ED JKantor About NIWH

J. Martin Kantor, NIWH Executive Director

"…the radical idea that people should have access to accurate, evidence-based information as part of their treatment is an important and visionary advance in medical care."

— David M. Lawrence, M.D., M.P.H. Former Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Inc.

Since its inception in 1977, the National Institute of Whole Health has held a compelling vision for American health care. Today, 35 years later, that vision is becoming a reality in mainstream medicine and health care with the inclusion of whole person health education, health and wellness coaching and disease prevention. For the past three and a half decades, with this vision as its guiding light, NIWH has developed and offered evidence- based post professional, continuing education, professional development and practice competency programs. The NIWH Whole Health programs were created to serve those who serve others in health care – specifically medical, education and allied health providers. As the pioneer of a Best Practice patient education program, Whole Health Education®, NIWH crafted and pilot tested the program within two (2) Boston area hospitals and with hundreds of nurses, educators and physicians.This evidence-based whole person health education model places the patient at the center of their health care and empowers them, with a demystified understanding of health and wellness, to take  control over their well being and longevity. Whole Health Education® with Behavioral Engagement™, is the first patient education and health behavior change model developed, tested and utilized in clinical settings. The model encourages and supports both self-directed and shared decision making between patients, their physicians and care givers to create the best possible health outcomes. The tireless work of NIWH has been recognized as important and visionary. This work includes the developed of a Whole Person Health Care ™ model of training for nurses and medical providers, as well as Behavioral Engagement ™, a relationship-centered behavior change competency. In 2005, the NIWH model became the mandate for "the practice of medicine in all settings". Both the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and hospitals and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) identified these key guidelines which include:

  • placing patients at the center of their health care decision making
  • treating the patient as a whole person
  • evidenced-based health education for prevention and disease management
  • Medicaid/Medicare initiatives, currently voluntary but soon to be mandatory, include patient education, prevention of disease states and "Pay for Performance" reimbursement guidelines for medical practices."Pay for Performance" reimbursements are based on a physician’s documentation of patient education methods and disease prevention outcomes data. 

In addition, in 2006, John Reed, MD, then Chief Medical Officer of the Health Support division of Healthways, Inc., one of the country's largest health insurance networks, worked with NIWH to establish criteria for acceptance of Health and Wellness Coaches into their national networks.  As a result, all NIWH graduates are enrolled into the Healthway’s national networks, and their Whole Health Living Network, as Health and Wellness Coaches and Whole Health Advocates.

On the National Scene

NIWH serves on the National Consortium for the Credentialing of Health and Wellness Coaches along side other health and education leaders; Duke University, Harvard Institute of Coaching, the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, JFK University, Wellcoaches, the American College of Sports Medicine and HealthCorps, founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz. HealthCorp began the original leadership team of organizations and invited national leaders to participate. The National Consortium is tasked with creating the criteria and guidelines for national credentialing and certification of Health and Wellness Coaches.

NIWH provides "the whole picture of health"®

Learners attracted to the NIWH Whole Health trainings understand that personalized, demystified health information and being cared for as a whole person are what today’s consumers are currently seeking from health and wellness professionals. By re-educating health professionals with “the whole picture of health”, NIWH has endeavored to not only bring transformation to how patients are educated, but also to bring the same transformation to how medical and health professionals are educated, as well. NIWH offers four (4) Whole Health Curriculums:

These curriculums are ideal for enhancing the practice of licensed and certified providers, educators, practitioners and allied health care professionals  which include: nutritionists and dietitians, therapists, nurses and medical providers, social workers, hospice workers, massage therapists and therapeutic body workers, health educators, midwives, naturopaths, yoga teachers, fitness and wellness coaches, personal trainers, aroma therapists, patient advocates, and other integrative medicine and health page care practitioners.

How will this program enhance my current career?

The type of work you will do after completing an NIWH Whole Health program will depend on your previous education and professional training, as well the current work you are engaged in. Our graduates are medical, wellness and health professionals, educators, as well as trained or certified allied and complementary health care practitioners who bring their Whole Health training into their current field of work or re-direct their current career towards Whole Health and holistic services to their patients or clients. While the majority of NIWH graduates work in established mainstream health facilities, others choose to create their own practice after receiving the Whole Health training. The NIWH graduate services include support and networking for those seeking to re-direct their current work, as well as for graduates seeking legal and business guidance to create a private practice.

Whole Health Certificates of Study for Non-Professionals

NIWH also offers self-care programs for non-professionals seeking to learn more about integrative nutrition and holistic health to better their lifestyle and the lives of those they love.  These programs include:

* the whole picture of health is a Registered Trademark of the National Institute of Whole Health. Behavioral Engagement is a Trademark of the National Institute of Whole Health.