Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor • January/February 2022 • Spotlight

Who are you? Dr. Whitney Baxter, naturopathic doctor, practising in Victoria, B.C., but I see people all over British Columbia.

What sets you apart in your profession? I used to be an exercise therapist in cardiac rehab. I noticed that people really need to be heard when it comes to their health. And I wanted to provide more of a platform for people to share their stories so I could look into their whole health history and help their lifestyle instead of just the exercise piece.

Where do you see the profession in 10 years? I would love it for it to be more integrated – it’s getting there for sure. But I would love to work with more MDs, just to have more of a referral base. We can help each other out in so many ways. We’re already getting there: Chiropractors, counsellors, massage therapists, acupuncturists... are all working together really well. We’re starting to see more medical doctors join those integrative clinics. When do you feel the most accomplished in your profession?

When people come back to me and say, “For the first time in a long time, I feel so much better.” Or, “I’m starting to love my body and really listen to it.” People just kind of start to tune in. And they’re doing all the hard work. I’m just listening to them and helping guide them to feeling their best.

How do you engage with your patients? I love to laugh. I like to get to know people and who they are as a human. I think a lot of naturopathic doctors are like that because we have so much more time with our patients. I’m pretty goofy so that side comes out, but I’m also a really curious person. I like to figure out what’s going on with my patients so we can find the root cause and just start to work from that space, we can find sustainable healing.

Why contribute to Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor? It’s a lot of our professions coming together and learning from each other. And I think that is just the best. And I love writing. I love sharing what I know and I love reading what other people are learning.

DR. ROMI FUNG, ND (Check out the March-April edition for Dr. Fung’s next article on pain)

Who are you? Dr. Romi Fung. I’m a practicing naturopathic physician in Richmond, British Columbia. I am a professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Boucher campus. I’m also a PhD student.

What sets you apart in your profession? My clinical interest is in dementia, and specifically Alzheimer’s disease, or Alzheimer’s dementia. Not many of us have this kind of focus. And I’m very intrigued by how the brain works with the body – how they connect.

Where do you see the profession in 10 years? I see the profession growing and flourishing. As naturopathic physicians, we have this unique position to be working with patients in their health. One of our naturopathic principles is prevention. I see that more of us are going to start getting recognized for our effort – about really wanting to find ways to build health rather than treat disease.

When do you feel most accomplished? When a patient comes in and says that whatever we’re doing has changed their life. I recently received an email from a patient I treated in 2018/2019. Even though we helped her with her digestive issues over two years ago, she still felt the need to update me, saying I wasn’t just a physician to her, but one that saved her life. It pleases me to know that I’m making a difference.

Why contribute to Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor? There is seemingly a gap in what I understand what chiropractic is, and what chiropractors understand what naturopathy is. While I continue to learn more about chiropractic through my practice, I continue to learn more through the magazine. Writing is an amazing opportunity to share knowledge and collaborative opportunities. I love to share, I love to teach, and I love to be the storyteller.

How do you engage with your patients? I believe the underlying factor that brings about the most success is to be able to teach my patients what’s going on. I’m not here just to tell the patient what to do. Of course, they’re here for my guidance. But I feel that patients walk out my doors understanding more about themselves rather than being more confused and having more questions regarding their condition. I can sit with confidence, knowing that there will be no question unanswered.

DR. ANTHONY J. LOMBARDI, DC (Turn to page 10 to read Dr. Lombardi’s column. He’s written for the magazine for over a decade!)

Who are you? Dr. Anthony Lombardi, a chiropractor and acupuncturist in Hamilton, Ontario.

What sets you apart in your profession? I created a unique assessment system for musculoskeletal care (EXSTORE). It’s unique because practitioners can assess through a series of questions and manual muscle tests, what the problem is, and how to go about treating it, but they do it within about 90 seconds. And that’s unique because, after that, you’re able to spend more time on treatment and better focus on the problem and cause subsequently get better results.

Where do you see the profession in 10 years? The profession comes from schools, and for the profession to evolve, the schools must also evolve. It’s good that people in the field act as mentors, and we can help shape the future, but ultimately it happens scholastically. So, if schools do things to better help the profession with respect to practice building and giving them more assistance, I think that the profession has a huge opportunity for success.

When do you feel the most accomplished in your practice? Personally, when I encounter a case, a patient that’s come to me that’s had a problem for a very long time – many years – and they’ve been to different health care practitioners of all kinds. And I’m able to see something that other people couldn’t or didn’t take the time to do so through the assessment and treatment.

Why contribute to Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor? Having someone there supporting and giving advice is good karma. And I think through writing we help others, but it also helps me personally to stay current and to stay relevant within the profession. Some chiropractors become isolated, so though writing and sharing, it helps everyone stay current.

How do you engage with your patients? Initially what I would always do is shake hands. The reason I do it is because chiropractic is a manual profession, right? I thought it broke the tension. So now, no handshakes. But what I still do when I enter the room is I tell the patient that it’s great to meet them, and say, “I promise, we’re going to take really good care of you here.” That’s something I think many people might not see, or they may not expect to hear.

DR. ERIK KLEIN, DC (Turn to page 20 for Dr. Klein’s opinion piece on Instagram and the profession.)

Who are you? Dr. Erik Klein, CEO of Town Health Solutions, practicing chiropractor. I’m located in Saint John, New Brunswick, practicing for 17 years.

What sets you apart in your profession? I’m looking to break down silos, taking away the lone wolf elements of what chiropractic has traditionally been. By having true integration, and being able to ensure that in the most patient-centered way possible, we can have the right tool for the right person.

Where do you see the profession in 10 years? I see the profession as more integrated. I think the strain on the medical system that’s been highlighted through COVID puts a spotlight on the opportunities that exist for community-based clinics. I foresee a much higher level of utilization because people simply know that we can’t rely on the capacity of the public health system.

When do you feel the most accomplished in your work? I feel the most accomplished when I see the chiropractors, physios and RMTs, and everyone else join our organization. I feel the most accomplished when I watch them be successful.

Why contribute to Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor? I feel it’s an opportunity to improve the credibility for our organization. I believe thought leadership is not something that you create yourself. I think it’s something that you create through peer and editorial review.

How do you engage with your patients? I get to know them. I make it about treatment as a whole person. Rather than just being too technical and jumping in and jumping out. I treat them as an individual in a very patient- centered manner. The patient knows it’s all about them and not just about making or driving revenue.

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