Establishing a Science and Medical Research Advisory Board for Forest Therapy is crucial for ensuring the practice's credibility. This board brings together top experts in various scientific disciplines and with different cultural backgrounds ensuring a greater perspective on the approaches and the practice of Forest Bathing.
Their collective knowledge helps bridge the gap between anecdotal evidence andrigorous scientific research, ensuring that forest therapy is evidence-based. A dedicated advisory board fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that forest therapy evolves in line with the latest scientific findings and remains a valuable tool in promoting holistic health for humans and the planet.
Moreover, a Science and Medical Research Advisory Board for forest therapy plays a pivotal role in spearheading exploration into novel areas, particularly those that have been under-researched, such as Relational Forest Therapy.
By fostering collaboration between experts in different fields, this advisory board can drive the development of cutting-edge research initiatives. The advisory board serves as a catalyst for pushing the boundaries of research in forest therapy, ensuring that ANFT remains at the forefront of innovative advancements in Forest Therapy.
We are honored, humbled and extremely grateful that these renowned top experts in the field have agreed to support and guide us into pursuing always higher standards of excellency.
Dr, Qing Li (MD, PhD) graduated from Shanxi Medical University in China and got a PhD degree from Kagoshima University in Japan. He has studied at Stanford University School of Medicine.
He is a clinical professor at Nippon Medical School, President of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine, Director of the Forest Therapy Society, Vice-President and Secretary General of International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM)
Prof. Li is the world’s foremost expert in forest medicine and immunology. He has received Society ward from the Japanese Society for Hygiene in Forest Medicine in 2022 and University Award from Nippon Medical School in Forest Medicine in 2011
Some people study medicine. Some people study forest. Dr. Li studies forest medicine to find out all the ways in which walking in the forest can improve our well-being. He started the forest medicine research (Shinrin-yoku - Forest bathing - Forest therapy) from 2004 and has published many articles in scientific journals and books in forest medicine.
Dr. Aleksandar Racz is a physician specializing in environmental health and health ecology, currently professionally and academically engaged in various scientific fields – global public health, sociology and social sciences, environmental law and integrative bioethics and finally management of sustainable development. He completed four post-graduate doctoral studies and obtained four doctorates from different universities, in the fields of law and social science, economics, sociology and biomedical sciences and public and environmental health. He has published 6 academic textbooks about the protection of the environment and published more than 150 scientific papers, and been an active speaker at more than 100 international conferences and congresses all around the world.
Through an NGO called Snaga šume (Power of the Forest), he has taken up his lifetime mission to promote Forest Therapy.
Susan Abookire, BSEE, MD, MPH, FACP, is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, a practicing Internist, and a senior executive with 20 years’ experience leading healthcare organizations. She has served as Chief Medical Officer, System Chief Quality Officer, and Chair of Quality and Patient Safety. Dr. Abookire began her career as an electrical engineer in aviation systems. She has taught nationally and internationally on patient safety, high reliability, systems design, and the health benefits of nature. Dr. Abookire also enjoys being a Forest Therapy guide and incorporates Forest Therapy into medical curricula.
President and Director,Yakushima Onoaida Clinic, Kagoshima, Japa
Visiting Professor, TokyoWomen’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
Prof. Sugishita is a health systems specialist extensively working on strengthening national and local health systems in more than 30 countries in Africa and Asia. He engaged with United Nations and World Bank as international expert panel. He is currently working for the Yakushima Onoaida Clinic as family physician and visiting Professor of Global Health, at Tokyo Women’s Medical University. He received the Social Business Grand Prix in 2014 and the Honorable Award for Distinguished Medical Services in 2016.
Gisela Immich works as a scientist at the Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany. She combines nature-based interventions (shinrin-yoku, forest therapy), mindfulness and nature connectedness with naturopathic therapy approaches (Kneipp therapy, climatotherapy) in various natural environments to promote human health and well-being and develop integrative therapy concepts. She is a certified forest therapy guide (ANFT), founding member of the Competence Centre for Forest Medicine and Nature Therapy (Bad Wörishofen, Germany), forest therapy trainer, author, speaker and evaluates natural areas for recreational and healing forests.
Our Mission: Support planetary health by nurturing heart-centered relationships between all peoples and the More-Than-Human World of Nature.
