IHeLp Retreat Overview

Self-Care Sessions

• Yoga Therapy

Retreat Sessions

• Mindfulness as Medicine
• Bringing Awareness to Mealtimes
• Clinical Hypnosis: Experiencing Trance
• The Science of Seasoning
• Blending Essential Oils
• Motivational Interviewing
• Off The Shelf: Supplement Label Reading
• Nutrition and MI: Nourishment and Optimal Health
• Simple Herbal Remedies
• Healing Relationships

Participating Faculty

Jaimie Perkunas, DPT, 200RYT

Jaimie Perkunas has been working in Physical Therapy since 1998 and has been practicing yoga since 2000. Jaimie graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University in 2005 and completed a 200 hour Anusara Yoga Teacher Training at Tucson based Yoga Oasis in December 2010. She is excited to merge yoga and physical therapy into a safe and healing practice. She is experienced in working with clients with complex medical and physical conditions including post spinal and joint surgeries, muscle strains, arthritis, chronic and acute back pain, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Mark Pirtle, DPT, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist

Mark Farris Pirtle, DPT, CSCS, COMT graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (Magna Cum Laude) in 1989, and completed his post professional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in the fall of 2005 (With Distinction). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona in 1984.

Dr. Pirtle serves as the Associate Director of the Pain Services Program at Sierra Tucson, an in-patient rehabilitation hospital in Catalina, Arizona. His program blends the Western science of mind-body interaction with perennial contemplative psychology to fit a secular setting. It teaches participants to recognize, and then gain control of the "triggers" in their subjective experience. As such, it is designed to treat chronic pain as well as patients in a relapse prevention program.

Mark serves as faculty the International Spine and Pain Institute. He is also the President of Pathways Technologies, a company currently testing software designed to diagnose the many types of conditions that cause low back and/or leg pain. Dr. Pirtle has trained extensively with the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine - Europe, an organization which emphasizes precision in clinical examination and treatment of neuro-orthopedic conditions. He has earned advanced certifications as a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Current areas of professional interest include medical acupuncture, Integral Theory, using meditation as a healing modality, and the dynamics of personal change. Dr. Pirtle's client list includes professional athletes from all the major sports, Olympians, and world record holders.

Steven Gurgevich, PhD

Dr. Steven Gurgevich is a licensed psychologist specializing in Mind/Body Medicine. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, within the AZ Center for Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Gurgevich also continues his forty years of private practice at Behavioral Medicine, Ltd in Tucson, Arizona. He is married to Joy Gurgevich, the Behavioral Nutritionist in their practice.

He is a Fellow, faculty, an Approved Consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Other professional memberships are: Fellow and Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists; faculty member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine; Diplomate and Senior Disability Analyst of the American Board of Disability Analysts; the Society of Behavioral Medicine; the American Psychological Association, and state and local psychological societies.

Dr. Gurgevich has published over sixty audio program titles of clinical hypnosis applications, co-author of The Self-Hypnosis Diet, and latest book is Hypnosis House Call which includes a 2-hour DVD.

email: DrSteve@healingwithhypnosis.com
website: http://www.HealingwithHypnosis.com

Siri Chand Khalsa, MD

For Dr. Khalsa, the intersection of science and creativity as it mingles in cooking has always been a delight. An avid cook since a young age, she was watching cooking shows instead of cartoons as a child and as the years have progressed, she has been blessed to travel to great restaurants and cooking centers around the world. Through this journey, she has slowly formulated a comprehensive holistic approach to vegetarian eating and nutrition. Science has always been a passion and she was fortunate to attend Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in suburban Washington, DC. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Virginia and went on in her studies to obtain a Master's degree in Biology with a focus in Reproductive Endocrinology at Old Dominion University. After completing her graduate degree, she entered Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia and then progressed to Mayo Clinic in Florida to complete a residency in Internal Medicine. She relocated to Phoenix five years ago from the East Coast.

With a life long interest in integrating innovative therapies and finding effective tools for healing, she has continued her studies after residency by becoming a certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, and participated in advanced studies in Ayurveda, Nutrition and Naturopathy. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Holistic Medicine, she strives to integrate ancient therapies with modern medicine in her hospice and palliative medicine practice. Her desire to learn new ways of healing also continues internationally and these explorations have taken her around the world to remote teaching centers in India, Brazil, Europe and Nepal where she has further learned about traditional healing systems and nutrition as the cornerstone for vitality.

In addition to patient care, Dr Khalsa has been invited to lecture to heath care providers in different settings, including Mountain Park Health System, Southwest School for Naturopathic Medicine, University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine, Kundalini Yoga teacher training courses and Reiki Conferences. An active member in the Sikh community, she has served food in homeless shelters and encourages all to embody the Sikh concept of "seva" or service to humanity. She has seen that our health is directly linked to our diet and believes this starts with an increased awareness surrounding the planting and production of our food supply. Finding that she was routinely asked to share recipes, she created a food blog, LuminousFoods.com, where she offers tips for preparing her favorite vegetarian foods and highlights resources for learning more about nutrition. Educating health care providers that Food is Medicine and incorporating this notion into physician practices is Dr. Khalsa's goal for creating an experiential lecture where food samples are given as core principles are discussed. She has found that sharing a meal, no matter the size of the table, is one the great joys in her life.

Mindy Green,

Mindy Green has 35 years experience in the natural products and health care industries. Ms. Green recently left her position (2003-2009) in the botanical research division of R&D as Clinical Aromatherapist for the Aveda Corporation in Minneapolis to begin her own consulting company, Green Scentsations, LLC. She has served as Program Specialist for the Integrative Resource Center at the University of Colorado Hospital, Anschutes Cancer Center, where she developed and implemented specialized educational programs and resources on complementary therapies for patients and staff. From 1995 to 2001 she served as Director of Education, and later, Director of Research at the Herb Research Foundation’s non-profit medical library. From 1995 to 2003 Ms. Green was on the faculty of the Colorado-based Rocky Mt. Center for Botanical Studies and at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy; she was co-owner and a faculty member of the California School of Herbal Studies from 1985 to 1995.

A licensed esthetician and massage therapist, she has founded and owned several herb and essential oil businesses, most recently focusing on specializing in botanical therapies, aromatherapy education and product development. She is a nationally certified Registered Aromatherapist, a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and associate editor of the American Herb Association Newsletter. She has served on the education committees of the Aromatherapy Registration Council and the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists, and is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. She is on the governing advisory board of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, on the board of directors for the non-profit, United Plant Savers, and on the Cosmeceuticals Scientific Advisory Board for the Supply Side West Trade Show and Conference. She serves as committee chair for botanicals in cosmetics for the American Herb Products Association.

A prolific writer and lecturer, Ms. Green has authored over 40 magazine articles on botanicals. She is co-author of Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art; and author of Calendula and Natural Perfumes, and has contributed to numerous other books on herbs. She has conducted many seminars and training programs for professionals and the lay public, and provided consulting services in various aspects of complementary health care. As an expert in botanical therapies, she has provided more than 400 interviews with leading magazines and newspapers on the subject of herbs and health.

Ms. Green holds a bachelor's degree in Holistic Health Sciences and a master’s in Health and Human Services from Columbia Pacific University. She has extensive training in the advanced uses of essential oils from Purdue University and comprehensive training in botanicals and spa therapies from other institutes of higher education.

A long-time environmental activist, she enjoys contributing to global health.

Robert Rhode, Ph.D.

Robert Rhode, PhD, has been learning, teaching and providing service in clinical psychology since he received his PhD from Ohio University in 1980.

He is a faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry at the Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson, Arizona.

The residents have recognized Dr. Rhode four times for his outstanding teaching. He was part of the University team that developed and delivered a health promotion and substance abuse prevention program for the US Navy, providing classes to 40,000 students a year for 15 years.

He helps individuals start and continue behaviors that enhance their health both in his private practice as well as at the internationally recognized Canyon Ranch Resort and Spa.

Tieraona Low Dog, MD

Fellowship Director, Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona

Dr. Low Dog’s extensive career in studying herbal medicine and its role in modern health care began more than twenty years ago. After extensive experience with botanicals she went on to receive her Doctor of Medicine degree from the New Mexico School of Medicine with further training in family medicine. Prior to medical school she had a successful herbal practice in New Mexico, running a not-for-profit teaching clinic for herbalists and serving as President of the American Herbalist Guild. Dr. Low Dog also trained as a midwife and massage therapist prior to entering medical school.

Her many honors of distinction in recognition of her work in herbal medicine include Time magazine’s award of Innovator in Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001, the Burton Kallman Scientific Award in 2007, NPR People's Pharmacy award for Excellence in Research and Communication for the Public Health in 2010, and the Martina de la Cruz medal for her work with indigenous medicines. President Bill Clinton appointed Dr. Low Dog to serve on the White House Commission of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. As the chair of the United States Pharmacopoeia Dietary Supplements and Botanicals Expert Committee, Dr. Low Dog helps oversee the evaluation of the safety of dietary supplements. She was appointed by Secretary Tommy Thompson of Health and Human Services in July of 2003 to serve on the Advisory Board for the National Institute’s of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and now serves on their Board of Scientific Councilors. She is currently the acting Director of the Fellowship and is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Dr. Low Dog is the author of Complementary and Integrative Approaches to Women’s Health (Elsevier publisher), authored/edited 5 books, 17 chapters in medical textbooks and more than 20 peer-reviewed publications on topics ranging from the responsible use of dietary supplements, to women's health, to the future of integrative medicine. She has lectured at more than 500 medical/health conferences. Dr. Low Dog has appeared on E!, ABC’s 20/20, CNN, and Good Morning TV in London. She is a frequent guest on numerous radio programs in the United States and the United Kingdom, including NPR’s The People’s Pharmacy.

Dr. Low Dog serves on numerous advisory and editorial boards including Prevention, Menopause Journal, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, American Botanical Council, Explore and has a regular column entitled Smart Talk on Dietary Supplements for Alternative and Complementary Therapies.

Tieraona has studied the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do since 1978 and currently holds the rank of third degree black belt. She enjoys spending time with her children, hiking, cooking and traveling.

"Science and Nature have provided the threads for the tapestry of my life. Learning about DNA, molecules and the biochemistry of life has awed and inspired me - allowing me to expand my vision of the world, while Nature continues to provide a steady, gentle path for my soul to follow. The division between conventional and traditional medicine is as artificial as the division between science and nature. They can be woven together in a fashion that meets our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This is the foundation upon which integrative medicine is built."

Hana A. Feeney, MS, RD

Hana Abdulaziz Feeney is the owner of Nourishing Results, an integrative nutrition private practice. It is her passion to serve her fellow Tucsonans in a quest to empower others to achieve optimal health. As a Nutrition Coach, Hana guides her clients to create positive behavior changes that result in improved quality of life, the achievement of health goals, and enhanced self-confidence.

Hana has developed her nutrition counseling skills from a broad background in nutrition, exercise and alternative medicine. She holds degrees in Exercise Science and Nutritional Sciences. She is a Registered Dietitian and a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics.

In addition to Nourishing Results, LLC, Hana is a part of the Health Promotion and Prevention Team at the Campus Health Service of the University of Arizona, where she is a Nutrition Counselor. After five years as a Nutritionist at Canyon Ranch Health Resort, she maintains a connection as a nutrition expert utilized by Canyon Ranch during specialty weeks and for requests by unique patients that require her exceptional skill set.

Hana believes that working with a team of health practitioners is the ideal model for health promotion and disease management. She is associated with like-minded holistic practitioners throughout Tucson, such as ProActive Physical Therapy and the Reproductive Health Center.

Hana's diverse experiences allow her to inspire, educate and motivate others to change their lives, one bite at a time!

Fred Craigie, PhD