Fellowship MS in Integrative Medicine and Ayurveda
For Doctors and Advanced Practice Providers |
Online Program

Cheryl Ritenbaugh, PhD, MPH

Cheryl Ritenbaugh, PhD, MPH, is Professor Emerita of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona. Trained as a medical anthropologist, she has been active in federally-funded research into complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CIM) for more than 20 years, and was among the first to define and then implement whole systems research in CIM. She has mentored researchers in the field, and continues her involvement through consultation in major research projects.

Ing-Jun Hwang, DACM, MS, MA

Ing-Jun Hwang is a licensed acupuncturist certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the State of California Acupuncture Board. She holds a doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and a MS in Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine. With over 30 years of translation/interpretation experience between Mandarin Chinese and English in Taiwan and the U.S., she is also a certified medical Mandarin interpreter for CCHI and NBCMI.

Kate Shafto, MD, ABOIM

Kate Shafto, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Integrative Medicine, having completed the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Fellowship in 2017. She is an Associate Professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School and Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, MN where she works in Integrative Chronic Pain care. With the Medical School, she is the Course Director for the small group, case-based learning course Foundations of Clinical Thinking for preclinical students. She serves as a subject matter expert in the areas of Integrative Medicine, non-pharmacologic chronic pain care, group medical visits, food/food systems and nutrition. She also teaches a culinary medicine, food systems and nutrition course for health professional graduate students and practicing providers which she co-created with a chef/MPH colleague.

L. Susan Wieland, MPH, PhD

Dr L. Susan Wieland is Director of the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA. She is faculty at the Department of Family & Community Medicine and has a guest appointment at the Institute for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. Dr Wieland is a research methodologist and has been a member of the Cochrane Collaboration since 2001, leading several Cochrane and non-Cochrane evidence synthesis projects focused on non pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture, yoga and dietary supplements. Dr Wieland is a member of the Cochrane Climate Health Working Group and the GRADE Working Group and holds editorial positions at several integrative medicine and evidence synthesis journals.

May Wang, MD, ABOIM

Dr. Wang is a Senior Physician and Physician Acupuncturist in the Department of Family Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. Dr. Wang is originally from Florida, born to parents who emigrated from Taiwan. She went to college and medical school in Miami, Florida and then moved to Portland, Oregon in 2001 to do her residency training in family medicine at the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU). Prior to coming to Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Wang worked at a Native American community health clinic for several years. She is an experienced physician acupuncturist. Dr. Wang currently lives with her husband, daughter, and cat in Northeast Portland.

Meena Makhijani, DO, ABOIM

Dr. Meena Makhijani is triple board certified in Geriatric Medicine, Family Medicine, and Integrative Medicine. She is also a certified Ayurveda Practitioner, having studied at the Ayurvedic Institute under Dr. Vasant Lad, and SCU (Southern California University). She also completed 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in AyurYoga. As a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), the concept of whole person care is core to her training. She uses an integrative perspective to optimize health in her Geriatrics practice at UCLA; as well as utilizing her medical knowledge in her Ayurveda practice. She also enjoys maintaining her spiritual and meditation practice, and is a professional Indian classical dancer and tabla player trained by Zakir Hussain.

Colonel Brian Rees, MD

Dr. Rees received his medical degree and master’s degree in public health from Tulane University and is a board-certified family physician. He retired from the US Army Reserve as a colonel after 37 years of commissioned service. A graduate of the US Army War College, Dr. Rees is a veteran of five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and spent eight years in hospital commands. He has also researched and written about the promotion of soldier resilience and resolution of PTSD, most recently as lead author of two published studies about the effects of the Transcendental Meditation^® technique in resolving post-traumatic stress in Congolese refugees. Dr. Rees directs all operations of TM for Veterans, promotes visibility and acceptability of the application of TM for PTSD and resilience, and cultivates, implements and expands partnerships with VSOs, the VA, DoD and others for both TM programs and research.

Ramakanth Vemuluri MD, MRCPsych, FAPA, FASAM ABOIM

Dr. Ram is a board-certified psychiatrist. After graduating from medical school, he completed his initial psychiatric training in Scotland. Dr. Ram obtained an esteemed membership in the Royal College of Psychiatrists, London. He briefly worked as a consultant psychiatrist in London before moving to America. Dr. Ram completed his residency from the combined program of Creighton University and the University of Nebraska. Dr. Ram is a fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists. Following residency, he went into private practice and had a successful private practice before he moved to Atlanta. Dr. Ram was the first psychiatrist to introduce TMS and ketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression and OCD in Central Alabama. Dr. Ram is board-certified in addiction medicine and has exceptionally high success rates in treating addiction. Dr. Ram is a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Ram has completed a master’s program in Ayurveda and an integrative medicine course. Dr. Ram completed a one-year fellowship in integrative psychiatry, and he is currently board-certified in integrative medicine.

Danna Park, MD, FAAP, FACP, ABOIM

Dr. Danna Park specializes in Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Park received her M.D. degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. She is Board-certified in all three specialties.

Dr. Park is a graduate of the University of Arizona Residential Fellowship in Integrative Medicine. She currently serves as a Clinical Mentor for Integrative Medicine Fellows in training at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Park is the director of Mountain Integrative Medicine, PLLC in Asheville, NC where she provides integrative medicine consultations for adults and children with a variety of medical conditions. Dr. Park has specialized training in integrative cancer care, mind-body medicine, vitamins and supplements, and nutritional approaches for brain-based disorders. Dr. Park works closely with specialists and primary care providers to make sure an integrative plan meets the needs of the patient, addresses the concerns of their physicians and fits within the conventional medical plan in a safe way.

In addition to being a mother of two teen boys, Dr. Park shares a passion for flying airplanes with her husband and is currently fulfilling a lifelong dream of learning to play the harp.

Geeta Maker-Clark, MD, ABOIM

Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark is the Director of Integrative Nutrition and Advocacy at NorthShore University Health System and Clinical Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Culinary Medicine program at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. Geeta has spent two decades studying integrative medicine, nutritional science, botanical medicine, mind-body medicine, and natural childbirth in health clinics all over the world. She started the Food is Power program on the South Side of Chicago in Chicago Public Schools to empower youth with health literacy, through a curriculum that focuses on decolonized food education, food justice and sovereignty. Geeta was recognized as a national leader in food justice activism with a Castanea Fellowship from 2019-2022 and the Mesa Refuge Michael Pollan Fellowship in Food Journalism in 2021. She believes that food, plants, dance, music, and art are necessary, daily medicines.

Dr. Maker-Clark works with the South Asian domestic violence organization Apna Ghar to teach classes that feature culturally favored foods, and is in partnership with Urban Growers Collective- a Black- and women-led non-profit 11 acre farm in Chicago, having created several food as medicine programs that reach thousands.

Dr. Maker-Clark believes in transforming the way we think about medicine and looks to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda as well as the modern struggles of her patients as opportunities to heal with the medicines that are all around us. As a woman of color, a community organizer, and integrative physician and leader in the food as medicine movement , her work aims to help communities be well nourished- the heart of healing in our society and country. She maintains her spiritual practice by mantra meditation and as a performing dancer with Ayodele Drum and Dance Company in Chicago.

Amit Shah, MD

Dr. Shah is the founder of Palmetto Medical Group and Integra Wellness Center. He is a board certified in Internal Medicine with a special board certification in Integrative Medicine.

His goal is to provide Integrated personalized care with a focus on Prevention and lifestyle modifications with Ayurvedic approach whenever possible.

Dr. Amit Shah has obtained his medical degree from Municipal medical college in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India and was trained at Yale University affiliated residency program at St. Vincent Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He also has obtained special certification by American Board of Integrative Medicine. His passion is in a truly integrative model of care which is being provided by Integra Wellness Center and his medical practice. He balances the application of Ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern medical science.

Currently, he is practicing as an Independent Integrative physician at Palmetto Medical Group, located Indian Land, SC which is part of greater Charlotte area. He is also affiliated to MUSC-Lancaster as a consulting medical staff in Palliative Care. He is currently serving as a Medical Director of a community hospice.

His interests include visual arts, creativity, yoga, travel, and community outreach locally as well as internationally. He also is nominated as a Chair of Ayurveda Consortium by incoming president of AAPI.

Aravind Kumar, MS

Aravind Kumar is an Ayurvedic physician specializing in ophthalmic disease. A citizen of the US, after completing high school education in the United States, based on his personal experience with Ayurveda, he opted to learn Ayurvedic medicine and completed undergraduate degree, B.A.M.S (Bachelor of Ayurvedic medicine and Surgery) and postgraduate degree, M.S in Ayurvedic ophthalmology from the School of Ayurveda, Amrita University, in India.

Currently he is pursuing PhD in Physiology and Health from Maharishi International University and works as a Research Coordinator with Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Research and Development Institute, a premier organization that specializes in the Ayurvedic management of ocular disease.

Radhika Jaladi, MD

• Hospitalist, SSM Rehabilitation Hospital, St.Louis, Missouri
• Fellow of Integrative Medicine and Ayurveda, Maharishi International University, Iowa
• Diplomate of American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (DipABLM)

Radhika Jaladi is a physician practicing internal medicine and hospital medicine for the last 20 years. She has also been on a journey and quest to provide perfect health for all, particularly prevention and cure for chronic illnesses which lead her to learn tools of consciousness, meditation, and yoga, as well as integrative medicine and Ayurveda.

She is a youth yoga teacher for the St. Louis Hindu Temple Youth Group. She is a physician advocate for global health policies with Results, an international advocacy organization, and is the point person for Missouri senators, currently advocating for policies that aim to eradicate HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. She is also a board member for Bright Life Foundation, which provides free residence and K-12 education to orphaned children in India.

Sonal Bhatia, MD

Dr. Sonal Bhatia is a physician, integrative health leader, and founder of Ojas Vida, a platform dedicated to bridging Eastern wisdom with Western science to help individuals and organizations cultivate vitality, resilience, and purpose. She has over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including serving as Chief Medical Affairs Officer at Pfizer Rare Disease, where she led global launches and medical strategies for breakthrough therapies.

Motivated by her passion for mind-body healing, Dr. Bhatia pursued a Master of Science in Integrative Health and Ayurveda and now guides women leaders, patients, and communities in applying ancient practices to modern lifestyles. She serves on the boards of American Heart Association, Pratham NYC and Blend, and speaks globally on the intersection of health, leadership, and conscious living.

Through her work, Dr. Bhatia helps others activate their inner healing power and thrive with balance in today’s complex world.

Ami Rughani, MD

Dr. Rughani is a family medicine physician working within The Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser Medical Center San Jose, CA). She mentors medical students (most recently students from UCSF) who come and rotate for their Family Medicine Rotations. She completed her Integrative Medicine Fellowship and Masters in Ayurveda in June 2025 and was part of the first cohort of this program.

She has the distinguished honor of being named “Outstanding Student” in her cohort and she looks forward to being able to work with current and future fellows as a guest lecturer.

• Residency Training: Mercy Medical Center, Merced, CA (UC Davis Affiliated Family Medicine Residency, June 2012 to June 2015)
• Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine (July 2008 to May 2012)
• Undergraduate: St. Louis University and Washburn University

Personal statement: I was born in Kenya and moved to the United States when I was 12 years old. Middle school through Medical school was spent in the Midwest (primarily in Topeka, Kansas). I now call San Jose, CA home and live with my husband, my mother-in-law and my 7 year old daughter. We enjoy traveling when we get a chance especially since we have family spread across the United States and across the globe!