The LauraMann Center for Integrative Health (LMCIH) grew out of Laura Mann's studies of world cultures and religions, her experiences as a family nurse practitioner and community based-midwife, and as woman and mother of two young children who had to face her mortality by way of Stage 4 breast cancer.

Laura Mann graduated from Yale University in 1980, majoring in Asian studies. After travel and exploration of Alaska and Asia, she attended the Pace Nursing Program and Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky. She was certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a nurse midwife. She took these skills to northern Vermont where she lived and practiced over 21 years. She began her midwifery career with the Claire Lintelac Nurse Midwifery Service and then went on to create a home birth practice, Welcoming Home Midwifery. She helped many families bring their babies into the world, giving selflessly of her time and energy.

In her final years, she focused her caring on creating the Dhatri Foundation (now called the Laura Mann Center for Integrative Health) a non-profit organization promoting complementary medicine and a model for compassionate care.

From September, 2005 until her death in October, 2009, Laura learned to thrive with cancer by integrating western medicine and a vast array of complementary and alternative medicine practices.

Realizing the significant role that love, compassion, touch, and the support of family, friends and community had played in her own healing; Laura was compelled to share her experience with others. She hoped that the Laura Mann Center for Integrative Health would play a role in helping others connect with a broad array of healing modalities leading to wellness and balance in their lives.