Madhavi Parikh, PA-C, is a dedicated Physician Associate and the visionary behind I-SPIE Health. With over two decades of experience in oncology, she recognized the need for a more holistic approach to cancer care. Her I-SPIE model emphasizes the integration of Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, and Emotional health, providing a comprehensive framework for patients and caregivers. Madhavi’s journey is deeply personal, shaped by early life losses and a commitment to healing. Through I-SPIE Health, she offers clinical coaching that combines medical knowledge with compassionate support, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and find strength amidst adversity. Her work transforms the cancer experience, turning fear into empowerment and fostering a path toward holistic well-being.

How does addressing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—transform the cancer journey? 

In this compelling episode of the Healing Through Love Podcast, host Sharlene Lynch welcomes Madhavi Parikh, PA-C, a seasoned Physician Associate and the innovative founder of I-SPIE Health. With over two decades of experience in oncology, Madhavi has recognized the limitations of traditional cancer care and the profound need for a more holistic approach. 

Madhavi introduces the I-SPIE model, a comprehensive framework that integrates Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, and Emotional health. This model is designed to support patients and caregivers through the multifaceted challenges of cancer, offering tools and strategies that go beyond conventional treatment. 

Throughout the episode, Madhavi shares her personal journey and professional insights, highlighting the importance of emotional resilience, spiritual well-being, and informed decision-making. She discusses how integrating complementary therapies with standard medical care can empower individuals to take an active role in their healing process. 

Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on enhancing communication with healthcare providers, incorporating holistic practices into treatment plans, and maintaining hope and balance during the cancer journey. 

This episode is essential for anyone affected by cancer, healthcare professionals seeking a more compassionate approach, and individuals interested in the intersection of medicine and holistic healing. 

Explore how the I-SPIE model can redefine the cancer experience, turning a daunting diagnosis into a journey of empowerment and holistic well-being. 

🎯 Three Key Takeaways 

1. Holistic Integration: Understanding the importance of addressing Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, and Emotional health in cancer care. 

2. Empowerment Through Education: Learning how informed decision-making and patient advocacy can transform the cancer journey. 

3. Emotional and Spiritual Support: Recognizing the critical role of emotional resilience and spiritual well-being in healing and recovery.

Introduction to the Podcast

• The podcast ‘Healing Through Love’ aims to increase awareness of domestic and family violence and empower survivors.
• The hosts, Sharlene Lynch and Rose Davidson, share ideas, experiences, and resources with experts and survivors.
• The podcast focuses on healing, resilience, and transformation in the journey to end domestic violence. 

Madhavi Parikh’s Background

• Madhavi Parikh is a physician’s assistant who combines medicine and meditation.

• Madhavi grew up in India with dominating and domineering parents who emphasized perfection and visibility but not being heard.
• Madhavi was the oldest child and felt constant pressure to meet certain standards.
• Madhavi’s parents had a strained relationship, which Madhavi often had to reconcile.
• Madhavi experienced several deaths in their family, including a sister who passed away at two months old and a nanny who died from an asthma flare-up.
• When Madhavi was 18, their father had a stroke and became paralyzed, leading Madhavi to become the breadwinner while their mother became the caregiver.
• Madhavi was sent to a boarding school at nine years old, where they faced bullying and further guilt due to the emphasis on nonviolence and penance in their religion and the Catholic boarding school they attended. 

Madhavi Parikh’s Healing Journey

• Madhavi did not get diagnosed with cancer but works in the field of cancer, observing patients’ healing processes.

• Madhavi became a parent and wanted to break the cycle of their upbringing, leading them to embark on their own healing journey.
• Madhavi discovered insight meditation, a scientific practice involving a 10-day silent retreat, to understand the connection between the mind and body.
• Through meditation, Madhavi learned about loving kindness and self-acceptance, realizing that they are perfect in God’s eyes.
• Madhavi uses breath awareness and meditation to help patients find peace and healing, regardless of their health outcomes. 

Madhavi Parikh’s Approach to Healing

• Madhavi utilizes the four quadrants of the body model (spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional) to help patients achieve balance and resilience.

• Madhavi emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and acceptance, encouraging patients to recognize their enoughness and let go of perfectionism.
• Madhavi works one-on-one with patients, tailoring their approach to each individual’s unique story and needs.
• Madhavi introduces themselves briefly and then allows patients to share their stories, gathering necessary medical information while understanding their background. 

Healing Through Love Podcast Offerings

• The podcast offers pamper days for survivors of family and domestic violence, providing free services from various practitioners.

• Pamper days include services such as hairdressing, makeup, chakra linings, and neck and shoulder massages.
• The podcast encourages practitioners and survivors to reach out for collaboration and growth opportunities. 

Final Words of Wisdom

• Madhavi Parikh’s final words of wisdom to listeners are to know that they are enough and to be kind to themselves.

• Madhavi Parikh shares her challenging childhood experiences, including domineering parents, pressure to be perfect, and witnessing deaths, which instilled fear and a sense of instability.
• Madhavi discusses her role in the field of cancer, focusing on understanding the impact of love, isolation, independence, and control on patients’ healing journeys.
• Madhavi explains her use of insight meditation, including a 10-day silent retreat, to help patients understand and accept themselves, fostering a sense of loving kindness and self-acceptance.
• Madhavi introduces Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s four quadrants of the body model (spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional) to help patients achieve balance and resilience, regardless of their health status.
• Madhavi emphasizes the importance of realizing one’s enoughness and letting go of perfectionism to facilitate healing and better reception of treatment.
• Madhavi details her one-on-one approach to working with patients, tailoring her methods to individual needs and stories to create a non-threatening, comparison-free environment.
• Sharlene Lynch invites survivors of family and domestic violence to participate in Healing Through Love’s pamper days, offering free services from various practitioners.
• Madhavi’s final words of wisdom encourage listeners to know they are enough and to be kind to themselves.