Nina Fuller-Shavel, MB BChir MA MSc
Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel is an award-winning Precision Health and Integrative Medicine Physician, Scientist, and Educator with over a decade of dedicated experience in integrative healthcare. She serves as Director and Head of Integrative Cancer Care at Synthesis Clinic. Furthermore, she leads as CEO of the UK NCIO (National Centre for Integrative Oncology) and is Co-Founder of Oncio CIC. Internationally, she represents the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) as Global Ambassador to the UK and Chairs the SIO Global Committee. Additionally, she is the Immediate Past Co-Chair of BSIO (2021-2023) and current Co-Chair of the BSIO Education Committee.
Institutional Representation: NCIO (National Centre for Integrative Oncology) UK; Synthesis Clinic, UK; SIO (Society for Integrative Oncology)
ORCID: You can access her profile and publications via ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5877-1567
Professional Background and Comprehensive Expertise
Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel built her distinguished career upon a strong foundation, training as an integrative medicine physician and scientist at Oxbridge. Her extensive medical training (MB BChir MA MSc) and background in internal medicine provide a solid base for her work. Consequently, she brings over ten years of valuable experience to the field of integrative healthcare.
Beyond conventional medicine, Dr. Fuller-Shavel possesses multiple qualifications in complementary disciplines. These include nutrition, integrative medicine, health coaching, and herbal medicine. Moreover, her expertise extends to Traditional Chinese Medicine, yoga, mindfulness, and other therapeutic approaches, enabling a genuinely holistic patient care perspective.
Leadership in Integrative Oncology: Contributions by Nina Fuller-Shavel
Dr. Fuller-Shavel demonstrates significant leadership within the integrative oncology community, both nationally and internationally. She co-chaired the British Society for Integrative Oncology (BSIO) from 2021 to 2023. Currently, she serves as Co-Chair of the BSIO Education Committee, actively shaping educational standards in the UK.
Her global influence is equally substantial. As the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) Global Ambassador to the UK, she fosters international connections. Furthermore, Nina Fuller-Shavel Chairs the SIO Global Committee and actively contributes to various other SIO committees and Special Interest Groups, tackling topics ranging from integrative oncology education standards to the clinical application of acupuncture.
Clinical Innovation: Synthesis Clinic
As the founder and Director of Synthesis Clinic in the UK, Dr. Fuller-Shavel spearheads an innovative multidisciplinary practice. The clinic specializes in providing comprehensive integrative oncology care for both adults and children. In addition, it offers specialized services in women’s health and integrative pain management.
Her visionary approach to healthcare and practice leadership earned recognition in 2022. Consequently, Dr. Fuller-Shavel received the prestigious Innovation Leader of the Year award, underscoring her commitment to advancing patient care through integrated, patient-centered models.
Academic Contributions, Research, and Education
Dr. Fuller-Shavel actively engages in academia alongside her clinical work. She functions as a guest lecturer, sharing her integrative medicine expertise in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the UK and internationally. Additionally, she develops and delivers independent educational courses specifically designed for medical and nutrition professionals, including her well-regarded Systems Approach to Cancer Programme.
Her research activities focus on integrative oncology and precision health, with a particular interest in immuno-oncology. Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel also contributes her expertise as an abstract reviewer for major international conferences and leading peer-reviewed journals, such as Supportive Care in Cancer and BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care.
Furthermore, she serves on the editorial boards for the Nutritional Medicine Journal (NMJ) and the International Journal of Integrative Oncology (IJIO). Dr. Fuller-Shavel participates in guideline development panels both nationally and internationally. Notably, she co-authored the recent SIO-ASCO guideline on managing depression and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients (PMID: 37582238).
In March 2024, Springer published an introductory textbook, ‘Integrative Oncology in Breast Cancer Care’, co-authored by Dr. Fuller-Shavel and Dr. Penny Kechagioglou. This publication further solidifies her role as a key educator and knowledge leader in the expanding field of integrative oncology.
Charitable Roles and Community Impact of Nina Fuller-Shavel
Dr. Fuller-Shavel extends her commitment to integrative oncology through significant charitable activities. As CEO of the UK NCIO (National Centre for Integrative Oncology), she actively works to improve access to high-quality integrative oncology services. Moreover, she promotes best clinical practices and vital research within the United Kingdom.
She is also the Co-Founder and Director of Oncio CIC. This community interest company developed the Oncio app, a digital tool designed to enhance access to reliable information and support resources for individuals utilizing integrative approaches during their cancer journey. Therefore, these roles clearly demonstrate Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel‘s dedication to making integrative oncology more accessible and impactful for patients and their families.
Fellowships and Professional Recognition
Prestigious organizations recognize Dr. Fuller-Shavel’s significant contributions and standing within the medical and scientific communities. She holds Fellowships with the College of Medicine, the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT), and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). These affiliations reflect her broad expertise and unwavering commitment to advancing health and well-being through integrative and lifestyle medicine principles.