HEAL-IM is a four-year longitudinal medical student program dedicated to supporting the practice of evidence-based, compassionate, whole-person care to benefit the treatment of patients and families, our community and healthcare as a whole.

HEAL-IM incorporates a diverse set of teaching methods and resources, including:

Regular seminar and lecture series (MS1-MS2)

A set of nationally recognized online integrative medicine education modules (MS1-MS2)

Integrative case studies (MS3)

Integrative practitioner clinical shadowing and care experiences (MS4)

Small group mentorship (MS1-MS4)

Scholarly project (MS4)

Additional opportunities

See curriculum information below

Option for completing an Integrative certificate course of interest

Our Mission

HEAL-IM is designed to focus specifically on advancing integrative medicine research, education and clinical practice to promote individual and population wellness. 

We are driven by a mission to provide a sound foundation in the principles, philosophy and evidence-based practices of integrative medicine, setting the stage for future professional study and practice.

2026 graduates of the HEAL-IM program

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

  • Define current understanding of the principles, philosophy, practices and practitioners that comprise the practice of integrative medicine
  • Demonstrate understanding of common integrative therapies, including their history, theory, proposed mechanisms, safety-and-efficacy profile, potential indications, benefits, risks and contraindications
  • Summarize the evidence for how these foundational elements of health and wellness influence health and disease and, in particular, chronic disease:
    • Nutrition and diet
    • Physical activity
    • Emotion and stress
    • Healthy sleep
    • Social support, spirituality and environment
  • Join a growing community of mentors and leaders who together will advance innovations in integrative medicine

MS1

  • Monthly Seminar
  • IM Online Modules
  • Patient-Centered Clerkship (PACE) (IM Preceptors)
  • Mentorship
  • Leadership Opportunities

MS2

  • Monthly Seminar
  • IM Online Modules
  • PACE (IM Preceptors)
  • Mentorship
  • Leadership Opportunities

MS3

  • 3rd Year Elective
  • Mentorship
  • Leadership Opportunities

MS4

  • 4th-Year IM Elective
  • NSCC Conference
  • Optional IM Training
  • Mentorship
  • Scholarly Project
  • Leadership Opportunities

Program Leadership

Meet the instructors and mentors who are part of the UC Irvine HEAL-IM program.

Our team
Steve
"As an internal medicine resident, HEAL-IM has shaped how I approach patient care. While our visits cover many aspects of their health, I've noticed that when I introduce tools and strategies I learned through HEAL-IM, patients often reach for their notebooks or phones to start taking notes. I've also found that these conversations help patients become more receptive to medical recommendations and treatments. Ultimately, these discussions empower my patients to take an active role in their health while building trust and fostering meaningful, individualized care." -Steve Phan, MD, Class of 2026
"After witnessing how novel approaches such as dance and exercise could assist patients with movement disorders at a hospital’s Adaptive Fitness Center, I created a Bollywood dance fitness program for older adults.... My participants’ joy from moving and social interaction – both in-person and over zoom – reinforced my belief in the healing power of integrative approaches." -Nikita Shirsat, Class of 2024
Nikita