I was privileged to be invited to speak at the Integrative Medicine Selective program at St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada. This is an annual event organized by Jacqueline Stanley, PhD, a professor who cares fiercely for the welfare and for the education of the 2,000 medical students at the school in complementary therapies and integrative care. This year's introductions to complementary/ integrative care focused on Attention Deficit Disorder.

Getting to Grenada is a journey of pilgrimage at the best of times, as it is one of the Caribbean islands closer to South America, with few direct flights from the US. I had an extra dose of pilgrimage when a snowstorm delayed my arrival at the airport and I missed my flight. More opportunities to learn lessons of the big 'P' and 'T' – PATIENCE and TRUST.

The morning lectures were stimulating and informative for me as well as for the students.

- Brian Dailey, MD, FACEP, FACFE reviewed the demographics and pathology of ADHD, introducing the therapeutic modality of sound presented as binaural beats. This is the Monroe Institute's method of playing music with imbedded beats of slightly different frequency for each ear. The difference in the frequency sets up an interference pattern in the brain that is demonstrating therapeutic benefits for stress, insomnia, pain and other problems. In ADHD it is used to improve concentration and to reduce impulsivity and restlessness.

Scott M Shannon, MD, past president of the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) discussed six common subtypes of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Shannon shared from his vast knowledge of herbs and nutritional supplements, plus lifestyle adjustments and mind-body practices that are helpful to people with ADHD.

Christopher Hollis, ND, Lac, MSOM discussed nutritional approaches to ADHD. As importantly, he provided through his richly informative presentation an introduction to Naturopathic medical knowledge, experience and integrative care. Medical students do well to meet the NDs in the vicinity of their practices, to add the richness of ND approaches for the people under their care.

I was last on the morning program, introducing WHEE. I was very pleased to find the students open and receptive to this potent method of self-care for anxieties, stress and pains – physical and emotional.

The afternoon breakout sessions were enthusiastically attended. They included, in addition to the above presenters:

- Daniel Benor, MD, ABIHM – WHEE for stress and pain
- Sandra Vicki Blunt, PhD – Hatha Yoga
- Brian Dailey, MD, FACEP, FACFE - Acupressure
- Christopher Hollis, ND, Lac, MSOM – Introduction to Qigong
- Anika Keens-Douglas, MPA – Dynamic Pilates
- Ernesto Randolfi, PhD – Relaxation training modalities for quick and deep relaxation
- Beth Rettig, LMT – Massage for stress relief
- Scott M Shannon, MD – Stress tools, including biofeedback, breath work, guided imagery and progressive relaxation

A tour of this mountain island was a refreshing reward on the Sunday following the study day. The mountain rainforests are wonderful. The Grenadans value their natural wonders, going to great architectural lengths to enjoy them – quite literally. They will build their houses upon concrete stilts that are 80 and more feet high in order to enhance their views of the terrain. (An added advantage is that they can build on additional rooms below the original structure, as needed.)

Looking back on this delightful interlude from the cold, snow and ice of winter in northern climes, what stands out in my memory is the warmth and camaraderie of the presenters group, developed and nurtured by Jackie Stanley.

Blessings

Dan Benor - WHEE MD