Duke Integrative Medicine Team: Care that changes lives

posted September 16th, 2009

Please recognize this group and center as a place for compassionate care, and re-direction.

Shelly Wroth, Tracy Gaudet, Jeffrey Brantley and the Integrative Medicine Team received the Team Category Quarterly Ambulatory Strength, Hope & Caring Award. The team's nominator said:

"I have been a member of the Duke University faculty for almost 15 years. I have taken in house call in the ICU for almost that long as well as my other call responsibilities for my primary service. Needless to say, I am fatigued on many levels. As part of my transition to a new position, I decided that I would investigate and spend some time at the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine at the suggestion of Dr. Jeff Brantley.

From the moment I made contact with Louise Goldstein, the intake contact, I knew that I had made a special choice for myself. For 3 days, I was immersed in a program of physical, mental and spiritual renewal and health. From the history and physical exam by Shelley Wroth and the time spent with Drs. Brantley and Gaudet, as well as the fabulous diet guru, mindfulness coach, the "dangerous" ( and incredibly insightful) art therapist, and the entire members of the team (fitness and life coaches, chefs et al), the experience and care I received has truly changed my life.

For those of us that care for the sick and dying, time for our own care and preservation is often the last thing we pay attention too, I am exceptionally grateful to all at the Center for Integrative Medicine that took care of me and put me on the right path. I know that caring for health care professionals has its own set of challenges and I am very thankful that they didn't look at me as a professional, but as someone who needed care, and direction. Please recognize this group and center as a place for compassionate care, and re-direction. Thank you."