Memorial Health Servers Ties With Chopra Breakup Allows Medical Center to Offer Acupuncture and Tai Chi and Reach More People.
Posted on: Friday, 4 November 2005, 18:00 CST
By ANNE HART
SAVANNAH -- Say goodbye to the guru.
Memorial Health University Medical Center is ending its four- year relationship with best-selling mind-body healer Deepak Chopra and changing the name of The Chopra Center.
It will be called the Center of Holistic Healing.
Reasons for the breakup: To be able to offer acupuncture and tai chi, teachings that aren't approved by endocrinologist Chopra, and reach more people.
Licensed acupuncturist Jiahua Tao started offering sessions at the center earlier this month.
He said he sees two types of patients: healthy ones who want to stay that way and those seeking healing for everything from post- surgery pain to irritable bowel syndrome.
Savannahians have started to see the benefit of avoiding pricey prescription medications, and their side effects, and choosing acupuncture, Tao said.
The name change is among a series of moves the center has made to connect to the community, including moving downtown from the Memorial campus last year; offering meditation and free lectures to attract area church members; and visiting workplaces to give talks on holistic health.
"Some area clergy would hear Dr. Chopra's name and they would immediately think of the Hindu tradition, which is accurate. But we're looking to have broader appeal," said Joseph Gardner, director of service excellence at Memorial.
"Acupuncture really has been one of the biggest demands in Savannah."
The name change will also save money.
Memorial launched its $250,000 partnership with The Chopra Center in Carlsbad, Calif., in 2001 and paid an annual licensing fee of $50,000.
Ending the partnership allows for more outreach.
Work is under way to start a five-week program with Memorial reproductive specialist Lori-Linell Hall for couples undergoing preparation for in-vitro fertilization.
It will include nutritional sessions, massage, journaling as well as partner yoga, said Tricia Richardson, a registered nurse and manager of the center.
"It's difficult enough to go through IVF," said Hunter Leaf, who will lead the partner yoga class with wife Joyce Ann. "This will be an opportunity for them to be as relaxed as possible."
The competing Center for WellBeing at St. Joseph's/Candler has offered tai chi since opening in 2001 and acupuncture since last year, among other services.
Source: Florida Times Union
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