Balk named to health consortium

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network gynecologist Judith Balk has been named to the executive committee of The Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, joining other committee members from leading institutions such as Yale University and Duke University.
The mission of the consortium is to advance the principles and practices of integrative health care within academic institutions, providing a community of support for academic missions and a collective voice for influencing change.
Integrative medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, health care professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.
Balk’s practice, Midlife Women’s Associates, guides women through the midlife transition of perimenopause and menopause using a variety of modalities from medication to yoga. Balk herself also practices acupuncture.
Balk brings a passion for women’s health, and a belief in energy, empathy and empowerment to her care for midlife women. She believes that health is composed of four essential factors: effective coping skills; social support; a healthy diet, and exercise, and that it’s never too late for women to start embracing these important lifestyle changes.
“I am honored to serve on the executive committee and look forward to helping advance the ideas of integrated medicine to promote health and healing in people and communities,” Balk said.
Balk’s appointment is effective in January. The executive committee was established in January 2004 and is the major governing body of the consortium.
For more information about Midlife Women’s Associates, call 412-854-7140. Midlife has locations in Peters Township, Bethel Park and Cranberry Township.