UWS and the Institute for Functional Medicine Sign Global Agreement

Alliance allows for further integration and collaboration

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 17, 2015 – Since its inception, the Master of Science in human nutrition and functional medicine (HNFM) program at University of Western States (UWS) has incorporated innovative content from the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). Recently, the two institutions forged a stronger alliance and signed a global agreement that will lead to further collaboration between the two institutions, including integration of IFM’s novel patient assessment criteria into the UWS program and IFM training for HNFM faculty. As part of the agreement, UWS and IFM have issued the following collaborative joint statement.

“University of Western States (UWS) and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) are pleased to announce a joint collaboration to incorporate functional medicine and functional nutrition coursework in the Master of Science in human nutrition and functional medicine (MSHNFM) program at UWS. UWS is an innovative university with a mission to improve the health of society and advance the science and art of integrated health care. This collaboration will enable UWS to better prepare health professionals to address the 21st century epidemic of chronic diseases. IFM, the global leader in functional medicine education, is pleased to provide faculty training, faculty scholarships, and curricular materials and tools to support this innovative master’s program. The MSHNFM program has been met with enthusiasm and interest among students from around the world and from a variety of backgrounds, including dietitians, nurses, physicians and several other professions.”

Daniel Redwood, DC, director of the HNFM program, welcomed the signing of the UWS-IFM agreement.

“In our efforts to create the strongest possible program for our HNFM master’s degree students, we are committed to providing our students and faculty with expanded opportunities for professional growth. This new agreement with IFM will help us to achieve both of these important goals,” Redwood said.

He added, “Both IFM and UWS are institutions that increasingly embody what so many of us have hoped for and spoken about for many years – interprofessional relationships that include not only mutual respect but active collaboration. We aspire to practice what we preach, enhance the quality of what we offer, and enlarge the range of ways we serve. Functional medicine principles and practices provide our students with a 21st century foundation.”