In the year 2000, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a medical education program focusing on holistic methods and philosophies. Medical students at the school can choose to include alternative healing education in their four-year preclinical studies and resident programs. For those completing residencies, the school offers fellowships and continuing education courses for physicians. The mission of this program at the medical school is to integrate holistic healing philosophies with conventional medicine to treat the whole person. Through this, the program strives to give patients a more balanced and emotionally healthy treatment experience.
University of Michigan Medical School---Integrative Medicine
1301 Catherine Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-763-9600
www.med.umich.edu/umim/
The Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences has three locations in Michigan, the largest of which is in Grand Rapids. This school offers numerous holistic and alternative healing paths of study. The holistic health practitioner program includes core courses such as the study of herbal medicine, clinical nutrition and diet and weight management. While these are the core courses, this program emphasizes treating the whole person and helping the patient gain a self-awareness of the body's health and how it relates to mental and emotional health as well. Other courses of study include naturopathic medicine, chiropractic training, and natural health care. The academy offers flexible class times for the working student and career placement services. Tuition is affordable, but financial aid is available if necessary.
Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences
2040 Raybrook, SE, Ste 104
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
888-285-9989
blueheronacademy.com
U.S. News and World Report has ranked this university among the top 100 public universities. Offering an undergraduate minor or graduate certificate in holistic health, it is one of the few holistic health colleges in Michigan. Students wishing to minor in holistic health take core studies in ethics, relationship building and global issues. They then choose three or more electives centered on holistic philosophies. The graduate certificate must be completed in the course of obtaining a graduate degree in a subject such as occupational therapy or nursing. Both pathways concentrate on producing wellrounded graduates through both classroom and hands-on study.
Western Michigan University
College of Health and Human Services
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
269-387-7367
wmich.edu/hhs/