The Story of GW Center for Integrative Medicine
1997: Founding CIM
Telling the story of GW Center for Integrative Medicine, we begin with Dr. John Pan, MD, the Founding Father. Dr. John Pan is a 1970 graduate of the George Washington University Medical School and is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the George Washington University Medical Center and had been in practice for over 25 years. Dr. Pan began to recognize the value of integrating other systems of medical treatments into healthcare and in 1997 founded the Center for Integrative Medicine, one of the first centers to be established at an academic institution.
1998: CIM doors are open
In the Fall of 1997, when the concept of Integrative Medicine was in its early stages, John Pan, M.D., Clinical Professor at the OB/GYN Department, with support and guidance of the George Washington University Medical Center administration, conceived of the Center for Integrative Medicine (CIM) within the Medical Faculty Associates (MFA). Dr. Pan had the good fortune of finding an outstanding team of like-minded CAM practitioners. A few of these “old-timers” still support the CIM today. The CIM opened in the Spring of 1998. Since there was not an established model of Integrative Medicine practice, much of the effort and time in the early years was spent on developing such a model. This process of continuing refinement, utilizing what is learned from experience and what is proven safe and effective from the most up-to-date research is ongoing today.
2001: GW CIM is a separate Medical Center, first of its kind in DC area
In 2001 the story continues and CIM was established a separate entity from the GWU Medical Center and opened at its current location at 908 New Hampshire Ave. We were able develop a viable business model while strictly adhering to the highest medical practice standards.
2003: Joining Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health
In 2003, the CIM was invited to join the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health, a national organization of Integrative Medicine Centers in academic institutions, currently with 57 member institutions such as Harvard, Duke, Yale, Stanford universities, UCLA, and others. Dr. Pan served as an Executive Committee Member and is currently a Steering Committee Member of the Consortium.
2011: Dr. Mikhail Kogan becomes New Medical Director
In 2011, Mikhail Kogan, M.D., Assistant Professor at the GW Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, became Medical Director, bringing new energy and expertise to continue to grow and improve GWCIM.
Within the GW Medical Center, the GW CIM plays a central role in providing educational programs in Integrative Medicine. At the GWU Medical School, we direct a track program in Integrative Medicine and offer electives for medical and other students. Education remains one of our primary focuses because we believe change can only come from effective education.
2023: our story of “Together We Heal, Care, Educate” continues
Today, GWCIM is recognized as one of 29 Integrative Medicine Centers in the nation, surveyed as models of Integrative Medicine practice as reported by The Bravewell Collaborative report, “Integrative Medicine in America”. The success GWCIM enjoys is the result of its passion about healing. We are the team of dedicated and highly skilled practitioners who are totally committed to the well-being of our patients, and our adherence to practicing the best medicine possible centered on each patient as a unique individual. GWCIM also cherishes the support and long-term relationships established with our patients. We continue to grow and improve to better serve our community of patients and practitioners.
