Herbal sciences alumna and
adjunct faculty
Herb garden supervisor
I came to Bastyr because I have always been both fascinated and humbled by what the plant world has to offer.
When I lived in Austin, Texas, I studied with an herbalist, worked part-time at a plant nursery and volunteered for local nonprofits in order to learn more about plants. It had become clear to me that the study of plants would become my path. One of the things I began to realize was that, when you get to know the plants, you will always know how to locate food and medicine.
The chance to get a Bachelor of Science in Herbal Sciences is what brought me to Bastyr. I knew that deepening my knowledge and understanding of herbal medicine would empower me to take care of myself, my family and my community. Many early Greek physicians were naturalists first and doctors second, which I think is the basis of the natural health sciences. I was drawn to that mentality.
When I moved here from Texas, I was thrilled to discover that many of the plants I had read about actually grow here. They exist right here in our garden and in the forests that surround campus. It's amazing to be able to learn about plants in a natural setting like we have at Bastyr. It's a living, breathing resource.
The single most important thing I've took away from my education was a practical understanding of botany. One of my goals is to open a community wellness center that demystifies the herbal sciences so people can feel comfortable working with herbs. To me, it is one of the fundamental things in life to be able to identify and understand what you're putting in your body. My classes constantly reminded me how simple life can be — it's a matter of getting back to the basics. I also gained an intimate knowledge of herbal medicine combined with medicine making and research.
Now that I've earned my degree, I work at Bastyr as both the herb garden supervisor and an adjunct faculty member. I've found it rewarding to have my mentor, Dr. Robin DiPasquale, ND, former chair of Bastyr's botanical medicine department, believe in me and support my passion for the herbal sciences. I currently teach "Medicine Making for All," co-teach "Botanical Medicine Dispensary," and lead a lab for the "Herbs and Food" class. I know these experiences will be a wonderful boost to my career.
