Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

The call for a more balanced and healthy living is being answered in the pandemic with the re-emergence of traditional practices for the body, mind, and soul. One such age-old practice gaining popularity is Ayurveda indicative of ancient wisdom and knowledge that practitioners have amassed over years.

One look at social media, however, will tell you that many of todays Ayurvedic practitioners are young and well-connected with several hundreds of people through their channels. They also have an advanced educational degree in the practice and allied fields to further their case. So, what is driving this change? Indianexpress.com reached out to some practitioners to understand more about their tryst with this form of medicine, catering to an audience spread across the globe, and why Ayurveda retains an edge for them.

Before the Ayurvedic medical educational system, healers carried the rich tradition of Ayurveda on their shoulders for centuries. A traditional Ayurveda healer is one who acquires knowledge from family elders. Some of them have a thorough knowledge of principles, do strict and pure application, have no bias against the modern medical system, and have sound knowledge of rare Ayurvedic herbs, explained Dr Shyam VL, WHO member for Ayurveda Health Practices Benchmark, founder and director Back to Roots, Kerala, India.

Born to parents who insisted on living with a healthy discipline, the 47-year-old with an experience of 20 years, arrived in UAE in 2000 when Ayurveda was not a recognised system of medicine. Later in 2002, he got the first Ayurveda license in the country from the Ministry of Health in UAE. In 2017, he was awarded the Health Excellence Award for the best physician by Dubai Health Authority. I got admission into Ayurveda studies after my 12th standard in India. And then I came to the realisation that Ayurveda is not just a medical system that treats a few diseases; rather, it is the way of life and the intelligence of life and nature. I was able to connect Ayurveda with the traditional and cultural lifestyle practices of my family. Ayurveda teaches us how to live in sync and harmony with nature, Dr Shyam, who has studied eight-and-a-half years in an Ayurveda college for the BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery) and MD (Doctor of Medicine), said.

Ayurveda has its foundations in the ancient schools of Indian philosophical teachings named Samkhya, Vaisheshika, and the school of logic Nyaya. From ancient physicians, the knowledge of traditional medicines was passed on to the disciples, and then to the common man by various writings and oral narrations. The information about Ayurveda and the healing properties of the herbs was composed in the form of poems, called shlokas, as per experts.

Calling Ayurveda a Bible in terms of sustainability, Dr Shyam explained how the treatment indentifies the root cause of the issue and then aims to cure it entirely. Ayurveda teaches about longevity, keeping the body, mind, and the world in perfect harmony. Metabolic and auto-immune diseases have become major health problems. It is so important to look back into this ancient intelligence and begin to put on its principles to protect the earth and ourselves, Dr Shyam, who has over 10,000 followers on social media, said.

Seconding him, Dr Dixa Bhavsar, an ayurvedic practitioner, who regularly shares Instagram videos on simple lifestyle tweaks that can come in handy said: Ayurveda is literally science (knowledge) of life rather than just a treatment modality unlike other systems of medicine. It inculcates the whole human life as it teaches us everything from dinacharya (daily-routine), ritucharya (seasonal-routine), ratricharya (night- rituals), and pathya- apathya (what to eat and what to avoid based on ones prakriti or nature), said the 27-year-old, who has been practising for the past four years.

Back in 2016, when Dr Dixa was about to complete her internship in Ayurveda medicine, she got diagnosed with hypothyroidism just like her mother. But she refused to take any allopathy medicines. My TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone was 28 then (which is really high). But I followed a strict Ayurvedic regime, along with yoga, and within a month, my TSH reduced to 14. This made me believe in the healing powers of Ayurveda. Since then, Ive been following and suggesting Ayurveda, Dr Dixa, who has a social media following of more than 6,000, shared.

The first line of treatment in Ayurveda is avoiding the causative factors of diseases. With food and lifestyle changes and medicines (if needed) Ayurveda can completely cure many of the diseases, said Dr Aiswarya Santhosh from Kerala.

Dr Aparna K, BAMS, MD, PhD in Ayurveda with 12 years of clinical practice, also stands by its ability to heal, provided one takes the effort to stick to a routine. I see the youth today are somehow disconnected from their rootsstaying healthy has taken a back seat due to a highly competitive work-life schedule and stress. Many lifestyle disorders like diabetes, blood pressure, PCOD have crept in very early and many of the youth are not aware of having a routine, respecting ones biological clock, etc. Its the need of the hour to spread this ancient wisdom of living healthy, setting a routine, managing emotional and physical stressors on a daily basis, said the doctor, whose father was an Ayurvedic doctor with over 40 years of experience.

She added: Ayurveda stands for predictability and sustainability. The more we are in a routine, the more our nervous system will be at ease. And immunity will improve and susceptibility to falling sick reduces.

In the pandemic, herbs and spices became the go-to immunity boosters, suggesting Ayurveda could help improve the bodys immune system, an idea also strongly propagated by the Government of India through Ministry of AYUSH as well as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Practitioners, however, point out that Ayurveda, with a 5000-year-long history, needs a much broader approach and understanding beyond tips, home remedies, and solution-specific approach. Ayurveda is so much more than just home remedies or having chyawanprash, turmeric, and triphala. Ayurveda guarantees permanent treatment of disorders like thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, for which people take medicines throughout their life, claimed Dr Dixa.

For a beginner, home remedy is a good way to introduce Ayurveda, but one must realise Ayurveda is beyond it. I am trying to focus on sharing case studies, experiences and photos of patients before and after healing. Ayurveda is all about imbibing practices of diet and lifestyle which help to live a better life. So many research studies are coming up on how things work and I am sure the future is bright, said Dr Aparna, who has over 5,000 followers on her social media channels.

While the ultimate goal for any patient is to heal whether through Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, reiki or modern medicine there is always a constant comparison with modern medicine, while being called alternative or parallel. While Dr Shyam mentioned that the world is gravitating towards integrative medicine to forgo the differences, Dr Aparna aims for co-existence with both systems of medicine being needed on a case-by-case basis. While Dr Aiswarya points out that Ayurveda holds good for old-age disorders, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, etc, Dr Dixa is of the opinion that its important to adapt to whichever system suits the body and helps to heal. Faith in your system of medicine is of prime importance. If you believe in it, it will give you health and happiness undoubtedly, she said.

Some Ayurvedic principles that can be incorporated are:

*Wake up early (before 7 am)*Practise 12 Surya Namaskars daily*Have light breakfast, moderate lunch, and lightest dinner*Have early dinner (best before 7 pm but never post 9 pm)*No gadgets one hour before bedtime*Practise alternate nasal breathing 11 times at bedtime daily

Dr Dixa suggested some simple everyday practices beneficial for all, based on Ayurveda:

*Kavala (Oil-Pulling)- Oil-pulling involves putting one tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swishing it for about 15- 20 minutes. It is ideally done on an empty stomach, which is best to pull out all kinds of built-up toxins from the mouth; the body but only after brushing your teeth. In Ayurvedic medicine, the mouth is considered to be a mirror for the entire body, so keeping your oral cavity healthy impacts positively on gut health and overall health of your body.*Nasya (nasal-drops)- Instilling 2 drops of warm cows ghee in nostrils daily helps in improving immunity, reduces stress, prevents and helps in managing sinusitis, migraine, and cold.*Vyayama (Exercise)- We all know how exercise makes us feel energetic physically and happy mentally. Dont spend a day without exercise.*Abhyanga (Oil-massage)- Self-massage daily can help delay ageing, strengthen muscles, and reduce dryness.*Garshana (Dry brushing while bathing)- It helps detoxify the lymphatic system which in turn refreshes your skin and mind.

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Read more from the original source:
Young doctors on whats keeping them hooked to Ayurveda - The Indian Express

Not all heroes wear capes!

It's been almost a year since the country and the world were thrown into chaos, upending our everyday lives. The economy, infrastructure, and especially the medical industry have taken a beating, yet the essential workers have been a saving grace. One group of everyday heroes has been nurses, who have risked not only their lives but physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. With the pandemic disproportionally impacting our community, Black frontline workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty. They deserve our acknowledgment, praise, and respect.

We've partnered with the National Association of Black Nurses -whorecently began an initiative to offer free mental health services to Black nurses - to highlight some of the brave people offering their time, love, and care to those in need.

These DMV-area nurses have spent years in the field and are continuing to navigate these uncertain times with grace.Because Of Them We Canreached out and asked them to share how they take care of themselves while excelling at their jobs. Interviews edited for clarity and brevity.

Monica Elston Carter, MS, FNP-BC

Photo Credit:@monicathenp

Years working as a Nurse?13 years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?

I've found joy having a front-row seat watching my triplet daughters grow and thrive. This past year caused me to slow down a bit and be in the clinic a little less due to telehealth capability. I've been able to be home more with my family. Watching the world through their eyes is a source of joy for sure! I've also found immense joy in helping other nurse practitioners secure jobs, learn the art of negotiation, and transition into the workforce as NPs!

Honestly, self-care has been a bit of a struggle. I've worked full-time through the pandemic. I carry the weight of my patients' experiences, being a mother of three, a wife, and running a negotiation coaching business for nurse practitioners - there's been little time left for me. I've found moments of self-care in cooking new recipes, being a plant mom, getting back to home workouts, and spending Sundays at my parents' house - my only break!

How do you view your job in this moment?Essential! I truly believe I'm living in my purpose as I care for women across their lifespan and, even more so, during a double pandemic of COVID-19 and racial inequities in healthcare. As a nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology, I'm helping women through some of the most vulnerable stages of their life. When the black morbidity and mortality rate in this country is terrifying, I get to be a source of hope and knowledge for my patients. Nurses have always been the heartbeat in healthcare, but at this moment, we are the light on the hill. I'm so proud to be serving at this moment, and don't take it lightly that the care I give will impact generations of women to come.

Instagram:@monicathenp

Shannon Nicole Martin

Photo Credit: @thatcrnp

Years working as a Nurse?13 years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?I've been able to find happiness through therapy, family time, and self-care time. I get manicures, pedicures, massages, and girl time.

How do you view your job in this moment?Critically essential and fulfilling, especially with an integrative approach, which is needed in our community. Stress also comes with the role of caring for others and running a medical practice.

Instagram:@thatcrnp,@healthreleaf,@justbedope

Facebook:healthreleafandJust Be Dope, Inc.

Shonte Renee Drakeford, MSN, CRNP, AGNP-C

Photo Credit:@Shonte19

Years working as a Nurse?15 years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?Joy is my middle name, "Enjoy life" is my life's mantra. Anyone who knows me understands that I try to find the silver lining in everything I do. I am currently living with terminal stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to my lungs, hip, spine, and ribs for five years now. There are days where I can't even get out of bed, but I still find joy in my heart. Finding Joy has been my no. 1 priority. I have my fun-loving husband who keeps my heart beating; I have a small farm full of produce, chickens, ducks, bees, and my loving dogs - two German Shepherds.

My husband and I dealt with infertility, so we could not bear children, but we have six beautiful, fun-loving godchildren that call and visit me, which always fills up my energy and joy meter. I also play video games, read, and have mini dance parties in the house. I don't take life for granted, and I cherish the little things. As long as I'm living, trust me when I say I'm living with joy despite it all.

How do you view your job in this moment?Having cancer places me at a higher risk of getting COVID-19, which makes getting it life-threatening. Although, I have not been able to work as much as I used to - due to cancer. I do have the privilege of still helping and working once a week as a primary care provider doing telemedicine. At first, I had nurses-guilt because I felt like I should be in the hospital setting helping my fellow nurses, but I then realized that I am still helping. I would be no good to anyone if I were to catch COVID-19. So again, I saw the silver lining.

I miss seeing my patients in person, but it's good that I can still connect and help my patients while maintaining safety. It feels marvelous being a healthcare professional during these times; the sacrifice, work, and grit that it takes to be a nurse are now being shown. Being a nurse can be tiring, but we do it for our patients and the world's betterment. It's good to see that the world is now appreciating healthcare professionals and seeing how vital we are to society. As long as I'm still breathing, I will continue to help my patients. I also serve as a patient advocate for Metastatic Breast Cancer awareness. I can now utilize my medical knowledge and support in the fight to help cure, provide life longevity, and clinical research for the Breast Cancer Community, especially in the Black community. Statistically, we die at a 40% higher rate than our white counterparts. It's my mission to make sure change happens until my last breath.

Instagram:@Shonte19and@Curemore Farms

FB:Shonte C-Drakeford

Kiyonna Marie Ellis, MSN, RN

Photo Credit: Kiyonna Ellis

Years working as a Nurse?14 years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?

My faith in God and love for those I hold dear to my heart, has given me joy. Every day, I live as if it is my last, and I do not take anything or anybody for granted. Those things that I would have usually put off, I focus on enjoying now. Pre-pandemic, I would have worked myself to death with little time to spend with my husband and son. Now I pre-plan my mental health days to pour out all the love I can on my family.

How do you view your job in this moment?

Currently, I hold a position as a lead nurse in adult and family practice. I enjoy helping those in need. I pride myself on fighting for and doing my best to protect my patients. I'm known as the nurse that can break it down in layman's terms. My patients trust me and tend to have great outcomes because they understand their disease process. As a result, I view my job as essential in [providing preventative medicine]!

Instagram:@kiyonna_ellis

Shadonna Williams MSN RN

Photo Credit: @mrswilliam0823

Years working as a Nurse?9 Years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?

I have been able to find joy in the fact that I am healthy and my household is healthy. Being a nurse during a pandemic is stressful and can take a toll on you physically and emotionally if you don't prioritize yourself. I take care of myself by allowing myself enough time off between workdays to reset and making sure not to take on too much outside of work.

How do you view your job in this moment?I love my job taking care of women during one of their most vulnerable times in life. Soon I'll be taking care of women on an advanced practitioner level with my new career as a midwife. I'm excited to step into the next phase of my job because I know my presence is needed. The Black maternal mortality rate in the US is insane, and I intend to be a part of that change.

Instagram:@mrswilliam0823

Yesie Patillo, RN, CCM

Photo Credit: @yesyesyesie

Years working as a Nurse?6 years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?I've found strength and support through my family and friends, especially my coworkers we have grown closer than ever before. We bond through the changes and difficulties. We are in a unique situation together; that relatability and understanding saves us.

How do you view your job in this moment?I've transitioned to a pediatric nurse case manager, which for my situation, combines nursing and social work. We see the medical condition of patients who come in with the virus and how it's affected their families many of whom have lost their jobs and insurance. Our team provides support, guidance, and options; that's important right now.

Instagram:@yesyesyesie

Melena DeFlorimonte, NICU RN, BSN

Years working as a Nurse?13.5 years

How have you been able to find joy and take care of yourself during this time?

Being a nurse can be a stressful and emotionally taxing profession, so I've grown to value my self-care truly. Ensuring that I get plenty of rest on my days off is a must! The pandemic has made it a little easier to do since many extracurricular activities have been eliminated. Solo movie dates used to be my jam but have been replaced with Netflix evenings. Scheduled vacations, massages, and creative outlets - photography and music - are ways I find joy and practice self-care.

How do you view your job in this moment?

One word: Essential. Nursing has and will always be the backbone of healthcare. I don't know that I consider it any differently now than I ever have. The pandemic has brought the nursing profession into the spotlight. I am providing the same compassionate and life-saving care now that I have been pre-COVID. What has been amplified is the emotional support provided to family members. They are trying to navigate drastic changes in visitation policies while managing the stress of a sick loved one.

Instagram:@melshonell

We couldn't possibly thank all who've answered the call, comment with those nurses in your life who are helping to hold our world together!

Visit link:
Meet Some Of DC's Top Nurses Finding Joy During The Crisis - Because of Them We Can

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She said the study was conducted in four phases in rats after inducing rheumatoid arthritis and the treatment duration was based on standard protocol. "Severity of pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis were decided by the infiltration of so many pro-inflammatory cytokines, lymphocytes, oxidants etc. By this study we were able to find that kashayams exerted therapeutic efficacy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis by regulating pro anti-inflammatory cytokines balance, increasing antioxidant level and by immune modulation," said Aswathy.

The study team that was guided by A. Helen, Professor and Mentor, has published their work in the international peer reviewed Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine and two papers are under review. The highlight of the study is that while all these three kashayams are available in the market there was no scientific validation, which the study team has been able to do.

The team instead of relying on the readily available kashayams, decided to make their own under the guidance of Ayurveda physician Sukumara Varier of Kottakal Arya Vaidyasala. The team prepared the decoction from 28 different forms of herbs and the major difference was they did not add any substance, which is added to increase the shelf life.

With regard to the outcome, Aswathy said "our attempt was to give better hope to patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis besides a vehicle to enrich traditional knowledge with well documented scientific background for the sake of mankind."

Read this article:
Three ayurvedic concoctions get scientific validation for treating rheumatoid arthritis - Free Press Journal

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) Around California and the Bay Area youll find them: members of a club that no one wants to join. These are patients who experience lingering misery after they no longer test positive for SARS-CoV-2. Theyre known as the long-haulers.

About 10 percent of patients whove had an initial COVID-19 infection will go on to not fully recover, said UCSF neurologist Dr. Juliet Morgan.

It puzzled a lot of us, said Dr. Meghan Jobson, palliative care Fellow at UCSF.

KPIX met two long-haulers: retired former banker Bruce Wheeler and Carla, who is a first responder. Carla asked us not to use her last name.

It felt very lonely and, after a while, you wonder: is this in my head? Wheeler said.

When Carla first noticed the symptoms of her long-haul syndrome, she was worried.

I dont think Im going to be OK, she remembered thinking.

Both were infected last year and felt awful. The infections went away but their brush with the novel coronavirus was far from over. For months, they continue to suffer baffling, debilitating health conditions.

I know what its like to be really tired but this was different, explained Carla.

Carla used to bicycle hundreds of miles and run marathons. Today, she feels extraordinary fatigue, shortness of breath and a terrible, systemic pain.

You know when you cut yourself and you put alcohol in there and you know it burns? she asked. It was similar to that but all over.

Wheeler was an active hiker but he now reports fatigue, persistent shortness of breath, nausea, brain fog and destabilizing headaches.

Many days I get up at 8 oclock in the morning and, at 10 oclock, Im back in bed because my headache is pounding away, he said.

The symptoms for long-haul syndrome vary but can also include a loss of the sense of smell and taste, as well as hair loss.

Theres also a report of patients developing serious inflammatory conditions. Preliminary data indicate that some asymptomatic college athletes developed an inflammatory heart condition.

Whats frustrating is that the syndrome is not well understood. Family, friends, co-workers and colleague often express disbelief at the constellation of symptoms, questioning if the patient is actually sick. Often, patients are mistakenly prescribed anti-anxiety medicine, even anti-depressants.

There just werent answers, Wheeler said.

I felt hopeless, said Carla.

Their situation reached the attention of Dr. Morgan and Dr. Jobson. They both specialize in chronic conditions that impact quality of life and they have expertise in integrative medicine.

What we had been hearing from multiple survivors of COVID-19 is that they didnt feel heard, explained Dr. Jobson.

The cause for the syndrome remains unclear although it may involve an overreactive immune or inflammatory response. And, while older people appear more likely to get it, young people are not immune.

We will see plenty of very young patients in their twenties and thirties who have this COVID long-haul syndrome who continue to suffer, Dr. Morgan said.

The doctors established an online COVID support group: the first of its kind in the nation. Meetings are packed.

There is strength in survivorship, explained Dr. Jobson.

During group sessions, patients share their stories. The doctors answer questions, address fringe treatments and provide expertise in how to manage symptoms.

Shortness of breath, the fatigue we know a lot of the data and literature surrounding these things, Dr. Jobson said.

Instruction is given in ways to relax such as mindfulness and meditation.

Mindfulness is actually pretty powerful and potent medicine. We know in studies that it can reduce markers of stress like cortisol. It can reduce inflammatory markers like IL-6. Dr. Morgan explained.

Bruce Wheeler and Carla told KPIX the online support and help has already provided a great benefit.

Literally in the last two weeks, I began to see improvement on the headache front, Wheeler said.

Instead of doing it every once in a while, now I do it every day, every night, Carla added.

They also learn from each other what strategies work, what doesnt and theyve been inspired by others.

I am really impressed by Carlas strength and that she saw the silver lining even when it was a really bad, bad day, Bruce commented.

Carla did lose her hair. When Bruce saw her online, Carla recounted how he said just the right thing.

He took it upon himself to say You know what Carla, it actually looks pretty good on you, she smiled.

As for the doctors, theyve learned quite a lot from their patients: curiosity, resilience, respect and tenacity.

Theyre showing us what it looks like to ask for help, Dr. Morgan said.

We encourage other people in other areas of the country to start support groups, Dr. Jobson added.

There are other extraordinary COVID long-haul syndrome support groups, such as Survivor Corps and Body Politic.

The UCSF group was so successful and helpful to the long-haulers involved, they asked Dr. Jobson and Dr. Morgan to extend it. Now a new one is set to begin this spring. There is no cost to patients.

See the rest here:
COVID Long-Haulers Find Relief Among Fellow Sufferers on Road to Recovery - CBS Miami

Newswise Irvine, CA February 11, 2021 Subconsciously, our bodies keep time for us through an ancient means the circadian clock. A new University of California, Irvine-led article reviews how the clock controls various aspects of homeostasis, and how organs coordinate their function over the course of a day.

What is fascinating is that nearly every cell that makes up our organs has its own clock, and thus timing is a crucial aspect of biology, said Kevin B. Koronowski, PhD, lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in Biological Chemistry at the UCI School of Medicine. Understanding how daily timing is integrated with function across organs has implications for human health, as disruption of the clock and circadian rhythms can be both a cause and effect of diseases from diabetes to cancer.

The circadian clock generates a ~24 hour rhythm that controls behavior, hormones, the immune system and metabolism. Using human cells and mice, researchers from the Paolo Sassone-Corsi Laboratory at UCI's Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism aim to uncover the physiological circuits, for example between the brain and liver, whereby biological clocks achieve coherence. Their work, titled, Communicating clocks shape circadian homeostasis, was published today in Science.

Circadian clocks align internal processes with external time, which enables diverse lifeforms to anticipate daily environmental changes such as the light-dark cycle. In complex organisms, clock function starts with the genetically encoded molecular clock or oscillator within each cell and builds upward anatomically into an organism-wide system. Circadian misalignment, often imposed in modern society, can disrupt this system and induce adverse effects on health if prolonged.

Strategies to tune our clocks and boost rhythms have been promising in pre-clinical studies, which illustrates the importance of unraveling this aspect of our biology and unlocking the potential it holds for treatments and medicines of the future, said Koronowski.

Without electrical light, high-speed travel, constant food availability and around the clock work-life schedules, our ancestors clocks were in constant harmony with the environment. However, due to these pressures of modern society, aligning our internal time with geophysical time has become a challenge in todays world. Chronic misalignment when eating and sleeping patterns conflict with the natural light-dark cycle is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions, and cancer. A large portion of the global workforce has atypical hours and may be particularly vulnerable.

It has become urgent that we uncover the molecular underpinnings of the relationship between the circadian clock and disease, explained Koronowski. Deciphering the means by which clocks communicate across metabolic organs has the potential to transform our understanding of metabolism, and it may hold therapeutic promise for innovative, noninvasive strategies to promote health.

This work is dedicated to the memory of Paolo Sassone-Corsi (19562020), a great scientist, mentor, and human. It was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, Novo Nordisk Foundation and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

About the UCI School of Medicine

Each year, the UCI School of Medicine educates more than 400 medical students, and nearly 150 doctoral and masters students. More than 700 residents and fellows are trained at UCI Medical Center and affiliated institutions. The School of Medicine offers an MD; a dual MD/PhD medical scientist training program; and PhDs and masters degrees in anatomy and neurobiology, biomedical sciences, genetic counseling, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and biophysics, and translational sciences. Medical students also may pursue an MD/MBA, an MD/masters in public health, or an MD/masters degree through one of three mission-based programs: the Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM), the Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black and Caribbean (LEAD-ABC), and the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC). The UCI School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Accreditation and ranks among the top 50 nationwide for research. For more information, visit som.uci.edu.

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More:
Tuning the circadian clock, boosting rhythms may be key to future treatments and medicines - Newswise