At the 2025 International Congress for Integrative Medicine and Health (ICIMH), members of the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health played a defining role in shaping the content of the conference and direction of the field. With approximately one-third of the presentations led by our experts, the Collaborative’s influence was undeniable, showcasing groundbreaking research, innovative clinical programs, and transformative approaches to education. 

This remarkable presence not only highlights the Osher Collaborative’s leadership in advancing integrative health but also underscores our commitment to evidence-based practice, equitable healthcare solutions, and the expansion of integrative medicine worldwide. From exploring the latest scientific findings on mind-body interventions to pioneering new models of whole-person care, our members continue to drive progress and set the agenda for the future of the field. 

See below for a list of presentations and presenters from across the eleven Osher Centers.  

Plenary Session 

Innovations in Integrative Health Research 

• Rick Hect, MD, University of California, San Francisco 

 Workshops 

Leadership for Advancing Whole Health: Cultivating Purpose, Skills, and Impact   

• Amy Locke, MD, University of Utah 

Researching, Developing, and Implementing Nature and Earth Prescriptions in Your Clinics, Campuses, and Communities 

• Ann Vertovec, MD, Northwestern University  
• David Victorson, PhD, Northwestern University 

Sessions 

Failure Unfiltered: Stories of Vulnerability and Lessons Across Career Stages 

• Shelley Adler, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Peter Wayne, PhD, Harvard University  

AI in Integrative Health: Unlocking Potential and Navigating Pitfalls for Future Innovation 

• Melinda Ring, MD, Northwestern University 
• Darshan Mehta, MD, Harvard University 

Operational Science and Financial Models for Group Medical Visits: Implementing Practical and Sustainable Delivery Paradigms in Integrative Health 

• Gurjeet Birdee, MD, Vanderbilt University 
• Gabriela Gutierrez, BS, University of California, San Francisco 
• Kathryn Hansen, ANP-BC, Vanderbilt University 
• Greta Kuphal, MD, University of Wisconsin–Madison 
• Kavita Mishra, MD, University of California, San Francisco 

Steeped in Tradition: Modern-Day Strategies to Honor the Roots of South Asian Modalities in Research, Practice, and Communication 

• Darshan Mehta, MD, Harvard University  

Proposed Nutrition Competencies for Medical Students and Physician Trainees: A Consensus Statement 

• David Eisenberg, Harvard University 
• Amy Locke, MD, University of Utah 
• Melinda Ring, MD, Northwestern University 

 Challenges and Hot Tips for Conducting Multi-Site Group-Based Clinical Trials 

• Rick Hecht, MD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Patricia Moran, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 

 Building Sustainable Community-Academic Partnerships for Integrative Health Equity 

• Selena Chan, DO, University of California, San Francisco 
• Maria Chao, DrPH, University of California, San Francisco 
• Evelyn Ho, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Ariana Thompson-Lastad, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Marliese Warren, MS, University of California, San Francisco 

Harnessing Traditional Chinese Medicine for Oncology: Integrating Dietary and Herbal Therapies in Supporting Cancer Treatment and Survivorship 

• Jennifer Ashby, DAOM, University of California, San Francisco 

AI Meets Health Coaching: Partnering Technology with Human Connection 

• Ruth Wolever, PhD, Vanderbilt University 

The BraveNet Practice Based Research Network: Building Collaborative Networks for Whole Health 

• Kathryn Hansen, ANP-BC, Vanderbilt University 

Optimizing Physical Activity Interventions with Mindfulness: NIH-Funded Research Examples in Oncology, Cardiopulmonary disease, and Metabolic Syndrome 

• Christina Sauer, MS, Northwestern University 
• David Victorson, PhD, Northwestern University 
• Gloria Yeh, MD, Harvard University 

Oral Abstracts 

Reimagining the Integrative Health Fellowship Core Competencies: An Update 

• Vincent Minichiello, MD, University of Wisconsin­–Madison 
• Melinda Ring, MD, Northwestern University  
• Darshan Mehta, MD, Harvard University 
• Anand Dhruva, MD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Shelley Adler, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 

Pilot of a Culinary Medicine Experience in Required Medical School Education: Introduction to Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors 

• Theresa Dvorak, RD, MS, University of Utah 
• Amy Locke, MD, University of Utah 

Social Support in Integrative Group Medical Visits for Chronic Pain Management in the Primary Care Safety Net 

• Heejoo Ko, BS, University of California, San Francisco 
• Ariana Thompson-Lastad, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Jhia Jackson, MS, University of California, San Francisco 
• Denise Ruvalcaba, BA, University of California, San Francisco 
• Maria Chao, DrPH, University of California, San Francisco 

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Integrative Medicine Pediatric Pain Management Workshop 

• Carine Renner, MD, University of Wisconsin–Madison 
• Jenifer Matthews, MD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Mala Mathur, MD, University of Wisconsin–Madison 

Assessing the Use of Veterans Health Administration Chiropractic Care by Patients with Headache Disorders 

• Peter Wayne, PhD, Harvard University 

Feasibility and Acceptability of MENOGAP: Conventional and Integrative Menopause Care with Group Acupuncture 

• Lisa Taylor-Swanson, PhD, University of Utah 

Yoga as Monotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Novel Ayurvedic Subtyping Measure and Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol 

• Gabriela Gutierrez, BS, University of California, San Francisco 
• Sudha Pranthikanti, MD, University of California, San Francisco 

Promoting Employee Wellbeing and Workplace Wellness Culture through Group Health & Wellness Coaching 

• Gail Rose, PhD, University of Vermont 
• Karen Westervelt, PhD, University of Vermont 

Acoustic Resonance Therapy for Treating Moderate-to-Severe Insomnia: A Non-Pharmacological, Personalized Audio Sleep Intervention Study 

• Darshan Mehta, MD, Harvard University  

 The Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Cancer Health (MATCH) Study: A Preference-Based Multi-Site Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial 

• Peter Wayne, PhD, Harvard University  

Restoring Wholeness: Breast Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives on Fragmentation and Healing After a 4-month Ayurvedic Medicine Intervention 

• Anand Dhruva, MD, University of California, San Francisco 

Increasing Usage and EHR Documentation of VA Whole Health Patient Centered Care Model: A Process Improvement Project 

• Mala Sanchez, MD, University of Washington 

Integrative Health Awareness, Use, and Needs: A Case Study of Vermonters 

• Christine Vatovec, PhD, University of Vermont 

Maple Water as a Functional Hydration Beverage for AYA Cancer Survivors: Chemical Composition and User Preference Results in a USDA-Funded Study 

• David Victorson, PhD, Northwestern University 

Navigating the Path: Developing a Whole Health Comprehensive Pain Care Measurement Framework 

• Josh Plavin, MD, University of Vermont 

Applying Participant Observation Methods to Evaluate Mindfulness-Based Group Medical Visits Through an Equity Lens 

• Gabriela Gutierrez, BS, University of California, San Francisco 
• Ariana Thompson-Lastad, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Kavita Mishra, MD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Ivan Leung, MS, University of California, San Francisco 
• Anand Dhruva, MD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Chloe Atreya, MD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Maria Chao, DrPH, University of California, San Francisco 

Indigenous and Decolonial Wellbeing: Findings from a Community-Based Participatory Study, Implications for Integrative Health Equity 

• Joanne Qina’au, PhD, University of California, San Francisco 
• Maria Chao, DrPH, University of California, San Francisco 

Pilot of a Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Enhance Benzodiazepine Deprescribing in Older Adults 

• Gloria Yeh, MD, Harvard University