About The Gathering of Eagles
You are invited to the 2025 Gathering of the Eagles, a transformative weekend retreat for physician-healers originally conceived and hosted by Dr. Gladys Taylor McGary, the Mother of Holistic Medicine.
This extraordinary gathering was first envisioned by the late centenarian Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey in 2009, igniting a movement that continues to reshape the landscape of healing. She first began it in response to President Obama’s request to help find a way to heal the medical care system.
She also saw the Gathering as a platform to support healers while providing a safe space to explore innovative approaches to medicine and wellness. What began as her vision has blossomed into a global village of healers, each dedicated to advancing her profound work of "Living Medicine"—a philosophy where life and love serve as the cornerstone.
This approach transcends traditional medical boundaries to embrace the fullness of human potential and create a healthcare system that honors the humanity of both doctors and patients. Join us as we honor her legacy while cultivating the future of healing together.
About Dr. Gladys McGarey
Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey was a visionary and pioneer throughout her entire life. Living to 103 years and ten months, she never stopped working or teaching. She embodied her belief that age was just a number, not a stop sign. At 85, she traveled to rural Afghanistan to teach safer birthing practices to thevillage women. At 102, she published her final book, "The Well Lived Life." She conducted more than 250 interviews during the last two years of her life before passing away at 103. For Dr. Gladys, there truly was no stop sign.
Here is a partial list of her many accomplishments:
Co-Founder of the American Holistic Medical Foundation, known as the Mother of Holistic Medicine
Pioneered Dads in the delivery room
Co-Founded the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine in 1970
Among the first in medicine to use and teach acupuncture in the US and held the first medical symposium on acupuncture in the United States following President Nixon’s return from his trip to China
Early supporter of the International Academy of Clinical Hypnosis that actually began in her and her former husband’s living room
Published author of 6 books and numerous articles on holistic health
Created the first and only ARE clinic based on the work of the “sleeping prophet”, Edgar Cayce
Traveled to rural and war- torn Afghanistan when she was 85 (!!) to teach safer birthing practices to the Afghani women
Continued to be a popular national speaker having presented countless key note presentations and workshops on holistic health and aging including doing, more than 250 interviews during the last two years of her life before passing away at 103.
The 2025 Gathering of Eagles—Dr. Gladys Tribute
On Saturday night, we have a special tribute dinner planned to honor Dr. Gladys, and her life’s work and legacy, as well as the first anniversary of her passing. We're delighted that this meaningful evening is included as part of your time with us.
Our distinguished banquet speakers include Melani Walton, philanthropist with an interest in conscious conservation, and Mimi Guarneri, MD, co-founder and president of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine.
About Living Medicine
The term, “Living Medicine,” is based on the ancient Native American definition of ‘MEDICINE,’ which means ‘LIFE.’ Therefore, the term, “Living Medicine,” translates to “Living Life.” It is the process of living one’s life and following one’s individual path to Wholeness. Specifically, our lives represent a journey that each of us is taking in order to be WHOLE—emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Living Medicine is the name of that journey.
By consciously ‘Living’ our lives and ‘Listening to the Physician Within,’ we are practicing the ‘Medicine’ that we need for growing and healing physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Paramount to the Living Medicine approach is the fundamental idea that Love and Life are the true healers. Living Medicine recognizes each individual as a WHOLE Spiritual Being who creates their own recipe for living life and who does best when following their own unique path. It empowers each individual to take charge of their own life by consciously collaborating with the Physician Within.
From an individual health perspective, Living Medicine is about looking at the WHOLE person, rather than just treating a disease. We may still work with a disease process, which could require drugs and surgery, but the emphasis would be on being whole and alive while doing so. This way of practicing medicine is a living, organic process that changes as each individual grows and evolves.