Your Healing Playground - Dr. Tina Koopersmith Integrating Healers into the Academy For much of human history, patients had choices. Herbalists, midwives, physicians, body workers, spiritual healers, and countless healing traditions coexisted, each offering a unique perspective on health and wellness. Then came the rise of modern medicine. Scientific advances transformed healthcare and saved countless lives, but over time healing became increasingly specialized, compartmentalized, and siloed. Yet the human being is not a collection of disconnected parts. We are mind and body. Matter and energy. Cells, microbes, emotions, relationships, and stories. What happens when physicians, acupuncturists, nutritionists, mind-body practitioners, and other healers begin learning from one another instead of working in parallel worlds? In this episode of Your Healing Playground, I sit down with April Roman, a leader in integrative medicine education who helped shape fellowship programs at the University of Arizona and later the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine. Together we explore: How integrative medicine is changing healthcare education Why knowledge alone is not enough—healing must be embodied The challenges of teaching physicians to think beyond a single paradigm The power of cross-disciplinary collaboration What happens when healers learn to heal themselves As science continues to reveal the interconnectedness of our biology, our microbiome, our nervous system, our relationships, and even our thoughts, perhaps the future of healthcare is not choosing one system over another—but learning how to bring the best of many worlds together. April Roman, MS Raised in Hawaiʻi, April Roman brings the spirit of aloha to her work, relationships, and community wherever she calls home. A lifelong learner with a deep appreciation for human connection, she is passionate about helping people discover common ground while honoring the unique experiences and perspectives that make each individual who they are. April holds a Master of Science in Psychology and has spent more than 25 years working across healthcare, education, admissions, sales, and relationship management. Throughout her career, she has been driven by a belief that meaningful connections, collaboration, and compassionate leadership can create lasting impact. In 2006, April relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where she spent a decade working alongside internationally recognized pioneers and leaders in Integrative Medicine. During that time, she supported fellowship programs, medical students, and residents while gaining a deep appreciation for whole-person approaches to health and healing. Since 2016, April has served the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM), where her primary focus has been recruitment, admissions, membership, and strategic relationship development. In her role, she has the privilege of connecting with diverse healthcare professionals from around the world, helping them explore educational opportunities that support personal growth, professional development, and whole-person care. Known as a natural connector, April enjoys bringing people, ideas, and opportunities together. She believes that when individuals lead with curiosity, respect, and good intentions, remarkable things can happen. April currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Dave. They recently purchased a home with a big lawn and garden where she is diving into plant identification and care. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, live music, dancing, walking in nature, exploring new places, and savoring a strong cup of coffee. AIHM: https://aihm.org/ Conference in Nashville: https://aihm.org/attend/ Your Healing Playground: How Play, Pleasure, and Connection Unlock Your Body's Power to Heal Author Dr. Tina Koopersmith Amazon.com – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1997615347 Amazon.ca – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1997615347 ~ More About Your Healing Playground with Dr. Tina Koopersmith ~ Dr. Tina Koopersmith has practiced Western medicine for over 30 years. But she is so much more than a physician. An integrative medicine and fertility specialist, she is a transformational healer and coach who not only brings life to her patients but reminds them that it is their responsibility and, in their power, to bring themselves back to vibrancy and vitality. Root cause healing starts with energy, emotions, communication—between your cells and your soul. As a speaker-coach-author as well as mother, nonconformist, and recovering perfectionist, she is dedicated to modifying our health care system from one focused on illness and sickness to one devoted to prevention and wellness. She reminds us all that love, play, pleasure and purpose are the secret ingredients to wellness. She starts with the premise we all have the same parts and very similar DNA, and yet we all have different experiences and imprinting. Our unique signature means we are all wired to access safety and pleasure in a slightly different fashion; this diversity is to be praised and celebrated. When our body feels safe, we can move from our “childhood” survival stress mode to our “Wise Sage Self”. Healing, recovery and regeneration thrive only when we stop resisting what is and celebrate all of life with acceptance of the NOW. Health and Wellness is nourished with empathy, compassion innovation and connection—a total integration of the mind body, the heart body, the physical body and the energetic. ALL are worthy of self-care, self-acceptance and self-love. To learn more: https://drtinaplays.com/ or drtina@drtinaplays.com To get more of Your Healing Playground with Dr Tina Koopersmith, be sure to visit the archives page for replays of all her shows here: https://www.inspiredchoicesnetwork.com/podcast/your-healing-playground-dr-tina-koopersmith/
