Belissa and Jessica Scherer Fernandez were accepted in the Integrative Medicine Rotation at University of Arizona, a program designed for medical students and residents. They have joined the program under the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

They were invited to participate in the program in the specialty of acupuncture which happened September 7th-9th in Lviv, Ukraine by Dr. Hildebrand. They were exposed to deep learning with practical experience about acupuncture for PTSD and physical trauma with renowned doctors in the field such as Dr. Hildebrand, Dr. Elkis, and Dr. Hollifield.

The doctors from the United States brought diverse techniques to cope with the war trauma in Ukraine. Dr. Celia Hildebrand, a 2nd-generation Ukrainian and Fulbright recipient, developed an auricular acupuncture curriculum in Ukraine and teaches at the University of Arizona, while also practicing acupuncture in Ukrainian hospitals. Dr. Mitchell Elkis, the author of the 6-needle ATP protocol, with 40 years of experience in integrative neurology and osteopathic medicine, co-directs the Helms Medical Institute, training physicians in acupuncture. Dr. Michael Hollifield, a family medicine doctor and psychiatrist, founded the War Survival Institute, creating programs to help war survivors heal through innovative methods like acupuncture and guided-imaginary technique for PTSD in trauma-related nightmares. The event also counted with the participation of Andriy Kosikov, osteopath, applied kinesiologist, reflexologist and psychokinesiology, who he has been engaged in private practice in Ukraine (Kyiv) and Olena Mukonina, osteopath, psychologist, reflexologist, researcher holistic and integrative approaches to treatment and restoration of health, and as well as traditional medicine with has 13 years of experience as a psychologist.

During the program, Dr. Hildebrand, Dr. Elkis, and Dr. Hollifield, presented their cutting-edges experiments conducted in the United States of acupuncture and adjunctive therapies for physical and mental health, such as imaging technique for PTSD in war. The delivery consisted in teaching, presentations and practical work, hands-on, where the doctors demonstrated their techniques for Ukrainian professionals in soldiers from War.

It is an honor that our students, Jessica and Belissa, were hosted as part of the training by prestigious faculties from University of Arizona, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

Let’s give thanks to Dr. Celia Hildebrand and applaud our students for their pursuit of learning in integrative medicine. TNMU is proud of them!