The Unique Experiences That Shaped My Approach to Medicine
My approach to healing is a direct reflection of my life journey. From a childhood immersed in a farm-to-table lifestyle to a deep-rooted family legacy of scientific and humanitarian service, my practice is built on the belief that true health is found in the powerful integration of mind, body, and science. This is my story.
“Providing simple, fun and effective solutions to promote healing, prevent illness and sustain the wellbeing of the individual, their families, our communities and the environment.”
My Story
My approach to medicine reflects the experiences and values that have shaped me throughout my life.
I grew up in a family that lived what we would now call a farm-to-table lifestyle while embracing rigorous scientific standards. Long before “integrative medicine” became a familiar term, I learned that good health doesn't have to be divided into conventional medicine on one side and nutrition, lifestyle, and traditional approaches on the other. The best of these worlds can—and should—work together.
That perspective began generations before me.
My grandmother was born into an underprivileged family before women had the right to vote. Through persistence, vision, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, she earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College and completed surgical training through the Royal Canadian Fellowship. She went on to serve as Chief of Surgery in Southern India for 25 years.
My grandfather brought a different but complementary scientific perspective. He earned his doctorate in Agriculture from Iowa State University and understood the essential relationship between nutrition, quality food sources, and human health. His work in India also brought him into personal acquaintance with Mahatma Gandhi.
My grandparents returned to Michigan the year I was born. Growing up with them gave me living examples of lives grounded in science, service, faith, family, health, and an openness to perspectives from around the world. The integration of science, nutrition, lifestyle, and service was part of my understanding of health long before I became a physician.
My fascination with the brain began when I was about 10 years old, while visiting my uncle's brain physiology laboratory at UC Berkeley. I was captivated by both what science had discovered and how much remained unknown. The brain seemed like an extraordinary frontier—and it has fascinated me ever since.
At Hope College, I continued exploring the connections between mind and body, majoring in Biology and Psychology with minors in Sociology and Chemistry. That interdisciplinary education prepared me well for Michigan State University, where my medical education included concepts that were remarkably forward-thinking at the time. We learned about the gut microbiome, autonomic and vagal regulation, nutrition, and whole-person health alongside the traditional allopathic sciences.
Those experiences ultimately led me to Psychiatry and, later, Integrative Medicine. They also shaped the way I practice today: curious about the “why,” grounded in science, and interested in the whole person rather than simply a diagnosis or collection of symptoms.
Throughout decades of medical practice, one thing has remained constant: I want my patients and clients to understand their own health and feel empowered to make informed decisions. The health and wellness landscape can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. My role is to help make it understandable—and to identify practical, measurable approaches tailored to each person's biology, circumstances, needs, and goals.
My goal isn't simply to help people feel better today. It is to help them build better brain and body health for the years ahead—and ultimately to live with greater quality, purpose, and meaning.
Interested in finding out whether my approach is right for you?
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute conversation with me.