Natural Connections, (formerly Integrative Health Resources) was formed in the summer of 2005 when two like-minded Marquette groups (The Holistic Connection and the original Integrative Health Resources) met and discovered they were on parallel paths, each with visions of connecting our local community with integrative practitioners and services.
The seeds to The Holistic Connection, (Core members included: Barb Dupras, Frank Jeffries, Diana Oman, Lorraine Schwarz), were planted in the spring of 2004, and after months of planning meetings, The Holistic Connection blossomed in November 2004 with the 1st Holistic Buffet. The Buffets were monthly practitioner forums held at the Ramada Inn. It was a great success. Attendees experienced a wide variety of informative presentations and demonstrations by area practitioners throughout 2005!
At about the same time, Integrative Health Resources, a Michigan Nonprofit Organization was formed to help educate the general public regarding the latest advances in the field of integrative health. (Core members included: Cindy Engle, Darlene Gill, Val Holway, Jenny Magli, Kathleen Ventre). The main goal was to enhance integrative educational opportunities in our area through educational workshops and informational events. A very successful women's health forum was presented in November 2004 and a dynamic presentation by David Brownstein, MD., at Northern Michigan University in 2005.
The merger of our two groups was a natural progression as both groups held the common vision of health education in the area of integrative and holistic medicine, as well as the development of a future wellness center in Marquette. Life Coaches, Debra Russ and Gareth Zellmer, generously offered their services and facilitated our successful merger.
Our two groups formally combined under one name, Integrative Health Resources, and a charter board was created on September 20, 2005. Our forums moved to the Peter White Public Library for 3 years; we hosted a workshop by nationally known author, Gary Renard; and we hosted numerous Spring and Fall Holistic Health Fairs. We created a website presence and we created a UP Holistic Practitioner Directory.
Recently, our board members revealed a fresh new direction for IHR, including a new name... and with that transformation, on March 12, 2011, the sun set on IHR... and the sun rose on a new Natural Connections. We are excited for what lies ahead as we continue to find creative ways to bridge our community with alternative care health options!
IHR Charter Board Members:
- Chairperson: Diana L Oman
- Vice Chairperson: Barb Dupras
- Treasurer: Kathleen Ventre
- Secretary: Cindy Engle
- Directors: Kim Danielson, Valerie Holway, Frank Jeffries, D.C., Jenny Magli
Current Natural Connections Board members:
- Chairperson: Diana L Oman
- Vice Chairperson:Treasurer: Barb Dupras
- Director: Cindy Engle
- Secretary:
- Director : Ryan Engle
