Katherine Anderson, ND, FABNO – Naturopathic Practitioner

A naturopathic practitioner at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center, Katherine Anderson is part of a unique approach to patient care. She and her team of naturopaths work with the oncologists to complement patients’ traditional cancer treatments with natural therapies, such as nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and counseling.

A Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), Anderson received her advanced training from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. She graduated from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Additionally, Anderson completed a naturopathic medicine residency at CTCA at Southwestern. CTCA operates the only cancer hospitals in the United States that offer a Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) certified residency program, sponsored through Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington.

Anderson's professional healthcare experience and involvement in community programs demonstrates her personal commitment to patient care and education. Prior to joining CTCA, she spent several years as a Women’s Health Educator at the University of Toronto.

Anderson was also a clinical intern at the AIDS/Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto, and the primary organizer of Women’s Health Awareness Week in Toronto, which involved workshops aimed at increasing knowledge about violence against women. She has also participated in Our Journey of Hope^SM, a community-based integrative medicine outreach program.

Anderson belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Holistic Medical Association, American Association of Naturopathic Medicine, Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and the Society of Integrative Oncology. She is also president of the Oklahoma Association of Naturopathic Physicians and was a recipient of the Swiss Herbal Remedies Bursary in recognition of "Excellence in the Promotion of Women's Health."

Anderson joined the Naturopathic Medicine Department at CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in 2004. When asked what she likes best about working at CTCA, Anderson says it is the exceptional care CTCA provides patients. "CTCA provides a health sanctuary that embodies hope, allows for healing and empowers the patient to be active in their care. The commitment each employee has to delivering "the mother standard of care" to our patients is amazing! We truly are the best place to work in Oklahoma," she says.

Anderson and the other naturopaths on her team work closely with the other members of a patient's care team to create individualized naturopathic medical plans for patients, and to provide comprehensive care. These naturopathic treatment plans include natural health products and therapeutics. Anderson says her team's goal is to strengthen the patient's immune system, manage the side effects of their conventional treatments and aid with detoxification.

Anderson and the naturopaths on her team provide several special services for patients at Southwestern, including:

• A weekly naturopathic education class
• Weekend naturopathic appointments
• Involvement with Our Journey of Hope^SM lay ministry training
• Participation in "Comfort Rounds" for hospitalized patients
• Ongoing clinical research (i.e., prostate cancer research)
• Monthly Journal Club (developed by Dr. Ketterl)
• Acupuncture and acupressure treatments

In addition, Anderson says Southwestern's Naturopathic Medicine Department is innovative and constantly searching for new complementary therapies to offer patients.

Anderson says her overall goal is to "provide patients with a clear and concise understanding of naturopathic medicine and for them to feel supported in using natural therapies as a powerful part of their cancer fighting plan."