Two doctors who work in UST Student Health Service receive recognition
From Madonna McDermott, Director
Student Health Service and Wellness Center
A 'Top Doctor'
The Student Health Service’s Dr. Tom Thul was named one of the top family practice doctors in the Twin Cities by this year’s Mpls.St. Paul magazine. Thul, a UST alumnus, has worked in the Student Health Service for the past 15 years. He also directs the newly established UST Travel Clinic on campus. In addition to working for St. Thomas, Thul is employed by Health Partners. He is an active volunteer both locally and internationally; he has served the Hennepin County Homeless Assistance Project, has provided volunteer medical care in Romania, Thailand, Mozambique and Uganda, and has volunteered for the Godchild Project in Antigua and Guatemala.
Psychiatrist Emmons publishes book on overcoming depression
Dr. Henry Emmons, psychiatrist at St. Thomas' Student Health Service, is the author of a newly published book, The Chemistry of Joy (Fireside, January 2006). His book explores overcoming depression using Western science and Eastern wisdom. Emmons has expertise in college mental health and is a consulting psychiatrist for several area colleges, including Carleton, Macalester and the College of St. Catherine. In addition, he has a practice at the Allina Clinic in Northfield.
Here's an excerpt from Emmons' book's first chapter, “The Mysterious Mix of Science and Spirit”:
“ 'Surely joy is the condition of life.'– Henry David Thoreau
“Depression is a holistic illness that affects every aspect of who we are as human beings. It only makes sense to address it from every available angle, both with regard to our bodies and brain chemistry and vis-à-vis our psyches and spirits. So in this book, I offer you a revolutionary model for treating depression, one that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual approaches to help you discover 'the chemistry of joy' – that mysterious mix of body, mind, and spirit that Thoreau called 'the condition of life.'
“I believe that no matter how much pain each of us is given to endure – and for some of us, the burden is considerable – we can also always access the joy that is our birthright. But to find the joy we’re all meant to experience, we need to understand ourselves fully, including our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. A program for overcoming depression that omits any one of these aspects of our humanity is almost certain to fail.”
