$10,000 Grant to Expand Integrative Medicine Training for New Nurses at Gaylord Hospital
WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, May 1, 2026 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare has received a second $10,000 grant from the Weil Foundation to support additional education on integrative medicine in its Nurse Residency Program. The first grant award for this initiative was received one year ago, launching this unique collaboration between nursing and integrative medicine.
Funding has formalized training that introduces early-career nurses to integrative medicine practices, an approach that complements clinical care by addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients as well as nurses. Over last and this year, the program will reach at least 30 nurse residents, equipping them with tools to support both patient well-being and their own resilience in a demanding healthcare environment.
“Integrative medicine is an important part of how we care for the whole person,” said Lea Grimaldi, Office of Integrative Medicine Coordinator at Gaylord. “This grant allows us to expand that philosophy to our newest nurses, giving them hands-on experience with techniques that can reduce their own stress and enhance their own healing and reduce stress for patients and caregivers alike.”
Through a series of interactive sessions, nurse residents are introduced to a range of integrative approaches, including mindfulness, meditation, Reiki, breathing techniques, journaling, and other evidence-informed practices. The training is embedded within Gaylord’s Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™, which supports new nurses during their transition into professional practice.
“Early-career nurses are at a critical point in shaping how they approach patient care,” said Grimaldi. “By incorporating integrative medicine into their training, we’re helping them build a more holistic, patient-centered mindset from day one.”
The Weil Foundation, based in Tucson, Arizona, focuses its funding on advancing the reform of medical education. This grant aligns with the Foundation’s mission by expanding knowledge and acceptance of integrative medicine within a healthcare setting and preparing the next generation of clinicians to think beyond traditional models of care.
At Gaylord, integrative medicine is part of a broader commitment to helping patients rebuild their lives after a life-altering illness or injury, including stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other medically complex conditions. By embedding these practices into staff education, Gaylord aims to further enhance patient outcomes while supporting caregiver well-being.
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Gaylord's Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.
