Integrative Medicine Addresses the Root Causes of Illness

Integrative medicine addresses the full range of medical, emotional, environmental and social factors that have an impact on an individual’s health.

Whether the focus is on wellness, pain and symptom management, or care to complement treatment for an already diagnosed disease or condition, the goal is to form a partnership between clients and providers to strengthen the body’s healing response and develop preventive strategies.

Memorial Integrative Medicine addresses symptoms of cancer, heart disease and chronic neurological conditions to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care – combining mainstream treatments with approaches that include:

Acupuncture
Massage
Nutrition
Yoga
Exercise
Mindfulness

Together, our integrative medicine practitioners develop customized treatment plans that feature a holistic commitment to overall health and well-being.

When our clients walk through our doors, they determine the goals they want to reach for personal health and wellness. Our dedicated team of integrative medicine practitioners helps empower them to achieve peak performance.

— Ashwin Mehta, MD, Medical Director, Integrative Medicine

Memorial Brings Mind/Body Wellness to Outpatient Behavioral Health

Patients coping with behavioral health issues such as mental disorders or substance abuse can have primary-care-related conditions like obesity, hypertension or diabetes. It’s one reason why patients with behavioral health needs have shorter life spans than others.

That’s where the federally funded Mind/Body Wellness Project, a comprehensive program of Memorial Outpatient Behavioral Health, can help. The program has been implemented to promote and maximize well-being through evidence-based practices that combine medical and behavioral care. It is co-funded by the following federal, state and county partners:

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US Department of Health and Human Services
The Broward Behavioral Health Coalition
The Florida Department of Children and Families
The Broward County Board of Commissioners through the Community Partnerships Division

The program offers behavioral health and primary care (internal medicine and preventive care) services at its office at 3400 North 29 Avenue in Hollywood – to make it as convenient as possible for patients to access a full range of holistic services. The wellness team includes:

Family medicine board-certified advanced registered nurse practitioner
RN care coordinator
Medical assistant
Integrated care manager
Peer wellness coach
Fitness instructor
Consultation pharmacist
Outpatient Behavioral Health staff and services

The Mind/Body Wellness Project is a unique opportunity to serve our community in an integrated manner by promptly and appropriately providing high-standard medical care with the goal of achieving the greatest possible level of well-being. This project will benefit both the patients and our current healthcare delivery system.

— Clara Alvarez-Villalba, MD, Medical Director, Outpatient Behavioral Health

Smoking Cessation Program Changed Mary’s Life

Mary had been smoking cigarettes for 40 years when it began to take its toll. Morning coughs, unintended weight loss and nutrition issues told her it was time for a change.

She signed up for “The Art of Quitting Now!” the smoking cessation program at Memorial Hospital Miramar. Six months after her last cigarette, she feels healthier than she has in decades.

“I did the right thing,” Mary said. “I can breathe better, I’m eating healthier and I can now enjoy the taste of my food. I’m glad I went.”

The program is free and insurance is not needed to participate.

Mary attended individual and group sessions, and received counseling. Nicotine-replacement therapy is provided through the program, free of charge.

“When contacted six months after their participation in the program, 30 percent of the people we counsel are tobacco-free,” said Paul Pevoroff, a certified tobacco treatment specialist with the program.

Mary’s younger sister later joined her as another success story through the Memorial Hospital Miramar smoking cessation program.