Doctor of Whole Health Leadership

Welcome to the Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership. At a time when the Nation is calling for a radical transformation in how we address health and well-being, there is an amazing new opportunity for committed and skilled leaders to drive this movement. Leading transformation is a huge undertaking, and it requires unique knowledge, experience, and skills. How does one prepare for such a journey? Come to SCU and be a part of the inaugural class of doctorate students. If you see the need for a paradigm shift in how we conceive of healthcare, if you believe that we need to and can implement the Whole Health approach to health and wellbeing, and if you are committed to being a leader in this movement, this is the right place for you.

How do you know when you have helped a system transform? When the purpose of that system has changed. The purpose of a whole health system is to help people live a full and meaningful life. While this is inclusive of diagnosing and treating diseases, this alone is not a success. Success is when the system helps people discover or reconnect with what matters most to them, to their sense of meaning and purpose. It then supports them in taking charge of their life and health, by empowering them and equipping them to do so. And in this process, people feel reconnected to their own humanity and the support of a community that cares. In this process, people have hope again. Oh – and yes, physical and mental health outcomes improve, and costs decrease.

For over a decade, this approach has been developed, researched, and evolved in the Veterans Health Administration. Much has been learned and demonstrated, and now after a two-year study, the National Academy of Medicine has called for the Nation to “make Whole Health a core value,” stating that “systems will need to change their structure, processes and goals.” Who will lead the way? What education, experience, and skills will be needed? The Doctorate in Whole Health Leadership is designed specifically to meet these needs, with faculty who are the nation’s experts. We will prepare the next generation of change agents at a time when they are desperately needed.

We believe that you cannot drive a transformation purely with knowledge. Being a leader of change must be grounded in a personal experience and transformation. As Ghandi said, we must be the change we wish to see in the world. As such, at the heart of this program are four in-person intensives. During these intensives, a deep, personal experience will be offered, connecting your vision for Whole Health in the world, to Whole Health in YOU. We know that leading transformation is complex and hard, and you will be sustained and nurtured by your personal experiences and those that you share with your colleagues.

The world needs this transformation like never before. This means we need leaders uniquely prepared for this great opportunity – leaders who will have a tremendous impact on our society for generations to come. At SCU, we are ready for you, and so is the world.

Tracy Gaudet, MD

Co-Founder Cornerstone Collaboration for Societal Change
Executive Director, DrWHL