Lois Ramondetta, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, as well as Associate Professor and Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She has written and spoken extensively on the topic of spirituality and health; most recently focusing on the topic of cancer survivorship and spirituality.

What motivated you to enter medicine as a career?

Initially, I was intrigued by the workings of the human body. Later I was intrigued by the workings of the human mind in the face of life stress. I have wanted to help people in their time of need. Recognizing the tremendous impact of a physician's words or lack of words on the anguish of a patient continues to motivate me to be present and attentive.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

Recognizing what is in my control and what is not. Helping people to also recognize what is in their control and what is not - deciding between further treatment and quality of life.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Helping people to get the best treatment possible, helping them to have peace of mind about their decisions…and meeting wonderful people who share their wisdom and give me strength through their strength in touch situations.

How does spirituality inform your practice of medicine?

Spirituality to me is about a relationship beyond the banalities of life that occurs in the face of terminal illness or cancer. It helps me to reach that level of meaningful interaction that is imperative for good decision making, informed decision making, peace of mind, and existential growth.

What spiritual and/or religious resources do you find most personally helpful?

Many of the different religious traditions influence my thinking. Again, however, it is more for me about recognizing what gives life meaning for any individual that I meet.

Are there particular spiritual/religious topics you personally wrestle with?

I like to think about what happens after we pass but I know that one can never know the answer except through perhaps one’s faith…however…I like to focus on the value of life as we are living it today.

What would you like cancer patients and their families to know about M. D. Anderson Cancer Center?

Everyone here tries to help cancer patients in the best way they know how. Sometimes, we don't always know exactly what you need without you asking ….please always ask if you have concerns or questions!

Make room on your calendars for the Living Fully With and Beyond Cancer Conference, sponsored by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Anderson Network.

This year, the conference will be held at the Houston Marriott Westchase, 2900 Briarpark Dr., Houston, on September 6-8th.

For additional conference information, call the Anderson Network at 800-345-6324 or 713-792-2553 or visit : www.mdanderson.org/patientconference

An Introduction to Integral Health
The Path to Human Flourishing
$25.00 Friday
$85.00 Saturday Only (lunch)
$95 Friday & Saturday (Saturday lunch included)
Place: Institute for Religion and Health
8100 Greenbriar #220, Houston, Texas
Registration Required: 713-797-0600

Elliott S. Dacher, M.D.

Friday June, 22, 2007 3 pm – 6 pm

All humans aspire to the highest possible level of health, happiness, and wholeness. This enduring aspiration is the driving force in the long evolutionary ascent of health care from bare survival, to treatment systems, preventive strategies, health promotion, and pluralistic integrated approaches.

Driven by an expansion of consciousness and vision we are now ready to evolve the next step in this ongoing evolutionary process – an integral approach to health and healing. This comprehensive and far-reaching perspective and methodology brings together the full resources of our outer and inner healing capacities to assist individuals in personally realizing their innate human potential for a sustained and perfected health, happiness, and wholeness. This is the authentic flourishing of body, mind, and spirit that is the final aim of all great philosophies and healing traditions. In his afternoon talk Dr. Dacher will introduce the vision, foundational research, principles, and practices of the emerging field of integral health.
The Formation of the Integral Practitioner

An Experiential Workshop for Health Care Practitioners

Elliott S. Dacher, M.D.

Saturday, June 23, 2007 - 9 AM – 5 PM

Our professional identity and specific approach to health and healing are shaped by the vision and content of our medical education. In modern times medical education and subsequent clinical practice -- conventional and alternative – are most often reduced to biology and technique. In contrast, the crucial ingredient in integral medical practice is the identity, character, consciousness, and inner development of the healer. As a result the educational focus of the integral approach shifts from the medical tool kit to the practitioner who holds the tool kit.

The formation of an integral healer is primarily concerned with the cultivation of the deeper and broader identity of the healer – the cultivation of a vast and profound wisdom and compassion. As a result of a progressive process of study, reflection, and practice the practitioner will personally and directly experience the qualities, potential, and methods employed in attaining a far-reaching well being of body, mind, and spirit. An integral clinical practice will organically unfold as the natural expression of this integral level of consciousness and its associated qualities and skills.

In the morning session, using the integral vision and map as a foundation, we will explore the relationship of inner development to the skills of unconditioned listening, focused attention, and healing presence. We will examine how these capacities help define the unique characteristics of the integral practitioner-patient relationship.

In the afternoon we will explore the three fundamental causes of suffering and their relationship to health and disease, the qualities of human flourishing as expressed in the great philosophies and healing traditions, and the nature of compassionate service. We will conclude by exploring the resources and practices that will assist the practitioner in fully engaging and integrating the integral perspective into his or her personal and professional life.

Elliott Dacher, M.D. is a teacher, author and pioneer in the emerging field of integral health. He began his internal medicine practice in 1970 and left active medical practice in 1996 to begin an in-depth study of consciousness and health. This research led to the publication of his most recent book, Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing (Basic Health, 2006.) Dr. Dacher is also the author of Whole Healing (Dutton/Plume,1996) and Intentional Healing (Marlowe, 1996.) He is a former fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and member of the editorial board of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. He currently studies, practices, and teaches the principles and practices of integral health and healing.
For more information his website is: www.elliottdacher.org

Rev. Steven Spidell, DMin2, BCC, is the Executive Director of Presbyterian Outreach to Patients, and has contributed this guidance describing the benefits of music:

For many people, music is a natural part of our lives. We listen to music on the radio or mp3 player. We go to concerts. Music is an expression of worship. As background, entertainment, or concentrated attention, music is a consistent element in life.

Music can be for more than enjoyment. Music has a power to heal our bodies, minds, and spirits. Remember of the story of King Saul and how music calmed him during his bad spells?
Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. It shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well. I Samuel 16:16

As we learn more about the energy fields in which we live, the power of music to affect those fields is being understood. As William Congreve put it, “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”

Deepak Chopra wrote, “The body is held together by sound—the presence of disease indicates that some sounds have gone out of tune." Research is indicating that music has some strong healing influence over illness. Music

• supports a healthy immune system


• reduces pain, nausea, stress, and anxiety


• promotes positive mood changes


• alters brain state


• improves a sense of being centered and balanced


• synchronizes mind-body rhythms, produces positive physiological states: improves respiration, lowers blood pressure, improves cardiac function, reduces heart rate, relaxes muscle state


• increases a feeling of hope


• expands creativity and the expression of feelings*

When a person is ill, it makes sense to draw on many approaches to healing and recovery. Music can contribute to positive heath effects across the broad range of mind, body, and spirit. Remember to include the sounds of music in your treatment plan.

*The Pulse. The Newsletter of Presbyterian Outreach to Patients. Vol. VI, No. 2. June, 2007.