Naturopathic Medicine: Team
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The naturopathic medicine team
As Director of Naturopathic Medicine, Michelle Qaqundah, ND, FABNO, leads the team of naturopathic clinicians at CTCA at Eastern Regional Medical Center. A Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology, Qaqundah brings extensive clinical experience and training to her role. After earning a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree, Qaqundah completed a two-year hospital-based residency in naturopathic oncology at CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center and has since worked extensively in patient care.
In addition to Qaqundah, the team includes four other naturopathic clinicians, Aminah Keats, ND, Erica Koch, ND, Heather Wright, ND, and David Allderdice, ND. Each holds a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from a doctoral-level program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. In addition, two have also completed residency programs in naturopathic oncology.
Furthermore, upon joining CTCA, each naturopathic clinician is required to complete an extensive training process that includes rotations with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists.
“The CTCA model of care is very unique and it is important to give each provider the opportunity to receive extensive training so that they will excel in patient care,” says Qaqundah.
Collaboration among your care team
The naturopathic team meets every morning for “alignment.” During these meetings, they share a moment to reflect on the hospital’s Vision, Mission, Values and Promise to our patients. They also use this time to review schedules, discuss any specific patient issues, and agree on goals for the day. The team also meets monthly to review new data, studies and naturopathic therapies.
In addition to working together, the naturopathic medicine team works hand-in-hand with your oncologist and other members of your CTCA cancer care team. “We are one big integrative team. Our patients are automatically scheduled with all of the complementary medicine clinicians so that the patient is aware of the resources available to them. We can each focus on a different aspect of their care so every patient receives well-rounded treatment,” says Qaqundah.
Clinicians are accessible to one another because everyone is located under one roof and shares the same Electronic Health Record, which transmits patient information in real time. “From the patient’s perspective, they know that we are communicating. It is very well integrated,” says Qaqundah.
Additionally, three times a week, the naturopathic team attends endorsement meetings with all the clinical disciplines. During these meetings, your naturopathic clinician is able to exchange information with other members of your care team.
“There is always a lot of dialog among all of the departments in endorsement. Endorsement includes all of the clinicians—the oncologists, naturopathic clinicians, oncology nutritionists, mind-body therapists, spiritual counselors, nursing supervisors, etc. We discuss patient care as an entire team,” says Qaqundah.
The naturopathic team also participates in “Comfort Rounds” two times a week for inpatients. These visits occur in the patient’s hospital room and include the naturopathic clinicians, other CAM clinicians and support staff. Each of these modalities are available to the patients and family members to discuss physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, or other concerns as a team.
