The Science of Well-Being with Mari Ricker
Week of December 5, 2026
Wonder Works: Awe, Health and Healing: Experiencing awe, whether through nature, art, music, spirituality or meaningful connection, can have a profound impact on both mental and physical health. Research shows that awe can reduce stress, improve mood, increase resilience and even support overall wellbeing. Join us for an engaging conversation about the science of awe, why it matters for health and simple ways you can cultivate more wonder and meaning in everyday life.
The Sleep Solution: Rest, Recovery and Resilience: Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for improving health, energy, and emotional wellbeing. Yet many people struggle with getting enough quality rest. Why does sleep matter so much? We’ll explore the latest insights on sleep, common barriers to good rest and practical strategies to help you sleep better and feel more refreshed.
Anxiety and Wellness: An Integrative Approach to Calm: Anxiety affects both the mind and body, influencing everything from mood and focus to sleep and physical health. While anxiety is a common experience, there are many effective ways to support emotional balance and resilience. In this holistic discussion, we’ll explore integrative approaches to anxiety management including lifestyle habits, nutrition, movement, mindfulness, social connection and other evidence-based wellness strategies that can help foster calm and improve overall wellbeing.
Lifestyle Approaches To Reducing Chronic Medical Conditions: The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches. Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.
Mari Ricker MD, Dr. Ricker is a nationally recognized leader in integrative medicine, wellness, and primary care. As Director of the Integrative Medicine in Residency Program at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona, she is dedicated to advancing whole-person, evidence-informed care and helping patients and clinicians achieve greater health and well-being. She also serves as Associate Director of the Primary Care Accelerated Medical Pathway at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Ricker completed her Family Medicine Residency at Oregon Health & Science University, where she served as Chief Resident. She also completed the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ricker has practiced full-spectrum family medicine in a variety of settings, including inpatient medicine, maternal and child health, geriatrics, skilled nursing care, and outpatient integrative family medicine. Her professional interests include integrative medicine, nutrition, culinary medicine, physician well-being, and burnout prevention. She is a sought-after national speaker on nutrition, wellness, and integrative health topics, and is passionate about empowering individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes that support lifelong health.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to compassionate care, Dr. Ricker enjoys helping people create healthier, more balanced lives. Outside of medicine, she loves hiking, yoga, dancing, and cooking with her family and friends. She is also the proud mother of two teenagers.