Early Beginnings of Anthroposophically Extended Medicine and Therapeutic Education in North America

How can healthcare providers strive to treat not just illness or disability, but the whole human being? Bertram von Zabern, MD, explores this question as he follows the historical thread of anthroposophically extended medicine in North America and weaves it into a tapestry illuminating the connections between the early pioneers of the field and the modern institutions, such as Weleda USA, which stand upon the foundations they laid.

In a humble and conversational manner, von Zabern shares the stories of physicians who, inspired by the impulse given by Rudolf Steiner in his 1920 lecture series Introducing Anthroposophical Medicine, set out to create a regimen of care which recognizes the human being as a spiritual being, while still attending to physical health. Many of these young physicians, driven from their home countries by the rise of National Socialism, ended up founding their practices in North America. Those familiar with anthroposophical medicine will recognize the names of lauded doctors such as Sigfrid Knauer, Christoph Linder, Traute Page, and Franz Winkler.

Early Beginnings also traces the trajectory of therapeutic or “curative” education in North America. Beginning with the efforts of Gladys and William Hahn at Lossing Manor in 1938, the author shows how, with the help of Dr. Karl König and Carlo Pietzner, the therapeutic education movement has blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon which continues to help those with developmental disabilities live in dignity and realize their potential.