UNIVERSAL MEDICINE NAMED THE PEOPLES CHOICE AT THE LISMORE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

In a testament to its local and international word-of-mouth-built

reputation, Goonellabah-based complementary healing clinic Universal

Medicine was last night named The Peoples Choice at this years

Lismore Business Excellence Awards!

Deborah Benhayon, the clinics financial officer, accepted the honour on behalf of the business at the awards ceremony at Lismore City Hall.

Speaking briefly, Deborah attributed Universal Medicines success from its first incarnation in 1999 to the opening of its modern clinic in 2009 to its absolute dedication to the care and well-being of its clients.

Serge Benhayon, who started the business as a sole practitioner in 1999,

said it had developed a loyal and supportive clientele who came from near

and far, and all walks of life.

The Universal Medicine clinic has had clients visit from as far as way as Melbourne and Mackay, Perth and New Zealand, and even England, Serge said.

He agreed that Universal Medicines success so far was about its commitment to total care and respect for its clients.

We go out of our way to ensure that the entire experience is about wellness and care, Serge said.

Its not only reflected within the service that we provide as practitioners, but even down to the equipment we use and the building itself (opened in

2009).

The massage tables are bought with extra foaming, and we went out of our

way to get the best possible ducted heating the building is always warm.

The clinic has also recently put an extra array of solar panels on the

roof to offset the not insignificant heating costs they were

purchased from Lismores Nickel Energy, who won the Manufacturing

and Innovation Award.

Our philosophy is the treatment begins as soon as someone rings us to book an appointment from the moment of that first phone call, our care begins, and all the staff treat clients that way.

Our reception staffs Emily, Isabella and Emmalee are part of the treatment plan. Even Les our gardener gets told that!

Its more than just a building which hosts a service. Everything is laid out so you feel warm and comfortable. You can stay as long as you need to, even have a picnic on the beautiful grounds.

Serge noted that Universal Medicine was somewhat unique in the complementary healing world because it was a steadfast supporter of mainstream medicine, even taking great care to encourage people to see medical practitioners where appropriate.

Its important to comment that were not alternative and its always been about true wellness and care of the human being, in all forms. So we are strong advocates for conventional medicine. From day one we were an addition, never an alternative.

He even remembered a visit from a female client with breast cancer who during her first appointment he had to convince to see a doctor as previously she had refused to seek mainstream treatment.

Being a business with a sole focus on healing, the clinic has also done its fair share of pro bono work for those who need it.

We have always supported people with free treatment if they cannot afford it they are treated at no charge, and we provide extensive (free) programs for the terminally ill.

A separate branch of the business is its school of philosophy which runs seminars throughout the year on numerous topics from basic self-care to advanced massage.

This emerged in 2001 when Serge still working as a sole practitioner was faced with a six-month waiting list.

Theyve since grown to encompass an annual Universal Medicine retreat in Vietnam, and two periods in which we run a seminar series in the UK and additional retreats in England and Lennox Head.

More recently, and independently, a charity has also been launched called the College of Universal Medicine (CoUM), established for those who have benefitted from Universal Medicine's treatment and philosophy to have an avenue through which they can give back and support the Community.

Several Universal Medicine clients are leaders in healthcare and other industries and now volunteer their time for the College of Universal Medicine Charity to deliver a range of seminars in their area of expertise.

Its an international college, and its all happening in Goonellabah; its very exciting for our region. Its a charity so it will be very accessible and affordable.

We are going to provide education at a very reasonable cost.

But the core of the everyday Universal Medicine business still remains the clinics services, whether counselling, physiotherapy, massage, or chakra-puncture provided by practitioners with the highest integrity and care.

In a true testament to its glowing reputation in the community, the clinics regular client base had more than doubled in the last three years alone.

In a nutshell, Serge said, the business succeeded because making life about people is our ethos

We make life about people well before we make life about systems thats been an ethos of ours for a long time.

Our business plan is putting people first.

For more information see the website:-

UNIVERSAL MEDICINE