Donald I. Abrams, MD is an integrative oncologist at the University of California San Francisco Osher Center for Integrative Health. Early in his career he was an AIDS oncologist. When challenged to study cannabis for the AIDS wasting syndrome, he developed a strong appreciation of the power of plants as medicine that led him to pursue a fellowship from the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. The former Chief of Hematology-Oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, he retired in 2020 and is now a recalled Emeritus Professor of Medicine, continuing his integrative oncology clinics and group medical visits two mornings a week. He co-edited the Oxford University Press text, Integrative Oncology, with Dr. Weil and was on the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committee that produced The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. He is a past President of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

Oncologists are generally supportive of cannabis for ameliorating cancer and treatment- related symptoms despite having some concerns. A major issue is the belief held by some patients that cannabis can cure cancer. Although pre-clinical evidence is promising, human data is lacking. Fears that patients may develop cancer from use of cannabis, especially when inhaled, can be largely allayed. The feared risk of pulmonary aspergillosis is virtually non-existent. A valid concern is the possibility of cannabinoid:cancer therapy pharmacokinetic interactions mediated via cytochrome p450 isoforms, of greatest concern in patients electing to consume highly concentrated tinctures or oils of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and/or cannabidiol. Observational studies suggest that patients using cannabis while receiving check point inhibitor immunotherapy have significantly shorter survival than patients who do not. Patients and oncologists note improvement in pain, insomnia, anxiety, appetite and nausea despite the paucity of data generated from randomized clinical trials due to existing barriers to research.

Being in the right place at the right time can greatly influence career pathways. An Oncology Fellow working in Harold Varmus’ retrovirology lab, I tried to convince basic science colleagues to investigate in the disease that befell us in 1981. Unsuccessful there, so I became an AIDS Oncologist. With no effective treatment, I investigated many “alternative” therapies becoming the champion of complementary therapies in HIV. In 1992 I was challenged to study cannabis as a treatment for the AIDS wasting syndrome. Thus began a 5-year struggle with the government that eventually was rewarded with a million dollars and 1400 government “joints” to study. Cannabis research gave me a strong appreciation of the power of plants as medicine which took me to the Telluride Mushroom Festival where I learned from Andrew Weil of the fellowship in Integrative Medicine that I subsequently pursued and became an integrative oncologist. Stories will be shared!

Dr. Adrian holds a bachelors degree in chemistry from the University of Calgary and then completed her post-graduate training in naturopathic medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (Now CCNM Boucher campus). She subsequently completed a one-year general residency, followed by a fellowship in naturopathic oncology. Dr. Adrian has a private practice in Port Moody, BC, with a focus in supporting people through their cancer and complex chronic disease journey. Education remains one of Dr. Adrian’s passions and she has lectured internationally to her peers, as well as at many of the naturopathic medical schools.

Complex Chronic Disease – what is included in this diagnostic umbrella and how do we identify these patients so they can be treated appropriately. These are the patients who inevitably have multiple layers of dysfunction and multiple causative factors. They have often been ill for a long time and are often only marginally improved by treatments you expect to help. What are the hallmark symptoms of the major contributors to illness, and how can these present in patients. Various infections, toxins, and other contributors to disease can create multilayer symptom pictures – what patterns can we see. A constellation approach to diagnosis – the details are important, but not as important as how they are interrelated in the big picture. How do we conceptualize this, a shift in diagnostic perspective is essential for these patients. Creating treatment strategies by identifying intersecting pathophysiology and repairing damaged systems – treating the cause is important, but not more so than repairing the broken systems that allowed the illness to occur in the first place. We will discuss some strategies for creating treatment plans to support these patients; there is no algorithm, but we can hold a big picture for treatment and refine for each individual patient.

After prior psychotherapy training, Dr. Michael Ancharski graduated from NCNM with an N.D. in 1979, followed by a 2 year residency in Natural Childbirth Obstetrics and Family Practice (He was the very first Naturopathic Resident!) He co-founded the Natural childbirth and Family Clinic (and First Licensed Naturopathic Birthing center in Portland, Oregon) and also co-founded with Ed Alstat the Eclectic Institute Natural products and Herb company. Dr. Ancharski taught OB and Peds for many years at both NCNM and Southwest Naturopathic Medical Schools. He has assisted women in the deliveries of over 2,000 babies including his 4 children. For the past 24 years Dr. Ancharski has maintained a general practice in Kauai, including the care of pregnant women and keiki patients.

Dr. Michael Ancharski (N.D.) gives practical advice on commonly encountered obstetric and pediatric conditions including Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches.

Peter Bongiorno, N.D., L.Ac.’s passion is to bringing effective naturopathic healing to the practice of mental health. He established thriving practices in NY City and Long Island in 2004. Prior to earning his naturopathic doctorate from Bastyr University, he researched at the National Institutes of Mental Health and Yale University studying stress and the HPA axis. He authored the first integrative medicine textbook for depression (2008), numerous publications, and three more books on mental health for both healthcare practitioners and patients alike, including the essential depression self-help book How Come They’re Happy and I’m Not? and Put Anxiety Behind You: The Complete Drug Free Program (Red Wheel/Conari), as well as the professional text published by Norton: Holistic Solutions for Anxiety and Depression. Besides naturopathic medicine, Peter feels like his best self while playing the drums and spending time with his daughter Sophia. Learn more and connect with Dr. Bongiorno: www.drpeterbongiorno.com

Want to know what you need to know for mental health? Save yourself some time and analysis listen to Peter’s review. With anxiety, depression, bipolarity and suicide at their highest rates ever, conventional care needs an infusion of naturopathic medicine more than ever. Dr. Peter will deliver great information in an easy-to-use format that you can take to your patients the next day. Dr. Bongiorno will share the most up to date information on the newest mental health statistics, the lab tests you need to know, and specific protocols and therapies you can use. You will receive concise, clinically immediate and transferable protocols based on the latest evidence as well as his 21 years of experience in New York City.

Most patients that come in for mood disorders are already on some kind of mood altering drug. While sometimes drugs can be helpful, in many cases, these drugs make it more difficult to heal the underlying issues. Dr. Peter will take you through a few cases and illustrate how to approach patients on antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs and how to get them off these medications.

Dr. Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH has over 20 years of experience presenting research on the intersection between Public Health and Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH), with an emphasis on cardiometabolic risk and health promotion. He is an Associate Professor in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the University of California, San Diego where he teaches Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Health Promotion to Public Health students, and a Senior Investigator at the National University of Natural Medicine. Dr. Bradley received his ND from Bastyr University in 2003 and his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University of Washington in 2009. After completing a residency, Dr. Bradley completed 8 years of NIH-funded clinical research training, including 5 years in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Washington. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts and is an Investigator on 5 active NIH grants. In 2022, he was appointed as the licensed CIH representative to the Board of Governors of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Cannabis sativa is a potent herbal medicine, with numerous potentially beneficial applications in clinical care. Yet, with increasing medical and recreational access to Cannabis, some concerns are increasing related to its cardiovascular health effects. Increasing epidemiologic evidence suggests Cannabis use is associated with arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and premature cardiovascular mortality. Yes, recent evidence suggests some of the risk may be overstated. This presentation will summarize the state of new science from 2023 to the end of 2024 related to the cardiovascular health effects of Cannabis, including potential mechanisms directly related to cannabinoid receptor function, and route type of administration.

Microplastic has been detected in everything from testicular tissue, coronary atheromas, and neonatal blood samples, to coastal sea breezes. But what are the known health implications of ubiquitous exposure to microplastics? This presentation will review recent observation and experimental evidence regarding the human health risks of microplastic exposure, with an emphasis on reproductive and cardiometabolic risks. The presentation will conclude with strategies to reduce or eliminate plastic exposure, including common household sources as well as filtration or binding strategies.

Dr. Cochran has a passion for education, guidance and outside the box therapies. Dr. Cochran received his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He founded Interactive Health Clinic, with specialty focuses in functional/biological medicine, pain management therapies, integrative oncology, and healthy aging. He is an expert in his field on therapeutic injections and intravenous therapies. He has served as the medical fellow/director of intravenous therapy at the Bastyr Integrative Oncology Research Center (BIORC), Bastyr University’s cancer research center. Dr. Cochran is well known worldwide as a lecturer with International IV Therapy for Professionals a group that specializes in educating physicians on intravenous nutrient therapy. He is also an instructor of many therapeutic injections and strong passion for ozone therapies. He has an active consulting business with H.E.R.O.E.S and OCBM where he coaches physicians and professionals on optimized systems for best results. As a keynote speaker and content creator, Dr. Cochran is dedicated to empowering doctors to build successful models in outcome-based medicine.

Dr. JJ completed his PhD in Pharmacy Sciences at the University of Toronto. He has co-authored 2 books on pregnancy safety and one book on diabetes. Dr. JJ has many peer-reviewed scientific publications published or in press. He is a world expert on natural health products pharmacology and pregnancy safety. Local and nationwide print and television media frequently consult him to provide expert commentary.

Dr. JJ is an avid public speaker. Dr. JJ has given presentations nationally and internationally, including presentations at the World Health Organization in Washington DC and at conferences in Canada, US, China and Hong Kong.

There are several different applications for glutathione. Which is the best current delivery method and ways we can support bodies production of glutathione.

This course will cover the how to approach mitochondrial focused diseases using intravenous agents. We will review the pharmacology, mechanisms of action and how to administer. You will understand safe delivery of each nutrient and an example protocol of combining these IV deliverables

Dr. Boyd Daughtrey holds a BA in Psychology of Healing from Naropa University. While working as a therapist was rewarding, she found that the whole person must be engaged in the healing process. She then completed the Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine program at Bastyr University in 1999. Completing a 2-year residency in Naturopathic primary care at Emerald City Clinic in Seattle prepared her well for the challenges and rewards of her 20 year family practice in rural Hawaii. Dr Daughtrey is happily married to Donald Daughtrey, the general manager of their 2 clinics, Mountain Apple Medicine and Apple A Day Primary Care. The Daughtrey’s breed and train Icelandic horses for equine therapy and train clinic therapy dogs. They have raised 4 wonderful children on their farm in the deep forests of the Big Island.

We will take a dive into what is currently known and unknown about the benefits and risks of several extremely restrictive food plans that are trending today. Discussion will include brief summaries of the current research and observations from my medical practice on veganism, the ketogenic diet, and the ‘carnivore’ diet. If time allows, insight into the psychological drivers of extreme dieting behavior will also be discussed. Included will be a summary of the progress of ‘The Carnivore Diet Nutritional Assay Project’, an in-house clinical research project currently underway at Mountain Apple Medicine and Apple A Day Primary Care. Our clinics are conducting a study on the functional nutritional adequacy of the carnivore diet as compared to a Mediterranean omnivorous diet. We are enrolling participants following a ‘carnivore’ diet for at least 3 months with age and gender matched Mediterranean diet controls. The study involves a pre and post diet health assessment questionnaire, physical exam, and basic lab work and a post diet RBC Cellular Micronutrient Assay on 5-10 carnivore diet patients and controls.

What is behind the autoimmune epidemic? Conventional medical thought posits that autoimmune disease is a complex and mysterious mistake of the immune system. Logically then, conventional treatment of autoimmune disease is suppressive to the misbehaving immune system. This strategy can produce short-term impressive symptom amelioration, but in this view of autoimmune disease the condition is ultimately progressive and incurable. However, a minor but significant body of research points to a different, more hopeful view of Autoimmune disease. This talk will explore the intracellular chronic infection and molecular mimicry theories of autoimmune disease. I will present our in-house case study results, involving 7 years of applying a Naturopathic interpretation of the healing strategies of the Autoimmunity Research Foundation, the Arthritis Trust of America and the Marshall Protocol. Case studies include those with Sarcopenia, Hashimoto’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma and SLE. This talk will explore a viable alternative and novel treatment concept for autoimmune diseases, one that allows hope for cure rather than progression.

Alena Guggenheim is a Naturopathic Physician with a passion for helping patients that don’t fit neatly in the medical box. Medicine is in her genes as a 4th generation physician, but she brings a new approach in which seemingly unrelated symptoms are approached within the context of the whole person.

In 2015 she started working for a technology driven health care system working with a collaborative multidisciplinary team. Dr. Guggenheim became the go to provider when patients had complex symptoms in many systems and started to notice that many patients had undiagnosed hypermobile connective tissue diseases. Helping to understand and treat these diseases has become her passion.

Currently, Dr Guggenheim sees patients at the Oregon Health Sciences University Comprehensive Pain Center with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and related syndromes.

When not seeing patients Dr. Guggenheim enjoys spending time in nature with her family and riding horses

Addressing chronic pain presents many challenges and we are all too familiar with situations where our tools to address pain just don’t work. Perhaps this is driven in part because we are working in an outdated model of pain: neuropathic versus nociceptive versus inflammatory. This series of talks seeks to educate integrative providers about the new neuroscience of pain. A new perspective will be explored through a dynamic interchange between two pain centered providers who approach neuroplastic pain from different vantage points. The mutual goal is to create biological and nervous system safety in patients that feel the opposite in their bodies.

Dr. Gurm has been a practicing Naturopathic Physician since 2005. A graduate of UBC and CCNM, Dr. Gurm is also a fellow to the American board of naturopathic oncology. In 2007, she founded Port Moody Health – Integrative Medicine & Cancer Care, a multidisciplinary and collaborative healthcare centre. The clinic offers some of the most advanced and progressive therapies, including local-regional hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy and photobiomodulation. The team consists of naturopathic physicians, nurses, residents and other support staff. Dr. Gurm has presented at several conferences, including the AAMP Oncology conference in 2023, the OncANP conference in 2020 and 2024, the International Society of Laser Applications conference, Health Masters Live and has been a guest on several podcasts including the Anti-Cancer Revolution. Between 2016-2022 Dr. Gurm was the curriculum director and clinical professor for the integrative oncology program at CCNM-BINM, teaching naturopathic medical students the foundations of integrative oncology. The clinic serves as a teaching site for students and is a CNME-accredited naturopathic oncology residency site. Dr. Gurm is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) and presently serves on the National Medical Advisory Board for CytoMatrix.

This lecture will have a focus on anorectal and prostate cancers, with a discussion on the standard-of-care approach and the challenges experienced by patients and clinicians with SOC alone and proposed integrative management/treatment solutions. The application of novel treatment strategies will be discussed, including PDT and local-regional hyperthermia, in tandem with other complementary therapies to improve the rate of complete response, avoid the need for surgery and prevent recurrence. Dr. Gurm will present the clinical data supporting complementary therapies, along with several case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel integrative approach.

Dr. Stefani Hayes, ND, LAc is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Stefani loves offering a collaborative model of care to her patients. Her practice focuses on addressing women’s health and fertility concerns from an integrative, holistic perspective. Dr. Williams and Dr. Hayes have enjoyed collaborating in teaching and patient care for nearly 15 years, for the benefits of their patients and their students.

Do a deep dive with integrative care specialists, Dr. Williams and Dr. Hayes, on proactive and collaborative endometriosis management. This chronic condition is like a chimera with multiple ways it can hide behind the guise of other conditions, including SIBO/IBS, pelvic floor dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, and unexplained infertility. Not only do these conditions mask endometriosis and complicate the internal landscape of this condition, but they also need to be managed in their own right. Lost in years of confusion and struggle, patients often wait 8 years, on average, before receiving a formal diagnosis. Unfortunately for many, even once diagnosed, they can continue to struggle. Find out how to collaboratively manage these patients for their wellness throughout their entire menstruating years. Learn when to recommend surgery if needed and how to avoid it when possible. Understand the benefits of combining western and natural medicines together to manage endometriosis and all its concomitant conditions. Learn numerous treatment techniques and tips for diagnosis, symptom management and long-term disease stability, to improve patients’ fertility, minimize pain, optimize GI wellness, and maintain pelvic anatomy. Numerous clinical pearls will be shared through chronic case management examples.

Kristi Morlan-Hughes, ND, IFMCP, FMCHC has dedicated her professional path to the study and practice of natural medicine. After graduating from the National College of Natural Medicine, she launched her original private practice in 1997 in MN. Dr Kristi’s educational and clinical offerings embrace a root-cause care approach to managing mystery illnesses, medical challenges, post-pandemic viral fatigue syndromes, auto-immmune challenges, personalized nutrigenomics lifestyle coaching, and provides patient advocacy for those dealing with chronic diseases striving to get the most out of their health care team and the medical system.

Dr. Morlan-Hughes served as a Director of Medical Education at IFM for a decade, where she was responsible for the development of medical education, nutrition-oriented resources, practice implementation solutions, and clinical tools to support patient education. She continue to support IFM as Core Faculty for AFMCP and advanced clinical facilitations.

As a foundational developer, original Advisory Board Member, and 2021 FMCA graduate, Dr. Kristi remains engaged in the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy to this day. She participates in various educational events, conferences, and summits around the world that support the growth of natural medicine, health coaching, and lifestyle care.

Mold exposure and mycotoxin toxicity pose significant challenges to health, often
overlooked or misdiagnosed in clinical settings. The post-viral era has increased the prevalence and discovery of mold-related health concerns. This workshop aims to equip healthcare practitioners with comprehensive, integrative approaches to identify, treat, and support patients affected by mold exposure and the clinical sequalae that include the nuances of mold-related illnesses, Chronic Inflammatory Response System (CIRS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Mold-related illnesses are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to chronic health issues, inflammation, hyper-responsive allergenicity, and autonomic dysregulation. Identifying mold exposure and effectively managing its impact on health require a multifaceted approach integrating various
disciplines of medicine.

Dr. Price is a 1998 graduate of Bastyr University in Naturopathic Medicine and holds a certificate of Biomedical Regulatory Affairs from the University of Washington. Prior to becoming a licensed Naturopathic Physician, she started her professional career as a research biochemist. Dr. Price has been practicing naturopathic medicine in the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years and is a National Institute of Health Research Fellow in immunology and oncology, and author of three conventionally-published books. She has been engaged in basic science laboratory, and clinical trials research involving medicinal mushrooms for close to 30 years. She was appointmented to the Washington State Psilocybin Task Force, is the founder of Washington State BIPOC Psilocybin Collective, and has served as the first consultant to Mycomedica Lifesciences (Paul Stamets/Pam Kryskow). She currently practices at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington, and in the recent past was a proud member of the Alpine Integrated Medicine clinic in Redmond, Washington. Dr. Price is also a professional playwright, and has enjoyed foraging culinary mushrooms for the past 15 years in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms have long been consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies long before their use was recorded by the Spanish in the 16th Century despite efforts to destroy evidence of their use. South American Aztec Indians referred to them as teonanacatl, meaning ‘god’s flesh, and they used them in religious and healing rituals. In 1958, Albert Hofman isolated psilocybin from these mushrooms and it ushered in western use and investigation. With Western discovery and more recently the renaissance of their use, questions around access and ethical use have emerged. This talk will review the indigenous history of use, western discovery, differences in medicinal application, access and ethics of use.

Since the western discovery of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, scientists have attempted to understand their mechanism of action and safety. In addition, they have used this information to discover appropriate indications. In this talk we’ll review the safety, and the fascinating mechanism of action of psilocybin. We’ll also review current research and indications, as well as research gaps and reasons for these gaps.

Dr. DeJarra K. Sims, known by her patients as Dr. DJ, is a Naturopathic Doctor, published author, and prolific speaker. She earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from Prairie View A&M University and her doctorate from Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Phoenix. She has served as an assistant professor and core faculty member at Bastyr University California, teaching dermatology and business practices, and as a former adjunct clinical professor at Sonoran University. Dr. DJ founded Superhero Skincare, a virtual clinic aimed at helping women rediscover their identities and unleash their inner superheroes. Through personalized treatment plans, she enhances liver health, balances hormones, and supports digestion for those suffering from acne. A sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. DJ has presented at medical conferences and Comic-Con. Her training in improvisational comedy at The Finest City Improv in San Diego and The Second City in Hollywood enables her to deliver lively, engaging presentations that captivate audiences while educating them.

Join Dr. DeJarra K. Sims, ND, as she reveals her comprehensive framework for effectively treating chronic skin conditions. Tailored for primary care naturopathic doctors, this high-energy session will provide a strategic approach to integrating naturopathic therapies with a focus on chronic skin issues. Attendees will delve into the gut-brain-skin connection, understanding how these interrelationships impact skin health. Dr. Sims will share innovative protocols that align with your existing knowledge, offering actionable strategies and case studies to enhance patient outcomes. You’ll walk away with a clear, actionable framework for transforming the skin health of your patients and setting your practice apart, ready to implement these strategies immediately.

Want to supercharge your DEI initiatives in healthcare? Join Dr. DeJarra K. Sims, ND, for a high-energy, hands-on session where you’ll learn game-changing strategies to foster empathy, improve communication, and build inclusive teams. Through dynamic, interactive exercises, you’ll break down barriers and create a culture of collaboration. This isn’t your typical training—get ready for an experience that will transform how you approach DEI in your practice.

Kate Smith received her Naturopathic Doctorate degree from the National College of Natural Medicine and is a certified Holistic Pelvic Care™ practitioner. She is certified in diagnosing and treating neuroplastic pain conditions and is certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). Her personal journey with chronic pain created an opportunity to study mind body medicine whole-heartedly. She brings a holistic, compassionate and trauma-informed approach into her practice to help others experience healing and freedom from chronic conditions. She currently lives and practices in Portland, Oregon.

Addressing chronic pain presents many challenges and we are all too familiar with situations where our tools to address pain just don’t work. Perhaps this is driven in part because we are working in an outdated model of pain: neuropathic versus nociceptive versus inflammatory. This series of talks seeks to educate integrative providers about the new neuroscience of pain. A new perspective will be explored through a dynamic interchange between two pain centered providers who approach neuroplastic pain from different vantage points. The mutual goal is to create biological and nervous system safety in patients that feel the opposite in their bodies.

Sarah has been practicing in Hilo since 2007. She enjoys gardening, bee keeping, hiking, and outrigger paddling with her husband and two daughters.

In this presentation, we will speak about the roll that primary care physicians can play in screening, diagnosing, and managing type 1 diabetics and would like to review recent research in the search for a cure.

Dr. Tanji holds licenses in both naturopathic medicine and mental health counseling in Washington, with a unique blend of expertise that sets him apart. A proud alumnus of Bastyr University, he integrates his knowledge of sports nutrition and exercise science into holistic therapy and psychiatry. A significant milestone in his career was his tenure at reSTART Life PLLC, the first residential treatment center in the U.S. dedicated to addressing Internet and Video Game addiction, where he honed his skills in managing digital dependencies. Distinguished as a fellow from the Medical Academy of Pediatrics with Special Needs (MAPS), Dr. Tanji pioneers biomedical treatments for Autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. He also mentors the next generation of healers as adjunct faculty at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health. Recognized for his expertise, Dr. Tanji frequently speaks at professional conferences. Outside of work, he enjoys the great outdoors with his two children, often fishing and camping.

The presentation “The Neurological Consequences of Screen Addiction: Unveiling a Hidden Impact on Pediatric Development” explores the intricate relationship between excessive screen time and its impact on the neurological development of children. It sheds light on the often-overlooked consequences of screen addiction, delving into the ways in which prolonged exposure to screens can affect the developing brains of young individuals. Through a comprehensive analysis of scientific research and case studies, the presentation elucidates the neurological mechanisms underlying screen addiction and its detrimental effects on pediatric development. It highlights how excessive screen time can disrupt neural pathways, impair cognitive functions, and hinder emotional regulation in children. Moreover, the presentation addresses the hidden nature of these neurological consequences, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness and implementing preventive measures. It underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to mitigate the impact of screen addiction on pediatric neurological development. By uncovering the hidden neurological consequences of screen addiction, this presentation aims to empower stakeholders with knowledge and strategies to promote healthy screen habits and optimize the neurological well-being of children.

Dr. Megan Taylor practices Naturopathic Gastroenterology at Neighborhood Naturopathic & Primary Care, her clinic in Seattle, WA, serving both adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Taylor earned her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. She completed two years of post-graduate residency training in primary care and naturopathic gastroenterology, and is well-versed in the evaluation and management of a number of specific digestive conditions including GERD, gastroparesis and other motility disorders, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBS and other functional digestive disorders, SIBO, fungal dysbiosis, food allergies and intolerances, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and chronic constipation, among others. She serves as adjunct faculty at Bastyr University, teaching the gastroenterology curriculum. She leads small group mentorship series throughout the year which can be found at megantaylornd.com, and enjoys lecturing and teaching across the country and online. She is a proud member and former board member of the Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (GastroANP.org).

Visceral hypersensitivity (VH) is not a new concept, but an essential one for understanding the mechanisms behind Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia. It has been easy to overlook this complicated and complicating condition in our professions’ focus on underlying dysbiosis conditions (ie, SIBO, IFO) and motility disorders, but understanding how to recognize and treat VH is essential to treating the complicated GI patient. This presentation will quickly review some of the key new research insights into the pathomechanisms behind the development of VH, empower clinicians to recognize it clinically, and develop an evidence-based., multi-pronged approach for treatment which can unlock

“Microbiome Restoration” feels like THE current pop wellness topic on the internet, with patients clamoring for the “right” approaches and no shortage of available products marketed for the purpose. The necessity for tools to restore gut-based microbial communities is obvious; nearly all major disease processes, from autoimmunity to cardiometabolic disease to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s have been associated with various forms of dysbiosis. And persistent and recurrent dysbiosis can keep many of our GI patients stuck on what feels like a never-ending merry-go-round of treatments. Understanding how to rebalance the health of our gut microbial ecosystem is essential! But just how much do we actually know about HOW to do this? What role do pre-, pro-, and post-biotics play in attempts at microbiome restoration and how effective are they, really? This presentation will explore the currently available research on commonly utilized microbiome restoration techniques in clinical practice, discuss tips for developing patient-oriented and evidence-informed treatment protocols, and highlight key gaps in our current knowledge around how to achieve the very important and very lofty goal of “Microbiome Restoration”.

Dr. Lara Williams, MD is a Board Certified OBGYN and Integrative Medicine physician, with a Master’s Degree in Integrative Health. She is an Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioner. She has completed multiple certifications in homeopathy and acupuncture. Dr. Williams is the managing partner of The Oregon Clinic – OBGYN North location, where she provides a holistic approach to women’s health care issues including obstetrics. She has helped train MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs and NDs through many programs in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Stefani Hayes, ND, LAc is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Stefani loves offering a collaborative model of care to her patients. Her practice focuses on addressing women’s health and fertility concerns from an integrative, holistic perspective. Dr. Williams and Dr. Hayes have enjoyed collaborating in teaching and patient care for nearly 15 years, for the benefits of their patients and their students.

Do a deep dive with integrative care specialists, Dr. Williams and Dr. Hayes, on proactive and collaborative endometriosis management. This chronic condition is like a chimera with multiple ways it can hide behind the guise of other conditions, including SIBO/IBS, pelvic floor dysfunction, interstitial cystitis, and unexplained infertility. Not only do these conditions mask endometriosis and complicate the internal landscape of this condition, but they also need to be managed in their own right. Lost in years of confusion and struggle, patients often wait 8 years, on average, before receiving a formal diagnosis. Unfortunately for many, even once diagnosed, they can continue to struggle. Find out how to collaboratively manage these patients for their wellness throughout their entire menstruating years. Learn when to recommend surgery if needed and how to avoid it when possible. Understand the benefits of combining western and natural medicines together to manage endometriosis and all its concomitant conditions. Learn numerous treatment techniques and tips for diagnosis, symptom management and long-term disease stability, to improve patients’ fertility, minimize pain, optimize GI wellness, and maintain pelvic anatomy. Numerous clinical pearls will be shared through chronic case management examples.

Michael Traub, ND, DHANP, CCH, FABNO was the first naturopathic physician in contemporary times to be appointed to a hospital staff: North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH). He served as chairman of the Integrated Healing Committee from the opening of the hospital in 1996 until 2001, and succeeded in gaining approval for the natural medicine formulary in the hospital, including botanical, nutritional and homeopathic medicines. In 1998 he developed the Hawaii Residency Training Program and continues to serve as the Residency Program Director. He has conducted numerous research projects including a pilot study on integrative treatment for breast cancer. 

From 2001-2003, Dr. Traub served as President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). In 2006, he was honored by the AANP as “Physician of the Year.”

Since 1986, Dr. Traub has been director of an integrative health care center (Ho‘o Lokahi) in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University.