By Nolan P. Smith
Staff Reporter
(Honolulu)-When Dr. Kimberly Kelley came to the islands 15 years ago from the Midwest, she was looking for a new start, a revitalization for her life and the lives of her children. Now, the author of “The Road to Mana, Finding Healing, Happiness and Power on the Road to Life” and founder of the Core Wellness Center, has a mission to help others find themselves and to heal the healers in our community.
“Being a physician is actually the most suicidal occupation in the country right now,” said Dr. Kelley in an interview with Hawaii Ahe. “Our burnout rates are extremely high, and the suicide rate is comparable to our soldiers coming home from the Iraq/Afghani campaign. It’s a huge problem: we are people, we have issues. Let me try to empower you so you can live your best life now.”
Being a healer herself, she sought ways to heal oneself without the use of anti-depressants or prescription drugs. Instead, she focused on five pillars: nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, massage, and yoga. The pillars are outlined in her bestselling book and guide her workshops as she shows patients that they are capable of healing themselves.
“I shared a story about five people from all different walks of life who come to this healer from the big island,” said Kelley about her book. “She has them for a week retreat, and what she does, she puts a mirror in front of their face and shows them they can heal themselves, and it’s through their interactions they heal, through the five pillars.”
Coming to the islands was always the plan for Dr. Kelley, yet it was meant to be for retirement. Instead, it has sparked a whole new path for Kelley, one that allows her to help those that have fallen into similar situations she experienced as an anesthesiologist and medical acupuncturist specializing in anesthesia, acupuncture, pain management, and medical simulation. She brings her experience and merges it with Eastern medicine experience on her team for a wraparound service of healing.
“Being a physician is actually the most suicidal occupation in the country right now. Our burnout rates are extremely high, and the suicide rate is comparable to our soldiers coming home from the Iraq/Afghani campaign. It’s a huge problem: we are people, we have issues. Let me try to empower you so you can live your best life now.”
“I’m a physician; I am Western-trained,” said Kelley. “We also have physicians that are trained in Eastern medicine. With Core Wellness Healing, we combine the east with the west, and we have a bridge with counseling. Get the best of both worlds. What we do is bring together the mind, the body, and the spirit, a more holistic approach so that the patient can heal, because one way is not better than the other.”
The islands have always held a special place in her heart. Whenever she visited, she would leave feeling refreshed and reenergized. It is in the islands that she found her own peace.
“What I found in Hawaii that made the difference in my life: I could walk on the beach, I could allow the waves to wash away some of my anxiety and challenges,” said Kelley. “I would do a lot of hiking, and I found it was very peaceful. That became my sanctuary, that is where I found my peace. Everyone has to find their own peace, but they have to be given permission to do so. What we want to do at Core Wellness is to give you permission to go back to the simple things that really do work. Less is more. Walking in the grass, getting grounded, that is important.”
Core Wellness Healing will be hosting several events and retreats in 2019 and 2020. For more information and to register for an event, visit www.corewellnesshawaii.com