The Osher Collaborative is proud to welcome University of Cincinnati and University of Wisconsin–Madison into our network of institutions advancing integrative health research, education, and care, funded by the generosity of The Bernard Osher Foundation.    

Both the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) have contributed greatly to the integrative health field in recent years and bring a wealth of cooperative relationships within their institutions and throughout other health-related organizations. With the addition of these Midwestern institutions, the Osher Collaborative looks forward to reaching new patient populations and health professionals geographically.  

University of Cincinnati’s Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, founded and led by Dr. Sian Cotton, is well-known for its advancements in mind-body medicine, mindfulness, nutrition literacy, and group medical visits. Like other integrative health centers, UC works to provide patients with non-pharmacological treatments for pain, stress, depression, and anxiety, when possible. The UC Center also hosts embedded interdisciplinary wellness clinics for patients with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, and has collaborated with a Teaching Kitchen at the 230-acre organic Turner Farm, with programs focused on medical students and health professionals, as well as school children and the local community.  

“We are honored and excited to become part of the esteemed Osher Collaborative,” said Sian Cotton, PhD, director of UC’s Center and Turner Farm Foundation Chair at the UC College of Medicine. “This transformational gift from The Bernard Osher Foundation will allow our center to expand and deepen our educational, clinical, research, and community efforts — all focused on delivering integrative and whole-person care that is accessible to all members of our communities.” 

University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Integrative Health program is one of the oldest integrative medicine programs in the country, founded by David Rakel, MD, in 2001 and developed under his leadership. The integrative medicine program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is now led by Greta Kuphal, MD, who has propelled the program into its next phase of maturity. Over the past two decades, the university has developed renowned educational programs in integrative health that cater to the interests of medical students, residents, clinicians, staff members, and community health leaders.   

“We are thrilled to join this diverse group of integrative health experts at the Osher Collaborative,” said Dr. Greta Kuphal, Medical Director of UW–Madison’s Integrative Health Program. “Thanks to the generosity of The Bernard Osher Foundation, we hope to contribute to the Collaborative’s already robust educational agenda through advancements to the fellowship program and to better serve our own community through an expanded group medical visit program and partnerships with organizations that support underserved patient populations.”

Both universities have a previous relationship with The Bernard Osher Foundation. The University of Cincinnati has one of the largest and most successful Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes and has served more than 2,000 adults annually. The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s endowment for its Osher Reentry Scholarship program has to date funded nearly $800,000 in tuition for undergraduate students eager to obtain a baccalaureate degree after experiencing a gap of at least five years in their education. 

“We are delighted to have the excellent programs at UC and UW-Madison join the Osher Collaborative and contribute to its commitment to promote better health and wellness across the nation and beyond,” said Mary Bitterman, President of The Bernard Osher Foundation.  

Now made up of nine centers, the Osher Collaborative looks forward to advancing integrative health research and care with the finest health professionals and researchers in the field. Thanks again to The Bernard Osher Foundation for its continued investment in the growth and sustainability of integrative health.