Speak with an admissions advisor. 562-475-4604
Speak with an admissions advisor. 602-887-5780
Speak with an admissions advisor. 562-580-0525
What if healthcare wasn’t just about fixing what’s wrong, but about helping people live their fullest, most meaningful lives?
That was the central theme presented by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Program Director of the Southern California University of Health Sciences’ Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DrWHL) program, during her recent appearance on the Institute for Functional Medicine podcast. In an episode titled “Whole Health and Transforming Healthcare Systems”, Dr. Gaudet shared insights on why Whole Health is not just a model of care—it’s a paradigm shift.
“Whole Health both empowers people and equips people… to really take charge of their life and health so that they can live their most meaningful life.”
Dr. Gaudet, a national leader in Whole Health system transformation and the visionary behind the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ pioneering Whole Health initiative, now brings her expertise to SCU’s Doctor of Whole Health Leadership program. There, she mentors the next generation of changemakers, who are focused on redesigning care models that treat people as more than just patients.
On the podcast, she speaks candidly about what makes the Whole Health approach so different. It starts with asking not just “What’s the matter with you?”—but “What matters to you?”
“It is a shift for us as healthcare practitioners—from being medical to human. Holding that person as a human being, not a medical problem you need to fix, is a huge shift. And it is life-changing.”
Dr. Gaudet also dives into the real-world challenges of implementing lifestyle change, emphasizing how Whole Health creates environments that make those changes more achievable. From peer-facilitated groups to community well-being centers, she describes a future where the healthcare system doesn’t just prescribe—it supports.
“You can begin to see how that person is supported in really taking on those recommendations, because now you have a system… designed to support that.”
If you’re passionate about transforming healthcare and leading with purpose, then you’ll want to listen to this episode and learn more about SCU’s Doctor of Whole Health Leadership program.
Lead the Change in Whole Health
The future of healthcare depends on visionary leaders who think beyond traditional care models—leaders who see the whole person, not just the diagnosis. SCU’s Doctor of Whole Health Leadership program prepares professionals to drive transformation across healthcare systems and communities.
Explore the DrWHL program and apply today.
Listen to the podcast: Whole Health and Transforming Healthcare Systems – IFM Podcast.