I learned the hard way that one’s health should never be taken for granted. At age 19, I became very ill after a dermatologist gave me a 3-month course of antibiotics and steroids for acne. The acne cleared, but it quickly returned worse than ever. Soon after, I began suffering from a bizarre array of symptoms: debilitating headaches that would make me vomit, severe digestive problems, skin rashes, heart palpitations… and I was so exhausted. I was not enjoying my life anymore and at times I thought I was dying. I looked terrible and felt even worse. In hindsight, it’s a miracle that I was able to finish college.
Over the next several years, I saw countless doctors who all told me that there was nothing wrong with me. Since all of my basic labs were normal, they could not give me a diagnosis or offer any treatments. My symptoms continued to worsen. I felt so disregarded. I was angry and frustrated. But I was desperate to get well. I began pouring over books, science journals and the internet, learning all I could about sickness and healing. More than anything I wanted to understand why I had become so sick, seemingly out of nowhere.
Eventually I connected the dots and discovered that all of my symptoms were stemming from my gut. The truth is, I had not been taking good care of myself for most of my life. Among other things, I hadn’t been eating a good diet and I wasn’t getting enough sleep. The antibiotics and steroids were the triggers that finally sent my system over the edge. I had developed a massive overgrowth of yeast, and my gut was inflamed and “leaky.” I was lucky to find an integrative medical doctor who gave me guidance on nutrition, botanicals and supplements to heal my gut and my whole body. In less than a month, my skin began to clear up. Over time, my health kept getting better and better.
What I learned along my quest for wellness – that most illnesses can be prevented and that the body can heal itself – left me amazed and excited. I completely revamped the way I was living and became a health enthusiast. When I discovered naturopathic medicine as a profession, I left my career in research and went to naturopathic medical school because I felt inspired to help other people who had fallen through the medical cracks.
I want you to know that God designed your body to be self-healing, and He wants you to be well! There is always hope, and together we can explore a plan to get you on a true path to health.
I offer naturopathic and functional medicine for medical mysteries, digestive issues, skin disorders, women’s health, fatigue, headaches, autoimmune conditions, hidradenitis suppurativa, and more.
National University of Health Sciences | Lombard, Illinois
The University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan
The University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan
Naturopathic Doctor (ND) | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND): Board of Directors 2017-2022, Legislative Chair 2019-2022, Current General Member