# Dennis Patrick OHara, DC, ND, BA, MDiv, PhD

Biographical Summary:

Dr. OHara graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1979 and the Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1986, subsequently teaching at both of these colleges while practising as a chiropractor and naturopathic doctor. He attained a Master of Divinity degree in 1992, awarded conjointly by the University of Toronto and the University of St Michael's College. In 1998, he completed a PhD in theology from the University of St Michael s College. He also holds a specialization in theology and ecology awarded by the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology located at the University of St Michael's College. The title of his doctoral thesis was: The Implications of Thomas Berrys Cosmology for an Understanding of the Spiritual Dimension of Human Health. Since 2002, he has been an assistant professor of ethics and eco-theology at St Michael's graduate Faculty of Theology and Director of the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology at the University of St Michael's College, as well as being a core faculty member in that universitys Corporate Social Responsibility certificate programme. He has also been an associate faculty member for the Centre for Environment at the University of Toronto, co-teaching a graduate course in environment and health. He has been actively involved in exploring and resolving integrative healthcare issues having worked with the Natural Health Products Directorate in Health Canada, the Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Undergraduate Medical Education Group, and the World Health Organization. He was a co-investigator in the CIHR-funded Canadian Interdisciplinary Network for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Research. Dr. OHara has spoken to professional and academic gatherings in Canada, the United States and Europe on ecotheology, health care ethics, and the spiritual dimension of human health.

dennis.ohara@utoronto.ca