Center for Whole-Person Research
We are a multidisciplinary team of research professionals who are passionate about whole-person health. We use scientific methods to define, measure, test, and study health and well-being - in mind, body, and spirit - throughout the lifespan.
Mission & Vision
Mission
To promote whole-person care by identifying, developing, and testing the scientific foundations of CREATION principles.
Vision
To transform healthcare delivery into our whole-person model of care, empowering our patients, employees, and communities to experience optimal wellness throughout their lives.
What is Creation Life?
CREATION Life is a whole person wellness philosophy - developed by leaders of AdventHealth, formerly Adventist Health System - and is founded on the Creation story in the book of Genesis. It consists of eight principles that are a guide for overall mental, physical, social, and spiritual health.
CHOICE is the most complex of the CREATION principles. There are emotional, spiritual, physical, and environmental factors that can impact the choices we make. The other principles in the CREATION research model influence our choices; in turn, those choices play a part in our habits and behaviors.
REST is more than just sleep. Rest includes physical rest, cognitive breaks, and emotional and spiritual restoration.
ENVIRONMENT includes all components of our physical surroundings and resources. These can include living space, safety, workplace, food, healthcare, transportation, and recreational space.
ACTIVITY is more than just exercise. It integrates physical, mental, and spiritual activities into our daily lives.
TRUST encompasses connections with God, faith, loved ones, colleagues, and those who have been entrusted to lead.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS involve the support, connection, and belonging we share with family, friends, colleagues, and faith communities.
OUTLOOK is the way we view the world. It involves the sum of our attitudes, perceptions, and psychological health. It influences the way we address our daily lives and relationships.
NUTRITION is nourishment for the body and the source of energy for the mind. Healthy food is essential to wellness and disease prevention. Plant-based diets are foundational to the CREATION lifestyle.
Our Team
The Center for Whole-Person Research was established in 2015 by senior leadership of AdventHealth, formerly Adventist Health System. It was created to identify existing research that supports CREATION Life, find gaps in the research literature where some principles have not been definitively studied, and design and conduct research that fills those gaps. In practical terms, we focus on the more complex CREATION Life principles not already definitively supported in research studies.
Our Foundation
Discover scientifically-supported lifestyle programs that lead to longer, healthier lives.