Medical Background and Experience

​I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Biology from Northern Illinois University before attending naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University near Seattle, Washington, where I also received my training and certification in midwifery. As a student I trained extensively in midwifery and pediatrics with Seattle Natural Family Medicine (now One Sky Family Medicine). After medical school I traveled to Vanuatu in the South Pacific and delivered babies at a developing hospital before completing a rigorous family practice residency at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Since 2008, I have had a private practice in naturopathic medicine and practiced midwifery with Davi Khalsa (at TLC Midwifery) in Los Angeles.

​Education

• ​BS (summa cum laude) Biology (Chemistry minor), Northern Illinois University

• ND (with additional certification in midwifery), Bastyr University

​Current Licenses and Certifications

• ​California Licensed Naturopahic Doctor (ND)

• California Licensed Professional Midwife (CPM)

• Board Certified Naturopathic Pediatrician (FABNP)

Association Memberships

• ​American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

• California Naturopathic Doctors Association

• California Association of Midwives

• Midwives Association of North America

• Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians

​How I Approach My Practice 

​I consider myself a true primary care doctor (although in California such practice has limits--for now), with pediatrics and women's health as specialties. I am especially successful at helping my patients achieve lasting lifestyle changes by working with them to develop their optimum health goals and actually reach them.

I follow naturopathic principals in my practice. I strive to cultivate a close therapeutic relationship with patients so that I can simultaneously meet people where they are and hold the space and the vision of their optimal self to help them stay focused on their healing journey.  I prefer to utilize botanicals, nutrition, and active preventive medicine as first-line treatments, but call on a wide variety of naturopathic treatments to best address the whole person.

​One of the key ways in which my approach stands apart from that of other doctors is in the amount of time I devote up to front to developing individualized treatment plans for my patients. Many doctors, including NDs, will often prescribe "by the book" or "one size fits all" treatments and remedies in the name of offering their patients an immediate solution. Sometimes that is in fact the best approach, especially for acute conditions like colds and the flu. But while a cold and its treatment are pretty much the same for everyone, many other conditions require a more individualized plan that can only be developed through a careful analysis of a patient's medical history, current circumstances, etc. I know that what brought you to see me did not in many cases arise overnight, is unique to you and your body, and deserves better than a cookie-cutter approach.