Check Out Walkiria Marte’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Walkiria Marte

Hi Walkiria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to becoming a naturopathic physician and opening my own office has been a challenging but rewarding one. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, becoming the first doctor in my family was a big deal. My mother and grandmother raised me to be strong-minded, ambitious, and committed to my work. I saw their examples and I was motivated to make my life meaningful. Growing up, I was fascinated by the sciences, particularly anatomy and physiology, so I volunteered at hospitals and pharmacies in my neighborhood to learn more about healthcare. This interest led me to pursue a pre-medical track at my undergraduate institution, Rutgers University, where I became very passionate about nutrition and how our eating behaviors impacted our health. I went on to obtain a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition in the hopes that I could somehow blend a career in nutrition with a career in allopathic medicine. Even though I had already tackled so many obstacles to get into medical school, it didn’t seem realistic to practice both of those careers simultaneously, so I spent days researching potential medical careers that already incorporated nutritional sciences into their practice and I stumbled upon a naturopathic medical school in Arizona that was advertising their curriculum. It was then that I knew I’d have to leave my life in New Jersey to commit myself to learning how to address the root cause of my patients’ concerns and take an integrative approach to healthcare. This philosophy resonated with me deeply, so I packed my bags and set off on the arduous, and sometimes lonely journey to becoming a naturopathic doctor, away from my family and friends. After four years of a rigorous curriculum and various board exams later, I was accepted into a competitive naturopathic residency program in family medicine, further rooting my clinical training and expertise. Just before finishing my residency, I knew I wanted to build and nourish a seed of my own, so I started Natural Care Doc. Here, I focus on helping my patients feel better from the inside out, providing holistic, personalized treatments for their unique needs, including integrative aesthetic treatments, acupuncture, botanical medicines, nutritional counseling and supplementation, and the use of conventional and specialty lab tests to identify the root cause of my patients’ concerns. And now, after all those years of training and building this knowledge, I sit and think, wow, I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to not only find, but fulfill my dreams in medicine, and I hope that through this story, more underrepresented minorities will find the courage to pursue their dreams, even if they have to move across the country on their own to do it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Moving across the country on my own to pursue a medical career, while being faced with a global pandemic in the first year of school, and then changing to online education was probably the most difficult part of this entire journey. It was difficult to stay connected with others and simultaneously maintain the motivation to not only study and pass, but excel in my academic endeavors. It was the journey through these times that gave me the fortitude to withstand the difficulties of starting a business. It hasn’t been easy, and I’ve had to do a lot of self-reflection along the way to realign my goals and priorities. Even now, I am constantly learning new things about business and the intricacies involved in making one successful. I believe wholeheartedly that even though Natural Care Doc is still in its infancy, it has the potential to impact the lives of countless people, bringing health, vitality and longevity to an ever-growing and diverse population.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a naturopathic doctor, I pride myself in working to identify the root cause of my patients’ concerns. My areas of interest include women’s health and hormone balancing, longevity and medical aesthetics, and preventative care. I am passionate about providing my patients with the guidance and education they need so they can take ownership of their own health and become advocates for their wellbeing. I spend up to one hour with my patients on their first visit establishing a thorough health history, making sure I listen to understand so I can provide the best care possible. I want to encourage my patients to not only plan for, but work towards a healthy future for themselves. This is the cornerstone to healthy aging. Establishing consistent healthy habits today, will help build a strong foundation for you as you progress through life. Going through stress and challenges in life is expected, but if you have a strong body and mind as your foundation, you will have the fortitude to push through. It is my goal to help my patients build and maintain their vitality, so they can look and feel their best for as long as possible.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The naturopathic medical industry is well suited to outlast fads and trends in medicine and healthcare. It is rooted in identifying the cause, and uses a combination of conventional and traditional medicines to bring the body back to health and maintain it. The typical stressors of daily life can be burdensome on our bodies, chronic stress can increase your susceptibility to illness and infection, digestive issues and hormonal imbalances. Naturopathic doctors are in the best position to provide quality healthcare and guidance, given that we focus on identifying the cause of illness, take into account the whole person; mentally, physically, and spiritually, with the goal of disease prevention at the forefront..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naturalcaredoc.com
• Instagram: @naturalcaredoc