Welcome to the April edition of Whole Health Digest — home to insights, inspiration, and announcements from the world of Whole Health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH).

In today's newsletter, you'll discover:

• How Loma Linda University Health implemented a therapeutic whole food plant-based inpatient menu within a large academic healthcare system
• An upcoming expert workshop on exercise, presented by Dr. Jonathan Bonnet​
• The Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointment Program, offered free of cost to clinicians
• And more

News and Journal Highlights

​Lifestyle Medicine, the USDA and the Land-Grant University Cooperative Extension System: A Call to Action at the Intersection of Personal, Public and Planetary Health​

This article, co-authored by AIH President and CEO, Dr. Ron Stout, emphasizes the potential of increased collaboration between Lifestyle Medicine practitioners and the Cooperative Extension System (CES) to improve community well-being. The article highlights that by combining the community-based reach of CES with the clinical expertise of Lifestyle Medicine, physicians can better support their patients to prevent and manage chronic diseases. (Source: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine)

​Research to Radicchio: Process Implementation of a Therapeutic Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB) Inpatient Menu Within a Large Academic Healthcare System​

Loma Linda University Health, with grant support from AIH, successfully developed and implemented a therapeutic whole food plant-based inpatient menu. This article highlights the process of translating the Adventist Health Study research into the clinical arena. “Multidisciplinary team development, key stakeholder involvement, and applying effective strategies to overcome challenges were crucial in implementing system-wide changes to align the best nutritional evidence with clinical practice.” (Source: International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention)

​At 88, a Nutritionist Meets Her Moment​

Dr. Marion Nestle, a prominent nutritionist and food policy expert, is known for her book, "Food Politics,” which emphasizes the significant influence of the food industry on public health and dietary choices, advocating for systemic change over individual responsibility. Her work has been highly influential in shaping the modern food movement and shifting the conversation toward corporate accountability in the food system. At 88, Nestle observes a surprising convergence of her long-standing concerns about the food industry with the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. (Source: The New York Times)

Grants

Carilion Medical Center: Advancing Lifestyle Medicine in Southwest Virginia

Carilion Medical Center received grant funding from AIH in 2023 to enhance and evaluate its Lifestyle Medicine Clinic in Southwest Virginia. The initiative highlights the potential of Lifestyle Medicine to improve health outcomes, particularly within underserved communities.

Learn More

Since 2014, AIH has granted over $19 million to Whole Health projects and initiatives. To learn more about AIH's granting work, click here.

EVENTS

Exercise is (Good) Medicine

Exercise is crucial to a healthy life, yet many struggle to incorporate enough movement into their day. In this expert workshop, Dr. Jonathan Bonnet will provide practical strategies for incorporating movement into everyday routines. Register to join below or share the workshop details with your patients, employees, or community members.

Learn More and Register

Taking Charge of Your Health: Annual Exams, Menopause, and What to Expect

In this expert workshop, Dr. Michelle Tollefson will provide the knowledge and tools needed to understand the hormonal changes of menopause, what symptoms to expect, and the key components of an annual exam. Workshop participants will learn how small, sustainable changes today can improve quality of life in the present and provide a foundation for a healthier future. Register to join below or share the workshop details with your patients, employees, or community members.

Learn More and Register

Preventive Medicine 2025

Join us at Preventive Medicine 2025, hosted by the American College of Preventive Medicine. The conference will bring together leaders across healthcare to collaborate, learn, and work to change our healthcare system through prevention and well-being for all.

Learn More and Register

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lifestyle Medicine Workshop Recap

With support from AIH, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) hosted a three-day workshop experience earlier this month focused on integrating Lifestyle Medicine into practice. “It was an inspiring event filled with connection, rejuvenation and lots of discussions about how to create a path forward where both clinicians and our patients THRIVE,” says Dr. Meagan Grega. Follow AIH on LinkedIn for outcomes and learnings as they’re released!

RESOURCES

Shared Medical Appointment Programs Available to Clinicians

The Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointment program supports clinicians to integrate the Full Plate Living approach into their practice and bill insurance for their time. We provide all the needed materials including the program slide deck (available in English and Spanish), patient handouts, provider documentation note template, provider implementation guide, information about typical billing practices, and access to a recorded webinar: Implementing Shared Medical Appointments.

Learn More and Enroll

​Click here to read about how Dr. Daniel Chen, a physician at Esperanza Health Center, is utilizing Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointments to support his patients and community.

Recording Available: Simple Steps To Support Hormone Health

Hormonal dysregulation significantly impacts women's health, with an estimated 80% of women experiencing hormone-related health issues. In this expert workshop, Registered Dietitian Kayli Anderson covers the basics of hormones, signs of imbalances, and simple nutrition and lifestyle practices to support hormone health.

Watch Recording

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We hope you found today's newsletter informative and inspiring. We'll be back next month with another edition of Whole Health Digest.

Sincerely,

The AIH Team

P.S. This newsletter is offered by Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH), a nonprofit dedicated to improving people's health through the power of Whole Health and Lifestyle Medicine. If it was forwarded to you by a friend or colleague, and you'd like to receive it regularly, subscribe here.

Interested in submitting Whole Health news, a journal highlight, or a valuable resource to be shared with the Whole Health Digest community? Submit your ideas using this form.

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