Timothy C. Birdsall
Vice President of Integrative Medicine
Area of Expertise
- Generalist
- Integrative and whole-person model of care (combining conventional cancer treatment with complementary/alternative medicine)
- Complementary and alternative medicine programs at CTCA, including nutritional support, spiritual support, oncology rehabilitation, mind-body medicine (psychological support), naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, etc.
- Naturopathic medicine
Quote
“It is essential in cancer care to pay attention to the needs of the patient as a whole,” says Timothy Birdsall, ND, Vice President of Integrative Medicine for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). “A patient undergoing chemotherapy or radiation may be suffering in so many ways that in an effort to alleviate symptoms, they seek out alternative methods that, unbeknownst to them, may have adverse effects. For example, patients may take St. John’s Wort to lessen feelings of depression.”
Bio
In August 2009, Birdsall was honored as Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). He is a well-known lecturer and practitioner of naturopathic medicine.
Birdsall is a 1985 graduate of Bastyr University in Seattle, where he served on the faculty for five years. He is also a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology.
In January 2008, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt appointed Birdsall to serve a four-year term on the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Birdsall's professional achievements also include serving as Speaker of the House of Delegates and Vice President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). In addition, he is currently Vice President of the Oncology Academy of Naturopathic Physicians.
Birdsall was the founding Editor in Chief of Alternative Medicine Review, the first peer-reviewed medical journal edited by naturopathic doctors to be indexed on MEDLINE. He is also coauthor of the book, How To Prevent and Treat Cancer With Natural Medicine. Currently, he serves on the Editorial Consultants Board for the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies.
His extensive experience in the area of naturopathic medicine has been recognized by his listing in American Men and Women of Science, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, and Who's Who Registry of Global Business Leaders.
