Skip to main content

Abbott Northwestern Hospital

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing

For general information
call 612-863-6122.

For the Outpatient Clinic
call 612-863-3333.

The Penny George Institute provides integrative medicine at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, both for inpatients and at an outpatient clinic. Integrative medicine blends the best of conventional medicine with healing philosophies and a variety of healing therapies. These therapies, often drawn from other medical traditions, emphasize caring for the whole person and focus on healing as much as curing.

Founded by the George Family Foundation and the Ted and Roberta Mann Foundation, the George Institute recognizes the value of conventional medicine in treating many chronic and acute conditions, as well as its limits when dealing with the complex needs of patients. In addition, like their conventional medicine partners, practitioners at the George Institute advocate using sound clinical research to test the effectiveness of complementary medicine practices.

Mission

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing seeks to become an innovative national model of integrative medicine that will:

  • establish a comprehensive integrative medicine process and program that blends the best evidence-based conventional therapies with healing therapies to optimize patient-centered standards of care across the hospital
  • develop innovative, proactive models of care that embrace the strengths of the whole person -- body, mind and spirit -- and the families and communities in which we live; and that promote an understanding of the interdependent nature of healing by strengthening the bonds of caregivers with patients and their families.

Vision

The George Institute will be the national model in whole-person, patient-centered care by providing inpatient care, outpatient care, research and education.

Transforming health care

The George Institute came into existence in 2003 through the visionary support of the George Family Foundation and the Ted and Roberta Mann Foundation. Read more...

Read the 2007 Institute for Health and Healing Outcomes Report.

How does integrative health help patients?

KARE 11 Reporter Renee Tessman visited Abbott Northwestern to learn how treatments like massage therapy and acupuncture reduce pain for patients in the hospital. Watch the segment.


Upcoming Conference: "The Hospital Setting: Integrative Health Practitioner Training Program for Massage Therapists"

Held on Monday, September 27 through Friday, Oct. 1, this conference is for professional massage therapists and massage therapy students who want to transform their practice and obtain skills and understanding of integrative health in the hospital setting. Developed and taught by the inpatient clinicians at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, this conference will help participants become familiar with the approach and scope of practicing integrative health in an acute care setting. Learn more.


| Share

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing provides integrative medicine and healing therapies in both inpatient and outpatient environments.

Outpatient services


To learn more about our
outpatient services call
612-863-3333.

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing provides integrative medicine in an outpatient center at the southeast corner of 28th Street and Chicago Avenue.

Printable map and directions to the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing.

Anyone who seeks an integrative approach to healing can access one-to-one healing therapies, including:

  • acupuncture
  • biofeedback
  • healing coach sessions
  • healing touch
  • herbal consultation
  • integrative medicine physician consultation
  • massage therapy
  • nutritional consultation
  • therapeutic yoga
  • exercise therapy at the LiveWell Fitness Center

Since these services are not routinely covered by health care insurance, most are self-pay.

To complement the medical care offered through other hospital outpatient programs, the Institute for Health and Healing works closely with the women's cardiovascular clinic and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.

Inpatient services


To learn more about our
inpatient services call
612-863-6122.

While hospitalized, integrative services may be requested as part of a patient's care. A practitioner from the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing visits the patient to determine which services are appropriate.

If you are considering integrative medicine, contact your physician before your hospital stay or ask your attending nurse once at the hospital.

All complementary therapy services provided during the hospital stay are considered part of the patient's hospital care and are not billed for.

The George Institute’s inpatient services include:

  • holistic nursing consultations 
  • acupressure
  • acupuncture
  • guided imagery
  • healing touch
  • massage therapy
  • music therapy
  • reflexology
  • other relaxation and stress reduction therapies 

Research

Research is key to growing integrative medicine practices. Using data analysis and clinical trials, our research establishes measurable patient outcomes and identifies best practices. To learn more about current research studies and opportunities, contact 612-863-9862.

The George Institute currently is seeking volunteers for a high blood pressure study.

Other resources on the Web

three circles intertwine with a plant symbolizing holitic health and integrative medicine

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing offers professional education, classes for community members and visual arts exhibits.

Professional education

The Hospital Setting: Integrative Health Practitioner Training Program for Massage Therapists (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Held on Monday, September 27 through Friday, October 1, this conference is for professional massage therapists and massage therapy students who want to transform their practice and obtain skills and understanding of integrative health in the hospital setting. Developed and taught by the inpatient clinicians at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, this conference will help participants become familiar with the approach and scope of practicing integrative health in an acute care setting. Learn more.


Summer community classes - 2010

Whole Family Wellness Series - Exercise and Fitness

The George Institute, The Marsh and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota – Integrative Medicine announce the Whole Family Wellness Series—a series of wellness sessions designed for all members of your family on Tuesday evenings this summer.


Beginning Gentle Yoga

In this six-week class, learn basic yoga postures, breathing techniques and meditation practices. Gentle yoga invites you to move slowly and with awareness, relaxing mind, body and spirit.


Yoga for Work

In this series, learn simple and effective techniques you can use throughout your workday to alleviate both physical and mental stress.

Drum Circle

Drumming has been shown to reduce stress and have a positive impact on your health. Experience a sense of relaxation and well-being through self-expression, physical activity, sharing in the group energy and having a lot of fun. No musical experience is necessary.

Healing Through The Arts

This three-week class is for anyone who might be dealing with a medical condition or a new diagnosis, or who wishes to explore their health and healing in a different way. Participants will explore the use of drumming/music therapy, meditation, art and journaling to help facilitate healing.

Taking Time: How Do We Make Time in Our Busy Lives?

Though specific time management techniques are widely taught, this class will take a different path. We will use affirmations, guided meditations and discussion to explore our attitudes about time.


Aromatherapy for Everyday Use

This class is for anyone who wants to gain a basic understanding of essential oils and how to use them for maintenance of vigorous health and healing and prevention of illness.


Discover Your Body's Wisdom

Discover your body as a source of wisdom, healing and transformation. Using principles, maps and tools based in ancient wisdom and grounded in the latest science, come explore the relationship between your physical body and the various aspects of your inner self (emotions, thoughts, spirituality).


Healing Touch Level 1

This two-day course can move you toward a certificate in healing touch, which incorporates a variety of basic and advanced healing modalities. It is for nurses, body-oriented therapists, psychotherapists or other licensed health care professionals who desire an in-depth understanding of healing work that uses energy-based concepts.


Understanding and Healing the Effects of Trauma

Traumatic events can alter an adult's brain, but childhood abuse and neglect can have even more devastating consequences including later drug abuse, early pregnancy, physical pain and psychiatric problems. The growing understanding of brain changes has begun to offer new treatment options. Instructor Sue Arnold, RN, will explain how integrative medicine techniques can soothe and reverse responses to trauma.


Personal Strategies for Maintaining Change

Have you recently made a lifestyle change and find it difficult to maintain? Would you like to learn the secret to making that change a permanent part of your life? In this experiential class, you will discover and develop your personal strategy for maintaining the change you desire. Based on neuro-linguistic programming, this class will help you tap into your values and use them to make lasting change.


Visual arts exhibits

Each month, a new local artist is chosen to display work at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing's Outpatient Clinic. Artwork portrays themes of health, healing and spirit.

The exhibit and opening receptions are free and open to the public. The exhibit may be viewed during clinic hours, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Opening Reception for the August - September Exhibit will be Friday, August 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature a reading with sign language interpretation of Wind Song, a book illustrated by Susan Davies, and an artist talk by John Hardy.

Outpatient Center

Our outpatient clinic is located at the southeast corner of 28th Street and Chicago Avenue:

The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Mail Route 15115
2833 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407

To make an appointment, call 612-863-3333

Inpatient Center

612-863-6122

LiveWell Fitness Center

612-863-5178

Research Center

612-863-9862

Parking

For outpatient center parking, clients use the parking ramp at East 28th Street and Chicago Avenue, entering and exiting at the 28th street entrance.

Directions

Getting to the George Institute


This site is presented for information only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Allina®, the Allina logo, and Medformation® are registered trademarks of Allina Health System.
Presentation and Design ©2010 Allina Health System. All Rights Reserved.