SpaFinder Presents Seventh Annual Visionary Award to Dr. Andrew Weil

Integrative Medicine Pioneer and Noted Author Honored for Working to Bridge the Worlds of Medicine and Spa

NEW YORK, NY – October 14, 2009 – SpaFinder, Inc., the global spa and wellness resource, has awarded its seventh annual Visionary Award to renowned integrative medicine pioneer and author, Andrew Weil, M.D. The founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine was honored for his leadership in integrative health and healing, a rapidly growing discipline that combines mainstream treatment modalities with evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies. Dr. Weil has worked tirelessly to bridge the worlds of medicine and spa,” said SpaFinder President Susie Ellis. “He was years ahead when he predicted that the hospital of the future would look more like a spa. We are proud to present this prestigious award to a true visionary who is helping so many lead healthier, happier lives.”

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. receives SpaFinder’s 2009 Visionary Award from Simmone Chaddan, SpaFinder Account Manager and Dulcy Gregory, Manager, Special Projects

First published in 1972, Dr. Weil has authored 11 books on integrative medicine and other topics; his newest is Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future, released in September 2009. He currently acts as editorial director of Drweil.com. and is the founder of Weil Lifestyle, LLC, which provides information on integrative medicine and licenses products to support a healthy lifestyle. Proceeds from sales of these products go to the Weil Foundation, a nonprofit organization that awards grants to advance the field of integrative medicine.

In addition to founding and directing the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Dr. Weil is the director of integrative health and healing at Miraval in Arizona. He advocates a combination of traditional and complementary treatments, believing that mainstream medicine is often best suited for crisis intervention and low cost, low-tech therapies should be considered for prevention.

Working with spas such as Canyon Ranch and Miraval, he has developed unique programs transforming the image of and uses of the spa. “Dr. Weil is a driving force in spas’ evolution from luxurious resorts to wellness centers,” said Ellis. “He is an inspiration to all of us in the industry.” The SpaFinder Visionary Award is presented annually to an outstanding contributor to the spa and wellness industries. Previous honorees include Juva Medi-Spa founder Bruce E. Katz, M.D.; Howard Murad, M.D, the anti-aging skincare pioneer; Dr. Stephen and Lyn Krant, co-founders of the SK Sanctuary; Deepak Chopra, M.D. author and founder of the Chopra Center for Well Being; Canyon Ranch founders Enid and Mel Zuckerman and Deborah Szekely, founder of Golden Door and Rancho La Puerta spa resorts.

LEARN MORE:
To learn more about SpaFinder’s Visionary Awards or Dr. Andrew Weil -– or to speak with SpaFinder Inc. President Susie Ellis, contact: Betsy Isroelit @ RBI, (213) 300-0108, betsy@rbicom.com.

About SpaFinder, Inc.:
The world’s largest spa and wellness media, marketing and gifting company, SpaFinder, Inc. connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide. SpaFinder’s media properties include the award-winning SpaFinder.com, the Spa Enthusiast newsletter and the annual Global Spa and Wellness Directory. SpaFinder and its new gift division, Salon Wish, offer spa gift certificates and cards that are redeemable at a combined network of over 9,000 spas and salons worldwide and are available at thousands of retail outlets. The company’s technology division innovates new solutions that help spas build and streamline their businesses, including the popular SpaBooker online booking system. SpaFinder Europe and SpaFinder Japan offer regional spa marketing and gifting programs, including localized, native-language websites. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.