Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.

Dr. Joan Borysenko is a distinguished pioneer in integrative medicine and a world-renowned expert in the mind/body connection. Her work has been foundational in an international healthcare revolution that recognizes the role of meaning and the spiritual dimensions of life as integral to health and healing. Eloquent and inspiring in settings that range from hospitals to hospices, from theaters to conference venues, and from boardrooms to houses of worship, she is a credible bridge between faith and reason. Her presentations, which blend science with real-life experiences, are known for their engagement and thorough research.

After graduating magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College in 1967, Dr. Borysenko earned her doctorate in Medical Sciences from the Harvard Medical School, where she completed post-doctoral training in cancer cell biology. Her first faculty position was at the Tufts University College of Medicine in Boston. Following the death of her father from cancer, she pivoted her focus to behavioral medicine, returning to Harvard Medical School to complete a second postdoctoral fellowship under the tutelage of Dr. Herbert Benson, who first identified the relaxation response. She also completed her third post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology with a Medical Foundation Fellowship.

In the early 1980s, Dr. Borysenko co-founded a Mind/Body clinic with Dr. Benson and Dr. Ilan Kutz, became licensed as a psychologist, and was appointed instructor in medicine at the Harvard Medical School. Her years of clinical experience and research culminated in the 1987 publication of the New York Times bestseller, "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind", which explores the effect of meaning and emotions on physical health and has sold over 400,000 copies. The revised 20th anniversary edition was published in 2007. She is the author or co-author of 13 other books, including "Fire in the Soul: A New Psychology of Spiritual Optimism", and numerous audio and video programs, such as the television special "Inner Peace for Busy People". Dr. Borysenko is the Founding Partner of Mind/Body Health Sciences, LLC in Boulder, Colorado, and the Director of The Claritas Institute Interspiritual Mentor Training Program.

Dr. Borysenko's warmth and credibility—combined with her lively sense of humor—create a compelling presence. Her inspirational reflections have been featured on Hallmark Channel’s New Morning program. She also hosts a weekly Internet radio show, "Your Soul's Compass", for Hay House. One of the most popular and sought-after speakers in the field of health, healing, and spirituality, Dr. Borysenko tailors her presentations for both health professionals and individuals interested in personal wellness and professional productivity. Her keynote addresses, such as "Banishing Burnout: From Stress to Strength" and "Spirituality and Healing", provide practical tools and evidence-based insights, making her sessions engaging and informative.