Janine E. Gauthier, PhD — Gauthier is the director, Psychosocial Oncology and director, Clinical Services for the Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush University Medical Center. Gauthier is an assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Rush University. She is a licensed clinical health psychologist specializing in psychosocial oncology. She has unique training and expertise in psychosocial issues specifically in oncology settings. She completed a National Cancer Institute Cancer Prevention and Control post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas, working in collaboration with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her research interests include integrative medicine, emotional distress, mind body medicine, health-related quality of life, spirituality and spiritual issues in cancer and coping in cancer patients.

Michelle Haugen, LMT, NCTMB, CLT — Michelle is a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist. As a massage therapist, Michelle's goal is to alleviate tension and restricted musculature and fascia and promote improved physiological function. She is dedicated to the art and science of massage therapy, which has the potential to improve physiological function and restore homeostasis so the body can function optimally. The bodywork is enhanced by receiving therapy in a calm, peaceful environment that enhances relaxation and results in a greater sense of well-being. Michelle has a degree from Chicago School of Massage Therapy, Chicago's premier massage school. In addition, she has been trained in numerous massage techniques: Swedish relaxation, deep tissue, clinical, trigger point therapy, manual lymph drainage, seated chair, pregnancy, sports/athletic enhancement. Additional certifications include: myofascial release, massage for clients with cancer, lymphatic face lift massage, complete decongestive therapy for lymphedema, precision neuromuscular therapy for the head and neck. Student of Healing Touch.

Angela M. Johnson, Dipl OM, LAc, MSTOM, MPH — Angela Johnson has been in the field of integrative medicine for eight years. As a practitioner of Oriental medicine at Rush, Angela provides acupuncture and other Oriental medicine related techniques to help patients achieve optimal health and well-being. While she specializes in oncology, specifically helping patients through the side-effects of their conventional cancer treatments, she also provides care for people with a wide-range of chronic-health conditions.

In addition to direct patient care, Angela is the PI of a pilot study. She is working in collaboration with pediatric hematology/oncology physicians to explore the use of acupuncture for pain management in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients at Rush. In the area of pediatrics, she is also in the process of publishing a chapter in an acute-care pediatric textbook on the evidence-base role of integrative medicine in pediatric care. This textbook is scheduled to be published in 2011.

Holding advanced training from The Center for MindBody Medicine, Angela has also been providing six-week mindbody courses for Rush employees and patients for the past 4 years. Knowing how important it is for her patients to be involved in their own healing, she will often provide practical tools such as meditation and visualization to further enhance healing.

In the College of Nursing, Angela has an appointment as an Assistant Professor. In the past eight years, she has worked in close collaboration with several CON faculty members on two grants. The first was a $1.2 million dollar NCCAM funded grant to 1) integrate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) content into the baccalaureate and master's nursing programs, and 2) develop a CAM continuing education program for practicing nurses and other health care providers. The second grant, still underway, is exploring the role of mindfulness meditation training to reduce nursing errors in simulated nursing scenarios.

Aisha Kazi, PhD — Kazi received her doctorate in clinical health psychology from the University of Miami, where she spent five years participating in research with breast cancer patients, focusing on the relationship between stress and immune functioning. Her specialty area includes working with oncology patients and their families and helping with the adjustment process from initial diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Kazi's research interests include stress management and relaxation training while focusing on the mind-body connection.

Sally Kupczyk, RN — Sally Kupczyk is a certified Zen Shiatsu practitioner. She completed her certification at Zen Shiatsu Chicago. Additionally, she is a registered nurse at Rush University Medical Center, where she has been providing direct patient care for the past 10 years. In this time, she has cared for a multitude of patients with a diverse range of diagnoses. She is currently working in endoscopy, where she incorporates Zen Shiastsu fundamentals into her daily care of patients. Her interest focuses on integrative healing methods. To stay abreast of current research and techniques, she has attended several integrative/complementary medicine conferences and workshops.

She is now proud to be a part of the Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush University Medical Center, where her knowledge and experience can be used to promote health and wellness to those in need.

Karen Lustig, IKYT — Karen is a yoga alliance certified teacher and completed her training in Kundalini Yoga at Spirit Rising in Chicago. Karen provides private and personalized yoga therapy for both individuals and family members at Rush University Medical Center. Yoga sessions are available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Additionally, she teaches relaxation and meditation classes for the oncology nursing team. In her practice, Karen incorporates meditation, yoga, breathwork, guided imagery and prayer practice with clients at the level appropriate to each individual's phase of treatment. She works to support each person in mind and body by increasing strength, flexiblity and balance, as well as encouraging comfort and peace in the spirit.

Anjali Shah — Anjali is a certified yoga instructor at Rush University Medical Center. Anjali completed her training in yoga and ayurvedic education in Southern India. She is currently teaching private sessions and providing yoga therapy for the Cancer Integrative Medicine Program. The program offers one-on-one personalized sessions, regardless of ability and condition, that bring awareness to pranayama (control of breath), meditation, and gentle asanas (postures). Anjali wholeheartedly believes in complementary therapy and the tremendous healing power that resides within all of us and hopes to communicate this through her practice.

Cheryl Sullivan, MS, RD, CNSD, LDN — Cheryl is a clinical dietitian and graduate faculty member at Rush University Medical Center. Cheryl earned her undergraduate degree in food, nutrition and dietetics from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She then completed her dietetic internship and master of science in clinical nutrition here at Rush University. Cheryl is a nationally board certified Nutrition Support Dietitian with an emphasis in hematology and oncology. In addition to providing medical nutrition therapy to patients residing within the hospital, Cheryl also provides counseling to patients undergoing radiation therapy. Cheryl counsels patients and their families in coping with nutrition-related side effects during treatment, and provides guidance for general healthy nutrition.

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