From the beginning of my career, I embraced the intersection of conventional medicine and nutrition with  Integrative Health models that were merging.  As a diet technician, I provided nutrition workshops and oversaw the aerobics program at a hospital based wellness and cardiac rehabilitation program, under exercise physiologists, while working in clinical dietetics with dietitians. 

Following my postgraduate education, training, internship (all medical care areas) and boards to fulfill registered dietitian (RD) requirements, I worked at a progressive science -based healthcare system.  As a clinical team member and supervisor, I helped care for inpatients in all area of care including:  ICU, CCU, psychiatric, post-surgical, maternity, and outpatients. I developed and provided community wellness and introduced integrative medicine to the health system and region. 

I brought nutrition and meditative programs to community groups to all levels of the education system for students and staff, including Williams College. I created a psych program on one of the original organic farms in the U.S. for a inpatient psych unit I worked on. I designed a unique system-wide wellness program for hospital staff that offered educational, testing, competition and research elements. Over five-hundred participated, including medical staff. I was sponsored by a global health corporation to present my program at a national healthcare and wellness symposium in Boulder, Colorado.

I introduced over ten integrative health modalities and providers to the healthcare system and surrounding region. Based on a strong interest from staff, I created reiki and massage training opportunities for nursing in the ER and OR units where they practiced on patients, and established a private staff area. I taught nutrition classes to all ages and initiated hiking events for young people who had never experienced these activities.  In my role as a consultant for healthcare, I collaborated with the local YMCA to introduce and teach spinning (bike) classes. I obtained first-time program funding from a prominent community member positioned to offer this. While hired by a global corporation with the largest number of employed dietitians in the world, I was nominated as “Dietitian of the Year”, and received  awards for “Creative Programming” and “ Dietitian in Media “ work. 

While experiencing life changes that increased stress, I discovered symptoms I was not able to resolve. After six months of testing, conventional medicine did not conclude any diagnoses. Colleagues in Functional Medicine encouraged me to see Functional Medicine physicians; and once I did, my whole life changed and was enhanced.  I learned I had significant mercury toxicity accompanied by more than twenty diagnoses. I was fortunate to collaborate with a Integrative Center at Harvard and with Dr. Mark Hyman’s UltraWellness Center.  I underwent several years of mercury removal via Functional Medicine and Biological Dentistry. I got a taste of working in functional medicine while a patient at the Marino Center at Harvard. The staff invited me to attend  medical intern meetings where I began learning about the amazing work of functional medicine and nutrition. 

As a result, I knew I could not continue to practice anything but Functional Nutrition and soon trained among the first fifty dietitians (globally) that completed training with Dr. Jeff Bland (founder of functional medicine) and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) 2002. During this time, I returned to Saratoga Springs, NY, where I introduced Functional Medicine and Nutrition. I applied to my national credentialing board to specialize in Functional Nutrition, not knowing if this  would pass. They did and since then, I have only maintained clinical training required for my credentials to practice Functional Medicine and Nutrition.

I opened a practice at Saratogas original and oldest natural foods store, and at two multi-generational and regional compounding wellness pharmacy’s.  I eventually had a private practice in the historical Roosevelt Bath House, based in the Spa State Park, where natural healing springs are available year round. I consulted at a mental health practice located on Saratoga’s first equine therapy farm, where I also provided equine care.  I had an office in the  historical downtown area above a wellness pharmacy; and at the oldest integrative health center in Saratoga Springs.

Since returning to the Saratoga and Capital regions,  I have consulted in conventional healthcare, and assisted with introducing Functional Medicine and Nutrition at two international spa and retreat centers: Kripalu and Canyon Ranch; and at two regional upstate NY conventional medical offices.  I created, marketed and led an integrative health symposium at the Historic Gideon Putnam resort , in SPA State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY. The program offered twenty exhibitors, nine expert integrative health speakers and a “Food as Medicine” buffet. The attendees left asking when the next event was scheduled.  I’ve presented at corporate health, and women’s weekend retreat events at the historical Sagamore Resort, on Lake George, in Bolton Landing, N.Y. 

During C-19, my practice naturally pivoted to tele-health services where my patients prefer, and services remain. I offer speaking workshop and retreat services, and see clients on a local and national level.