Trott Professorship Honors Melinda Ring’s Leadership in Integrative Health
March 5, 2025
Melinda R. Ring, MD, FACP, ABOIM, a leader in integrative medicine and director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University, was vested in September as the inaugural Tina Trott Professor of Integrative Health, a new professorship named for advocate, partner, and friend Tina Trott.
The professorship, which provides crucial resources for research and training, was established thanks to the generosity of a donor cohort led by Mrs. Trott. Many of these donors are members of the Osher Center for Integrative Health's IM AWARE advisory council (Integrative Medicine: Advising with Awareness, Resources, and Education), which has played a vital role in advancing integrative health initiatives. Since joining the council six years ago, Mrs. Trott has been a dedicated supporter of integrative health in modern medicine.
“Tina’s philanthropy is driven by both heart and vision. She recognizes that integrative medicine is about fostering a more compassionate, effective healthcare system—one that truly empowers patients,” Dr. Ring said.
Mrs. Trott said the gift from her and her husband, Byron, was inspired by Dr. Ring’s extensive contributions to the field as an educator, researcher, and physician. At Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Ring is a clinical associate professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine) and of Medical Social Sciences (Intervention Science).
“The Osher Center would not be at the forefront of holistic health without Melinda Ring’s vast experience and vision. Being on Northwestern’s Osher Center IM AWARE council, I truly realize how lucky we are to have Dr. Ring’s exceptional leadership, tremendous knowledge, and vast expertise in the field of traditional and integrative medicine,” Mrs. Trott said.
Growing Integrative Health
Integrative health—blending conventional medicine with holistic approaches—is steadily gaining traction in the US, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The Trott Professorship not only honors Dr. Ring but also ensures she has the resources to continue to lead the Osher Center for Integrative Health in this evolving healthcare landscape.
Tina Trott’s journey into integrative medicine began in 2018, influenced by her friend and fellow council member, Karen Malkin. Mrs. Trott’s personal experiences with holistic methodologies such as nutrition, meditation, yoga, massage, and physical activity have reinforced her belief in the efficacy of integrative treatments.
“As with most families, ours has experienced a variety of health challenges—some more straightforward than others. We found that, in addition to traditional treatments, a combination of holistic methodologies yielded better results,” Mrs. Trott shared.
Several years ago, following a surgery, she experienced significant relief from pain, anxiety, and fatigue through a combination of pre- and post-operative relaxation exercises that consisted of breathing, guided imagery, and meditations for healing. These integrative approaches, recommended by Northwestern behavioral medicine psychologist Kim L. Feingold, PhD, played a crucial role in her recovery, helping to ease discomfort and promote relaxation during the healing process.
Under Dr. Ring’s leadership, the Osher Center is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in healthcare, developing evidence-based programs in planetary health, community engagement, spirituality, health equity, food as medicine, and advanced medical education.
Dr. Ring said that when she first joined Northwestern in 2007, integrative health was still viewed by many as being on the fringe of conventional medicine.
In just two decades, integrative health has moved from the margins to the mainstream, becoming embedded in leading academic health centers. This shift is fueled by robust research, increasing patient demand, and a deeper recognition of its role in chronic disease prevention and overall well-being, Dr. Ring said.
Integrative health science has evolved substantially, especially in areas such as mind-body medicine, the gut-brain axis, nutritional science, and the impact of lifestyle on health outcomes. The National Institutes of Health, through the NCCIH, has expanded funding for studies examining interventions such as mindfulness, acupuncture, and nutritional therapies—giving clinicians stronger evidence to support their use.
On the clinical side, integrative health services are, at their core, patient- and relationship-centered, Dr. Ring said. Patients are seeking whole-person care, and health systems are responding by making integrative services part of standard care models. For example, insurance plans are expanding their coverage of alternative therapies like acupuncture. And, more patients are turning to these modalities for their concerns, especially for pain management.
One of the most transformative changes has been in medical education, Dr. Ring noted. The Osher Center at Northwestern is playing an increasingly vital role in equipping future physicians with integrative health expertise.
“There’s a growing acknowledgment that future physicians need to understand nutrition, lifestyle, and mind-body interventions to be effective healers,” Dr. Ring said. “Integrative medicine fellowships and programs like [Osher Center culinary medicine course] Cooking Up Health are helping fill that gap, training clinicians to care for patients in ways that extend beyond prescriptions and procedures.”
For Dr. Ring, the Trotts’ gift signals a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of patients everywhere.
“I’m deeply grateful for the trust Tina has placed in us to advance this mission. Her generosity extends beyond funding—it’s her unwavering belief in our work that pushes us to dream bigger and reach higher,” Dr. Ring said.
For more information about supporting the Tina Trott Professorship in Integrative Health and the Osher Center for Integrative Health, please contact Terri Dillon at terri-dillon@northwestern.edu or 312-503-4837.