Developing an
Integrated Healing Center

Valuable tips and resources
from those with experience

The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) offers the following resources for those researching the various aspects of establishing an integrated healing center. These resources were provided and/or recommended by individuals and organizations with experience and expertise in this arena.

Please note: AHHA does not make value judgments distinguishing these individuals and organizations or what they are offering. You are responsible to verify what is appropriate for your needs.


Articles

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Legal and Regulatory Issues” by Michael H. Cohen, Esq.

Some Hopefully Helpful Hints” 
by Willard H. Dean, MD

Twenty-First Century Healthcare: The Integrated Medical Center” 
by Susan E. Kolb, MD, FACS

All About Dreaming and Commitment” 
by Beverly Nelson, PhD

Accomplish Your Highest Desires: Make Your Plans Real”
 by Beth Rosenthal, PhD, MA, MPH


Healing Centers

Network with AHHA members who are currently operating healing centers.

Check AHHA members with healing centers.

Network with other centers that are registered with Healing Centers United™.

This is a nonprofit organization that connects those with experience to those who need help.


Recruiting Practitioners

When you have your center planned and are ready to recruit healthcare professionals for your center’s staff, the following resource lists may prove helpful to you:

The AHHA Practitioner Members searchable database includes professionals from a wide variety of modalities.

You can use the search options to locate practitioners in your immediate geographic area, some of whom may be open to a change and/or may know of someone who is.

The Practitioner Referral Sources searchable database includes dozens of sources.

Use the various search option to zero in on the specific modalities you seek.


Business Savvy

One of the most serious pitfalls for an integrated center is a weak business structure. The following resource focuses on supporting the business aspects of an integrated healing facility. You are encouraged to take advantage of the expertise of John Weeks and his The Integrator Blog that compiles news and reports to provide tools, insights and connections to enhance integrated care in the healthcare environment.


Books

Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons

by U.S. Government Printing Office
A Report to the National Centers of Health on Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States
ISBN 0-16-045479-4
Published by Workshop on Alternative Medicine, Chantilly, VA (1992)

Beyond Complementary Medicine: Legal and Ethical Perspectives on Health Care and Human Evolution

by Michael H. Cohen, Esq
This book addresses interest in the legal, ethical, and regulatory aspects of integrating alternative medicine into conventional clinical settings.
ISBN 0-472-11135-3
Published by University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, MI (2000)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Legal Boundaries and Regulatory Perspectives

by Michael H. Cohen
This book explores the legal issues that healthcare providers (both conventional and alternative), institutions, and regulators confront as they contemplate integrating complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream U.S. healthcare.
ISBN 0-801-85687-6
Published by Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD (1998)

The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine

by William Collinge, MPH, PhD
This book offers an in-depth introduction to eight major alternative medicine healing traditions: Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Naturopathic Medicine, Homeopathy, Mind/Body Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy & Bodywork.
ISBN 0-446-67258-0
Published by Warner Books, New York, NY (1997)

Your Holistic Health Center Manual – Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

by Willard H. Dean, MD and Pamela G. Barich, RN, CNS
This book offers a guide to setting up and running day-to-day operations of a holistic health center in your community.
Purchase through Willard H. Dean, MD
 73 Sabino Gonzales Rd, Glorieta, NM 87535 
  505-983-1120   billdean97@aol.com    $49 plus $6 Shipping/Handling

Healthy Business – The Natural Practitioner’s Guide to Success

by Madeleine Harland and Glen Finn
Designed for those considering setting up a private healthcare practitioner practice. Helps you think through and plan for most of the problems and challenges that running a business entails.
ISBN 1-856-23005-8
Published by Hyden House Ltd., Great Britain

Where to Go When You’re Hurting: A Healing Resource Guide

by Beth Rosenthal, MPH, MBA, PhD
This book provides hundreds of national resources supporting the integration of holistic and conventional approaches.
ISBN 0-966-04720-6
Published by EMPR Inc., PO Box 14684, Chicago, IL 60614

Business Mastery [4th Edition]

by Cherie Sohnen-Moe
This book takes you from visioning, to marketing, to hiring staff.
ISBN 0-962-12657-8
Purchase through Sohnen-Moe Associates,
6020 W Peregrine Way, Tucson, AZ 85745
   520-743-3936 
  www.sohnen-moe.com


Consulting

Michael H. Cohen, Esq.

Attorney in legal and regulatory issues affecting complementary and alternative medicine
Michael H Cohen Law Group
468 North Camden Dr, 
Beverly Hills, CA 90210    310-844-3173    www.michaelHcohen.com

William Collinge, PhD

Offers consultation to healing centers that take a holistic view and include caregiver education as part of their integrative care services. Teaches healing techniques and practices for family caregivers to use at home, as participants in the healthcare team, recognizing the significance of the role relationships play in the healing process.
Collinge and Associates
3480 Kincaid St, Eugene, OR 97405    541-632-3502    william@collinge.org    www.collinge.org

Beverly Nelson, PhD

Offers consultation to healing centers and individuals who are interested in combining a healing center with a retreat center. Consultation provides information concerning the business structure necessary to create a successful center that offers both healing modalities, retreats and guest housing- marketing, screening and selection of practitioners, creating a guest house that houses retreatants, organizing retreats, workshops, etc.
LifePath Center
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico GTO 37700    214-432-5711US     docbeverly@aol.com    www.lifepathretreats.com

Beth Rosenthal, MPH, MBA, PhD

Assists individuals working with existing and developing healing centers. Helps to create plans to accomplish business and personal goals and successfully address the challenges of interprofessional collaboration.
PO Box 14684, Chicago, IL 60614    drbethmail@gmail.com


Ongoing AHHA Support

As you progress along your journey of developing your new healing center, there are many ways AHHA can continue to be an educational resource for you.

Sign up for our Free eReports, so we can stay in touch.

Monthly and weekly AHHA emails out materials you may find interesting.

Gradually explore the AHHA website Sitemap to discover this treasure trove of resources.

This will not only expand your personal health knowledge, but you can start identifying what you will want to share with the future patients/clients coming to your center.