Integrative medicine is combining the best of conventional medicine with the best of complementary medicine to create the highest level of healing for individuals.

I am trained in conventional medicine through a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. I have completed a residency in Family Practice and am board-certified both in Family Practice and in Hospice and Palliative Care. My career has included 10 years as a family physician and 6 years as a hospice doctor.

My training in complementary medicine includes completion of the UCLA Acupuncture for Physicians course; numerous workshops in various aspects of complementary medicine including aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, imagery, music therapy, and body-centered psychotherapy; and completion of the Catholic Health Initiatives course in Healing Therapy. I became certified as an instructor in Healing Therapy in 2004. I served as the Medical Director of the Wellness Center at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colorado from 2001 to 2006.

As the Medical Director of the Wellness Center, I spearheaded the creation of a Touch, Love, and Compassion (TLC) team to bring music, aromatherapy, imagery, and gentle hands-on techniques to the bedside of hospitalized patients in order to relieve stress and pain. This program has been in operation for two years now and has had over 1500 sessions with patients. Statistics have shown that pain and anxiety are relieved and that patient and staff satisfaction has greatly increased since the program was initiated.

Numerous studies are available to support each of these modalities. Please do refer to the link on articles for information about these studies. I am also available as a consultant to medical facilities who would like to institute a more integrative approach to their patient care.