Education Grants Completed

Instruct a Healing Touch Level 1 Class, Columbia MO
Reach Out Initiative Recipient: Rosann Geiser, RN, MSM, HTCP/I
Date: November 2019
Amount: $500

Rosann taught a Healing Touch Level 1 class to an underserved community at Harry S Truman Memorial Hospital in Columbia MO. The class had 18 students, 12 were veterans, 3 veteran family members and 3 staff members whom all would not have been able to take this class without the initiative of Rosann and the hospital.

A Healing Touch (HT) Level 1 class was held for veterans, their family members, and staff associated with Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital November 15-16, 2019. There were a total of 21 people in attendance: 18 students (12 veterans, 3 family members, and 3 staff members); a coordinator who is a member of the Whole Health Program staff and a Level 1 Healing Touch student; and 2 helpers who have been in my previous Level 1 and 2 classes.

Interest in this class was obtained through an Introduction to Healing Touch class held the month before the class. Other means of promoting the class included a large poster on display at the facility entrance, flyers, brochures, and announcements in all of integrative health classes, and electronic publications through the facility's systems for veterans and staff.

This VA Facility already has an active Whole Health Program. The administration supported making this class available because they saw this as an additional tool available for the veterans' self care and for family and staff who participated in the class to use HT for relief of pain, stress, anxiety which is so prevalent in this population.

The experiences of the participants were amazing. Even with a broad range of experience with energy medicine among the group, there was eager participation in practicing the techniques. They described deep healing and understanding during the group sharing. Here is a sampling of comments from their evaluation forms:

• Awesome class and very well taught! Excellent experience!
• I want to integrate HT into my current practice and am interested in pursuing to Level 5
• I will share with my veteran husband & son and hoping to help them with their pain issues.
• The instructor allowed me to come to a more meaningful understanding & appreciation for what HT can do for self as well as how I can positively affect others through its use.
• I hope to use these techniques for myself and my family. I also hope to continue on the path of learning more about energy healing and other complimentary modalities.
• I plan to use the techniques with friends and family and use the in-depth knowledge I gained about chakras in my Reiki practice. The class was wonderful, healing & challenging.
• Can't wait to try on spouse and myself.
• I want more instruction. Loved the course!

After the class, one of the participants shared that he had been doing the Mind Clearing on himself and it was helping him cope with PTSD. We have plans to survey the students in 3 months to obtain additional follow-up.

We are making arrangements for a monthly HT practice group at this VA facility. When confidence has increased these VA HT students and other HT students in the Columbia area will be invited to help at a HT clinic and offer HT during various Veteran events.

Instruct a Healing Touch Level 1 classes in Benton Harbor, MI
Reach Out Initiative Recipient: Barbara Starke, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, HTCP/I
Date: August 2018
Amount: $500

Barbara taught the first Reach Out Initiative grant to an underserved population that would not have otherwise been able to take a Level 1 class. Barbara taught 10 students of the Safe Shelter for Domestic Violence in Benton Harbor Michigan. Please read Barb’s final report to hear the rich and beneficial experience for all the women… and for some life-changing.

Report to Healing Touch Program and Worldwide Foundation
on Level 1 for Underserved Population

This is a report of my experience initiating a Level 1 Healing Touch Program class for persons of the Safe Shelter, Benton Harbor, MI. My inquiry began in the late spring of 2018. I telephoned the administrative offices of the Safe Shelter and talked to the Director about Healing Touch. She was receptive and curious, having never heard of Healing Touch. I followed up with email and we set up a date to do an Introduction to Healing Touch for the Case Workers, Director, and Support Service workers. From the very first, the group was receptive and excited about the possibilities of bringing HT to the clientele of Safe Shelter.

The above was the ideal.

The reality was that I had intended to include in this grant the group PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). I met with the PACE Medical Director, RN Director, & staff numerous times to inform and introduce them to HTP. The Medical Director and RN Director as well as one of their Occupational Therapists were very excited and expectant of doing the Level 1. (The OT is a Level 4 student from 2008 and was planning to use this to “come back” to her journey toward Certification) I did an Introduction to HT at PACE in the spring and received a very cool reception from the staff. Administration wanted to forge ahead anyway and we planned to hold the Level 1 July 2018. They expected to do more Intros and increase the receptivity—then their accreditation site visit became Priority #1—staff scheduling became a burden—they couldn’t release people to attend a 2-day workshop—and Lakeland Foundation had to have the grant accomplished by the end of summer 2018—PACE asked to drop this venture and hopes it will come up again in the near future. The staff had a difficult time forming a vision of HT with their clients and those who care for them. I was continually reminded to “follow the energy”...and when it’s not aligned with my vision or intentions, Love them, Bless them, and move on.

I decided to continue with the plan since I still had the cooperation of Lakeland Foundation for grant monies and classroom space. Lakeland Foundation had been most supportive of me in the past because one important advocate on the Foundation is the nursing director for the Marie Yeager Cancer Center. This woman is also a HTP Level 3 student and has given me free use of the Cancer Center for my donation-only community clinic for the last 5 years. She believes in Healing Touch. She also felt the Safe Shelter was a most appropriate use of the grant and encouraged me to forge forward.

Then, I lost our “free” space due to construction of our new regional hospital. This was a major set-back (I thought). So I hustled on the phone looking for another space to hold a Level 1. I called numerous non-profit facilities telling them about the grant and its purpose. I was amazed at the receptivity I was given! I had 3 sites agree to give us the space in less than 1 hour! The sites were all in the white middle class town of St. Joseph, MI. They were elegant and comfortable—and a Universe away from the clients of Safe Shelter. So I decided—if I’m going to do this healing work with a high risk/underserved population—why not find a truly Healing Place, allowing Nature to co-facilitate our effort?

I remembered the Ronora Lodge & Retreat Center I had used in the past for a HT event with a holistic MD from Arizona. I called and explained the grant. The manager loved the possibility of bringing us to their location. Ronora had somewhat “lost” touch with their vision/mission of connecting people to Nature and the Healing Arts and gone into the Wedding/Family Event venue—it paid the bills! Now they were excited to be a part of this initiative to “come back home” to what they originally intended the land to be used for.

A whole cadre of people were willing and eager to help this endeavor be successful. Everyone was willing to be somewhat flexible with dates; the Safe Shelter was willing to provide transportation; Ronora Lodge & Retreat was onboard to give us an incredibly close connection to Nature and her Michigan beauty in August—complete with horses, wild turkeys, lake, boats, cabins and more. There was a deep sense of caring and Intention to bring healing to each of those coming to the workshop. From a beginning of small frustrations, our adventure was becoming a dear blessing to me and the women of Safe Shelter.

Now on to the event!

Day 1

I started out expecting to follow the class schedule for a “typical Level 1” class....by 10:00am I knew the curriculum would need to be modified to fit the needs of this group. The staff had as much stress and strain in their lives as the clients: one woman had to leave her 16 yo son at home by himself so she could attend—he had surgery yesterday and was home sleeping, in pain. She felt heart-broken and couldn’t contain she guilt/grief—it exploded in our opening circle. Another was 13 wks pregnant, nauseated, cold, and preoccupied with her own concerns. We often think “high risk persons” are the ones who need our services—forgetting that those who do the work supporting others are often just as much in need of support and caring. I was witnessing the stresses and strains of ALL women—It felt like we were holding Circle for Women everywhere—wherever they’re expected to give more than they get in return; wherever they’re expected to sacrifice their children’s or family’s needs for the needs of others; wherever they’re expected to do their jobs without enough money or resources to keep on keeping on...Our opening Circle became a Sacred Space for releasing and heart-felt sharing within the first 5 minutes of our gathering. And then there were the stories of the battered souls....
The focus of our time would need to be on “trust building”—deep listening, on my part, and flexibility to follow the needs of this particular “Adult Learner”....It occurred to me many times during the class that this is a particularly unique Level 1 class. Their vulnerabilities; their tender closed hearts; their woundedness was all so evident. I continually sent my intention to our Guidance and Helpers that all would benefit, without undue emotional breakdown....and that everyone, especially me, would be able to hold sacred space with grace and ease over the course of these 2 days.....
By the end of Day 1 I was wondering if this was the best idea, doing a Level 1 for women in a safe shelter, wounds still fresh, toxic stress still evident.
I was reminded of the classes I’d done in Nepal, Peru, Romania: the gnawing problems of poverty, inequality, violence, are exactly why we need HT....and exactly why it can be such a challenge to integrate into peoples lives—while they are in the midst of their suffering.
By the end of the day, it was noticeable that their threshold for listening, attending and processing very new concepts was reached. One of the women had mild meltdowns throughout the day....every break was used to “get a smoke”—I was concerned about her making through the day and being able to show up for her group, let alone show up for Day 2. She was able to do both. The level of self-deprecation; the amount of grief and anger is palpable with women who’ve been beaten and abused...and here I was, talking, feeling, doing Healing Touch to raise their awareness of what they are (Divine Beings of Light) who they are (capable women of power) why they are here (to learn, forgive, transcend,...to shed shrouds of insufficiency for themselves, their ancestors, their children’s children’s children...) and how they can change the course of their lives, their children’s lives using shifts in perceptions and hand placements!
It was a big day for all! I went home praying they would show up tomorrow...and decided to let my ideas of “agenda” soften to stay present and attentive to their needs rather than my course schedule.

Day 2

The clients stayed at Ronora over night....It was the first time they stayed in the woods, in a cabin, in Nature. They did any and everything there was to do at Ronora: went for a paddle boat ride—of course they couldn’t swim! They did wear life vests and had fun floundering in knee deep lake water. They talked with the horses, fed them carrots; listened to coyotes at night; heard no traffic, no sirens, no violence....One women said it’s the first time in her life she slept ALL night...it was actually the first time in her life she’s slept alone—without a partner, baby or a child. The women walked and talked until dark, made a campfire and talked more. One women had a totally different experience. She stayed by herself the whole time....smoking and thinking (the way she appeared to me, she was being held hostage by her suffering. I worried about her breaking.)

We went to work, continuing to cover the contents of the Level 1 Notebook—but there was a definite shift. The group was softer. And I think the shift happened because I was compelled to share with them parts of my story, my past, that helped them appreciate we ALL are truly more similar than different—we’ve all had pain and trauma—been to the bottom of the abyss—and climbed our way out, with the grace of God or whatever Forces “out there” that help us, protect us, and keep us safe from self-destruction or continuing trauma. Anyway, after that sharing, there was a shift that allowed us to bond and respect each other. It made “doing the work” much easier....Day 2 flowed and we came to the end not wanting to end. It was a celebration for all of us.

What I noticed from this group was the high level of sensitivity and “knowing” that they have to read energy. Once we left the world of trauma, negativity, victim mentality and moved into a space of mutual respect and awareness of spiritual connection, the group changed. They were able to sense changes in each other’s fields; they became confident about sensing their own energies...and they started to understand the connection between perceptions and behaviors. (‘M reminded of the quote by Abraham Maslow, “What is necessary to change a person is to change her awareness of herself”

Thank you to Healing Touch World Wide Foundation & Lakeland Foundation for the financial support. Thank you Healing Touch Program for the Notebooks and exemption of payment for student fees.
I am deeply grateful for the help everyone contributed to make this a new beginning for many.

My hope is that the 2 Foundations and HTP can offer help to allow us to keep this journey going. It would be an exciting “experiment” in health promotion and women’s health to see this grow as an intervention for at-risk women. As an old public health nurse, I know down to my bones that it takes effort and consistent attention to make positive lifestyle changes durable.

Too often in our country our government or private organizations “seed” projects, then walk away, expecting the seed to grow or thrive into blossom. I will stay in touch with this group of Safe Shelter. I look forward to discussing this project with HTWF, LF and HTP.

Please reach out to me if you have questions or ideas about this project.
Namaste,

Barbara Starke, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, HTCP/I

2018 – Instruct a Healing Touch Level 1 classes Fort Carson, CO
Reach Out Initiative Recipient: Kim Kuppenheimer, PA-C, HTCP/I
Date: October 2018
Amount: $500

Kimberly Kuppenheimer was awarded our second ever Reach Out Initiative grant to support her in teaching a Level 1 class for an underserved community of military veterans and dependents at Fort Carson in Colorado. She has been dedicated to this community for several years, and the Foundation is pleased to announce the successful completion of her class. One participant had this to say of the experience: “This class made me remember love is everything. With love toward any human being, all things are possible.” To hear more about her experience, we encourage you to read the beautiful article written about the class, attached below.

A First! Healing Touch level 1 Class, Evans Hospital, Fort Carson, CO

It is with gratitude and honor that I present the first Healing Touch class held at Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado. On October 19-20, 2018, eleven students completed this 18 CE Level 1 class. There were 3 Helpers: Priscilla Atchison, HT Level 3 Student (Army dependent wife); Jacquie Ostrom, HT Level 1 student (Red Cross Volunteer, her last level 1 was taken in 1996!) and Kaley Roberts, HT Level 1 Student (Army dependent wife). The student demographics included: four hospital staffers, Angela Williams (Credentialing), Linda Richardson (Administration), Rhonda Burton (RN, Family Medicine) and Marie Williams (RN, Labor & Delivery); five Army dependent wives: Donna Bennett, Elvia Shapiro Leon, Christa Bills, Angel Eltagonde, and Taschika Fairgood; and retired Army Veteran, Jimmy Bills.

Healing Touch Class of 2018: (L to R)
Angela Williams; Rena Forcum (representing Red Cross Volunteer Office); Priscilla Atchison (Helper, HT Level 3 Student);Clara Huff (Lead Red Cross Volunteer Coordinator); Kimberly Kuppenheimer, PA-C, HTCP/I; Jacquie Ostrom (Helper, HT Level 1 Student); Jimmy Bills; Kaley Roberts (Helper, HT Level 1 Student); Donna Bennett; Linda Richardson; Elvia Shapiro Leon; Laura Deneen; Rhonda Burton; Christa Bills; Marie Williams; Angel Eltagonde; Taschika Fairgood

Nearly three years ago, in December 2015, Kimberly Kuppenheimer, PA-C, HTCP/I, joined the Red Cross Volunteer program at Fort Carson Army post motivated to give back to our servicemen and women. She approached staff at Evans Army Community Hospital on post with the idea of offering free Healing Touch treatment sessions to soldiers, dependents and staff. Kimberly worked closely with the Red Cross Volunteer Lead, Clara Huff, RN, Retired Colonel and Dr. Michelle Wine, Behavioral Psychologist to implement this ground-breaking initiative. After eighteen months of numerous meetings culminating with Kimberly pitching the benefits of opening a Healing Touch clinic before the Credentialing Committee, an intimidating board of Army Byrd Colonels and Generals, Fort Carson approved a free Healing Touch Clinic. Kimberly offered opportunities for patients to receive free HT treatments on a weekly basis at the Ironhorse Family Medical Center within the hospital. Immediately, active duty soldiers reported they were finding successful outcomes with this new energy medicine offering. In December 2016, the Healing Touch Clinic was moved within the Hospital to Warrior Family Medical Center with the focus of expanding treatment to include Dependents and Retired Veterans. During this transition, Kimberly also began volunteering her services as a Family Medicine Physician Assistant with the hope of bringing an Integrative Medicine approach to patient diagnosis and treatment within the Family Medical Center. Another positive addition to the HT clinic was bringing Priscilla Atchison, HT Level 3 Student on board. Priscilla expanded HT clinic offerings to a second day per week. Her gentle, caring demeanor, accurate intuition and skillful HT technique has tremendously enhanced the clinic’s appeal to patients seeking a compassionate, complementary approach to their health plan.

Today, nearly three years have passed since introducing the idea of bringing Healing Touch into Fort Carson. Both hospital staff and patients absolutely rave about the Healing Touch clinic’s efficacy in treating the most extreme PTSD, major depression, refractory pain and helping to reverse some disease processes. Patients are also reporting that they are able to reduce or eliminate their pharmacology treatments once they have received HT therapies. At the clinic, we record patient’s initial pain scale pre-treatment and then record post HT session pain scale. The goal is to use this qualitative data for future HT research proving how effective HT is with this patient population.

What is the forward for Healing Touch at Fort Carson? This first class of 11 pioneering students are interested in forming a monthly practice group, and some wish to become Red Cross Volunteers and to join the Healing Touch clinic as Student HT practitioners offering free sessions to hospital patients and staff.

All students except one had received a prior treatment at the HT hospital clinic so the class was well versed in receiving HT. However, learning the science of and practicing attuning with the Human Energy System over the eighteen hour Level 1, gave the students a very different vantage point. Some comments from student evaluations speak of this different giving HT experience: “Absolutely incredible and enlightening two days!” “Enjoyed the class. I would take it again!” “A life changing experience.” And one of the most beautifully reflective comments: “This class made me remember love is everything. With love toward any human being, all things are possible.”

I hope this small account may inspire you, the reader to consider approaching your local hospital or medical clinic about offering Healing Touch sessions. Marvel as you witness your patients progress from dis-ease to natural health whether it is of mind, body or spirit. By your trained touch, watch as they become believers in the powerful healing energy of HT and in turn, receive the benefit of maturing into a confident heart-inspired Student, Practitioner or Instructor.

Together, we can achieve Janet Mentgen’s dream of spreading Healing Touch from household to household. It is a dream that can be realized by the simple and earnest offering of “a Healing Touch” to those in need. By that extension, we are presenting not just an energetic cleanse, we are in fact, healing hearts.

Sincere gratitude to Janet Mentgen and to all the Healing Touch Elders who have diligently illuminated the pathway, teaching the rest of us how to be pioneers in this highest of callings. Even today, Janet’s Healing Touch continues to prove that nothing can dim the light that burns brightly within.

-Kimberly Kuppenheimer, PA-C, HTCP/I

More class photos below.....

Helper, Jacquie Ostrom HT Level 1 student, sharing some thoughts about her experience with the Human Energy System.

Learning how to Hand Scan the biofield.

Practicing assessing chakras with the pendulum.

Kimberly teaching about table safety.

Heart to Heart Meditation

Linda Richardson, enjoying the class.

Christa Bills, HT Level 1 Student and Priscilla Atchison, HT Level 3 Student, Class Helper