Dr. Andrew Weil and Spas: SpaFinder Visionary Award Winner
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider
A couple of nights ago it was our privilege to hand Dr. Andrew Weil SpaFinder’s 2009 Visionary Award. Our Visionary Award goes to one person each year who has made a huge contribution to the field of spa and wellness. (Previous recipients include Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Howard Murad, Mel and Enid Zuckerman, Dr. Bruce Katz, Dr. Stephen, and Lyn Krant and last year’s recipient, Deborah Szekely.)
Simmone, Dulcy, and I gave Dr. Weil his award (see the great photo of the two of them with Dr. Weil and the not-so-great photo of Dr. Weil and me) for his tireless efforts to bridge th
e worlds of medicine and spa, and his prediction decades ago, that the hospital of the future would look more like a spa. Dr. Weil’s background includes being a Harvard Medical School-trained doctor, becoming a pioneer in integrative medicine, writing 12 books (mostly best sellers) and working with spas – notably Canyon Ranch and now Miraval.
e worlds of medicine and spa, and his prediction decades ago, that the hospital of the future would look more like a spa. Dr. Weil’s background includes being a Harvard Medical School-trained doctor, becoming a pioneer in integrative medicine, writing 12 books (mostly best sellers) and working with spas – notably Canyon Ranch and now Miraval. 
And …talk about timing.
Dr. Weil (who has a way of simplifying things into understandable nuggets) spoke to the 92nd Street Y audience here in New York City and introduced his new book, “Why Our Health Matters….a Vision of Medicine that can Transform Our Future.” Given that the U.S. is on the eve of health care reform and other countries are also struggling with how to contain their health care costs, I think it was fascinating to hear what Dr. Weil had to say in that regard – and what all this means for the spa and wellness industry. Last night Dr. Weil was on Larry King Live. Check out the link to hear the actual 18-minute segment.
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Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/susieellis
** If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!
What a wonderful acknowledgment for Dr. Weil. I have always enjoyed his work (presentations, books, etc.) And, a little acknowledgment for not just his work with spas but the products he has put into the beauty industry (his work for Estee Lauder/Origins)Thanks for the link to Larry King—I enjoyed Dr. Weil's piece and sent it on to my holistic doctor.And Susie, you look MAAAHHHVELOUS!
You're too modest Susie!I thoroughly enjoy envisioning the hospital-as-spa future that may be in store for us. It seems like hospitals need to do their best to become places of comfort as much as they are places of healing as well.
Congratulations to Mr. Weil !, a true authority indeed