What are some examples of naturopathic medicine that you use on a regular basis?
I like to start with the human connection because it establishes rapport and allows me to really get to know my patients. It builds trust and once that occurs, my patients are more likely to be authentic with me and as a result their outcomes are better! Once that foundation is laid, simple things like diet, exercise, & stress management play a tremendous role in how I practice as a naturopathic doctor. Add in targeted botanicals, homeopathy, healthy aging supplements and procedures and, well…you have a beautiful mixture of naturopathic goodness!
What drove your passion for naturopathic medicine?
Having entered conventional medicine 30 years ago as a U.S. Hospital Corpsman/EMT, then nurse, and finally a doctor, I’ve accumulated a decent amount of breadth & depth of medical experience. While it is true that my conventional beginnings laid the groundwork for later growth, the underlying current of our present healthcare paradigm in the U.S. lacks a comprehensive, integrative, and holistic approach; hence, my exit from that world. Sadly, it is a sickcare system not a wellcare system. I experienced this firsthand when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. While my doctors were doing the best they could with the knowledge they had, it wasn’t enough and I suffered. It took me years to regain my health. Once I found naturopathic medicine, I knew that I had found the answer to wellness. Naturopathic Medicine is an all encompassing medicine that seeks to provide low intervention with a great magnitude of results. It seems as a society that we’ve lost our way in terms of cultural attitudes of needing to “be more,” “work harder,” and ignore the need to align ourselves with deep meaning and purpose. Combine that with eating food that isn’t even food, being exposed to daily environmental toxins (air, water, soil, personal care products, etc…), and simply palliating what ails us is creating more disEASE. Naturopathic doctors and Naturopathic Medicine are the answer! Being able to help people heal themselves; body, mind, and spirit is a calling like no other and I am so deeply, and profoundly thankful to have found this path.
Is there a piece of advice that you would offer to a person who is hesitant about seeing a naturopathic doctor?
No, I think that people have to come to our medicine organically. It seems to me that simply being a beacon of good healthcare stewardship will be education enough for those who seek their own wellness.
What is your favorite part about being a naturopathic doctor?
Having been trained as a primary care provider with an integrative toolbox (e.g. nutrition, counseling, physical medicine, botanicals, homeopathy, mind/body medicine, pharmaceuticals, IV therapy, regenerative medicine, minor surgery) full of ways to help my patients is an incredible gift. I rely on the magnitude of my training and experience to guide me. My favorite part of being a naturopathic doctor is KNOWING that I’ve got the tools to partner with patients in building their health!
Where did you go to medical school?
I attended Bastyr University California where I was the recipient of an “Outstanding Achievements Scholarship.” Aside from my rigorous studies, I was a teacher’s assistant and I did research, presenting in Barcelona, Spain and Denver, Colorado. I was active in student government, advocacy, and lobbying; holding numerous positions at the university in addition to our state and federal naturopathic associations. Additionally, I did volunteer work with the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF), contributing to two(2) publications. I had the privilege of being my graduating class’s co-speaker. I was an older student and mom who was commuting about 3 hours daily. Aside from the military and my autoimmune disease, I do not believe that my will or spirit has been tested the way it was those 4 years. I continue to be humbled by the rigor of my education and the insight that I gained into myself as a human. After graduation, I completed a self-started residency in integrative urgent and primary care. The education and experience was tremendous, the character building even more so!
Is there a trend or development in your field that you’re excited to learn more about?
I am enthralled with longevity medicine. Perhaps it’s because I’m 50 yrs old and I have not (yet) figured out how to age in reverse, so the natural (or naturopathic) progression would be to tap into the multifaceted arena of precision medicine. What is precision medicine? It’s more accurate, more focused, more individualized (hey, that sounds like Naturopathic Medicine, right?) I don’t necessarily know that it’s a trend or even a single development but rather a vigorous exploration into what is possible using modalities that I already use in practice: diet and lifestyle, stress management, nutraceuticals, supplements, epigenetics, peptides, regenerative medicine, aesthetics, early diagnostic functional lab and imaging analysis, and some even say “biohacking”…all of which set the infrastructure to aid in disease prevention, optimize health, and extend life in a fashion that heralds looking and feeling your best!
Related post: What is a Naturopathic Doctor and How Do They Help You?