Member Spotlights

Why did you join the WANP?
As a licensed Naturopathic Physician practicing in WA state, I believe it is important to support our local association and stay informed of news going on in our profession.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
I really find it helpful to have easy availability and access to CE courses.

Where do you practice?
Lake Meridian Healing Arts
15215 SE 272 nd St, Ste 105
Kent, WA 98042
425-395-7542
https://lakemeridianhealingarts.com

What does a good referral look like for you?
Adults ranging from ages 16 - geriatrics

If you have a specialty, what is it?
If I had to pick a specialty, it would be Diet and Lifestyle Medicine, water fasting (I completed an internship and residency at True North Health Center, a water fasting inpatient clinic, in Santa Rosa, CA), Naturopathic Endocrinology (hormones, thyroid, adrenal, diabetes), autoimmunity, and gut issues (microbiome).

How long have you been in practice?
I graduated from NCNM in 2001 and have been in practice for 20 years. I began practicing in Colorado, my home state, and moved to California in 2011 and joined a practice there. I left CA in 2015 and joined Sea Shepherd and went out to sea on various campaigns with them for 5 years. After “getting off the boat” I settled in Friday Harbor, WA, for a time, before settling down in WA at the end of 2021.

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
I recently relocated to WA state from CA and joined WANP when I arrived at the end of 2021.

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc)!
I was a volunteer for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and went out to sea with them for 5 years, sailing all over the globe to protect marine wildlife. During my time with them I held a variety of roles aboard the ships from vegan chef, deckhand, small boat driver, medic, and 3rd and 2nd officer on the bridge.

Why did you join the WANP?
I joined the WANP because without it NDs wouldn’t be where we are now in Washington and I’m looking forward to even greater scope and access for patients in the future.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
I love the annual conferences and can’t wait to be back in person again soon.

Where do you practice?
Anacortes, WA
www.vitalagingclinic.com

What does a good referral look like for you?
A great referral is someone who is looking to be proactive about their aging process. I also love helping with poly pharmacy.

If you have a specialty, what is it?
Geriatrics

How long have you been in practice?
14 years

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
14 years

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc)!
My BA is in ethnomusicology. If you need a conversation about polyphonic Mongolian singing or why the Armenian dudek is super cool snag me at lunch at the next conference.

Why did you join the WANP?
Because it's important for our profession to be solidified with a strong voice that advocates for our profession. Naturopathic Doctors are amazing primary care physicians. To be able to best serve our patients, we need to be able to legally use the skills that we have been trained to use. I appreciate the advocacy the WANP does for not just its members but all licensed naturopathic doctors.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
I really love attending Pints & Politics which is an event where the WANP gives state legislative updates and lets members know how they can best impact what's going on in the legislature.

Where do you practice?
At my clinic Be Well Natural Medicine in Queen Anne, Seattle, WA: www.bewellnatmed.com

What does a good referral look like for you?
I empower people to become their strongest physical, mental, and emotional selves. I am passionate about helping people with low energy, low moods, and high body fat. I am credentialed with Regence and Premera insurances and am accepting new patients in person or via telehealth. A great referral for me is someone who is looking for a new doctor, maybe because their doctor retired, or they aren't feeling heard by their current medical provider. I'm available and so excited to listen and help.

If you have a specialty, what is it?
I specialize in balancing fun while getting work done. Going to the doctor does not have to be a boring, sad, painful experience. Rather a lot more healing can happen when there is joy when meeting with your doctor.

How long have you been in practice?
I'm in my first year and I am so excited about it!

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
I've been a member of the WANP for 4.5 years and for a couple of those years I was on the board as the WANP student representative!

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc)!
I love hanging out at the gym. It's equal parts me moving my body and socializing, all in the name of health. I also love talking to people about their workouts: what's your frequency and intensity and what do you do to recover? Tell me everything!

Why did you join the WANP?
I wanted to help keep our profession thriving in WA state. As a long time ND now, I know the importance of cohesion within our profession. I'm also so far out of medical school that it helps me stay in touch with the newer physicians as well as the newer modalities coming out.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
I appreciate the energy of the newest WANP executive director! I appreciate the quick feedback I receive from emailing the WANP and the FB pages for questions and concerns. I'm pleased with the CE webinar format as I have a hard time sitting in uncomfortable chairs in long seminars.

Where do you practice?
Edmonds, WA

What does a good referral look like for you?
I am primary care for the entire family (excluding infants) so, really, I will take any referrals looking for a holistic primary care physician. I really enjoy teenagers and the elderly as well.

If you have a specialty, what is it?
I am solidly primary care! But I do enjoy balancing hormones in men and women with BHRT. Otherwise, I love the diversity of primary care and being there for my patients. I have expanded my practice in the past few years to more procedures such as skin tag and mole removal, hormone pellet insertion, suturing, allergy skin testing (well I have been providing that for well over 15 years), and PRP for hair loss and skin issues.

How long have you been in practice?
20 years - all full time! Yikes!

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
On and off for the past 20 years, but I had a big gap. I also was practicing in Alaska for 5 years. I think I was on the board about 20 years ago but it's fuzzy! I know I at least went to meetings at Bastyr in the early 2000s!

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc)!
We have too many pets to name! 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a flock of chickens. But my husband's teen that lives with us is named Lola. I am a rainbow color gal! But I really love reds and oranges. I am a full on cusp of Aries/Taurus which I recently found out is like a sign of it's own. It's the 'Cusp of Power'.

Fun fact: I once hitchhiked (with and another now ND!) from Norway to Denmark with a truck driver that had a truck of feminine hygiene products. So I have experienced sleeping in a long hauler truck cab.

Why did you join the WANP?
I wanted to make a difference in our profession, help further awareness and the practice of naturopathic physicians in WA state.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
My favorite benefit is getting continuing education.

Where do you practice?
Kirkland, WA

What does a good referral look like for you?
Anyone who needs help with hormones, endocrine issues, gastrointestinal issues.

If you have a specialty, what is it?
Women’s health/hormones/endocrinology

How long have you been in practice?
9 years

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
7 years

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc)!
I have 6 pets! I have 2 cats - Artemis and Apollo, 2 dogs - Lola and Chico, and 2 Parrots - Pooper and Marley. I am a Gemini and my favorite color is red. A fun fact about me is that I have been sneezed on by an elephant!

Why did you join the WANP?
To be more active with our profession on a political level in order to assist with insurance parity and scope expansion.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
Keeping up with current affairs of the ND profession in WA state, as well as WANP events and CME opportunities.

Where do you practice?
The Naturopathic Clinic of Issaquah in Issaquah, WA.

What does a good referral look like for you?
My practice is about 60% pediatrics, 40% family medicine.  A great referral would be a family with members that are under 18 years old that is looking for a naturopathic primary care doctor.

If you have a specialty, what is it?
Family Medicine/Primary Care with strong focus on Pediatrics.

How long have you been in practice?
2.5 years

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
1 year

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc)!
I have a cat named Bingers. My favorite color is black. I am definitely a Gemini in every way. And 311 is my favorite band.

Why did you join the WANP?
I was motivated to join the WANP to help highlight naturopathic physicians and further our scope of practice as a profession in Washington State.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
Attending/helping at the annual WANP conference. I also like having my profile listed at findanaturaldoctor.com

Where do you practice?
Woodinville, WA, at Health Moves

What does a good referral look like for you?
I excel in helping hormone-imbalanced middle-aged women go FROM wired and tired TO thriving and living their best lives!

If you have a specialty, what is it?
In addition to naturopathic primary care, my clinical interests include Women's Health, Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology.

How long have you been in practice?
3.5 years

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
8 years

Tell us something fun about you (e.g. pets, favorite color, Zodiac sign, etc.)!
I have a rescued stray cat named Princess Xena McKinney. I am a Sagittarius. I visited the Taj Mahal in India in July 2019.

Why did you join the WANP?
I joined the WANP to make sure I stay up to date on all that's happening with naturopathic medicine in Washington State.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member?
My favorite benefit is access to previous WANP conferences, including continuing education.

Where do you practice?
I currently practice in Gig Harbor, Washington.

What does a good referral look like for you?
Good referrals to me include those looking for primary care as well as people suffering from digestive ailments, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

If you have a specialty, what is it?
I have an avid interest in irritable bowel syndrome and all things digestion related.

How long have you been in practice?
This is my fourth year of practice.

How long have you belonged to the WANP?
I first joined the WANP in 2013 as a medical student.

Tell us something fun about you!
I'm a "retired" songwriter and drummer who once upon a time played in many bands and was an amateur audio engineer.