Preventive & Restorative Whole-Person Care
Integrative Healthcare Conference at Utica University
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
Conference Overview
The Institute seeks to create a new discourse on whole-person care to help people stay healthy as well as regain health following illness or injury by bringing together integrative healthcare specialists, scholars, students, and members of the community to exchange ideas. Our community comprises integrative healthcare practitioners, psychologists, anthropologists and sociologists, environmental scientists, living/working space designers, educators, and others — at local, state, and national levels.
Opening Keynote Panel: “Hurdles & Solutions to Healthcare Integration”
EXPERT PANEL PRESENTERS:
Ann Blaney, MSN, RN, PMGT-BC, Reiki Master
Coordinator of Integrative Therapies at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA.
Oversees a team of over 200 Reiki Nurses, aromatherapy training, music therapy, yoga and other holistic programming for patients and staff; travels the country speaking about the importance of self-care and sharing how to start integrative services/programing in healthcare.
Lauren Eadline, FNP, APHN-BC, RH (AHG)
Nurse Practitioner, Department of Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
Primary care provider, clinical herbalist and plant medicine educator at University Internists East; background in botanical medicine, nutrition and holistic health, experience in internal medicine, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, extensive training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, special interests include chronic disease management, infectious disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and inflammatory conditions.
Staffan Elgelid, Ph.D., PT, GCFP, C-IAYT, ERYT-200, RYT-500, NBC-HWC
Professor of Physical Therapy, Nazareth University, Rochester, NY
Physical Therapist, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Certified Comprehensive Yoga Therapist; RYT-200; National NBC-HWC Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Author/Editor, Board of Directors Yoga Alliance 2015-2021
Reserve Your Place
Registration deadline:
Monday, Sept. 1, 2025
Early Bird Registration:
20% off with code EARLYBIRD in April and May
Pre-registration is required. All conference registrations will be handled online. Checks and all major credit are accepted.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Sign up today:
Continuing Professional Education
All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion verifying 10 hours of participation and awarding 1 continuing education unit (CEU) from Utica University.
Conference Details
Applications due by MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025
The Institute seeks to create a new discourse on whole-person care to help people stay healthy as well as regain health following illness or injury by bringing together integrative healthcare specialists, scholars, students, and members of the community to exchange ideas. Our community comprises integrative healthcare practitioners, psychologists, anthropologists and sociologists, environmental scientists, living/working space designers, educators, and others—at local, state, and national levels.
We invite abstracts for both oral and poster presentations that examine the benefits of holistic and integrative healthcare approaches to whole-person care.
“Integrative health is a state of well-being in body, mind and spirit that reflects aspects of the individual, community, and population. It is affected by: (1) individual biological factors and behaviors, social values, and public policy, (2) the physical, social, and economic environments, and (3) an integrative healthcare system that involves active participation of the individual and the healthcare team in applying a broad spectrum of preventive and therapeutic approaches. Integrative healthcare encourages individuals, social groups, and communities to develop ways of living that promote meaning, resilience and wellbeing across the life course.”1
Potential topics may include – but are not limited to – history, growth, and evolution of integrative healthcare; sociological, psychological, economic and anthropological drivers and barriers to integrative healthcare; application and evaluation of traditional and complementary/alternative medicine fields, such as (but not limited to) acupuncture, acupressure, Ayurveda, herbal medicine, medical nutrition therapy, homeopathy, naturopathy, meditation, yoga/yoga therapy, and Tai Chi/Qigong – broadly and to special populations; impacts of the external environment of individual and community health. Cross-disciplinary and evidence-based presentations are encouraged.
Students are very welcome! Student oral presentations will be integrated into sessions of common topics; student posters will be presented in a special student session. NEW THIS YEAR: A monetary award will be given to the Best Student Oral Presentation and Best Student Poster Presentation! It must be presented by a student, and more than 75% of the high-level (hypothesis proposal, literature search, data analysis and interpretation) project work must have been done by the student(s).
The specific conference schedule will be posted by May 1, 2025.
In addition to an opening keynote panel with Q&A, a special interest panel, options for wellness activities in the afternoon, poster presentations, and built-in networking opportunities, we plan to host several oral presentations of 45-60 minutes long.
The day’s meals will include a continental breakfast, full lunch buffet, and coffee/snack breaks between sessions. We cater to all dietary needs; the registration form includes a space to enter details.
The finalized list of conference presenters will be released on June 1, 2025.
New this year: a monetary award will be given to the Best Student Oral and Poster Presentations.
In-person attendees are strongly encouraged to use the Whova (HOO-vah) smart phone app to access conference materials, including agenda, campus maps, presentation rooms, presenter information, etc.
Virtual attendees will access all session links through the Whova web portal.
Attendees must log into the app and the webpage with the same email address used to register for the conference.
Keynote Panelist Biographies
Ann Blaney, MSN, RN, PMGT-BC, Reiki Master
Coordinator of Integrative Therapies at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA
With over 25 years of experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, Ann is a passionate advocate for holistic care and the well-being of caregivers. A highly respected nurse leader, Ann brings a wealth of expertise in pain management, team development and patient centered care. As a Reiki Master, and an expert in integrative healing practices, Ann bridges the gap between traditional and holistic are to promote physical , emotional, and spiritual well-being. Her unique approach focuses on empowering health care professionals to cultivate resilience, prevent burnout, and deliver exceptional care. Dedicated to the mission of “caring for Caregivers”, Ann has inspired countless healthcare professionals through her mentorship, workshops, and keynote speeches. Her insights are grounded in compassion, personal experience, and an unwavering commitment to creating a supportive and sustainable environment for caregivers everywhere. Ann lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and 4 children. When not at work, Ann enjoys time with her family, reading and vacations. Today, Ann invites you to join her in exploring how intentional care for ourselves can transform the way we care for others.
Lauren Eadline, FNP, APHN-BC, RH (AHG)
Nurse Practitioner, Department of Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
Lauren Eadline is an integrative primary care provider, clinical herbalist and plant medicine educator at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She is also the founder and director of Syracuse Herbal Study Group, a collective in the CNY area focused on accessible education in herbal medicine, community health empowerment and environmental justice. She is a board-certified Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse (APHN), a registered member of the American Herbalist Guild and has spoken at conferences nationwide on topics in botanical medicine. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate is SUNY Upstate and her first book, the Herbal Diagnostic Handbook, is set for publication through Storey Publishing in 2026. Lauren lives in Baldwinsville with her family.
Staffan Elgelid, Ph.D., PT, GCFP, C-IAYT, ERYT-200, RYT-500, NBC-HWC
Professor of Physical Therapy, Nazareth University, Rochester, NY
Dr. Staffan Elgelid is a Professor of Physical Therapy at Nazareth College. Dr. Elgelid has been a Physical Therapist for 30+ years. A native of Sweden and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Dr. Elgelid has worked in a wide variety of settings, including owning his own clinics, and has presented at conferences on a wide variety of topics such as Complementary Approaches to Health, Guided Imagery, Healthy Aging, Mentoring, Awareness, Core Strengthening, and Feldenkrais, both in the US and Internationally. Dr. Elgelid has produced videos on different approaches to core strengthening, and Yoga for different sports. Dr. Elgelid is currently serving as on the advisory board of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and advisory board member of the EDUlearn conference in Spain, is a former chair of the APTA health Promotion and Wellness Network, is a former board member the Yoga Alliance, International Association of Yoga Therapists and The Feldenkrais Guild of North America, and on the editorial board of several journals. Dr. Elgelid edited “Yoga Therapy: Theory and Practice” and is the co-author of “Yoga for Stress and Anxiety” and “Yoga for Active Adults.” His latest book is “The Feldenkrais Method. Learning Through Movement.”
“Integrative Approaches to Maternal Health” Special Interest Panel
The special interest panel on “Integrative Approaches to Maternal Health” will bring together experts to discuss key issues in maternal healthcare, emphasizing the need for advocacy and education. The discussion will feature Utica University faculty sharing their research and advocacy in the Utica area on addressing community resources and disparities in maternal healthcare; exploration of the relationship between mental health and maternal health, myths, and stress normalization strategies; and outreach efforts, strengthening practitioner-patient relationships, and identifying gaps in maternal healthcare services. Additionally, community resources, including information on doulas and NY IVF services such as acupuncture and yoga, will be shared with the audience.
The discussion will be structured with pre-prepared questions tailored to each panelist’s area of expertise, followed by an interactive Q&A session.
This panel aims to empower attendees with knowledge and strategies to advocate for improved maternal healthcare while fostering meaningful dialogue among professionals, practitioners, and the community.
Mary Siniscarco, M.S., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Health Studies, Utica University
M.S. in Health Education from SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY
B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica University, Utica, NY
Mary Siniscarco is an Occupational Therapist with over 34 years of clinical experience, many of which have been within the realm of pediatric care, inclusive of infant/child/family education. Mary greatly appreciates the importance of advocating for all, particularly for those who are marginalized due to racial, ethnic, and economic disparities. Additionally, Mary created the Healthcare Advocacy and Navigation minor at Utica University in addition to the “Educate to Advocate” initiative, whereas the Health Science faculty along with the student body of Utica University, offer a series of free educational forums to address the goal of decreasing maternal and infant mortality by educating birthing people about ways to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. All presentations are based on utilizing a variety of evidence-based resources, specifically addressing the topic of "Urgent Maternal Warning Signs" as per the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM).
Deborah Pollack, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology, Utica University
M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology & Clinical Psychology (resp.) from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
B.A. in Psychology & Philosophy from St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD
Dr. Deborah Pollack is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Utica University and a licensed clinical psychologist. She also holds faculty, teaching, and clinical supervision appointments at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University. In her research and clinical practice she has focused on promoting and developing psychotherapeutic approaches that incorporate techniques from experiential-dynamic therapy to help mothers face and accept maternal ambivalence. Since 2021 she has published three papers demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach in individual and group therapy for mothers with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD). Dr. Pollack is currently President of the Central New York Psychological Association, President-Elect of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Contemporary ISTDP, and on the Board of Directors of the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley. She is a member of the 2025 class of the American Psychological Association's Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology.
Kaylee Seddio, Ph.D., CFLE, PMH-C
Associate Professor of Psychology, Utica University
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, specialization in Human Development from University of North Texas, Denton, TX
B.A. Psychology - Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Dr. Kaylee Seddio is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Utica University. She is a certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) and holds an additional certification in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). Dr. Seddio’s research in maternal care focuses on early care-giving practices (i.e., breastfeeding, safe sleep with infants), goodness-of-fit’ between infant temperament and maternal characteristics, and maternal mental health. She teaches classes related to developmental psychology, measurement and methodology, and a seminar course on the Psychology of Extremism. Her work has been published in the American Journal of Public Health, Family Relations, and Development and Psychopathology, among others.
Helen Blouet, Ph.D.
Professor of Anthropology, Utica University
M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
B.A. in Anthropology from The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
More Information
REGISTRATION
Registration will be open from TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025 to MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.
Early Bird discount: 20% off from April 1 to May 31 with code EARLYBIRD
The conference fee includes attendance at all conference sessions, conference materials, and CEU certificate. For those attending in-person, the conference fee also includes continental breakfast, lunch, breaks, and reception. For conference registration, please see our registration form.
COST OF ATTENDANCE
- FREE for Utica University current and active faculty, staff, and students
- $100 for Utica University Alumni and any virtual attendees
- $125 for Standard In-Person Registration (June 1 and thereafter)
WHOVA SMARTPHONE APP
Attendees are encouraged to use the Whova app to access conference materials, including agenda, campus maps, presentation rooms, presenter information, etc. You must log into the app and the webpage with the same email address you register with.
WHOVA Conference Link (URL Needed)
In-person attendees should download the Whova app to their mobile devices. For download and user help, click here.
All materials presented at the Integrative Healthcare Conference on September 13, 2025, including all virtual zoom presentations, slides, written and oral presentations, posters, and other materials displayed, shown, or otherwise published during the conference and poster sessions, are protected by copyright and may not be publicly displayed or republished without the express written consent of the presenter/copyright owner.
Photography, video, audio recording, and all other forms of recording of a presentation, or poster are prohibited. In addition, virtual Zoom presentations will not be recorded. Attendees are expected to abide by the request of the presenter or exhibitor as a matter of scientific and professional courtesy.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Requests for refunds must be made on or before September 1, 2025. No refunds will be issued after this date. To request a refund, contact the Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare at (315) 792-3537 or email integrativehealthcare@utica.edu. Utica University reserves the right to cancel this program at any time.
Utica University monitors and follows all public health guidelines relative to the COVID-19 pandemic as they relate to college and university campuses. At this time, Utica University is not requiring masks, nor are we checking the vaccination status of external guests. However, we are a mask-friendly campus and do encourage those that are more comfortable wearing masks to do so. Registered attendees will be notified of the University’s COVID-19 protocol prior to the conference should there be a change in policy.
DIRECTIONS / CAMPUS MAP
Driving directions to Utica University, as well as a detailed campus map and other useful visitor information can be found on our Campus Visit pages.
PARKING
Parking will be available at no charge in Lot A (see campus map). When arriving on campus, please follow campus signage.
Conference attire is business casual. Please consider wearing comfortable shoes since concurrent sessions will be located at various locations on campus. Conference attendees may also want to bring a sweater or jacket, as temperatures in conference rooms and auditoriums vary.
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For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.