Kathleen N. Mueller, MD

Dr. Kathleen N. Mueller serves as the System Director for the Integrative Medicine and Cancer Survivorship Program. She is the lead editor of Core Content Review of Family Medicine, a medical education program written by and for family physicians. She is a proud graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and stayed at UConn to complete her residency. She began her career as an employee at a 5-physician practice with family medicine and obstetrics in her hometown of Windsor, Connecticut. Frustrated with the lack of resources for pain management for her patients, she sought advanced training in medical hypnosis and acupuncture. She then transitioned to her own 2-physician, direct integrative and primary care practice where she served her community for 10 years. She speaks on health, wellness and integrative medicine topics both regionally and nationally, and led the expansion of integrative services as Medical Director for the Center for Integrative Medicine at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. After completing a 2-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine at Dr. Andrew Weil's program at the University of Arizona in 2012, she was selected as the first Chief Wellness Officer of Saint Francis Hospital. She is passionate about improving the health and well-being of those who serve in healthcare. Mentoring new physicians is also part of her mission, helping them to design and follow their special path in family medicine. Immediately post-pandemic, she was tasked with developing a regional integrative medicine program for the Trinity Health of New England system and served as the Director of the Centers for Integrative Medicine & Health for 3 years. Woven all through her career has been her work with the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians, the local chapter and national organization of family physicians. She has served as president of the Connecticut Academy and in multiple leadership roles nationally. It is with and through these organizations that she honed her leadership and public speaking skills, and fueled her desire to help transform our disease care system to a health care system that focuses on wellness and prevention. She is married with 3 children and loves to hike, garden, sew and read.

Why should someone choose you to care for their health?
Most patients, not just those being treated for cancer, are looking for evidence-based ways to improve health and wellness. I started my career in traditional, full-scope family medicine with obstetrics. Guided by the needs of my patients and an insatiable curiosity about non-traditional healing methods, I studied acupuncture and medical hypnosis and did a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine. I wove these skills into my practice and built a career by specializing in the use of food, movement, mind-body medicine and supplements to help thousands of patients improve their health. I help each patient individualize their approach to each health challenge.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
The most important thing I do in a visit is to listen to each person's story. From there, we will work together to develop an approach to the issue(s). I ask that each patient come with their story and an open mind. I do not serve as a primary care physician, but I'm happy to work in conjunction with yours.

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you’re not caring for patients?
I am married with 3 children, 1 daughter-in-law and 1 daughter-in-law-to-be. I also come from a large family and spend most of my free time with family and friends. I love to garden, sew and read. I also am the lead editor for Core Content Review of Family Medicine and serve on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians. Nationally I serve as a delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
So many people that I see in my practice have not found sufficient help or relief from the standard medical system. Some are eager to prevent illness and to learn to live better. With my focus on integrative medicine - including food, movement, mind-body medicine (like acupuncture and yoga) and supplements – I have helped thousands of patients find pain relief and improved health. I love watching people feel better by combining these integrative approaches with standard medical practices.