Markian Babij, ND – Naturopathic Practitioner
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“I like connecting with patients and showing them that I am here for them and that I care,” says Markian Babij, naturopathic practitioner at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center.
Babij earned his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. He completed an internship at an integrative medical office, which involved clinical rotations with cancer patients. His experience also includes individualized immunotherapy for chronic diseases.
Babij earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Manitoba in Canada. He attended premedical school at the University of Winnipeg and took classes at the Northwestern School of Homeopathic Medicine in Canada. He also spent time as a volunteer for the Hope Society for the blind in South Africa.
Babij holds an active license in naturopathic medicine in the state of Arizona. In his free time, Babij enjoys sports and traveling with his family, including canoeing and backpacking.
Babij joined Cancer Treatment Centers of America in 2007. “I liked that fact that CTCA incorporates naturopathic oncology perspectives,” he says. In addition, Babij also has an interest in helping cancer patients. Like many others, Babij says cancer has touched his family and many of his friends.
It is patient interaction that Babij enjoys most about his job. “I enjoy interacting with patients, empowering them with tools to move forward in life while experiencing a disease process that they can better understand. Knowledge is power for cancer patients as it often alleviates fear,” notes Babij.
Babij believes in Southwestern’s team approach to patient care. “A team approach is best; and that is what we have here,” he says. Babij says he and the rest of the naturopaths are able to interact regularly with each other, as well as with other Southwestern departments. “We have the ability to interact directly with oncologists. We have meetings in which we discuss current research and promote ideas for further research across departments.”
Aside from the oncologists, Babij says he and the rest of the naturopaths collaborate regularly with the nutrition, mind-body medicine and pastoral care departments as well. This interaction, he says, enables the naturopaths to concentrate on the best possible supplement regime for each patient. “Communication between these interdisciplinary departments is how new ideas come to be and this is exciting,” adds Babij.
He says his overall goal is to empower patients through education and provide them with an individualized treatment strategy. “Each patient is different and although many treatment regimes are standard, I like to be flexible with patients and provide the best possible plan for the current situation, taking into consideration finances, social support and familiarity with naturopathic medicine.”