U of U Health Opens New Osher Center for Integrative Health
New facility advances whole-person care for patients, employees, and communities
The Osher Center for Integrative Health (OCIH) at 91麻豆天美直播 celebrated the opening of its new state-of-the-art facility. This milestone advances OCIH鈥檚 transformative approach to health care, addressing the whole person through team-based strategies that promote resilience, prevent disease, and restore health.
Building on a decade of pioneering work by the university鈥檚 Chief Wellness Office, OCIH integrates clinical services, education, research, and community partnerships into a model that puts individuals at the center of their care.
鈥淲e're reimagining health care, moving from reactive sick care to a proactive health focus,鈥 said Amy Locke, MD, FAAFP, Chief Wellness Officer at U of U Health. 鈥淥ur vision is a system where we pursue optimal health in partnership with individuals and communities for a human-centered approach. We have a special focus on both health behaviors and occupational well-being.鈥
The center, in partnership with the University of Utah College of Health in particular, offers evidence-based programs complementing traditional medical care including personalized wellness coaching, targeted exercise and nutrition initiatives, mental health support and specialized education for health care professionals. This integrated approach creates scalable solutions for today's most complex health challenges.
Real-world impact is already evident in patients like Kirk Francis. After a catastrophic injury in 2020 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Francis found new possibilities through the Supervised Medical Gym at the L.S. Skaggs Wellness Center. 鈥淭he staff didn't just see my limitations鈥攖hey helped me discover capabilities I didn't know I still had,鈥 Francis said. 鈥淭hey created a personalized program that maximizes what I can do.鈥
Equally central to OCIH's mission is supporting the well-being of employees and health care workers. Through programs like , WellnessNow, and the Resiliency Center, individuals and teams at the University of Utah are supported in both personal and occupational well-being. Staff receive health assessments, coaching, fitness resources, and mental health tools鈥攊nitiatives that reduce burnout and strengthen workforce engagement.
鈥淲hen we care for the caregivers, everyone benefits,鈥 explained , PhD, Associate Chief Wellness Officer and Director of the Resiliency Center. 鈥淲e're changing institutional culture鈥攃reating environments where people don't just access resources but truly feel they belong and matter.鈥
This culture shift is exemplified by nurse manager Marci Koenig's experience after the loss of a staff member to suicide. Koenig established regular consultations with a Resiliency Center counselor, creating space for her team to process grief, manage stress, and develop mindfulness practices. The impact was profound, with one colleague telling Koenig, 鈥淚 never knew that I needed this. Thank you for creating space to discuss these hard things we face.鈥
Education is another cornerstone of OCIH's mission. Students across health care disciplines gain hands-on experience in wellness-oriented care. Medical student Lily Nilsen, who participates in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine鈥檚 Pathway of Excellence program, observed, 鈥淚've learned that food isn't just nutrition鈥攊t's a clinical tool. Integrating dietary knowledge and lifestyle approaches into medical practice isn't optional鈥攊t's essential for effective care.鈥
As a research hub, OCIH applies implementation science to expand effective wellness practices. 鈥淥ur work bridges the gap between discovery and everyday practice,鈥 said , PhD, Professor in the Department of Health & Kinesiology, Associate Dean of Community Engagement in the College of Health, and Research Director at OCIH. 鈥淭hrough strategic partnerships with the Prevention Research Center and the Driving out Diabetes Initiative, we're advancing the science of whole-person health nationwide.鈥
Supported by the national network and built on the University of Utah's decade of innovation in this field, OCIH aims to revolutionize health care delivery in Utah and establish a model for systems across the country.