In this presentation and the Q & A session to follow, Dr. Anna Bausum—a core leader in the development of the Integrative Oncology and Survivorship Program at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute–will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the process of establishing an integrative medicine service within a large, academic, NCI-designated cancer center.
During the webinar, she will walk attendees through the multi-year journey of growing the program, from initial vision to present-day implementation. She’ll speak candidly about the structural, institutional, and cultural hurdles that arose, including skepticism from conventional providers, challenges in acquiring sustainable funding, and the work of establishing legitimacy in a rigorous academic medical setting. Equally, she will highlight the key elements that helped the program succeed: meaningful collaborations with interprofessional teams, patient demand, administrative allies, and the strategic use of research and patient-reported outcomes to demonstrate value.
This session will go beyond the theoretical and speak directly to the real-world dynamics of bringing integrative care into complex healthcare environments. Dr. Bausum will share insight into what has worked well—and what hasn’t—when it comes to aligning integrative practices with institutional priorities, billing and reimbursement models, research partnerships, and the metrics that matter for long-term sustainability. She will further reflect on how the program continues to evolve to meet patient needs while maintaining clinical and financial viability.
Dr. Bausum also will speak to leaders working in independent or private-practice settings, offering pointers on how to position integrative care as legitimate, evidence-informed, and collaborative within a broader medical landscape. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how to navigate resistance, secure support, build credibility, and advocate for high-quality integrative oncology programs that center patient outcomes and whole-person care.
Whether you are a clinician, program developer, administrator, or student, this discussion will offer invaluable lessons for those looking to develop or expand integrative oncology services
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Anna Bausum, ND, FABNO, is a Board-certified naturopathic oncologist in the Integrative Oncology and Survivorship Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. As a licensed naturopathic doctor, Dr. Bausum works closely with inter-professional oncology teams to provide evidence-informed, integrative care for individuals navigating cancer diagnoses. Her approach blends naturopathic, functional, and holistic therapies with conventional treatment plans, always prioritizing quality of life and personalized support.
Dr. Bausum became drawn to integrative oncology early in her training, recognizing that conventional cancer care often fails to address key foundations necessary for patients to thrive—physically, emotionally, and functionally—throughout their treatment journey. She is passionate about offering tools to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, while enhancing their effectiveness and supporting recovery. Her recommendations are tailored to each individual’s diagnosis, needs, and circumstances.
Dr. Bausum earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from Bastyr University in California and holds a Bachelor of Science from Emory University, where she was honored with the Emory 100 Senior Honorary distinction and named to the Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities. Her clinical and academic training is broad, including certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine, research in health literacy at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and experience in both translational bench science and interventional clinical trials.
Beyond clinical care, Dr. Bausum has been active in healthcare advocacy, participating in a national healthcare roundtable with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and engaging in legislative lobbying on health policy. Outside of work, she enjoys time spent in nature or on her yoga mat.
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Register for this webinar here.
This event is intended for integrative practitioners of all disciplines. You do not need to be an integrative oncologist to attend.
Non-members and med students interested in integrative medicine are also invited to join the webinar.
Cleveland Chapter contact: petergeller.lac@gmail.com