Welcome to the August edition of Whole Health Digest — featuring the latest research and practical tools for advancing whole health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH).
In this newsletter, you will discover:
A new article highlighting the efficacy and impact of AIH’s Full Plate Living program
Free, online nutrition curriculum from UC Irvine for healthcare providers
Loma Linda University Health’s patient handbook, now available in Spanish
This article highlights the efficacy and impact of AIH’s Full Plate Living program and includes self-reported outcomes from Full Plate Living participants and four case studies. “Full Plate Living is an evidence-based nutrition education program that is effective at improving subjective and objective health changes reported by users. Consistent engagement with the program for over a year on average suggests it is sustainable, culturally adaptable, and an effective tool for helping members improve certain cardiometabolic parameters and overall health.” (Source: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine)
“Culinary medicine is an innovative approach to address the need and increased demand for improved nutrition training in medicine. The findings from this review can guide medical education stakeholders interested in developing or modifying culinary medicine experiences. Despite barriers to implementation, culinary medicine experiences can be offered in a variety of ways during undergraduate and graduate medical education and can be creatively designed to fulfill some accreditation standards.” (Source: Teaching and Learning in Medicine)
This article, authored by Full Plate Living Program Director, Amy Hanus, explores evidence-based clinical strategies to help physicians effectively guide patients toward increased legume consumption and improved health and well-being. “To bridge the gap between nutritional advice and sustained behavior change, clinicians should pair recommendations to eat more legumes with practical support and accessible resources.” (Source: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine)
Grants
Now Open: AIH Spring 2027 Grant Cycle
Through grant-making, AIH partners with mission-aligned organizations by funding initiatives that align with our strategic objectives. AIH is now accepting LOI Invitation Requests for the Spring 2027 grant cycle through October 19th.
Click here to learn more about the application process, important dates, and more.
Since 2014, AIH has granted over $25 million to whole health projects and initiatives. To learn more about AIH's granting work, click here.
Resources
Free Curriculum Available from UC Irvine: Plant Predominant Dietary Patterns in Perinatal Care
With grant support from AIH, researchers and health educators at the University of California, Irvine have developed a free, self-paced, online curriculum to support healthcare providers – especially those who care for pregnant women – with the tools and education to confidently counsel patients about plant-predominant dietary patterns during the perinatal period.
Loma Linda University Health: Patient Handbook Now Available in Spanish
With grant support from AIH, Loma Linda University Health developed a patient handbook, designed to help patients treat chronic disease through dietary changes. The handbook is now freely available in both English and Spanish.
Whole Person Care: Integrating Behavioral Health, Lifestyle Medicine, and Primary Care
At AIH, we work to advance a future where healthcare and communities support whole-person care, and we believe behavioral health (BH) is essential to achieving this vision. When BH is integrated into primary care, and mental health clinicians and psychologists trained in lifestyle medicine work together with primary care teams, patient whole health – physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being – is enabled.
Recording Available: A Guided Tour of Full Plate Living Nutrition Resources
In this guided tour, clinicians will discover how to seamlessly integrate free, research-based Full Plate Living programs into their practice to support patient well-being.
Recording Available: Creative Meal Ideas Using Your Favorite Legumes
In this workshop, Registered Dietitian Adante Hart facilitates a live cooking demonstration and shares surprising recipes that incorporate beans and lentils into everyday favorites, making it easy to boost fiber, support gut and heart health, and enjoy delicious, budget-friendly meals.
JCC Voices Podcast: GLP-1s and the Future of Wellness
In this podcast episode from JCC Voices, AIH Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan Bonnet, joins Dr. Mike Parkinson and Carolyn Kontos to discuss who GLP-1s are for, what patients should know, and why nutrition, movement, strength, and healthy habits remain the foundation for long-term wellness.
Accepting Applications Through August 31st: The Dexter Shurney, MD Well-being Fellowship
The application window is now open for the inaugural Dexter Shurney, MD Well-being Fellowship — a one-year award up to $20,000, supporting research and innovation at the intersection of health equity, lifestyle medicine, and community-centered well-being. The fellowship honors the legacy of Dr. Dexter Shurney, a pioneering voice in workplace health and well-being, and seeks applicants committed to translating meaningful work into real change for underserved and historically marginalized populations.
Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2026, and the fellowship recipient will be announced at the HERO CMO Summit on November 8th.
On September 18th, the Integrated Center for Group Medical Visits (ICGMV) will host The Power of Groups: Understanding What Makes Group Visits Effective. AIH is delighted to sponsor the event, which will highlight ways to make group medical visits meaningful and sustainable. Use discount code ARD26 for 25% off registration.
Join AIH at the 2026 Teaching Kitchen Research Conference, hosted by the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative. The 2026 conference will focus on strengthening the role of teaching kitchens in advancing health and well-being across clinical, community, and educational settings.
Join AIH at FMX 2026, hosted by the American Academy of Family Physicians. This event is built to support physicians, residents, and all care team members dedicated to family medicine. FMX 2026 is where clinical expertise, practical strategies, and real connection come together to lead what’s next in primary care.
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We'll be back next month with another edition.
Sincerely,
The AIH Team
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