Dedicated To Your Wellness
Patrick is the founder of Spirit Oak Wellness Retreat and caretaker of the land where it resides. What began in 2010 as a vision for a self-sustainable farm ultimately revealed something deeper—the land itself carried a powerful, restorative energy. Over time, its healing nature made itself known, gently guiding the vision toward a more purposeful path.
After spending much of his professional career in neuroscience studying severe forms of epilepsy, Patrick developed a profound empathy for the caregivers and healers who dedicate their lives to supporting others. Witnessing the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll of constant giving, he felt a strong calling to give back to those who so often put themselves last.
Spirit Oak Wellness Retreat was born from this calling—to care for the caregivers. It exists as a refuge: a place to rest, recharge, recenter, and learn, surrounded by nature and supported by a dedicated community of highly trained professionals. The retreat is operated as a nonprofit organization, allowing donor-supported scholarships to make retreats accessible to individuals who may not otherwise be able to attend. This model reflects a core belief that healing and restoration should be available to all, regardless of financial circumstance.
Patrick is a Harvard and University of California, Davis trained Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Culinary Institute of America, Greystone trained Chef, a National Academy of Sports Medicine trained Certified Personal Trainer, and a lifelong organic farmer (www.grandonifarms.com). His background weaves together clinical experience, scientific understanding, nutrition, physiology, culinary artistry, and the healing wisdom of the land to support whole-person wellness.
Catherine W Schweikert, PhD, MPH, PA-C
Driven by a deep passion for meaningful change, Catherine has devoted her career to exploring compassion and its transformative power in everyday life and healthcare. Through extensive research and hands-on experience, she’s come to believe deeply in compassion’s ability to foster wellness, strengthen resilience, and enrich human connection.
Catherine has practiced medicine for more than 22 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition Science, Physician Assistant (PA) degree, and Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of California, Davis. While earning her Ph.D. in Applied Psychophysiology at Stanford University, she authored The Compassion Remedy: How to Leverage the Psychophysiological Benefits of Compassion to Beat Burnout, Renew Relationships, and Enjoy Greater Well-Being.
She also completed a year-long immersive program in applied compassion at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), where she developed a hospital-based program grounded in the science and research-backed practices of compassion.
Catherine’s work is guided by a clear intention: to help clinicians cultivate grounded, compassionate foundations—so they can support patient healing without sacrificing their own vitality and well-being. She is also a contributor to the Global Compassion Coalition.
Learn more about Catherine’s work at catherineschweikert.com.
Liz Burkholder, PhD, FNP, PMHNP
Liz is an Integrative Nurse Practitioner with dual board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her work in mind–body medicine and integrative mental health bridges psychology, neuroscience, and energy medicine, supporting holistic healing at the physical, emotional, and energetic levels. She brings expertise in trauma healing, somatic and emotional healing, inner-child and parts work, hypnotherapy, therapeutic breath work, subconscious and trance-based approaches, subtle energy healing, and trauma-informed nervous system regulation. In May 2024, Liz completed her PhD in Mind–Body Medicine with a specialization in Integrative Mental Health from Saybrook University. Grounded in both clinical rigor and compassionate presence, her approach empowers individuals to heal deeply, reconnect with themselves, and cultivate lasting well-being.
Liz is the founder of the Go Within Institute, where she offers immersive mind-body-spirit programs designed to support deep emotional, somatic, and subconscious healing for both individuals and healing professionals. Her signature approach weaves together hypnotherapy, therapeutic breath work, somatic and emotional release, inner-child and parts work, trauma-informed nervous system regulation, subtle energy healing, and integrative mental health principles.
In partnership with Spirit Oak Wellness Retreat, Liz leads immersive retreats that bring the depth of her work into Spirit Oak’s nature-based healing environment. These sacred, container-held retreats are designed especially for healers, caregivers, and those seeking deep restoration—offering participants the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience healing at the intersection of science, spirituality, embodiment, and the natural world.
Jochen Raysz, MS
With 25 years of experience as a co-founder, executive coach, and meditation teacher, Jochen supports impact-driven leaders in waking up and living their full expression—unlocking fearless authenticity, presence, resilience, clarity, and purpose. Jochen holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Management, and has facilitated leadership development and cultural change programs since the late 1990s. He has been teaching Dzogchen meditation in the U.S., Europe, and Asia since 2005. Jochen brings a distinctive approach to this ancient tradition, integrating meditation practices seamlessly into the daily lives of leaders and executive teams. Jochen also serves as Managing Director of a nonprofit organization, where he oversees a global Meditation Teacher Training program and the development of an online learning platform. In addition, he is Chairman of the Board of a meditation center in Sweden.
