An article by Janny E. Adkins, RN, BS, CHTP, HNC
“I manage a holistic women’s center, St. Luke’s Women’s Care, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. St. Luke’s Hospital is a member of a large hospital system, Iowa Health System. We are considered rural and conservative. In l994 Women’s Care opened a new facility located in a medical office plaza connected to St. Luke’s Hospital. Women’s Care views women from a holistic perspective, honoring their needs from a physical, emotional, and spiritual perspective. Nurses on staff are holistic nurses, and they integrate this philosophy with their traditional nursing care. Mammograms and diagnostic interventions are offered as well as holistic nursing, imagery, and energetic balancing techniques which initially included Therapeutic touch and Healing Touch. At that time, the Vice President of Nursing was very open to holistic interventions. I obtained her sanction to begin to offer these modalities, quietly, without advertising, and upon the request of clients.”