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Trying to change the health care “system” is a daunting task given its complexity and resistance to change.  Well-known barriers to change include insurance coverage, unawareness of the evidence, system rigidity, and entrenched stakeholders that wish to maintain the status quo.  Nevertheless, because of growing dissatisfaction by patients, clinicians, employers, and government payers, there are more opportunities for fundamental change.  Notably, the Veterans Affairs health care system recently adopted a Whole Health approach for veterans, the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has designated “whole person health” a research priority, and the National Academy of Medicine has released a report that calls for a nationwide effort to promote patient-centered care.

The time is ripe for us to become a major player in efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate integrative, whole-person strategies to transform healthcare.  The 2024 Congress program will elucidate the barriers we face for meaningful change, ways to overcome them, and how to capitalize on new opportunities that have emerged.  At the same time, we strive to maintain the core essence of connection and compassion for our patients, our colleagues, and ourselves.   We also strive to acknowledge and protect the healing traditions that have the potential to help our patients and rejuvenate our broken healthcare system. Please join us on this new and exciting phase of our collective journey to transform health care.