Werner Absenger

Scientist + Mindfulness Practitioner + Classically Trained Chef captures my expertise and passions.

Through my career, I matured into what the field of interdisciplinary research calls a depth and breadth (T-shaped) scientist.

I aim to build depth by making scientific contributions in my field. The vertical part of the "T."

I embrace breadth (the horizontal part of the "T") by having the stamina, patience, and self-awareness that constructive, interdisciplinary dialogue towards shared goals and co-creation requires.

Scientist:

I hold a Master's Degree in Human Nutrition and a Ph. D. in Mind-Body Medicine, allowing me to overcome obstacles and bringing people with different skills and expertise together where we support dynamic learning with informal rules, such as plain-speaking, open-mindedness, empathy, and respect.

As a mind-body medicine research scientist, I am interested in using state-of-the-art imaging techniques and immunological assays, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research to investigate mind-body modalities.

Of particular interest is cytokine research and the study of the modulatory effects mindfulness, mindful eating, mind-body skills building, and nutrition has on psychoneuroimmunology and the expression of tumorigenic cytokines in persons living with chronic disease and cancer survivors.

Mindfulness Practitioner & The Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine Program:

In the West, we direct our education toward developing and refining linear, discursive thought, seemingly centered in the left hemisphere of the brain. Yes, linear thinking plays a vital role in understanding the universe and our functioning in the world. Realize, however, that this does not represent the entirety of human consciousness.

Understanding mindfulness intellectually or haphazardly practicing mindfulness doesn't do anything. It is just another idea. Believing it gives you another belief system. However, realizing mindfulness in your own life is transformative. You can never live your life in the old way.

This immersion in traditional Zazen practice and my passion for evidence-based mindfulness practices have now turned into the Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM): A 4-Session Mindfulness Skill Training Program for Clinicians and Healthcare Professionals (https://mindbodymed.net).

I was able to create the MSTM program in collaboration with Dr. Kristi Artz, MD, DipABLM, CCMS.

Over the course of just one year, Dr. Artz and I have facilitated the MSTM program to over 75 physicians, nurses, and child life specialists (who work with children who deal with life-threatening diseases, such as cancer), social workers, and other healthcare providers.

Dr. Artz and I just received another round of funding to administer the MSTM program for another year to Spectrum Health physicians and healthcare providers.

The aim? Reduce burnout in clinicians.

Trained Chef & Culinary Medicine:

As Program Director of the Secchia Institute For Culinary Education (SICE), Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), Grand Rapids, Michigan, I play an active role in combining medical science with the art of cooking by teaming up with Spectrum Health. The result? A culinary medicine program for physicians, medical residents, and the community.

At the Secchia Institute, I oversee a program that currently serves 375 full-time students, with 11 Full-Time Professors, 5 Adjunct Professors, and 3 staff members (http://www.grcc.edu/secchiainstituteforculinaryeducationsice/wernerabsenger).