The Institute for the Study of Integrative Health is looking for involvement from different campus constituencies that will be used in a multitude of ways.

The institute collaborates with integrative healthcare organizations and academic institutions to promote systemic change in the healthcare industry; promote indigenous healing systems and traditional world medicines; increase access and equity in integrative health for vulnerable and under resourced populations; and innovate in healthcare delivery, education, and research to improve opportunities for faculty and students and to enrich campus life. 

“We want more research being done, we want to help our faculty find the time to do that, we want them to bring their research to the students. We want to carry out the mission of doing more research in integrative health,” said Bethany VanBenschoten, the institute’s program manager. “This is making it more widespread, ensuring that with patients that might be looking for alternative care or additional care, or that already have a medical care team. This appeals to our students who already might be in health sciences or healthcare majors and there are all these integrative ways you could help your patients.”

The institute’s values are communicated using the acronym SCORE – service, collaboration, openness, respect and evidence.

Graduate and undergraduate students can apply their knowledge in meaningful and relevant ways. Students in graduate programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing and healthcare administration as well as undergraduate programs such as psychology, communication and media, and dietetics and nutrition will engage in meaningful experiences related to their fields of study, Van Benschoten said.

The institute is also seeking faculty fellowship submissions for research and creative professional accomplishments that are related to integrative health and healthcare and meet a specific list of criteria. The deadline to apply is Jan. 25, 2025.

 “This is like the big potatoes of what the institute does so we’re looking for Utica University-specific faculty that are doing or want to do research about integrative health care modalities and award them a course release,” VanBenschoten said. 

Two student scholarships will also be awarded to full-time undergraduate students with strong academic standing  (GPA of 3.0+). 

 “We look for juniors and seniors and we want them to be involved with Integrative Healthcare and know what it is and want to learn about it,” VanBenschoten said. 

The institute will publish its second newsletter on Dec. 1. Newsletters can be found on the institute’s webpage at https://www.utica.edu/directory/institute-study-integrative-healthcare.