Member Spotlight
Anne Thiel, ND
How did you get into Naturopathic Oncology?
Before I applied to naturopathic medical school, I naively thought that the basic principle of treating the underlying causes of disease and using the least invasive treatments were the standards of all medical care. As I learned more about naturopathic medicine, I realized that anyone could benefit from naturopathic care, but in cancer care it seemed especially important for patients to have access to these options. I also wanted to understand the conventional side of cancer care and what patients experience in that model so a residency in integrative oncology was my goal after graduation. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn about conventional and naturopathic oncology care.
What do you do during your downtime and/or what do you do for fun?
I have recently become interested in really learning how to cook – not just to follow a recipe or make a meal, but the science and technique of making delicious and healthy food. We remodeled our kitchen a few months ago and having a beautiful space in which to cook has also inspired me to spend more time working on my skills and culinary creativity. I’ve also been watching food documentaries such as Cooked and the Chef’s Table. My undergraduate degree is in fine arts so I am always looking longingly at my art supplies and trying to find an afternoon to spend painting.
What are your “broken record statements” to your patiens (i.e., what is that you tell your patients the most?)
“No supplement can take the place of learning how to eat what your body needs to heal and function well, being active on a regular basis, sleeping well, and learning how to manage stress.”
About your clinic:
Anne graduated from National University of Natural Medicine in 2012 with honors in research. After completing an integrative oncology residency at the Goshen Center for Cancer Care under the guidance of Emily Moore, ND, LAc, FABNO in 2014, she decided to stay in Goshen (about 2 hours east of Chicago).
Her private practice is Progressive Wellness Naturopathic Care and she provide complementary support to people with cancer as well as those seeking to improve their health through naturopathic care. She is planning to transition out of private practice in the next year. Over two years ago, she became involved with the Knowledge in Naturopathic Oncology Website (KNOW) as the senior research assistant. She reads through tens of thousands of abstracts, coordinates the flow of papers that the KNOW committee assigns to their volunteers in an effort to summarize, peer review, and manage the database that houses the citations that populate the website. Anne would like to increase her participation in projects, particularly KNOW, that help naturopathic physicians have access to information they need to work more efficiently and provide the best care to their patients.
Website: http://www.pwncare.com/
