Overview
The Bravewell Collaborative, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (BNC) have come together to sponsor the joint BNC Fellowship for research in integrative medicine. This postdoctoral fellowship provides a unique opportunity that combines the academic environment of a university with the breadth and depth of the intramural research program at the NIH. The full-time, two-year program includes participation in clinical and research experiences with a clinical integrative medicine focus, and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize health and healing for individuals, families, and communities. Fellows will attend the University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine, as well as participate in special interest conferences with clinicians and researchers. In addition, under the mentorship of an NINR Intramural Program investigator and an NIH Clinical Center investigator, each fellow will conduct a biobehavioral research study at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, on a topic relevant to integrative medicine. The BNC Fellowship will prepare individuals to become innovative and creative leaders in the scientific community.
For a definition of integrative medicine, visit: http://www.bravewell.com.
Current Fellows
Sunny Alperson, PhD, NP
Dr. Sunny Y. Alperson was educated in liberal arts in South Korea and in nursing science as an AACN scholar at the University of San Diego. She is a post-doctoral Bravewell Collaborative Integrative Medicine fellow at National Institute of Health, in the division of Intramural Research at National Institute of Nursing Research and Research Development and Practice of Clinical Center.
As an extension of her dissertation project in the experience of community-based tai chi practitioners, her research interest is further investigating the systemic efficacy of a body-mind intervention called mindful tai chi and broadening its use in clinical research and practice as appropriate.
Her past integrative medicine work includes a book, Clinician’s Guide to Mexican American Herbs, and a related website. The current project is a pilot testing of mindful tai chi intervention in enhancing well-being correlates and facilitating lifestyle changes of obese population in a clinical trial.
Cynthia Ann Leaver, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
Dr. Leaver received her BSN at Mount Saint Mary’s College, Los Angeles; MSN, FNP at the University of San Diego; and PhD at The Catholic University of America. She is a post-doctoral Bravewell Collaborative Integrative Medicine Fellow at National Institute of Health, in the division of Intramural Research at National Institute of Nursing Research and Department of Nursing, Clinical Research Center.
Dr. Leaver has 25 years of clinical nursing background in post-surgical care, neurologic intensive care, ambulatory care, post anesthetic care, occupational health, school health, well women and well baby care. She has worked in academia as an adjunct Faculty member at The Catholic University of America and Marymount University, Arlington VA. Dr. Leaver worked as a research assistant at The Catholic University of America and is a certified in web-based education, Indiana University. Dr. Leaver‘s dissertation described the subjective well-being of the parochial elementary school child. The Finish Well-being Model was implemented to describe and correlate the four factors of well-being: health, social relationship, environment and school as a means for self-fulfillment.
Dr. Leaver will focus her work as a Bravewell Collaborative, National Institute of Nursing Research, and Clinical Center (BNC) Post Doctoral Fellow, on integrative care and the promotion of health and well-being in adolescent females. She is a member of the National League of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau, and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Financial Support
The BNC Fellowship provides funds for:
- Tuition and fees,
- Stipend,
- Health insurance,
- Travel allowance.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the BNC Fellowship, the candidate must:
- Have successfully completed a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution within the past five years,
- Be a US citizen.
Evaluation and Selection Process
One fellowship will be awarded per year, with the initial fellowship beginning in September 2009. Applications for the BNC Fellowship will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from the Bravewell Collaborative, NINR, and the NIH Clinical Center. The committee will make their selection based on the following criteria:
- Overall scientific merit of the proposed research project.
- Relevance of the proposed project to the mission of the Bravewell Collaborative, NINR, and the NIH Clinical Center.
- Extent that the proposed project reflects the interest of the applicant in developing or enhancing his/her expertise in integrative medicine.
Inquiries
Dr. Mary Engler
Training Director
Senior Clinician/Chief
Vascular Biology Unit,Tissue Injury Branch
NINR Intramural Research Program (IRP)
Email: englermb@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-827-0117
