Imagine being a patient in a hospital where acupuncture, energy healing and various other mind/body therapies complement the conventional medical treatment you receive. At Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing has created the nation’s largest hospital-based integrated health program, providing both inpatient and outpatient care. In this episode, Executive Director Lori Knutson will explain how this model program helps transform health care by blending the art of healing and the science of curing to optimize the health of the whole person–mind, body and spirit. Nutritionist Carolyn Denton and Exercise Physiologist Susan Masemer will explain how diet and exercise can have a profound effect on healing and wellbeing.
Carolyn Denton, MA, LN
As a Licensed Nutritionist, Carolyn’s work focuses on nutrition for general health and disease prevention and as a complementary therapy for existing chronic and degenerative diseases. In addition to nutritional counseling, Carolyn has developed and implemented nutritional programs addressing specific health concerns. She has also designed and conducted numerous education programs for both patients and for corporate settings. Additionally, Carolyn has published articles in various magazines and periodicals and wrote the nutritional content for the Center for Spirituality and Healing’s Taking Charge of Your Health website focusing on personal health. Currently, Carolyn is a member of the Integrative Medicine Team at Abbott Northwestern’s Penny George Institute for Health and Healing. She also teaches Functional Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She holds a Masters Degree in Nutrition with an Emphasis/ Nutrition and Aging.
Lori Knutson
Lori Knutson is the Executive Director of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and holds the Brenden Leadership Chair in Integrative Medicine. She has developed the largest hospital-based integrative care program in the U.S. that includes inpatient programs and services, an outpatient clinic, an integrative fitness center and research center. Lori also co-owns and operates Healing Alchemy, an integrative healthcare consulting business. She is a contributing author to the book, Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. In 2006 Lori was honored as the Holistic Nurse of the Year by the American Holistic Nursing Association.
Susan Masemer, MS
Sue is currently the manager of operations at the Live Well Fitness Center at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, where she is responsible for the development of programs and service offerings. Sue has a master’s degree in exercise physiology, and bachelor’s degree in health. She has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career. Prior to LiveWell Fitness Center, she was the director of the Lifestyles Wellness Center at Flagship Athletic Club, a large up-scale health and fitness facility, for 17 years. She has served as a faculty member at West Virginia University and was the program manager for the WVU Adult Wellness Program, a jointly sponsored program of the departments of Exercise Science and the School of Medicine. She has been employed by medically-based groups involving senior wellness and cardiac rehabilitation programming and has served as a consultant for various corporations, medical organizations, municipalities, elite sports teams and health and fitness organizations. Sue is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and is the State Representative for the Medical Fitness Association. She was recently appointed to Allina’s Wellness Advisory Council.
Mary Treacy O'Keefe 