Contributors

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Host

Lauren Young, N.D.

Dr. Lauren Young is a naturopathic physician and the founder of Collaborative Natural Health Partners, a medical group of board-certified family medicine doctors and naturopathic physicians committed to a whole-person, integrative approach to health and wellness. 

As the only hospital-affiliated naturopathic group in Connecticut, Collaborative Natural Health Partners sets the standard for connecting conventional and integrative medicine across their five offices.

Dr. Young has been empowering patients as well as elevating naturopathic and integrative medicine for over 15 years.  Inspired by her late mother, an educator struggling with multiple sclerosis, Dr. Young strives to help patients find their power with their health by understanding their bodies and utilizing functional and lifestyle medicine. 


https://www.ctnaturalhealth.com/care-team/dr-lauren-young/
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Co-host

Ashley Burkman, N.D.

Dr. Ashley Burkman is a naturopathic physician who helps patients uncover the root causes of their health concerns and create sustainable paths toward healing. 

Her own struggles with chronic skin issues and fatigue taught her the power of food as medicine, an approach she now brings to her patients every day. Dr. Burkman has a special interest in autoimmunity, hormonal health, neurological conditions, and nutrition-based care. She is a Wahls Protocol® Certified Health Professional and has completed advanced fellowship training in restorative neurology.

Her passion for neurological health, particularly multiple sclerosis, is inspired by her mother’s experience with the disease. This personal connection shapes her mission to empower patients with knowledge, tools, and hope for healthier living.

https://www.ctnaturalhealth.com/care-team/dr-ashley-burkman/

Guests

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Guest

David Merrill, MD, PhD

David A. Merrill, MD, PhD, is a double-board certified adult and geriatric psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is director of the Pacific Brain Health Center (PBHC) at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute. His practice, educational, and research activity focus on the Precision Brain Health Program (PBHP), applying precision medicine approaches to optimize brain aging in middle-aged and older adults at risk for and with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s (PD). He also directs the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) consult service at PBHC for depression and cognition.

https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/david-merrill/

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Heather Sandison, ND

Dr. Heather Sandison is the NYT bestselling author of “Reversing Alzheimer’s The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health”. She is a renowned naturopathic doctor specializing in neurocognitive medicine and the founder of Solcere Health Clinic, a premier brain optimization clinic based in San Diego, and Marama, a residential program changing memory care to memory recovery.

Dr. Sandison is dedicated to supporting those suffering with dementia and is the primary author of peer reviewed research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. She is shattering common misconceptions about Alzheimer’s teaching lifestyle change protocols that keep your brain sharp at any age.

https://www.drheathersandison.com/

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Jeffrey Thompsen M.D.

Doctor Jeffrey Thompsen is currently the Division Chief of Cardiology and President of Medical Staff at Johnson Memorial Hospital. He has many distinguished board certifications including Internal Medicine, bachelorarbeit schreiben lassen erfahrung, Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology, and Echocardiography/TEE. Doctor Thompsen has been a long time member of the American College of Cardiology FELLOW, American Heart Association, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and American Society of Echocardiography. Specialized interests of Doctor Thompsen include preventative cardiology, Ischemic Heart Disease in Women, CHF, Stress ECHO for non-ischemic indications (i.e. Diastolic CHF and Valvular Heart Disease)

https://ctrhheart.com/providers/

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Shawn Brady, PA-C

Shawn has foundations in prehospital emergency medicine, hospital based emergency medicine as well as hospitalist and critical care. He has been a clinician at the Center for the Healthy Heart since 2012. Besides providing the standard cardiovascular care, he has come to thrive in the field of preventive and integrative cardiology. He enjoys helping patients evaluate the root cause of their “dis-ease” process and facilitates the mitigation of chronic illness. He uses evidence based integrative and functional medicine to fully evaluate each patient and helps empower them to take charge of their health and wellness. With the use of advanced biomarkers and state of the art testing modalities he practices precision medicine and truly believes in the individualized treatment of each patient as a “one size fits all” plan seldomly works to combat chronic illness.

https://ctrhheart.com/providers/

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Terry Wahls, M.D.

Dr. Terry Wahls is more than a doctor. She’s an educator, a speaker, an author, and she’s also a patient. In 2000, she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wahls was determined not to let the disease control her life, so she began doing her own research. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol® — a therapeutic diet and lifestyle program that focuses on functional medicine and nutrient-rich foods. Learn more about Dr. Terry Wahls’ story and her work here.

https://terrywahls.com/