FEATUREMarch 2016

Integrating Mind, Body & Spirit

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LChaim BastyrBy Deborah Vietor

Welcome to Bastyr University and Clinic, where east meets west and healthcare professionals work with you to determine what is best. Bastyr is the home of naturopathic medicine in San Diego, where many modalities are utilized and supported. Whether you are looking for acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic adjustments for the spine or neck, women’s medicine or lifestyle services, the whole patient is treated at the facility. During December, class attendees participated in an Herbal Gift Workshop, where herbal gifts were created in a botanical medicine lab.
Whole food cooking classes are offered regularly, providing tasteful treats that support a healthy lifestyle. These are unique and affordable, focusing on individual needs and a variety of cultures. Attendees learn how to prepare flavorful, low calorie, healthy meals for their family. There are even healthy baking classes. Whether sugar free, gluten free, vegan or vegetarian, dishes could even include meat depending on the individual’s dietary requirements.
Dr. Neal Malik has a personal passion for sharing information regarding nutrition, exercise and wellness. A prolific author and a regularly featured healthy lifestyle expert on television and national radio, Dr. Malik leads the Master of Science in Nutrition for Wellness program at Bastyr University and teaches core courses. He is a Certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine, Certified Health Education Specialist from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, holds a Bachelors in Psychology and Social Behavior, a Masters in Public Health and a Doctorate in Public Health. Dr. Malik believes in maintaining optimal health through nutrition and lifestyle behaviors and stresses that graduates of the program will be prepared for cutting-edge careers in corporate wellness, community health, and group nutrition education as well as nutrition marketing and communication roles.
When asked what excited him most about the nutrition program Bastyr has to offer, Dr. Malik shared that many diseases can be prevented and lives saved by educating and motivating others to make small daily routine changes. He emphasized that graduates will be recognized as nutrition, food, and wellness experts with educational and practical experiences to help them affect the lives of others in a positive way.
Currently, Bastyr has 14 full-time faculty naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic doctors treat patients with less invasive, natural treatments first and are able to prescribe medication when necessary. Medical professionals work with patients to develop the right health plan for the individual. The clinic supports current medical programs with other facilities, overseeing an integrative approach to medicine. Although the clinic does not accept insurance, most insurance plans will reimburse for lab work and co-payments for services are similar to those accepting HMO and PPO plans with discounts for seniors and students.
Dr. Ryan McNally is a core faculty member in the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University and a faculty supervisor at Bastyr Clinic. Prior to working at Bastyr, Dr. McNally was a primary care provider at Alice Internal Medicine in Texas. He completed an integrative medicine residency in the Yale University-Griffin-University of Bridgeport Residency Program. Dr. McNally is a Doctor of Neuropathic Medicine and received a degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2008. Dr. McNally also holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Northeastern University and A B.S. in biology from the University of Massachusetts. His clinical interests include primary care medicine with a special interest in preventative medicine, disease risk assessment and therapeutic lifestyle interventions which can prevent disease. His other interests include mental health disorders, autoimmune disorders, weight loss, diabetes, digestive disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer and skin disorders.
Dr. McNally believes the best medicine starts with excellent communication and discusses health issues and therapy options, answering patient questions, actively engaging the patient to be a part of the healing and decision-making process. He supports an integrative approach and has worked in conventional and natural medicine. He uses nutritional and herbal medicine, exercise and lifestyle prescriptions, and injection therapy while focusing on the underlying cause of the disease.
The doctors at Bastyr share a caring and passion for health and longevity combined with a love of teaching and a true connection to the students. The university and clinic model an integrative approach to education, research and clinical service. With state of the art technology and medical practices, exam rooms are the same as conventional physician’s office. Patients can feel comfortable sharing their medical information and look forward to alternate treatment programs, which in many cases support conventional medicine. Thousands of patients have come from all over. Currently Bastyr has 4,000 patients and is growing to accommodate up to 10,000 patient visits each year.
Bastyr University is connected to the clinic and is the only accredited university for Naturopathic medicine in the state of California. Bastyr has a location in Washington as well. The university offers an alternative approach to medicine while supporting traditional medical practices when necessary. Often an integrative approach is taken regarding the patient. There is a study room where medical students work on cadavers and study the human body just as one would in a traditional medical school. The expanded facility includes a teaching clinic, new library, full lab space, classrooms, a teaching kitchen and botanical lab.
Doctors are enthusiastic and passionate about an environment where they can practice and teach, sharing the latest naturopathic methods with students who are excited to make a difference in the lives of many. Tours are given throughout the week of both the university and the clinic, educating the community regarding services and practices in a positive, calm environment.

Visit Bastyr University and Clinic at 4110 Sorrento Valley Blvd., San Diego, CA. 92121. Call for a tour or appointment at (858) 246-9730 or visit the websites at www.bastyrclinic.org and www.bastyr.edu/California.

L'Chaim

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