Member Spotlight
Winston Cardwell, ND
How did you get into Naturopathic Oncology?
I was fortunate enough to train under the late Mengke Kou, MD, LAc and Barbara MacDonald, ND, LAc on NUNM’s first integrative oncology shift –which in this case, integrated Classical Chinese medicine oncology with naturopathic oncology. Dr. Kou was a great physician, trained in China as a medical doctor with an emphasis on the classics as well; he was an inspiration who practiced with deep consideration and thought with each of our patients; he was known as a true master herbalist and I clung to every word he would mutter about his rationale, assessments and diagnostic acumen. Similarly, Dr. MacDonald was instrumental in providing the opportunity and space for the integration of naturopathic medicine with Classical Chinese Medicine which afforded my cohort the opportunity to find and see where these two seemingly disparate worlds of medicine, intersected quite naturally; her questions and guidance provided insight and opportunity within aspects of clinical oncology care I had not experienced in other areas of my training. Lastly, it was the joy of being with the patient whom overcame prognosis after prognosis, as well as walking with those who were not as fortunate, yet were nevertheless equally grateful for our efforts and time spent working together.
What do you do during your downtime and/or what do you do for fun?
I like to cook food -food that has a lot of depth and beauty, in flavor and presentation; I draw on traditional flavors from cultures around the world and enjoy finding vegetarian spins on them. I could spend a week in the kitchen preparing a feast and not be happier.
I also enjoy gardening, growing as many culinary and medicinal herbs, spices and plants in our yard or harvesting them from the woods when out and about; I also love hunting for chanterelles in the summer and fall.
And most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my wife and children –hiking, biking, playing in the water –doing whatever and whenever we can be together.
What quote sums up your daily practice with patients or guides your practice?
“Be somebodies miracle, every day!”
About your clinic:
I practice just north of Atlanta, Georgia, in the little town of Roswell, Georgia. Our office is an integrated facility with another naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, and a nutritionist; we offer a wide array of services from consultations on preventative medicine, pediatric care, oncology care, environmental medicine and detoxification therapies to intravenous nutrient therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, acupuncture, nutrition, etc. As there are a number of newer integrative providers in the Georgia area, our patient population has many providers to choose from; therefore our office often sees patients who have not found relief from many of the fine physicians and practitioners in our area so it is never a dull day at the office. I enjoy sharing patients and working with our conventional colleagues, especially in seeing the excitement they have over standard naturopathic and Classical Chinese medicine interventions delivering results yet, which are often seen as “incredible responses” in their eyes.
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