The following experts contributed to this website by writing, editing, and reviewing all content related to Whole Systems Healing.
Linda Brady, PhD, Professor, University of Minnesota
Linda Brady earned her master's degree in Nutrition at Louisiana State University and her PhD from Michigan State University. She then spent her post-doctoral years at Boston University Hospital in the Diabetes unit and at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland in the Biochemistry Department. After spending three years at Washington State University in Pullman, Brady began working at the University of Minnesota in 1987. She currently teaches two courses at the Center for Spirituality & Healing:Principles of Holistic Health and Healing and Cultural Communities and Health. She also teaches courses in Food Sciences and Nutrition.
Louise Delagran, MA, MEd
Louise is the editor and web producer of the Whole Systems Healing website, as well as an enthusiastic learner about WSH principles and strategies. She is also the producer of the Taking Charge of Your Heath website (www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu ). In her work as an Education Specialist at the Center for Spirituality and Healing, Louise has helped develop a library of interactive online modules on various topics in integrative health, as well as various online and blended courses and workshops. Louise finds that her mindfulness meditation practice informs and finds echoes in her work on Whole Systems Healing.
Sharon Franquemont, Charlson Meadows
Sharon Franquemont's life has been dedicated to intuition for more than 30 years. She is a coach, consultant, teacher, reader, and writer in the field. Her expertise includes teaching graduate students at JFK University, delivering intuition training and coaching for employees of major companies, presenting speeches to U.S. and international audiences, writing two books, recording several tape sets, and traveling the world to promote intuition's wisdom.
Terry Gips, CEO & President, Sustainability Associates
Terry Gips is a nationally recognized sustainability leader, business consultant, author, ecologist, agricultural economist, adjunct faculty member at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, independent Natural Step Framework (NSF) instructor, and speaker with more than 35 years experience. Before accepting his current role as CEO & President of Sustainability Associates, Terry was co-founder and President of the International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (now the Alliance for Sustainability) in Minneapolis. There, he spent more than a decade helping develop the concept of sustainability and worked to have it become widely accepted around the world. Throughout his career, Terry has had many roles, including White House aide to President Carter, Congressional Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative John Krebs, Cargill economic analyst and grain merchant, and co-founder and Director of the Cooperative Extension Service’s Sacramento Community Garden Program.
Terry graduated cum laude from Claremont McKenna College in Public Affairs. He completed graduate work at the University of California, Davis (MS, Agricultural and Applied Economics) and the Yale School of Management (Masters of Public and Private Management). He is a graduate of the first U.S. Natural Step Framework Instructor Course.
Linda Halcon, PhD, MPH, RN, RATC, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Linda Halcón is an associate professor in the University of Minnesota's School of Nursing, where she is chair of the Integrative, Global & Public Health Co-operative. She is director of Graduate Studies at the Center for Spirituality & Healing and teaches Clinical Aromatherapy as part of the Center’s graduate minor in Complementary Therapies and Healing Practices. Halcón is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology. Her wide-ranging professional experiences include public health administration and international emergency relief programs. Her research interests include antimicrobial applications of botanical medicines and promoting sustainable and healthy communities.
Annie Heiderschiet, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, NMT, MFT
Annie Heiderscheit is a board certified music therapist and has 18 years of clinical experience. She holds a masters degree in counseling from Iowa State University and has a doctorate in music/music therapy from the University of Minnesota. Annie also has advanced training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music and in music psychotherapy from Temple University. She is also trained in Neurological Music Therapy through Colorado State University. She is a graduate faculty member in the Center for Spirituality and Healing in the Academic Health Center at the University. Dr. Heiderscheit is actively conducting research exploring the use of music to reduce pain and anxiety in patients that are mechanically ventilated and also using music to reduce stress and anxiety during mealtimes for patients with eating disorders. She also maintains a clinical practice at The Emily Program in outpatient and residential programs. Annie also maintains a private practice which currently employs of five music therapists, providing music therapy services to clients of a wide array throughout the metro area.
Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD, Director of the Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
Mary Jo Kreitzer is the founder and director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing, where she teaches and conducts research on optimal healing environments and mindfulness meditation. She serves on numerous editorial boards, has authored or co-authored more than 90 scholarly papers and book chapters, and lectures and consults both nationally and internationally. She is the past vice-chair of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Kreitzer is also a professor in the School of Nursing and a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing and her PhD in health services research, policy, and administration. Dr. Kreitzer is a featured contributor to the Center for Spirituality & Healing's Wellbeing blog.
John Miller, Senior Fellow, Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota
John Miller studied agriculture at the University of Georgia, then took time out to work in Camphill Village, a community for developmentally disabled adults. After leaving to study biodynamic agriculture at Emerson College in England, he returned to farm at Camphill, where he met his wife Kerry. They have been married for 31 years and have four children, three grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. John taught for 20 years in various Waldorf schools. He has also worked in the non-profit sector, with the Utne Institute. He currently teaches high school humanities at Eagle Ridge Academy, a classically based charter school. John has a bachelor's degree in Ancient Studies from the University of Minnesota and an master's degree in Education from Augsburg College. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, where he develops Whole Systems Healing curriculum and teaches on the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Wendy Morris, MA, Founder of the Creative Leadership Studio
Wendy Morris is the founder of the Creative Leadership Studio, advancing the agility of organizations, communities, and individuals through creative approaches to leadership development and systems change. A pioneering educator, coach, consultant, and award-winning artist, Wendy facilitates programs at premiere leadership venues internationally, including the Shambhala Institute for Authentic Leadership in Nova Scotia; The Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada; and TMI Malaysia. At home in Minnesota, Wendy is lead trainer for The Forum for the Practice of Leadership Development, a 3-month program for leadership educators from all sectors, sponsored by The University of Minnesota’s Center for Integrative Leadership in collaboration with the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and the Carlson School of Management. Wendy also teaches Creative Leadership Development at the master's level at St. Mary's University. Wendy’s work has received more than 25 awards for excellence. She draws upon a robust body of knowledge developed more than 20 years of ongoing action research and is informed by 18 years of training in mindfulness meditation. Her website is www.wendymorris.org.
F. David Peat, PhD, Director of the Pari Center for New Learning
F. David Peat is a holistic physicist and director of the Pari Center for New Learning in Pari, Italy. Peat, who earned a PhD in physics from the University of Liverpool, England, has researched solid state physics and the foundation for quantum theory. After working actively as a theoretical physicist in England and Canada, Peat moved to Pari, Italy and opened the Center for New Learning. His interests include psychology (especially Carl Jung), art, and general aspects of culture, including that of Native America. Peat has authored or co-authored many books on the subjects of science, art, and spirituality, including Synchronicity: The Bridge between Matter and Mind, Seven Life Lessons of Chaos, andTurbulent Mirror. His most recent book is Gentle Action.
Dylan Skybrook, MSc, sustainability educator and consultant
Combining systems thinking, The Natural Step Framework, and a background in the arts, Dylan helps individuals and organizations move toward sustainability by improving understanding of the interconnected nature of the economy, society, and the world.
Dylan has lectured at the Master’s in Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability program in Karlskrona, Sweden and at Kaos Pilots in Åarhus, Denmark as well as facilitating conversations for the Anthroposphere Institute. Formerly the Dance Programming Director at the Southern Theater and a widely presented choreographer, Dylan draws from his arts background to provide a unique approach to helping people perceive the value of sustainability. Dylan holds an MSc. from the Master’s in Strategic Leadership toward Sustainability program at Blekinge Tekniska Högskola in Karlskrona, Sweden and a BA in Arts and Social Change from New College of California in San Francisco, California.
Erik Storlie, PhD
Dr. Storlie earned his master’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, his bachelor’s degree in English and Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. Erik Storlie teaches courses and leads retreats that approach meditation as both intellectual inquiry and practical discipline of body, mind, and spirit. Storlie began a practice of sitting meditation in 1964 with Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. After Suzuki’s death in 1971, he studied with Dainin Katagiri Roshi until 1983, helping to found the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in 1973. For the past fifteen years, he has led retreats and given instruction in meditation, assisting students to develop mastery of meditation practice without reference to particular religious forms.
Mark Umbreit, PhD, Professor and Founding Director of the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota, School of Social Work
Mark Umbreit serves as a Visiting Professor at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee and has served as a Fellow of the International Centre for Healing and the Law. He is an internationally recognized practitioner and scholar with more than 37 years of experience as a mediator, peacemaker, trainer, researcher, and author of seven books and more than 180 other publications in the fields of restorative justice, mediation, spirituality, forgiveness, and peacemaking. Dr. Umbreit has conducted training seminars and lectures throughout the world. As a practitioner, he facilitates peace-building circles in the community between members of diverse cultures and restorative dialogues between family survivors of homicide and the offender in their quest for healing and strength. Mark has initiated a Muslim Outreach project in the Twin Cities and is working with colleagues in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Liberia, and Israel/Palestine on peace-building initiatives. Dr. Umbreit serves on the faculty of the Center for Spirituality & Healing in the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota, teaching courses on Peacemaking & Spirituality and Forgiveness & Healing.
Andrea Uptmor, MFA
Andrea is an academic technologist at the Center for Spirituality and Healing, where she also teaches an undergraduate course called Creating a Meaningful Life. She is also a writer and editor of Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing.
Eric Utne
Eric Utne is an entrepreneur, publisher, and educator. In 1984, he founded Utne Reader, of which he was chair for many years. He currently writes a column for the magazine. Utne was the 7th & 8th grade class teacher at City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis from 2000-2002. From 2005-2006 he published Cosmo Doogood's Urban Almanac: Celebrating Nature & Her Rhythms in the City, which he describes as a "21st century version of Poor Richard's Almanac." He has a B.E.D. (Environmental Design) from the University of Minnesota. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Sunbridge Institute, a Waldorf teacher-training center based in Spring Valley, New York. In November, 2006 he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.