MUM Pre-med Student Pursues Career As Integrative MD

I recently spoke with one of our star students, David Wright. In our discussion we talked about his experience at MIU and future goal of becoming a Doctor of Integrative Medicine:

To start off, could you tell me a little about yourself?

Sure, my name is David Wright. I’m thirty years old and originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. I moved to Fairfield from Fort Lauderdale, FL, where I had lived for the past ten years. When I first started college I was studying business, but when I was twenty, my grandmother passed away from cancer, which shifted my focus to the study of health and disease. After seeing how many pharmaceuticals she was given and the limitations of the current model of treatment, it caused me to reconsider what health and healthcare actually were; what they meant to me.

At that point I changed my major to pre-med studies at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL, graduating with a bachelor’s in liberal studies with a minor in biology. However, I still felt something was missing from my education. I felt the need to learn more about natural, holistic medicine and quantum healing technologies, but wasn’t exactly sure how or where. I visited Bastyr University and the National College of Natural Medicine to explore their naturopathic programs, and although they’re both great schools, I ultimately felt they didn’t offer what I was looking for.

Naturopathic physicians aren’t well understood and there are many licensing issues. I found it only slightly less frustrating than the idea of only allopathic medical studies, which wasn’t an option.

Wow, sounds like you’ve had quite the journey. Going back a little, you mentioned the term ‘quantum healing’. Can you explain what that means?

I use the word “quantum” to differentiate from the limited view of the current system. As opposed to the current allopathic approach to medicine which defines disease by the symptoms and healing only by “treatment,” quantum healing ideology views all aspects of life as being deeply interconnected. It involves recognizing that everything we experience in life is all a part of a larger system, and when one or more parts of that system goes out of balance, the other parts go out of balance. Allopathic medicine has its place and has served us well, but it has its limits. Chronic degenerative disorders such as heart disease and cancer are only now being treated. The reality is that only the body can truly cure any disease.

An example of what I consider quantum science can be found in the science of our own DNA and genes, in the study of epigenetics. Recent discoveries have shown how gene expression is affected by things found in the environment, our stress levels, or potentially anything really. It’s not nature vs nurture; it’s nature and nurture. There are many causes for illness and disease, so as healers we need to look at every aspect of a person’s health. Maharishi AyurVeda directly acknowledges these principles and applies them in practical ways.

Healing isn’t just about getting rid of symptoms, healing is about being well. What’s the point of living a mediocre life or being sick all of the time? We currently live in a ‘sick-care’ system not a ‘health-care’ system, but the paradigm is shifting. I want to live a life where I can see people being happy and living free from disease. Quantum medicine, natural medicine, preventative or holistic health, whatever you want to call it, this is the future. Combining our modern scientific and technological advancements in medicine with a more all-encompassing view of health is what will really make a difference.

That’s great, thanks for the explanation. How did you first hear about MIU?

Well, I learned the TM technique last March and was introduced to MIU through my local TM center. I was taking a bunch of ethics courses and discovered MIU’s MA in Sustainable Living program which was aligned with my interests at the time. A week after I returned from visitors’ weekend last May, I found information about the dual-degree MD-MS in Integrative Medicine collaborative program between MIU and the American University of Integrative Sciences on St. Maarten.

It sounded perfect, and after learning more about it, I felt it was the first of its kind. While many medical schools offer one course in nutrition, that’s about as far as the concept of innate healing technology goes.

What do you think about going to AUIS this Fall?

I visited their campus on St. Maarten over my spring break. I was extremely impressed. The location couldn’t be better, student to faculty ratio is outstanding, class size is small, and the Deans and professors I met with are genuine and excited, and they have notable academic and professional experience. The Transcendental Meditation program and Consciousness-based Education are incorporated into the school as well.

Another impressive point was their affiliations with hospitals for clinical rotations. AUIS gives all of their students a tablet nicknamed “CARL,” which stands for Clinical Activity & Rotation Log. It keeps track of activity during clinical rotations. This is a huge advantage when applying for US medical residencies.

I believe all medical students should be getting this kind of education in integrative medicine. It is the future!

*Learn more about our integrative medicine programs and tracks!