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Maryland University of Integrative Health and IFM Sign Formal Collaboration Agreement
For Immediate Release
Jan 7, 2016
Laurel, MD—Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH), one of the nation’s leading graduate schools for natural medicine, and The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), a non-profit organization advancing Functional Medicine as the standard of care for all patients, have announced a new collaboration today.
The two organizations signed an agreement allowing certified IFM practitioners an opportunity to earn advanced standing in MUIH’s Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program. Individuals who have completed IFM?s Certification Program, are in good standing with IFM, and meet MUIH admissions qualifications may earn up to nine credits of advanced standing in the program.
Both MUIH and IFM seek to address the underlying causes of disease rather than just treat symptoms and are committed to a whole-person, patient-centered approach to health care. Practitioners who participate in IFM educational programs develop a strong foundation in patient-centered diagnosis and advanced skills in a systems-oriented approach to health. This same foundation runs throughout MUIH’s Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program, one of only a few degrees of its kind in the nation. This agreement offers a unique opportunity for practitioners interested in Functional Medicine to learn from two leading institutions in the field while completing a doctoral degree.
“MUIH and IFM are aligned in their goals to educate, research, and collaborate, specifically in the areas of integrative health and functional medicine,” said Kathy Warner, PhD, academic director of nutrition at MUIH. “This agreement opens the door for qualified individuals to efficiently and effectively continue their studies.”
IFM Chief Executive Officer Laurie Hofmann, MPH, remarks, “The Institute for Functional Medicine is pleased to collaborate with MUIH to offer IFM certified practitioners a pathway for achieving advanced standing in the MUIH Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program. This collaboration creates expanded opportunities for qualified IFM Certified Practitioners to build on their Functional Medicine education and to extend their academic training in nutrition through MUIH’s innovative doctoral program. We look forward to a mutually fulfilling collaboration.”
Applications from qualified individuals will be accepted immediately for the September 2016 class of the MUIH Doctor of Clinical Nutrition. Information about all academic programs at MUIH can be found at muih.edu/academics.
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About Maryland University of Integrative Health
Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH), formerly Tai Sophia Institute, is the leading accredited academic institution for integrative health in the nation. For nearly 40 years, MUIH has educated practitioners in health and wellness through transformative and relationship-centered programs that draw from traditional wisdom and contemporary science. MUIH offers graduate degrees and certificates both on campus and online in a wide range of health disciplines, as well as programs for professional and personal development. Currently, more than 1300 students from 43 states and 19 countries are enrolled in academic programs, and more than 2000 alumni practice throughout the nation. The on-campus Natural Care Center offers compassionate and affordable health care from student interns and professional practitioners, delivering more than 35,000 clinical treatments and consultations each year. Visit muih.edu for more information.
About IFM
The Institute for Funcitional Medicine (IFM) is the global leader in Functional Medicine. The mission of IFM is to serve the highest expression of individual health through the widespread adoption of Functional Medicine as the standard of care.
Functional Medicine is a personalized, systems-oriented model that empowers patients and practitioners to achieve the highest expression of health by working in collaboration to address the underlying causes of disease. The primary drivers of the chronic disease epidemic are the daily interactions among an individual’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices. Functional Medicine addresses these underlying causes of disease and equips healthcare practitioners to help their patients manage this complex, interconnected web.
Media Contacts:
Gail Doerr, Maryland University of Integrative Health
410.888.9048 x6652
gdoerr@muih.edu
Emily Carlyle, The Institute for Functional Medicine
253.661.3011
media@ifm.org