Debra Reis and the Healing Care Program team at ProMedica Cancer Institute have won the René-Maurice Gattefossé 2023 at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, USA.
The Healing Care Program offers free integrative therapies to patients to help them cope with a cancer diagnosis and the side effects of treatment. Debra, certified in clinical aromatherapy, has developed protocols for using essential oils in combination with Healing Touch, relaxation techniques or acupressure with ear seeds. The primary population is people diagnosed with cancer and their supporters or family members. Aromatherapy is used to relieve stress, anxiety, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, lack of energy, sleep disorders, discomfort and cravings. More than 1,500 patients were reached in 2022.
The Prix René Maurice 2023 is awarded to Debra and the Healing Care team for their work and clinical research with patients at the ProMedica Cancer Institute. Debra is motivated by evidenced-based practice and has published numerous articles to raise awareness of the benefits of complementary therapies.
The award will enable the team to launch a new clinical study on the use of frankincense essential oil to reduce fatigue in cancer patients.
