ESIM Governance & Committee

Prof. Georg Seifert (re-elected unanimously)

Senior physician in pediatrics with Europe’s first professorship in integrative medicine in pediatrics at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany

Professor Dr. med. Georg Seifert is a distinguished senior physician specializing in pediatrics. He holds the prestigious position of Europe’s first professorship in integrative medicine in pediatrics at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

At Charité, Professor Seifert leads a groundbreaking project aimed at establishing a center dedicated to translating experiential traditional and integrative medicine (TCIM) into evidence-based practices supported by scientific data. This initiative seeks to broaden opportunities for individual health promotion, prevention, and therapy within society, with a particular emphasis on children and adolescents. His research interests span across various areas, including mind-body medicine, nutrition, and whole medical systems.

Professor Seifert’s work is driven by a deep commitment to exploring the intersection of TCIM with modern healthcare systems. He is passionate about harnessing the potential of TCIM to drive innovation and sustainability in healthcare delivery, aligning with the global strategy outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), where he serves as a TCIM expert.

Prof. Ricardo Ghelman (Past President ECIM 2025)

Senior physician in pediatrics and pediatric oncology, founder of the Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN), advisor to the WHO and PAHO, Collaborative Professor at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil

Dr. Ricardo Ghelman is a distinguished pediatrician and pioneering researcher in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). He has played a central role in advancing the evidence-based integration of TCIM into public health systems, particularly in Latin America, and currently serves as President of the 3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (WCTCIM).

At national and international levels, Professor Ghelman has led initiatives that bridge conventional pediatrics and integrative care, including the establishment of Brazil’s first integrative pediatric oncology service in partnership with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Through CABSIN, he has built a platform uniting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to strengthen scientific evidence and expand access to integrative health practices. His research interests focus on pediatrics, oncology, anthroposophic medicine and the scientific

validation of herbal and non-pharmacological therapies. He has authored more than 40 publications and leads evidence-mapping projects supported by Brazil’s National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and BIREME/PAHO.

Professor Ghelman’s leadership embodies South-South and South-North collaboration and aligns with global frameworks such as the Gujarat Declaration and the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. His vision is to shape a global health agenda that is inclusive, evidence-informed, and responsive to diverse healthcare needs.

Approved by Prof. Ghelman 10.09.2025

Dr. Anna Katharina Koch

Anna Katharina Koch is a psychologist with a doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) and recognised expertise in psychometrics, biometrics, and clinical trials. Since 2016, her research has focused on integrative medicine, with a particular emphasis on prevention and treatment strategies for burnout. Her work bridges occupational and organisational psychology with integrative medical approaches, strengthening evidence-based health promotion and prevention.

She currently works at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where she contributes to research on health promotion, prevention, and integrative medicine. In parallel, she provides independent methodology and biometrics consulting. Dr. Koch has held research positions at leading academic and clinical institutions in Germany and serves on the Editorial Board of Complementary Medicine Research.

Education

• Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) in Psychology, University of Hamburg
• Master of Science in Psychology, University of Bielefeld
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Bielefeld

Professional Experience

• Research Associate, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Working Group Health Promotion, Prevention and Integrative Medicine
• Freelance Consultant in Methodology and Biometrics
• Research Associate, Clinic for Integrative Medicine and Naturopathy, Sozialstiftung Bamberg
• Research Associate, Clinic for Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine, Clinics Essen-Mitte, University of Duisburg-Essen
• Research Associate, Department of Work and Organisational Psychology, University of Hamburg

Dr. Isabel Giralt

Dr. Isabel Giralt, MD, MSc (Acupuncture)

Dr. Isabel Giralt is a physician and holds a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture from the University of Barcelona. She serves as President of the Complementary Medicine Section of the Official Medical College of Barcelona and is Past President of the Spanish Society of Integrative Health and Medicine.

She was President of the International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques from 2008 to 2010 and has been a member of the Executive Board of the European Society of Integrative Medicine since 2019.

Dr. Giralt is the founder and treasurer of the non-profit organization Acupuntura para el Mundo, dedicated to training healthcare professionals in developing countries and providing acupuncture care to underserved populations in Barcelona.

She currently practices at ENERGIMED Clinics, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine Clinic in Barcelona, and founded the Acupuncture Unit at Salut de la Dona Dexeus, a leading fertility clinic.

Prof. Dr. Elif Güler Kazancı (President ECIM 2026)

Prof. Dr. Elif Güler Kazancı is a paediatrician and specialist in paediatric haematology and oncology. She currently serves as Vice Dean of the Bursa Faculty of Medicine at the University of Health Sciences, Türkiye. 

She is also the President of the Institute of Traditional and Complementary Medicine at the Health Institutes of Türkiye. Prof. Dr. Kazancı has extensive experience in traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM), with a particular focus on homeopathy. 

Her work centres on developing innovative T&CM initiatives and advancing health policy to support the integration of evidence-based integrative medicine into the national healthcare system. Through her academic leadership, administrative roles, and policy engagement, she contributes to sustainable implementation of integrative approaches within modern medical practice. 

Prof. Benno Brinkhaus

Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany

Benno Brinkhaus, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology is currently Head of the project division for Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM), Head of the Charité outpatient clinic for CIM, and deputy director of the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.

Previously, Benno served as coordinator of student education (2005-2012) and Acting Director of the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics (2014). From 1994-2001, Prof. Brinkhaus worked as a physician and research associate in the Medical Department I, Friedrich Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany where he was also head of the CIM department between 1995-2001.

Benno has been at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany since 2001, where he is the principal investigator of several projects including more than 30 RCTs in the field of CIM funded amongst others by the EU-FP7 programme, and the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG), German ministry of Research (BMBF) and German ministry of family (BMFSFJ) and member of different medical and acupuncture societies, reviewer of national and international medical journals.

Prof. Elad Schiff

Chairperson of the Israeli Society for Complementary Medicine, Director of Internal Medicine B, and the Integrative Medicine services at Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, and an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel

Prof. Elad Schiff begun his medical studies in complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), including reflexology, shiatsu, acupuncture (for which he received NCCAOM Dipl), and hypnosis. Concurrently, he studied conventional medicine receiving Cum Laude from Hadassah Faculty of Medicine for BSc, and Cum Laude for MD thesis at the Technion Faculty of Medicine respectively. Following his residency in Internal Medicine at Bnai Zion Medical Center, Prof. Schiff completed a two-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine, at the University of Arizona.  In 2010, he opened the Integrative Medicine Services at Bnai Zion Medical Center, through which CAM treatments are provided in the hospital’s departments, highlighting CAM provision to in-patients with complicated, acute medical conditions. He is the director of Internal Medicine B, and the Integrative Medicine services at Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, and an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Technion. Prof. Schiff has conducted many studies focusing on CAM in the hospital setting. He has also published numerous articles in high-impact-factor journals on integration of CAM in hospital settings.

Since 2022 he is the chairperson of the Israeli Society for Complementary Medicine within the Israeli Medical Association, advancing integrative medicine on the national and international level.

PD Dr Friedemann Schad

Founder and Member of the Directory Board of the Forschungsinstitut Havelhöhe (FIH), Germany

Founder and Member of the Directory Board of the Forschungsinstitut Havelhöhe. Deputy Medical Director of the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe, Berlin. Head of the Oncological Center and the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology and Palliative Care. Member of the German Cancer Society; European Society of Medical Oncology; European Society of Integrative Medicine; Society for Anthroposophical Doctors in Germany; German Network of Health Service Research.

Dr. Elio Rossi

Prof. Elio Giovanni Rossi, MD, FFHom (Hon), is an Italian physician specialised in Infectious Diseases and a leading figure in European Integrative Medicine. He is currently Director of the Regional Center for Integrative Medicine (CRMI) of the Tuscany Region.

For many years, he led the Homeopathy Outpatient Clinic at Campo di Marte Hospital in Lucca, recognised as a Regional Referral Centre for Homeopathy. He also coordinated complementary medicine services within the public healthcare system of Tuscany and developed clinical activities in integrative oncology and nutrition.

Prof. Rossi has played a central role in the integration of complementary and integrative medicine into public health structures in Italy. His work combines clinical practice, research, health policy, education, and international cooperation. He has contributed extensively to the Tuscany model of Integrative Medicine, which is widely recognised as an important example of structured integration within a regional healthcare system.

He has authored numerous scientific publications, books, and book chapters on homeopathy, complementary medicine, integrative oncology, patient safety, and public health. He has also served as lecturer in postgraduate programmes at several Italian universities.

Prof. Rossi is a former President and Honorary President of the European Society of Integrative Medicine (ESIM). His long-standing commitment to evidence-informed, patient-centred care continues to support ESIM’s mission to advance Integrative Medicine across Europe.

Dr. Ana Moreira

Manager and Director of the Clinical Integrative Medicine Center, Porto Portugal

Dr Ana Moreira is also President of the Portuguese Society of Integrative Medicine (SPMI) and the Vice-President of the Portuguese Society of Ozone Therapy. She obtained her Degree in Medicine in 2001 from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto in Portugal. Post-Graduation in Aging Medicine from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 2006; Intensive Course of Medical Aesthetics at the Brazilian Institute of Research and Education in 2006; Post-graduation in Dermo-Pharmacy and Cosmetics at the Higher Institute of Health Sciences of the North in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2006; Master’s Degree in Biological and Anti-Aging Medicine from Ramón y Caial Hospital of the University of Alcalá, Madrid – Spain, from October 2006

to July 2008, with a 20-rank diploma (Honor Diploma); Post-Graduation in Climatology and Hydrology by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto in 2007; Post-Graduation in Biological Medicine and Homotoxicology, sponsored by the International Homotoxicology Society – Germany in 2007; Post-Graduation in Occupational Medicine by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, in 2011

Dr. Hannia Bridg

Dr. Hannia Bridg is a life scientist and science-to-business strategist with an interdisciplinary background in biology, biotechnology, and integrative health. She holds a doctorate (Dr. rer. agr.) from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and a diploma in Biology from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Her work spans academic research, industry, and international project coordination. 

She has extensive experience in integrative and plant-based research, molecular biology, genetics, and bioeconomy-related innovation. Alongside her scientific career, she has developed strong expertise in project management, stakeholder coordination, and science communication within international and multidisciplinary environments. 

Dr. Bridg is the founder of Bridg-Networking Consultancy, a Berlin-based advisory practice operating at the interface of science, innovation, and society, with a strong focus on Europe–Latin America collaboration. She is also the host and producer of the EmpreScience Podcast, which highlights international leaders in science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 

Within ESIM e.V., she supports organisational development, project coordination, and international engagement, with a particular interest in evidence-informed integrative medicine, digital processes, and inclusive scientific collaboration. She works fluently in German, English, and Spanish. 

Dr. Hannia Bridg

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