Integrated Health Transformation Centre Inc. is an incorporated nonprofit on PEI with a mission to provide education and healthcare services to supplement existing services. Our approach is on the whole person and is based on the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of health and wellness.
This is illustrated in the following diagram, which was also the inspiration for our logo:
These four circles represent our core human needs which in an affluent society as ours better represent a thriving life than Maslow’s famous pyramid model. We find regularly visiting these four spheres in a circular fashion more helpful than the sequential bottom up approach of Maslow, where some people may never reach self-actualization at the top.
When individuals, families and workplaces experience these four core areas of human need in a balanced way, they are likely to thrive and to be resilient. We include the spiritual sphere as it is only humans that consider existential questions like our origins, purpose and meaning.
Our focus will be prevention through lifestyle education and mentoring, treatment of stress-related illnesses, and breaking the transgenerational patterns of childhood trauma. We will integrate the latest neuroscience discoveries about neuroplasticity, with the fields of psychology, medicine and neurotheology.
Our name
Integrated – We are an interdisciplinary healthcare ministry integrating medical science, psychology, physical therapies, and spirituality.
Health – We aim to restore health and wellness to body, soul, and spirit.
Transformation – We desire to see lives, leaders, relationships, and communities transformed by love.
Centre – We serve the local community, as well as receive referrals from healthcare professionals and clergy in our Maritime Provinces region.
Our history
In 2002 two couples, Dr. Hendrik and Catherine Visser, and Jack and Shirley Ferguson, founded Centre for Restoring Hope Inc., (CFRH) a registered charity incorporated in PEI and approved by Canada Revenue Agency in 2005. It offered Restorative Therapy services and medical services by Dr. Visser in Wholeness Family Clinic in Crapaud, PEI. CFRH also focused on international medical and spiritual needs by supporting short-term mission teams, particularly to Africa. It became dormant following Dr. Visser’s retirement from family practise and the sale of Wholeness Family Clinic.
In 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Visser’s and the Ferguson’s, saw the need for similar ministry given the immense needs of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rather than begin a new incorporated non-profit, it was decided to repurpose and rename Centre for Restoring Hope Inc. to Integrated Health Transformation Centre Inc. This change was approved by the PEI Department of Justice and Public Safety and Canada Revenue Agency.
Executive Leadership Team
Hendrik Visser
Hank is a physician with 40 years of experience in international, family and occupational medicine. He has authored two books on integrated medicine and his current interest is neuroplasticity.
Shirley Ferguson
Shirley (and her husband Jack) have extensive training in lay counselling through Elijah House and have ministered together for over 20 years. She is passionate to see individuals and couples set free from their traumatic or dysfunctional pasts.
Ann Marie Sutherland
Ann Marie has joined the IHTC Board as treasurer. She has a powerful personal story of recovery and has extensive training in lay counselling and ministry.
Noel Mal
Noel pastors Community Worship Centre in Stratford. He is a board member of Family Foundations Canada and a regional coordinator, providing seminars on healthy family life and relationships. He is passionate about community transformation.
Deborah Christie
Deborah is a fitness instructor and is passionate about whole person well-being. She has been offering JoyFit classes that combine exercise and movement with Christian spirituality.
Ingrid MacLeod
Ingrid has joined our Board of Directors in January 2024. She has a passion to see people live in freedom and in wholeness. We welcome her and her leadership gifts to IHTC.
