I maintained an interest in these therapies, frequently incorporating them as I returned to my career in nursing as a home health nurse. As time went on I learned more about the use of essential oils, massage, and positive thinking. I continued to expand my knowledge of complementary therapies. After completing my degree as Family Nurse Practitioner, while working as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a private practice, my patients repeatedly asked me questions about alternative and complementary care options. I was still interested, and learned as much as I could about the benefits of Physical Therapy, Exercise, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathic, and other avenues of healing. I wanted to learn more, and began by becoming certified in First Line Therapy – so named because diet and exercise are the "first line therapy" for many problems, from hypertension to early diabetes. When I moved into work with the Vaccine Healthcare Center, I found many patients for whom allopathic medicine was not helpful, and I wanted to know more, taking distance courses from Dr Weil and Dr Low Dog through the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. When a position doing primary care and specialized diabetes care for diabetic patients opened I jumped eagerly into my current position. There are many complementary and alternative therapies that my current patients ask me about, and knowledge in advising them on how to make informed decisions regarding everything from fish oil to probiotics to bitter melon is important.

I am a member of the American Botanical Council, and I am currently becoming certified in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine, located in Gig Harbor, Washington. That is a 3-5 year process involving several intense seminars as well as independent study and practice in incorporating knowledge of the functioning of the human body at the cellular and chemical level and using that knowledge in affecting lifestyle and dietary changes as well as medications and supplements when indicated. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge, and use the knowledge daily in my work with Diabetic patients who have multiple problems.