Susan Whitman PA-C, MS, IHC
As a primary care PA-C at the Community Health Center of Burlington, I was constantly doling out advice to my patients to lose weight, exercise more, and decrease the stress in their lives. I worked hard to try to connect people with resources, but rarely had the time to spend with them to develop a plan, let alone follow up with them. I saw firsthand in my patients how someone’s lifestyle choices could affect their health.
After the birth of my second son, I began to experience how unbalanced my own life could get and how hard it can be to have the energy to do anything about it. I began to realize I was much more interested in helping people live a healthier life and working to prevent disease, rather than trying to treat people once they were sick with an ever increasing array of pills.
When I discovered the Integrative Health Coaching program at Duke Integrative Medicine, a light turned on in my soul. All these pieces began to fall into place and I knew I had finally found where I fit in the healthcare system. I think a team approach is needed in medicine and I believe a health coach is the missing link between doctor’s advice and action.
As a studio art/pre-med major at Middlebury College, I always felt there was an art in medicine. It is not all about science and how it affects your body. It is about your whole self; body, mind, spirit and community. I want to help people find the connections between all these pieces in order to let their true inner light shine through.
I am hopeful that I can make a difference in my small part of the world by helping people create balance in their lives. When my life is more balanced, everything seems easier, the air smells fresher, and I feel I can accomplish things I never thought possible!
When I am not dreaming about healthcare reform, I enjoy living in our off grid home in Richmond, Vermont with my husband and two young boys. I am a work in progress as I strive to keep myself in balance, but I enjoy hiking, skiing, reading, exploring nature, stomping in puddles and dancing around the kitchen while cinnamon bread bakes in the oven.
Current affiliations include the Duke Integrative Medicine, University of Vermont Living Well Center, Mountain View Natural Medicine, Stowe Urgent Care, AbilTo, and Enviah.
After the birth of my second son, I began to experience how unbalanced my own life could get and how hard it can be to have the energy to do anything about it. I began to realize I was much more interested in helping people live a healthier life and working to prevent disease, rather than trying to treat people once they were sick with an ever increasing array of pills.
When I discovered the Integrative Health Coaching program at Duke Integrative Medicine, a light turned on in my soul. All these pieces began to fall into place and I knew I had finally found where I fit in the healthcare system. I think a team approach is needed in medicine and I believe a health coach is the missing link between doctor’s advice and action.
As a studio art/pre-med major at Middlebury College, I always felt there was an art in medicine. It is not all about science and how it affects your body. It is about your whole self; body, mind, spirit and community. I want to help people find the connections between all these pieces in order to let their true inner light shine through.
I am hopeful that I can make a difference in my small part of the world by helping people create balance in their lives. When my life is more balanced, everything seems easier, the air smells fresher, and I feel I can accomplish things I never thought possible!
When I am not dreaming about healthcare reform, I enjoy living in our off grid home in Richmond, Vermont with my husband and two young boys. I am a work in progress as I strive to keep myself in balance, but I enjoy hiking, skiing, reading, exploring nature, stomping in puddles and dancing around the kitchen while cinnamon bread bakes in the oven.
Current affiliations include the Duke Integrative Medicine, University of Vermont Living Well Center, Mountain View Natural Medicine, Stowe Urgent Care, AbilTo, and Enviah.
Susan Whitman PA-C, Duke Certified Integrative Health Coach
susan@trailtowellness.com
(802) 923-6070
PO Box 718 Richmond, Vermont 05477
susan@trailtowellness.com
(802) 923-6070
PO Box 718 Richmond, Vermont 05477
