The James L. Hall, Jr. Center for Mind, Body and Spirit was the dream of Dr. Murali Krishna, President of INTEGRIS Mental Health and Dr. Bill Carpenter, Director of Pastoral Care at Baptist Medical Center.

These two men had witnessed the power of individuals to affect their own health, either through mentally approaching a health crisis with a positive attitude, or by drawing strength and support from their spiritual beliefs.

They also knew that if they could teach people to take good care of their bodies through exercise, proper nutrition and stress management, the risk of many health problems could be greatly reduced.

Joining their dialogue in 1996, was attorney James Hall, outside counsel for INTEGRIS Health, who had been recently diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. As he worked closely with his physicians, he was also asking what he could do that would help him live as long as he could with as good a quality of life as was possible.

Mr. Hall purchased books, studied, and attended lectures all across the country. In the months that followed, he learned there were tools such as journaling, guided imagery, massage, mindfulness and prayer that would assist him in his journey through the next two years. While there might not be a cure, he believed these tools would help him move through that time with calm dignity, a quiet mind and a grateful heart. He refused to be defined by his diagnosis.

Hall wanted his community to have easy access to the tools he had discovered and offered to raise money to fund a library, hold workshops, and bring health experts to Oklahoma City and offer them - free of charge - to his own community.

James Hall enlisted Patricia Price Browne, a community leader who shared his philosophy and who had a big heart and a willingness to work hard and raise money to make a dream come true.

INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center supported the dream and agreed to underwrite rent, salaries and office expenses. James Hall and Patricia Browne raised money to underwrite the library and speakers fees. The Center opened its doors in the spring of 1998.

The work of Krishna and Carpenter, Hall and Browne has resulted in a library with over 2500 books and tapes, videos and cds available for public use. We bring in 3 nationally known speakers a year - experts in the field of mind/body medicine - for a public lecture and an educational workshop for physicians and mental health professionals.

We offer monthly seminars in our library, led by a local professional, publish a bi-monthly newsletter and offer a Speakers Bureau available to businesses, civic groups and churches.

Dreams do come true. They begin with people who come together and share their talents, a willingness to work hard and a spirit that believes the impossible can happen.