Cheryl Ritenbaugh, PhD

PhD, MPH, is Professor Emerita of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona. Trained as a medical and biological anthropologist, she has been active in federally-funded research into complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CIM) for more than 20 years, and was among the first to define and then implement whole systems research in CIM. She has mentored researchers in the field, and continues her involvement through consultation in major research projects, now with a focus on qualitative analysis. Her early interests were in shamanism and in the energy medicine components of whole systems, and this led her to the Sufi spiritual path and training in spiritual healing. In retirement she continues her research consultation and mentoring at all levels. In addition, she now introduces new Sufi students to the experiences of biofield interactions and healing, both as a healer and as a teacher. She is on the Scientific Advisory Council of CHI (Consciousness and Healing Initiative, CHI.is), and is a community leader at Sufi Center Minnesota (suficentermn.org).