About Us
Located within the UC Davis School of Medicine, the Office of Wellness Education (OWE) aims to expand healthcare in the United States from its current state as a disease response system to a well-care system that also promotes well-being and resilience. We envision a future where healthcare professionals are trained to support the whole person before disease occurs. We believe that all healthcare providers should understand well-being as well as disease, understand how to assess resilience as well as illness, and be able to provide guidance in leading a healthy, resilient life.
The American healthcare system is currently facing an escalating epidemic of chronic disease, leading to insurmountable costs both economically and in human suffering. Despite many chronic diseases being preventable, healthcare has been optimized for repair rather than preservation. The current state of healthcare is functionally an ill-care system—designed to respond and treat these chronic diseases rather than prevent them. This model is increasingly unsustainable for both patients and providers.
For healthcare to address the rise of chronic conditions, it must expand to include promoting resilience and well-being alongside disease response. By integrating "well-care" along with traditional "ill-care," we can reduce the burden of chronic illness and create more effective and sustainable healthcare.
OWE advocates for the expansion of healthcare to include well-being, beginning with the education of healthcare professionals. By preparing clinicians to provide prevention and intervention, we are laying the groundwork for more balanced, effective, and comprehensive healthcare systems.
Promoting Well-Being
Our Mission
OWE aims to expand healthcare to promote well-being and resilience. We seek to broaden the way healthcare is viewed, managed, and delivered.
Why UC Davis
UC Davis is uniquely positioned to explore what it means to be well. By harnessing the breadth and expertise of our university, we can broadly address well-being within healthcare systems and beyond. Every college and school within UC Davis is already deeply engaged in work that intersects with and informs our understanding of individual and global well-being. Few universities have such breadth and resources.
REMEMBERING JACKIE
Making an Impact
The Office of Wellness Education at the UC Davis School of Medicine was funded by Jim Anderson in honor of his late wife, Jacquelyn "Jackie" Anderson, who passed away from cancer in March 2021. Jackie Anderson inspired all she met with her art and photography, her passion for fitness and nutrition, and most of all, her compassion and strength.
The vision for the initiative began with Scott Fishman, M.D. and Jackie Anderson’s shared interest in health and wellness. According to Fishman, “Jackie was an inspirational person, not just around art, but also around health."
Gift Spearheads Well-Being Initiative
Sacramento businessman Jim Anderson funded the first-of-its-kind initiative to address often overlooked yet essential elements of health.
This gift is just the start of an exciting new chapter as we lead the way in the research, teaching and outreach of health and wellness.”—UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May
Jacquelyn Anderson Endowed Chair
Scott Fishman, M.D. inducted as the inaugural holder of Jacquelyn S. Anderson Endowed Chair in Wellness.