CAM at Columbia

When the R&H Rosenthal Center opened in 1993 there were very few activities related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) at Columbia University, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center (now CUMC), or the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University. In the intervening years there has been an upsurge of interest, research, and education. The following listings provide a focal point for the entire CAM Community at Columbia University. Any omissions are inadvertent.

Research Resources available to Columbia Faculty

Departments, Centers, Clinics involved in CAM projects, research and education:
The following centers and departments at Columbia University or affiliated with the university have complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) programs and activities.

Center for Holistic Urology
The Center for Holistic Urology is dedicated to the complementary treatment of men and women with disorders of the urinary tract, including cancers of the prostate, bladder, and kidney, chronic urinary tract infections, benign prostatic enlargement, prostatitis, incontinence, interstitial cystitis, and kidney stones.

Integrative Therapies Program for Children with cancer
The goals of the program are to disseminate reputable information on complementary therapies to the parents of children with cancer and the health care professionals involved in their care; provide integrative therapies to help lessen the side effects of conventional treatment; evaluate the safety and potential interactions of complementary therapies; and to provide clear descriptive information to guide further research efforts.

The New York Presbyterian Hospital Integrative Medicine Program
The Columbia Integrative Medicine Program of the Department of Surgery provides CAM clinical services and referrals to patients while conducting research. By standardizing clinical use and research of therapies, the aim is to improve the quality of care for patients and to change the way people view health and healing.

Collaborative Programs

CAM Reports - Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Serious Illness

Information is collected from patients and health care providers about promising therapies for serious illness. The project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click on About for further information on sponsorship and research collaborators.

Patients and health care providers are asked to submit confidential information about their own use of different therapies for treatment, alleviation of symptoms or side effects.

Page Updated June, 2007