Board Certification:
Medical School:
My mother always wanted me to be a Doctor. I wanted to “save the world”. So I studied biology and environmental studies in college. While in Honduras for biological field research during my undergraduate years, I encountered a group of doctors on a medical mission and in need of a translator. As I am fluent in Spanish, I volunteered my day to translate for them. At the end of that day I remember leaving truly moved. That day, I felt that a shift had occurred in the lives of each of the people the doctors had treated. I was part of that shift and that was exciting. Upon returning to the USA, I volunteered as a translator and patient advocate at the local emergency room. Once again, I felt a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day, but did not feel I had encountered my exact calling.
The problem was I was working in a system that treated disease but did not work to get people well. My personal philosophy has always been on optimum health - feeling well, energetic, balanced, fully alive!
That is when the Lord led me toward Osteopathic Medicine. The local paper published a front page article about Nova Southeastern University’s Osteopathic Medical School (NSU-COM). Upon discovering that Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.s) learned all the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology and biochemisty that allopathic doctors (M.D.s) do, but diagnose and treat in a more integrative and holistic way, I was intrigued. I found out they also learn techniques called osteopathic manipulative techniques that help the body to heal.
I felt like a light had lit my path…an answer to my prayers! The more I learned about Osteopathic Medicine, the more I felt like it was what I was destined to do. After completing medical school at NSU-COM, then my residency at Palmetto General Hospital in Miami, I continued to become board certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulation. I continued my studies and received a second board certification in Clinical Nutrition.
After completing both board certifications, I practiced medicine in South Florida for three years. I enjoyed the diversity and beautiful weather I had grown up in, but as our family grew, my husband and I decided we were ready for a change. That journey led us to East Tennessee, a beautiful place with kind and warm-hearted people. I have enjoyed treating infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly since 2008 in the Lakeway Area of Tennessee.
Likewise, I have enjoyed teaching medical students from Lincoln Memorial University’s Osteopathic Medical School as a member of the clinical teaching faculty. I feel a strong commitment to open other physician’s minds to a more integrative and osteopathic healing philosophy.
In my own learning journey I have traveled throughout the country over the last two decades to study under the best integrative doctors and osteopathic physicians. I have completed intensive studies in bioidentical hormones, functional medicine, cranial osteopathic techniques (craniosacral), visceral and pelvic treatment, treatment of traumatic brain injury, autism, osteopathic treatment of infants, myofascial release, nerve release, prolotherapy injections, neuroprolotherapy injections, prp injections, neural therapy and medical nutrition.
In evaluating patients, I look at each problem from a functional or integrative medicine viewpoint. I evaluate holistically to seek to determine the underlying cause of unwellnessor imbalance in the body, mind and spirit. I feel that patients must be ready to change and to commit to doing what is necessary to create real healing in their bodies. This may entail dietary changes, osteopathic treatments, new exercise regimens, mind-body-spirit work, injection therapies, nutritional supplements, multi-disciplinary interaction and advanced laboratory testing.
I have an ongoing commitment to reduce prescription medications, re-balance the body, and re-connect patients to their own God- given healing forces.
