Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, a renowned cardiologist and integrative medicine expert, passed away on June 19, 2022, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 75 years old. Dr. Sinatra was a pioneer in the field of metabolic cardiology, which uses targeted nutritional supplements to improve energy production in the heart and overall health. He was also a bioenergetic psychotherapist, who treated his patients holistically and compassionately. In this article, we will explore his life, achievements, and contributions to the world of medicine and wellness.
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Early Life and Career
Dr. Sinatra was born in New York City on October 4, 1946, to Elizabeth Patricia Kelly and Salvatore Charles Sinatra. He grew up loving family, food, dancing, animals, sports, and horseracing. He was inspired to pursue a career as a healer by witnessing his mother’s struggles with type-1 diabetes and blindness.
He attended Franklin and Marshall College pre-med on an athletic scholarship, competing as a division-1 wrestler. He graduated from Albany Medical School in 1972 and completed his residency in internal medicine at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. He then became board-certified in cardiology and started his career at Manchester Memorial Hospital in Connecticut, where he served as Chief of Cardiology, Director of Medical Education, Director of Echocardiography, and Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Integrative Medicine Approach
Dr. Sinatra soon realized that conventional treatments were not enough to prevent cardiac patients from returning to the emergency room. He began to research and educate himself on nutrition, mind-body medicine, and alternative therapies. He became one of the first cardiologists to embrace integrative medicine, which combines the best of conventional and alternative practices.
He developed a protocol called the Sinatra Solution, which consists of four pillars: metabolic cardiology, earthing or grounding (connecting to the earth’s natural energy), detoxification, and mind-body healing. He used targeted nutritional supplements such as coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, magnesium, and D-ribose to enhance energy production in the heart and improve quality of life. He also advocated for a clean diet rich in phytonutrients, healthy fats, and antioxidants.
He was also a bioenergetic psychotherapist, who used techniques such as emotional freedom technique (EFT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and neurofeedback to help his patients cope with stress, trauma, and negative emotions. He believed that the doctor-patient relationship was a partnership where both parties actively participated in the healing process. He treated his patients as if they were family members, attending their weddings and funerals.
He was also an avid animal lover and saw pets as powerful healers. He had several dogs throughout his life and enjoyed riding horses.
Publications and Awards
Dr. Sinatra was a prolific writer and educator. He authored or co-authored over 20 books on various topics related to heart health, nutrition, and wellness. Some of his best-selling books include The Great Cholesterol Myth (with Jonny Bowden), Reverse Heart Disease Now (with James Roberts), Earthing (with Clint Ober), The Healing Kitchen (with Rebecca Bent), and Health Revelations from Heaven (with Tommy Rosa).
He also wrote hundreds of articles for various journals and magazines such as The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, The American Journal of Cardiology, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, Total Health Magazine, Bottom Line Health Magazine, and many more.
He was also a frequent speaker at national and international conferences such as The American College of Nutrition Annual Conference, The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress, The International College of Integrative Medicine Annual Conference, The International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine Annual Conference, The Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine Annual Conference, The International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine Annual Conference, The Institute for Functional Medicine Annual Conference, The Integrative Healthcare Symposium Annual Conference, The World Congress on Anti-Aging Regenerative & Aesthetic Medicine Annual Conference.
He received numerous awards and honors for his work such as The Linus Pauling Award from the Institute for Functional Medicine in 1995; The Excellence in Integrative Medicine Award from the Sacred Fire Foundation in 2012; The Humanitarian Award from the American College for Advancement in Medicine in 2015; The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine in 2017; The Visionary Award from the International College of Integrative Medicine in 2019; The Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine in 2020.
Legacy and Impact
Dr. Sinatra left behind a legacy of innovation, compassion, and wisdom that will continue to inspire generations of doctors and patients alike. He touched the lives of countless people with his care, advice, and optimism. He was a mentor and a friend to many of his colleagues and peers in the field of integrative medicine. He was also a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Sinatra, his children Drew Sinatra, Stephanie Sinatra, Stephen Sinatra Jr., and Tommy Rosa, his grandchildren Sofia Sinatra, Luca Sinatra, and Leo Sinatra, his sister Carol Ann Sinatra, and his dogs Coco and Bella.
He will be remembered as a trailblazer, a healer, and a visionary who dedicated his life to protecting and healing the hearts of others.
According to Hartford Courant, a memorial service was held for Dr. Sinatra on June 26, 2022, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme in Connecticut. His family requested that donations be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
