Living a holistic life by the Golden Rule
How could a Golden Rule Moment possibly lead one to be known as the Mother of Holistic Medicine? For Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey, it began in 1920, when she was born under the auspices of the mighty Himalayas.
In India, then perhaps the poorest country in the world, Gladys’ parents, medical missionaries, gave her boundaries, work, love and support. By the time Gladys went on to higher education in her country of nationality, the United States, she was a determined and brilliant young woman. On fire with a passionate desire to help others, she went to America to study Western allopathic medicine, a path very few women of that time had dared to follow. Besides determination and brilliancy to achieve her dream, she had a deeply caring and empathic heart. Gladys was already a doctor in her heart and soul. She had, after all, helped her mother treat everything from lepers to elephants!
According to Dr. Gladys, her entire medical training was in the context of World War II. It was during this time she also met her husband, William McGarey, who had already received his medical degree. The two went on to develop this amazing legacy of healing, the scope of which sweeps across decades of philosophies, practices, continents and organizations.
Dr. Gladys McGarey lives and encourages others to live by the “5Ls”:
❚ Life – If you’re not alive, nothing matters.
❚ Love – Healing doesn’t happen without love.
❚ Laughter – You have to learn how to put juice into life or you dry up.
❚ Labor – You have to put work into wanting to be whole.
❚ Listening – You have to listen to the world around you and listen to your body.
Dr. Gladys McGarey is the co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association as well as the co-founder of the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine. She and her husband were perhaps the first to utilize acupuncture in the U.S. and trained other physicians how to use it. She tirelessly pioneered work in holistic medicine, natural birthing and the physician-patient partnership. Dr. Gladys is an advocate for putting the patient first, and she’s still helping others in the medical industry learn the balance between art and medicine.
Among Dr. Gladys’ cutting edge developments was an innovative way for natural childbirthing called the Baby Buggy Program, founded in 1978 and featuring a fully equipped paramedical and emergency transport vehicle for home deliveries. In 1970, she co-found-
Golden Rule Moments
Larry Fultz Guest columnist
Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey is known as the Mother of Holistic Medicine.
COURTESY OF DR. GLADYS TAYLOR MCGAREY
ed the A.R.E. Clinic in Phoenix, where she and her former husband pioneered the integration of allopathic and holistic medical practices, laying the groundwork for the cultural shift of recent years that recognizes alternative and holistic medical modalities. Her efforts worldwide continue to receive international acclaim.
Dr. Gladys has written and lectured extensively. She is the author of five books: “The Physician Within You,” “Born to Live,” “Living Medicine,” “The World Needs Old Ladies” and “Budhu’s Path to Enlightenment.” She continues to write numerous articles for health publications, both as a columnist and feature writer. Her public speaking career bridges four decades, during which she has shared the podium with Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and other notables who became her associates in the American Holistic Medical Association.
Now 100 years old, Dr. Gladys says, “it’s not too late to change — both the way we approach our own health and what we expect from those who take care of us.”
The Arizona Interfaith Movement celebrates the opportunity to honor this amazing pioneer of medicine who has given so much back to others and has brought Golden Rule moments to so many people. You can join us in honoring her and others at our annual Golden Rule Banquet on April 16 at the Mesa Convention Center, where you can learn about the full Golden Rule impact Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey has had around the world.
For details about the Golden Rule Banquet, visit azifm.org.
Rev. Larry Fultz is the executive director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement.
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2020 The Arizona Republic 3/25/2020