I am an integrator with one foot planted firmly in the science of medicine and the other in the wisdom of natural healing. This began in childhood, raised in separate houses, one where my father was an ER doctor and the other with my mother practicing holistic psychotherapy. Growing up I never felt drawn to take the path of either parent, but was informed by each as I grew up traveling between different paradigms. I see the value of science, logic, mechanism and research but know that medicine is broader than this. We also must honor the human experience; take into account emotions, thoughts and experience. They directly affect wellbeing. The most powerful approach to health is created when the science of medicine and the art of healing can be woven together to support one another.

I resisted the idea of becoming a doctor until I found that I could be a doctor far different than an MD. Naturopathic medicine and its principles resonate deeply with how I foresee medicine advancing while also returning to more healing roots. I believe in the naturopathic principles: treat the whole person, doctor as teacher, prevention, identify the underlying cause of disease, the healing wisdom of nature, and do no harm. Being trained as a naturopathic doctor — exposed to Chinese Medicine, energy medicine, homeopathy, Ayurveda and many other traditions of healing, transformed the scope of possibility and potential I’ve seen in humans. This potential far outpaces what can be done with drugs and surgery found in mainstream medicine.

After medical school I took the amazing opportunity to do residency in a full-scale cancer hospital. There I was part of an integrative team where natural medicine was one part of a much greater whole. Patients would see me after having a major surgery or while on chemotherapy and I would apply the wisdom and knowledge I hold to better their lives. I worked hand in hand with medical oncologists and got to know intimately the world of modern cancer care.

In such an integrative setting, science and research again had to take precedent. This provided the evidence of safety and efficacy that was demanded as well as a common language my MD colleagues and I could use. I also renewed my passion for science and all the great research that is being done to understand herbs, vitamins and mind-body connections as they relate to cancer care. There is a wealth of knowledge out there currently under-utilized by the medical system. The art of good medicine is being able to apply this knowledge clinically while still staying open to the possibilities that science has yet to fully uncover. This includes ancient healing traditions, the great thinkers in both standard medical practice as well as the eclectic physicians, or simply applying logic of a caring and wise physician dedicated to helping cancer patients willing to find a better way towards healing. My path has led me to trust in the body and in nature to inform and guide my practice, even when it leads outside the scope of conventional medical practice. I am constantly looking in to the promising new therapy or non-traditional approaches and seeing what is useful there. I integrate it with a balanced rational approach to medicine, trying to remove bias from either side. In this way we can expand medicine and more wisely approach the complex problem of cancer in our society. 

On a personal note, I am a father of 2 wonderful boys, ages 12 and 15 years old--Man, they grow up fast!. I have been a world traveler, through more than 30 countries on 5 continents. There I witnessed first hand the power and wisdom of traditional medical systems while experiencing diverse peoples and culture. I love life in the Pacific NW-- bicycling to work, the mountains, the rivers, the ocean and appreciating the rich quality of life we are blessed with here. Most important are the good people, friends, colleagues, family and fun we have here together. I am dedicated to changing the face of cancer care so that more joy may fill the lives of those afflicted with this epidemic disease.