Briefly describe your practice (business model):
Wellness consultation three days per week; writing and lecturing to lay and professional audiences in the United States and Canada.
How is natural medicine accepted in your region?
Very few have heard of my profession. Colorado is an unlicensed state. Many, however, appreciate having access to someone trained in "both worlds" with an appreciable level of accountability to the professional standards that are inherent within the licensing process. While we are not well known as a profession, we are certainly well tolerated by the local authorities.
What do you find to be the most interesting aspect of practicing?
Working with people that have "been everywhere else" to finally find the health, and consequently quality of life, that they have long searched for and worked toward.
What are your overall marketing strategies?
I network with local licensed professionals such as gynecologists and acupuncturists. I also lecture locally to the lay public on various health topics. Additionally, I maintained a health column in a local newspaper.
What keeps you motivated to practice?
Every day in my practice is like working to solve a fluid mosaic puzzle. The challenge is ongoing and changing. Therefore my interest in the work is easily maintained. I seem to have the most intelligent, interesting, motivated patients and interacting with them on a regular basis has its own merits. I spend my day working with wonderful people in a synergistic effort to improve their health and therefore the quality of their life. All this, and I make my living doing so. I think those of us who have chosen to work in the field of naturopathic medicine are truly blessed for this reason.
What’s next for you? Where would you like to place your energies?
Presently I am working with Dr. Smolinski, director of the Women’s Integrative Medicine Department at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, to personally fund a scholarship program for their elective classes in advanced gynecology. I would like to write books for the lay public and lecture internationally to the readers. Recently I have taken a "time out" from my political volunteerism (resigning from both the board of directors for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and from the presidency of the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians) in order to have a child. When I return to that volunteer work, I would like to serve specifically in the arena of education.
What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of healing?
Country and western partner dancing, gardening, gourmet cooking, travel for any reason anywhere, and snowboarding. Very soon, however, my primary interest will likely be our newborn son, Jordan. He is due to grace us with his presence on the 4th of July, 2003.
Carrie LouiseDaenell, ND ('98)