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Home Medical Services Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health, is proud to offer an innovative, whole-person approach to healthcare that is backed by the latest evidence-based medical research.

What exactly is integrative health? It is a balanced approach to wellness. Rather than react to illnesses and diseases, we strive for prevention by dealing with issues before they become serious enough to have a negative impact. We consider each patient’s unique circumstances to determine the most appropriate treatments and therapies for achieving optimum health and well-being.

Integrative health is a philosophy of care that makes use of all therapeutic approaches, healthcare providers and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. Integrative health:

  • Focuses on the whole person
  • Is informed by scientific evidence
  • Brings together conventional and integrative approaches in a coordinated way
  • Reaffirms the importance of the doctor-patient relationship

Our integrative approach to healthcare is aimed at balance and prevention. We seek to uncover the root causes of illnesses and disease before they negatively impact your life.

To start your wellness journey, please call us at 949-824-7000.

Why Choose Us Conditions & Treatments Group Visits Our Team Related services Our clinicians

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Why Choose Us

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute leads the way in patient-centered medical care for Orange County.

Our team of healthcare providers — led by director Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH — combines the best of conventional Western medicine with the most effective integrative therapies. Using evidence-based scientific research and education, we attend to the body, mind, spirit and community.

Malik explains our "whole-person" approach to patient care in this video.

Located on the UCI campus in Irvine, our institute was established in 2001 with a generous gift from philanthropists Susan and Henry Samueli. Our goal then and now: to be the pre-eminent national and international academic center for research, education and clinical practice in integrative medicine.

We also offer integrative health services at:

Customized care

Every patient’s journey at the institute begins with the creation of a personalized, long-term health plan. Developed by you and your physician, this plan:

  • Takes into account your lifestyle and your personal and family medical histories
  • Strives to preserve and improve your physical, emotional and spiritual health
  • May incorporate strategies such as medical treatment, acupuncture, nutrition, exercise, mind-body techniques and massage
  • Ensures that you have the resources needed to include these elements in your daily life

Research and education

As part of UCI Health, we continually seek to advance the scientific understanding of integrative medicine.

Learn more about our areas of research focus

Conditions & Treatments

Integrative health offers a whole-person approach to care. Accordingly, our team of providers address a wide range of medical conditions.

Conditions

Some of the most common conditions we treat with integrative therapies include:

  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • Colds and flu
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Fatigue
  • Hypertension
  • Infertility
  • Inflammation
  • Insomnia
  • Low sex drive
  • Menopause
  • Nausea
  • Obesity
  • Pain
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Stroke

Treatments and Services

We offer the best of Western medicine and scientifically proven integrative therapies. The process begins when you and your provider customize a health plan tailored to your long-term needs. Depending on your plan, our services may include:

To get started, call us at 949-824-7000.

Group Visits

Many of us wish we could have more time to interact with our doctors in a relaxed setting. At the institute, we invite you to do just that.

Several of our providers offer group visits in addition to their regular patient visits. A group visit provides an extended session with your provider. We bring together a group of five to 15 people who share similar health concerns. At the visit, discussion will focus on a particular treatment option or strategy relevant to your condition.

Group visits usually run from 90 minutes to two hours.

Patients tell us they love the informal dialogue and the chance to learn, not only from their provider, but also from others dealing with similar issues. Our providers appreciate the opportunity to share deeper insights about self-healing and other integrative therapies.

We currently offer the following group visits:

Provider Topics
 Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH  Heart disease, stress, exercise
 Kim Hecht, DO  Chronic and acute pain, headaches

How to participate

Tell your provider that you are interested in a group visit. When an appropriate session is available, one of our schedulers will follow up with an invitation to join the group.

You may also request an appointment by calling us at 949-824-7000.

Cost

While a group visit is longer and more comprehensive than an individual appointment, it is not more expensive. Your health insurance carrier will be billed as usual, and any regular co-pays will apply.

Our Team

Our team of providers includes: