Dr. Sternberg recognized for her cross-campus impact in medicine, architecture, and the science of place-based health.

Dr. Esther Sternberg, Director of Research at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, was honored with a 2025 Drachman Impact Award in recognition of her contributions to student learning, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Arizona.

She was nominated by a faculty partner from the College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture for her ongoing leadership and influence on students across multiple disciplines.

An internationally recognized expert in mind-body science and the role of place as medicine, Dr. Sternberg has advanced the understanding of healing spaces, workplace well-being, and the built environment’s impact on mental and physical health. She holds the Inaugural Andrew Weil Chair for Research in Integrative Medicine and academic appointments in medicine, psychology, architecture, landscape architecture, and nutritional sciences.

The award was presented at the Drachman Institute’s Community Outreach and Impact Celebration, held on May 1 in the Underwood Garden at CAPLA. The event included remarks from colleagues, student reflections, and community celebration.

Dr. Sternberg’s work has informed healthy design standards across federal and institutional settings. Her research with the U.S. General Services Administration continues to shape wellness guidelines in office environments nationwide. She is the author of Healing Spaces, The Balance Within, and WELL at WORK, and her scholarship has been featured by the World Health Organization, the National Academies of Sciences, and major media outlets including NPR and PBS.