicine that takes into account the whole person (body, mind, spirit) including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.” – A. Weil, M.D., University of Arizona, 2002

“It’s important to understand that integrative medicine is not an alternative to proven medical care.  It’s complementary.  It emphasizes preventive maintenance of one’s health and focuses on issues such as diet and exercise, lifestyle, and one’s emotional well-being.”

– Greg Shields, M.D., Middlesex Hospital

Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program

The Middlesex Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in association with the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona offers a two-year integrative medicine (IM) Fellowship Program, under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Weil. This program provides the Middlesex Hospital Family Medicine residents with the opportunity to obtain in-depth training in integrative medicine.

Overview of the Fellowship Role

The Fellow will see our patients at the Cancer Center and perform a comprehensive history and physical exam.  Their findings will be presented to a committee of integrative medicine experts who make recommendations for care.  In collaboration with the patient’s oncologist or primary care physician, the Fellow then discusses integrative medicine options with the patient and makes the necessary recommendations or referrals, including referrals for physical, traditional, energy, mind/body, spiritual, nutritional and botanical therapies.