About
I grew up on a sheep and strawberry farm outside of New Liskeard, a small town in Northern Ontario. The outdoors were literally my backyard. It was where I found refuge. I played in creeks and built forts in the summer and cross country skied in the winter. It was during this time that I learned the value of spending time in nature for one’s mental and physical health. It was this love of nature that led me to the University of Guelph where I studied Environmental Engineering. I wanted to heal the world and protect it from harm. Let’s just say the program wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. However, during a microbiology class I discovered my fascination with life and the functioning of the body. I thought about pursuing conventional medicine, but I had never felt healthier for having taken a medication. I wanted to know why people got sick and how to address that so that afterwards they were stronger and less likely to get sick again. It was through friends of my mother’s that I learned there was such a thing as naturopathic medicine, and it was exactly what I had been looking for. I applied to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) as soon as I could. At CCNM I knew I had found my true calling. I couldn’t study enough; I loved it and still do. I was excited to find solutions for anxiety, depression, PMS/menopause, fatigue, cancer support, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline, issues which I had seen affect my own friends and loved one. After graduation in 2001, I moved to London where I established a successful practice. I also was an instructor of Anatomy and Microbiology at Fanshawe College for several years and a speaker for the Osteoporosis Society. In my spare time I have shared my passion for naturopathic medicine through various speaking engagements which have included talks to the Women’s Institute, the University of Western Ontario, Ontario Health and Safety Nurses Association of Ontario, St Joseph’s Hospital, and the Arthritis Society of Canada.
My Practice
How do you choose which ND to see? If you haven’t had an ND suggested to you by someone you know, it can be extremely difficult. Even then, can you trust their recommendation? You go to a few websites and they more or less all sound the same. It is my hope that this section will give you a better idea about me and how I practice so you can make a more informed choice. I have been in practice since 2001. This experience has sharpened my skills at quickly identifying the underlying issues of someone’s illness. This means your overall health improves, not just the complaint that brought you to my door. I want people to leave me not just feeling better but also less prone to developing future illness. All Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine have the same foundational training. We are taught botanical/herbal medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition (diet and supplements), hydrotherapy, spinal manipulation, counseling, Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Of the treatments taught in school, I primarily use are diet, supplements, homeopathy and herbs. Through continuing education I have learned homeopathic drainage, Reiki, allergy elimination techniques and other energy medicine modalities. These have been an invaluable addition to people’s treatment plans. Depending on your situation, I may suggest some or all these approaches at different points. You ultimately have the choice of which therapies we use, so communication is important as we work together to improve your health. I have also gained prescription rights to Vitamin D, Vitamin A, folate, natural desiccated thyroid, and bioidentical hormones so you can rest assured you have access to these if needed. While I maintain a general practice, treating many common conditions, I see a great deal of people who are experiencing acute and chronic stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disease and thyroid dysfunction. If you are unsure if I can help you with your issue(s), please feel free to call the office at 519-435-1742. I’d be happy to answer your questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Continuing Education
I keep current on the latest research by attending seminars of internationally acclaimed doctors which you can see in my continuing education section. As of July 2015 ND’s who have completed the Ontario Prescribing and Therapeutics Certification Course and passed the exam, as I have, are allowed to prescribe some restricted herbs, intramuscular injections (B12), higher doses of vitamins like vitamin D (>1000 IU), vitamin A (>10,000 IU) and folic acid (>1mg), as well as desiccated thyroid hormone, and bio-identical hormones. Currently, NDs are limited to bioidentical progesterone & estrogen cream. I have a collaborative relationship with a nurse practitioner if you need access to other bioidentical hormones such as testosterone and DHEA.
Outside the Office
When I’m not helping people unravel their health issues (my most happy place), I’m at my son’s sporting events, reading or educating myself with more courses, walking our dog, or doing numerous other activities to take care of my physical and emotional wellbeing. Life is about balance…… I’m grateful for every day I get to be of service and make a difference in people’s lives.