The doctor-patient relationship is vital in achieving the best possible health outcomes. For more than three decades, that philosophy has been central to Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic’s mission, which focuses on restoring patients’ energy and vitality that nature intended.
The clinic’s three new practitioners — Dr. Samantha Pryor, Dr. Autumn Dugas and Dr. Sierra Cortes — have aims on establishing relationships within their community that begin with understanding a patient’s health goals and charting a path that empowers them to reach those goals.
How can these practitioners channel a naturopathic approach that can help you live your healthiest life? Each of them offered their insights on that question.
Healing with empathy
A wife and mother, in addition to being a doctor, Dugas finds that her experiences as a Billings resident are an asset in helping her connect with patients.
“I’m not just a doctor in this community,” said Dugas. “Living here, being a spouse and parent here, it gives such a unique perspective and allows me to serve people from a professional standpoint and understand. Let’s say people are going through something with their little ones. I understand those foundational pieces of health that might be missing when their little ones haven’t been sleeping.”
Dugas treats patients across the spectrum of diseases but specializes in naturopathic oncology, collaborating with inter-professional colleagues to incorporate naturopathic, functional, conventional and holistic approaches when treating her patients.
Propping up patients
Pryor’s journey in patient care dates to her time as a health care specialist with the U.S. Army. While overseas, she encountered botanical medicines and her path toward being a naturopathic doctor took root from there.
She finds that educating patients on the science of healing is rewarding and can be beneficial to their health.
“I look at all the things a patient is experiencing, understanding what the root cause is, and educate them on why and how to modify behaviors,” Pryor said. “But we also want them to know this is not all or nothing. If you eat a piece of cake, it’s not the end of the world. Go have an apple. We’re here to help you live your best life and be a cheerleader as you forge a path toward it.”
Specializing in people
The newest member of the practice, Cortes is a first-year family medicine resident at the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic. A firm believer in meeting patients where they are, she likes to say that her “specialty is people.”
Cortes’ approach to patient care includes taking the time to listen, learn and empathize with each patient who comes in for a visit.
“My own experience growing up in the medical system has informed me on how to care for patients today,” she said. “There are certainly places in medicine where things can be done differently. The patient should always be the focus.
“Recommendations such as medications, botanicals, supplements and homeopathy can start at any point. I want to make sure I offer the space for patients to be seen and heard at each visit and interaction we have.”
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