Doctor of Whole Health Leadership
Weekend Intensives
Weekend Intensives offer transformative, in-person experiences that support both personal growth and professional development within the Whole Health framework. Held during the Fall and Summer terms, each intensive runs from Thursday afternoon through midday Sunday.
These events take place at thoughtfully selected locations across the U.S., each chosen to enrich the Whole Health journey and introduce students to diverse leaders in the field. Dates and locations are announced as they are confirmed. Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging. The program provides select meals and snacks during the event.
Why do they matter?
The Weekend Intensives are not just educational — they are transformational, helping students embody Whole Health values and apply them in both personal and professional contexts. The intensives offer an opportunity to:
- Build Community:Â Connect with peers, form supportive relationships, and grow your professional network.
- Engage in Self-Reflection: Participate in exercises that deepen self-awareness to support your development as a leader
- Experience Whole Health Firsthand: Participate in a personal experience of Whole Health through the Taking Charge of My Life and Health program and learn to facilitate this experience for others
- Explore Self-Care:Â Dive into the Circle of Health framework and expand your toolkit for personal self-care and well-being.
- Learn from Leaders:Â Interact with local Whole Health leaders and gain real-world perspectives on transformative health practices.
The first intensive was hosted in April 2025 at a retreat center in Arizona, and the second will be held in October 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin, where students will engage with experts from the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
At the first weekend intensive, we focused on relationship building, nutrition, and time in nature through group experiences. Here are some of the reactions from the participants…
I can’t think of anything more meaningful than having in-person time with such accomplished leaders and to be able to explore concepts in depth.
Gaining insights from faculty and classmate leaders was invaluable, and I was able to make connections and learn new information to immediately implement in my work setting. It was also very motivating to see the challenges that others have overcome or the paths taken to get here.
The importance of experiencing what we are asking patients to do added a lot of value for me. I ended up developing a realistic goal that will support recharge as I start term three.
This was such an incredible way to get to know each other. I learned so much about my cohort and the faculty. Valued our precious time together, and was amazed at the love, caring, kindness, and resiliency of our group.
