The stress reduction program was the first program in Jefferson’s Center of Integrative Medicine, founded in 1996. Co-founders were Steven Rosenzweig, MD, George Brainard, PhD, and Diane Reibel, PhD. The first program offered was a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course for medical students, and we’ve continued to offer these courses ever since. The learning from and success of this student program quickly led to a grant from Advanta Corporation to bring MBSR to patients and the community. We began by running three 8-week MBSR foundation courses in the first year, and today, we run 14 foundation courses per year. From the first, we have been engaged in research projects studying the impact of MBSR on medical students and patients, and publishing early and influential studies.

In 2004, we began our Mindfulness at Work programs, bringing workshops and training courses to organizations, corporations, and professionals — from Federal Judges to clergy, from attorneys to social service organizations. In 2007, we began offering an academic course in MBSR through Jefferson’s College of Health Professions for undergraduate and graduate credit. We also initiated a formal professional training program for clinicians, educators, and other professionals who wish to integrate the teaching of mindfulness into their work. As demand has grown, we have expanded our professional training program to include additional training courses, supervision, and internship opportunities.

Our ongoing clinical, academic, and research achievements have lead to our 2009 “Institute” status at Jefferson’s Myrna Brind Center.