Center for Intergrative Medicine News Archive Featured in the Media JeffNEWS

For two days in May, the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital will present pioneer Mindfulness Meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. in a benefit lecture and full-day workshop.

Dr. Kabat-Zinn, who has spent his career bringing mindfulness into the mainstream of medicine and society, will discuss “Coming to Our Senses,” on Thursday evening, May 12. The next day, Friday, May 13, Dr. Kabat-Zinn will present a full-day Mindfulness Meditation workshop.

“Jon Kabat-Zinn is known and respected nationwide as a charismatic and engaging speaker," said Steven Rosenzweig, M.D., academic director of the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine. “He offers mindfulness as a practice for becoming more awake and open-hearted to our lives and to the world."

Offered by the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine, Mindfulness Meditation is a popular 8-week stress-reduction course that helps participants learn to reduce anxiety, depression and medical symptoms and promote vitality and well-being. The Mindfulness Meditation process quiets the mind and releases physical distress.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. founded the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he is professor emeritus of medicine. He is also former director of its world-renowned Stress Reduction Clinic.

In his newest book, “Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness,” Dr. Kabat-Zinn describes how, through paying attention, by both literally and metaphorically coming to our senses, we can realize the full extent of our potential as human beings in ways both little and big.

The presentation is the Honickman Lecture, a part of the Brind Distinguished Lectureship in Integrative Medicine, which was established in 2000. The events will benefit the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

“The committee is honored to be able to present an evening with Jon Kabat-Zinn,” says Ira Brind, event co-chair. “As the father of mindfulness-based health interventions, he epitomizes so much of what the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine offers. He is an inspiring and timely speaker who provides grounded and sensible tips for our daily lives.”

“Coming to Our Senses” with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Tickets are $75 for one admission and a signed copy of “Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World through Mindfulness;” $50 for admission only. Tickets may be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office, or through TicketPhiladephia at 215-893-1999 or www.kimmelcenter.org

Guests will have a chance to meet Dr. Kabat-Zinn at the pre-lecture sponsors’ buffet, dessert reception and private book signing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the University of the Arts Hamilton Hall, 320 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. For information about the various levels of sponsorship or to purchase tickets, call 215-955-9100 or 1-800-JEFF-NOW.

“A Day of Mindfulness Meditation and Dialogue with Jon Kabat-Zinn,” the workshop, will be held on Friday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel in Center City. The fee is $100. For information, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or go to www.JeffersonHospital.org/CIM.

The Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine has a leading role in the evaluation and integration of promising complementary approaches to healing. At its clinical site, Jefferson physicians incorporate nutritional, herbal and homeopathic therapies into a comprehensive patient care approach. Other Center therapists provide acupuncture, therapeutic massage, nutritional counseling, mindfulness meditation for stress reduction, yoga, wellness and prevention programs. At the Center’s academic office, researchers study health outcomes of all patients treated through the clinical program. Collaborative study protocols are developed with Jefferson clinical investigators and basic scientists.