SCU Announces Doctor of Whole Health Leadership Program

Southern California University of Health and Sciences recently announced the first-ever Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DWHL) program, designed to equip leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to integrate whole health principles into the healthcare system. 

According to the announcement, this initiative comes in response to the growing recognition of the importance of an integrative health approach that encompasses not only medical treatments but also the broader determinants of health, including nutrition, lifestyle, and mental wellbeing. Tailored to meet these challenges, the curriculum focused on leadership, whole health science, policy, integrative health models, and self-care practices.

“At a time when the Nation is calling for a radical transformation in how we address health and wellbeing, there is an amazing new opportunity for committed and skilled leaders to drive this movement,” said the program's Founding Program Director, Tracy Gaudet, MD, in a statement.

Scheduled to commence in the upcoming academic year, DWHL includes two years of self-paced online asynchronous coursework as well as a capstone project. The program is available in three tracks, catering to a diverse range of healthcare professionals. The tracks include:

• DWHL with AIHM fellowship track: Designed for clinicians interested in earning a doctorate concurrently with an (integrative) fellowship training from AIHM.
• DWHL for integrative fellows: Designed for graduates of an Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine (ACIHM) recognized integrative medicine fellowship.
• DWHL for administrators, educators, and non-fellows: Designed for healthcare professionals or clinicians who have not completed an Integrative Medicine Fellowship.

The announcement said that qualified students are admitted on a rolling basis. In addition, financial support is accessible to qualifying students, and the program offers a Fixed Tuition Guarantee.

“The world needs this transformation like never before,” said Gaudet. “This means we need leaders uniquely prepared for this great opportunity – leaders who will have a tremendous impact on our society for generations to come.”