Back in the old US of A, things keep on keeping on...

NWB has been BUSY over here in Portland! As the Director of Community Outreach as well as Co-Medical Director of the yet-to-be-named Portland clinic site I have been working with Dr. Maria Valdez, a fellow Naturopathic physician and the Medical Director of the Health and Wellness arm of the Osaia Collective. Together with support from other local Naturopathic physicians including Dr. Leslie Nicholas from Mercy & Wisdom and Dr. Carmen Campbell from Four Blessings we were able to provide a free ‘lunch and learn’ series called Thrive, focusing on Diabetes and Hypertension.  Dr. Nicholas has extensive knowledge about community clinics in Portland and has helped us navigate through some of the initial set up steps. Dr. Campbell lectured and hosted a Q&A regarding health and wellness which elicited great audience participation. Other N.D.’s, community members and a representative from a Physicians Co-Op were on hand to help and offer ideas for future classes and series as well.

Dr. Carmen Campbell talks to the community about Diabetes and Hypertension

Dr. Maria Valdez (in white) talks to other professionals about NWB-Osaia.

The highlight of this opening, in my eyes, was the book talk by author and N.D. Dr. Pamela Jeanne (naturalmedworks.com) a sweet, insightful doc with 45 years of experience in Women’s Health.  Her new book, “Healing Matters”, looks at women’s role as healers and their significance in health and wellness historically and how that plays out in today’s society. We have lost much of the ‘feminine essence’ in traditional medicine and even within our medicine; we not only fail to  clearly emphasize the role of women, but their subtle energies and accomplishments that have lead to and continue to lead to healing on so many levels.  It was a great talk with much participation from the audience which left me reminded that we can enact change by being persistent, passionate and driven while remembering to also be compassionate, loving and respectful of the delicate ‘yin-yang’ balance that is so vital in our world.

Dr. Pamela Jeanne presents, "Healing Matters"

What is the next step you ask? Well, we hope to plan for another ‘Thrive’ lecture series in Aug (or the last Sunday in July due to scheduling) and are still reaching out the community in the form of surveys, talks, information sessions etc. to find out what their actual needs are and how the NWB-Osaia clinic can help make those a reality. Finger crossed, the grants start rolling in and we can open the doors for health screenings, health fairs, physical exams and Primary Care appointments in the fall!

Dr.'s Zeenia Junkeer, Carmen Campbell and Leslie Nicholas (left to right)

Until then…dreams of grants, Haiti and empowering the community to take care of their health will keep me fueled up and ready for the next step!

~Dr. Z

Gorgeous mural right around the corner from the clinic space.