Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM) — DCT version The UC Irvine Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM) program trains future clinical leaders to deliver compassionate, effective, whole-person care. Home HEAL-IM (DCT edits) Training the Next Generation of Integrative Medicine Clinicians Created in partnership with the UC Irvine Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI), HEAL-IM is a mission-based medical degree program that equips future physicians with evidence-based, specialized training in integrative medicine. About Us Core Curriculum Admissions Financial Support Additional Opportunities What is Integrative Medicine? Integrative medicine is a whole-person approach to healthcare. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or a single condition, integrative medicine involves the patient as an active partner in their care. Providers consider the complex interplay of biological, behavioral, social and environmental factors that influence well-being. This includes teaching self-care and self-management tools, as well as supporting healthy lifestyle behaviors that form the foundation for optimal health and wellness. This whole-person approach combines conventional treatments with evidence-informed therapies to deliver a patient-centered and personalized approach to care. By emphasizing lifestyle changes, healthy habits and proactive strategies, integrative medicine aims not only to treat disease but to prevent it — promoting long-term health and enhanced quality of life. Who is Part of HEAL-IM? UC Irvine HEAL-IM medical students represent the next generation of health care leaders. Each student brings a unique story and a shared commitment to whole-person care. Some students have championed health equity for underserved populations, while others bring firsthand familiarity with cultural healing traditions such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and other time-honored practices from around the world. These rich and varied personal, professional and cultural backgrounds shape the way our students approach integrative medicine. “Being part of HEAL-IM has challenged me to think beyond the traditional boundaries of medicine and reconsider what it truly means to care for a patient. Through motivational interviewing, stress management and nonpharmacological approaches to treatment, I am learning that meaningful healthcare isn't simply about prescribing a treatment, but understanding the person behind the diagnosis, recognizing the factors that shape their health and empowering them to become active participants in their own care. -Lithinkhaa Mageswaran, MS-1, 2026-27 Why Us? The combination of training in evidence-based integrative care and the core medical school curriculum foundation in cutting-edge conventional treatment gives HEAL-IM students the unique knowledge and skills to address the root causes of disease, emphasize lifestyle modifications and empower patients to take an active role in their health. Unique Program Focused on Integrative Health UC Irvine School of Medicine is one of the few medical schools in the country to offer a four-year longitudinal educational training track in integrative health. Exposure Across a Broad Spectrum Students participate in a variety of didactic and experiential training opportunities taught by experienced, multidisciplinary faculty from across the spectrum of integrative health, providing broad exposure to the tools and philosophies in the field. Counts Toward Elective Time HEAL-IM students may choose to use elective time to complete additional integrative medicine certificate training in areas such as biofeedback, acupuncture, massage, culinary medicine or nutrition. Giving Your gift supports training medical students in the foundational elements of integrative health, so they can help build a future in which wellness is systematically promoted and chronic disease is prevented. Support Our Mission Contact Us For more information about our program, please contact Laurie Skorheim, HEAL-IM program coordinator. Reach Out