Mission, vision and values

The mission of the Judith Nan Joy Integrative Medicine Initiative is to create a safe, healing medical environment from a holistic perspective which promotes the assessment of integrating non-traditional therapies with conventional practices on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children and their families.

The vision

The vision of the Judith Nan Joy Integrative Medicine Initiative is to implement a comprehensive, integrated medicine program at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago embracing education, research, and clinical practices, and bringing together the best of traditional western medical care with effective therapies and practices that have not traditionally been offered in our hospital.

The values

We believe that:

  • The body, mind, spirit and community are essential dimensions of health and wholeness.
  • The relief of suffering of children and families in the hospital and clinic setting is central to achieving recovery.
  • The core of our effort is founded by high quality scholarship and research.
  • Knowledge and appreciation of educational, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual diversity demonstrate respect to our patients and families.

Integrative Medicine promotes these values through:

  • Partnership, collaboration, and dialogue between traditional and non-traditional practitioners in the healthcare setting, which lead to an end result that is greater than the sum of the parts acting alone.
  • Increased exposure to holistic educational opportunities for current and future healthcare workers, which promotes knowledgeable integration of complementary therapies.
  • Access to a multidisciplinary team approach for each patient and family, which affords them the best of all traditions.