August 2014 John Weeks Integrator Round-Up: People

by John Weeks, Publisher Editor of The Integrator Blog News & Reports   John Tew, MD selected to head University of Cincinnati integrative medicine  Neurosurgeon John Tew, MD, selected as a Great Living Cincinnatian in 2011, has been selected to head up

by John Weeks, Publisher/Editor of The Integrator Blog News & Reports

John Tew, MD selected to head University of Cincinnati integrative medicine

Neurosurgeon John Tew, MD, selected as a Great Living Cincinnatian in 2011, has been selected to head up the University of Cincinnati’s Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. In the release announcing his acceptance of the position, Tew, who has had a neurosurgery chair named after him, noted plans to engage employers and the community: "I appreciate the university’s commitment to changing the way we approach patients and care for them. This truly represents a significant change in the care delivery model, one that puts patients in the center and empowers them to take control of their health and wellness.” Under his neurosurgeon hat, Tew has completed over 700 visiting professorships. A part of his work will be to access philanthropic dollars.

Comment: Tew appears to be a very interesting and powerful choice – a neurosurgeon who only recently left 45 years of practice – is in fact he can integrate well with the rest of the integrative staff. His focus on the community and employers is exceptional. His tenure will be interesting to watch.

Chris Cassirer, PhD named president at Northwestern Health Sciences University

On June 23, 2014, Northwestern Health Sciences University named Chris Cassirer, ScD, former president and executive at Capella University, as president of the university. Cassirer was most recently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Management and Business at National Louis University.  He has also served as a professor at The George Washington University and the University of Minnesota.  Northwestern has degrees or focused programs in chiropractic, acupuncture, Oriental medicine, therapeutic massage, and in human biology serving roughly 900 graduate and undergraduate students on their 25-acre Bloomington, Minnesota campus.

Lynda Balneaves selected as founding director of the U Toronto Centre for Integrative Medicine

Lynda Balneaves, MD, has been chosen as inaugural Director of the Centre for Integrative Medicine at the University of Toronto. According to a report from IN-CAM, the Canadian integrative research organization, the Centre is a collaboration between the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Scarborough Hospital. Balneaves will concurrently serve as associate professor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto and will be a Scientist in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Balneaves is a board member of the Society for Integrative Oncology.