FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2010, Wellesley, MA – The National Institute of Whole Health (http://www.niwh.org), pioneers of the first patient education and health coaching model developed and utilized in clinical settings, today announced the hiring of Paul Bergeron, MD, CPE to the newly created position of Director of Pilot Programs. In this capacity, Bergeron will work with healthcare institutions nationwide to facilitate and execute pilots for the National Institute of Whole Health’s (NIWH) Whole Health Education programs.

NEWS BRIEF

On September 26-27 in Wellesley, MA, NIWH, along with 70 other leaders in the medical, nursing, psychology, health education, research, credentialing, academic, coach training and coaching fields gathered at a historic event, The Summit on Standards and Credentialing of Professional Coaches in Healthcare and Wellness, to establish a plan for national standards for the education and certification of professional health and wellness coaches.

Dr. Georgianna Donadio, Program Director for NIWH, joined together with high-level representatives from Duke University, HealthCorps, the Mayo Clinic, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the University of Minnesota and the American College of Sports Medicine to help catalyze a transformation in healthcare. The event was supported by a grant from The Institute for Integrative Health. It was led by co-chairs Margaret Moore, co-director of the Institute of Coaching and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation, and Karen Lawson, MD, Director of Health Coaching at the University of Minnesota. The 3-day event was attended by participating medical luminaries Michael Roiden, MD, Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, and David Eisenberg, MD, renowned Harvard Integrative Medicine researcher.

Seventy percent of today’s healthcare costs are related to preventable life style-related diseases. There is an urgent need for well-educated, skilled, credentialed coaches to help shift the focus of healthcare from illness and repair to wellness and prevention, empowering individuals to take control of their own health and well-being. Despite its immense growth in recent years, no national standards exist for professional health and wellness coaching. Presently, the title of “health coach” and “wellness coach” can be used by anyone regardless of whether they have completed training or not and programs vary widely.

“Health and wellness coaches will play an integral role in the prevention portion of the healthcare reform legislation they will help catalyze a transformation in healthcare,” explained Pam Peele MD, MPH, national spokesperson for the American College of Sports Medicine’s Exercise is Medicine campaign and advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General.

“This historic event represents a shifting of consciousness in healthcare. We are collectively tasked with evolving a new model of care, one that is relationship-centered and prevention focused, in service to the whole person”, comments NIWH Director, Georgianna Donadio, DC, MSc, PhD.

Established in 1977, NIWH is the pioneer of Whole Health Education® and Behavioral Engagement™, the first patient education and health coaching model developed and utilized in clinical settings. NIWH’s programs provide health and wellness coaching competencies, as well as integrative, evidence-based whole health science programs and courses for medical, allied health, education, fitness and wellness professionals. This model has been recognized as a Best Practice by a Harvard hospital and nominated for the Fetzer Institute’s Norman Cousin’s Award for Best Practice in Relationship-Centered Care.

Participants in the Summit included:

NEWS BRIEF

The National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH) would like to congratulate our Academic Advisor, Bill Croft, PhD, RRT, RCP, WHE, DCAE!

Dr. Croft recently took home four first place wins and the Best Lifter title for the Pushpull event at the AAU World Bench, Deadlift, Pushpull and International Powerlifting Championships in Las Vegas held earlier this month. In the process, he achieved two World Records and an American record. He now holds more than 60 weightlifting titles in his weight class, 14 overall best lifter titles and 65 records.

During the day, Dr. Croft is the Chairman of the Health Sciences Department at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, NC where he is also a Professor in their Respiratory Therapy Program. He is well-known for his expertise in respiratory disorders, nutrition, fitness and stress reduction. A certified Whole Health Educator (WHE) and a vegan for more than 20 years, he is a wonderful example of what one can achieve when they apply NIWH’s health philosophies to their personal health.

    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Health-focused social network, DailyStrength, selects Dr. Georgianna Donadio, NIWH Program Director, as featured expert on their popular web site.

November 5, 2010, Wellesley, MA – The National Institute of Whole Health (http://www.niwh.org), (NIWH) pioneers of Whole Health Education® and Whole Person Health Care™, today announced the organization’s Program Director, Georgianna Donadio, DC, MSc, Ph.D. has been selected by DailyStrength (http://www.dailystrength.org) to be a Whole Health and Nutrition Expert for one of the Internet's largest and most comprehensive health-focused social networks. Starting today, Donadio will be contributing articles and answering patient questions on timely, pressing health topics so as to help DailyStrength’s visitors achieve wellness.

“DailyStrength and NIWH both share the goal of providing patients with demystified health information that enables them to take greater control of their health and wellbeing so it was a natural fit,” said Donadio. “I’m honored to be able to help to bring clarity to nutrition topics and a host of health conditions.”

First launched in 2006, DailyStrength has become the “go to” destination for people facing health, wellness and life issues by providing more than 500 communities focused on health conditions and life challenges. Beyond support and encouragement, the social network offers its members detailed information on more than 3,000 different treatments, so that they can find and talk with others about their real-world experiences using the same therapy. The site also offers vibrant discussions, member recommendations and advice, live 1-on-1 chat, and personal blogs designed to provide mutual encouragement and support for members' personal goals.

Individuals interested in taking advantage of Donadio’s more than 35 years of experience as an award-winning integrative health pioneer, scholar, researcher, educator, nurse advocate, speaker, author, visionary and media personality can log on to http://www.dailystrength.org/experts/georgianna-donadio. There, one can understand how their friends influence their weight, can better understand Fibromyalgia and learn about the kitchen table remedy for colds and flus.

Donadio’s perspective that she brings to DailyStrength was born out of NIWH’s educational programs, which provide “the whole picture of health”®. Established in 1977, NIWH is the pioneer of Whole Health Education® and Behavioral Engagement™, the first patient education and health coaching model developed and utilized in clinical settings. Their evidence-based Whole Health programs enable individuals to better address their personal health and health professionals to care for the whole person, addressing not just the physical aspect of health, but also the emotional, nutritional, environmental and spiritual. For more than 30 years, NIWH has provided evidence-based, integrative Whole Health programs that integrate current medical research with a natural outlook on healing and the wisdom of spiritual teachings.

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About the National Institute of Whole Health Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Wellesley, MA, the National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH) offers the most respected and credentialed integrative, whole health certification programs in the US. NIWH’s offerings include the Norman Cousins Award nominated Best Practice Whole Health Education certification program. The Whole Health Educator program for Nurses, endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association along with the Whole Health Nutrition Educator certification program and Whole Health Coaching certification program, can be completed via on-line distance learning. Recognized nationally as the pioneers of Whole Health Education®, the school has instructed thousands of students from varying health occupations from all over the U.S., and now offers on-line distance learning with students located on five continents. For more information, visit www.niwh.org or call (888) 354-HEAL (4325).

Press Contact: Carol Arnold, Arnold Communications, (877) 718-4604 x2, carol@arnoldcomm.com.