Weighing the Choices….

The question of how I went from practicing naturopathic medicine to a practice based in aesthetics comes up often.  I made the decision to shift the focus of my practice from primary care to integrative aesthetics about 4 years ago.  I know absolutely that I made the right choice for myself and the decision to make this move was intentional.⁠⁠

I am proud to be a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist.  I chose this route of medicine because its principles of nature cure, lifestyle as medicine, and prevention align with my personal choices and beliefs.  For those that know me best know how much I love my greens! The curriculum at NUMN, the naturopathic medical school I graduated from here in Portland was rigorous, challenging, and infused with classes like nutrition and botanicals alongside biomedical and clinical sciences. Graduating with a medical degree in Naturopathic medicine and Acupuncture was a very exciting time for me. 

It did not take long for the realities to set in.  Starting out, my practice was solely insurance-based and a variety of pathology was coming through the office.  Unlike today, I did not have a specific area of focus so I was caring for a myriad of conditions from mood to hormones to the gut.  I managed to keep very busy, not only with managing patient care, but all the work that comes along with this.  The insurance, research, management, correspondence, etc. was more work than was being reimbursed.  The amount of patients I needed to see in one day in order to make ends meet was not sustainable; the quantity of patients had to be increased which compromises the quality of care.

⁠This experience, alongside being a single-mom, and a commitment to being self-sustainable, drove me to make a change and re-evaluate my practice.  Fast forward to today, and I couldn't be more happy with my choices.  

My practice today is highly focused on aesthetics.  Rather than trying to be good at everything, I work towards being excellent with a few things.  I am passionate about all-things aesthetics (I literally study this stuff for fun!)

When applied in the right way, these tools (tox, fillers, kybella, sculptra, microneedling, peels, PRP, etc) can be powerful in helping you feel your best.  It's a beautiful thing to age, and none of us are immune to the inevitable changes that ensue.  There are many safe and available tools that don't require surgery, yet provide results.  Let me be your aesthetic guide and educate you on the possibilities.  

I am continually working to meld naturopathic medical training with my passion for medical aesthetics in Portland to deliver the best possible outcomes while keeping you safe. My primary motivation to study medicine is to serve and I have found my medium to do so; I love this work.

Schedule a complimentary consultation any time through the website to see how these tools can best be applied to your individual goals. 

Thanks for reading,
Heather