Hidden Gems: Meet Teri Jackson of Dr. Teri Jackson Integrative Medicine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teri Jackson.

Hi Teri, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a naturopathic medical doctor licensed in the states of Arizona and Hawaii, specializing in Integrative Oncology, which is the field of cancer care focusing on the overall health of the person, rather than just the cancer itself (which is what conventional oncologists do). I work primarily with cancer patients online throughout AZ and HI, and in person here at my Tucson office.

My story (at least regarding my current profession!) begins in Portland, OR, which is where I originally went to university in the early 1990s. My first degree is in Northwest Coast Archaeology, and while I always knew that I wanted to work in healthcare, I did not know exactly in what capacity.

In an effort to figure it out, I went back to Portland State University and began taking some biology and chemistry classes, during which time I took an entry level laboratory position at Oregon Health Sciences University, which is the medical school in Portland.

This lab happen to be in the oncology department and I began my professional journey in a breast cancer research lab, whose focus was on developing novel drugs to treat resistant forms of breast cancer. During this time, sadly, my own father was diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer and because his disease was already so advanced, he was not given any treatment options and was essentially told to put his affairs in order and prepare to die. He lived for exactly 7 weeks after his diagnosis.

While I valued the knowledge and heart behind his team of oncologists, as well as the group I worked with at the lab, something told me on the inside that there had to be a better way of treating this vulnerable population of cancer patients. I decided rather than going to conventional medical school, I would attend naturopathic medical school which has similar training but is more focused on prevention, diet, lifestyle and more natural therapies, although we can also prescribe medications when necessary. I was accepted into Bastyr University in Seattle, WA where, coincidentally, I was also hired to work in a breast cancer research lab just like before, with the main difference being that we were studying the effects of herbs and medicinally mushrooms on cancer cells rather than drugs.

After graduating with my Naturopathic Doctoral Degree in 2011, I practiced briefly in Seattle, before moving to Maui, HI in 2013, where I lived and worked until our very recent move to Tucson in early 2025.

Although I never set out to be a cancer doctor due to the intense nature of the work, cancer patients kept finding me wanting me to support them on their cancer journey.

Because of this demand (and perhaps divine intervention!), I completed my Integrative Oncology training with the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health focusing on terrain-based cancer care. This differs from conventional oncology whose focus is treating the tumor itself, while I treat the entire internal environment of the person with cancer, also called the ‘Terrain”. This includes working with the immune system, inflammation, toxic environmental exposures, hormones, digestion, stress, sleep, and much more to help balance the entire system and address the reasons why the person developed cancer in the first place.

In order to broaden my ability to help more people in a bigger city with increased opportunity, my partner and decided to move to Tucson from Maui late last year because Arizona is the epicenter of Integrative Oncology and naturopathic medical doctors are generally allowed to practice like conventional medical doctors. We will always miss the ocean but absolutely love the healing properties of the desert!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh my goodness, no, it has not been a smooth road! My primary obstacles professionally involve being outside the “standard of care” in the oncology world, so insurance will not pay for the work that I do. This has been challenging for my patients who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for care, and for me as a doctor trying to help as many people as I can with limited resources.

It is also difficult knowing that the medicine I practice is cutting-edge and follows the most current evidence-based research, but because conventional oncologists do not understand what we do (as integrative oncologists), we are frequently dismissed as “quacks” at best, and committing malpractice at worst by challenging the medical status quo.

Anytime I feel frustrated by working within such a broken medical system, I just look at all of the patients that I help on their cancer journeys in healthy and non-toxic ways if they choose to forego conventional treatment, and assisting them in tolerating and healing from their chemotherapy and radiation if they choose more standard therapies. The ultimate goal is for my patients to be healthier after treatment than before their cancer was diagnosed (yes, it is very possible!!), and just keeping my eye on that end goal is what keeps me going.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a naturopathic medical doctor (NMD) with a clinical focus in Integrative Oncology. I treat cancer patients with a holistic approach that includes diet, lifestyle, supplements, body work, prescription medications, and nutrient IVs,

I am unique in that I am extremely well trained in integrative cancer care and am not intimidated to step into this arena with my patients. I will always do what is in my patient’s best interest regarding their oncology journey and will always tell them the truth as to what I see is their best treatment options. Even if that means avoiding or postponing standard of care treatments if I think it will do more harm than good at any point during their care with me. Or conversely, if they come to me wanting only natural treatments, I will tell them if I believe that standard of care therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation will best serve them with natural supportive therapies as well.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of my certification in Integrative Oncology from the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health founded by Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO. She is also the author of the Metabolic Approach to Cancer and I am so proud to have her as my friend and mentor.

In addition to Integrative Oncology, I also treat chronic conditions such as post viral syndrome/chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, and advanced cardiovascular disease. The services I offer in office are nutritional intravenous (IV) therapies for immune and detoxification, and specifically for cancer care. We will also be introducing Hyperbaric Oxygen and red light therapy very soon!

I also perform bodywork such Cranio Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, and gentle adjustments for stress, pain relief, organ function, and overall well-being in order to provide the most well-rounded treatment protocols possible.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
My favorite books include “The Metabolic Approach to Cancer” by Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, “The Cancer Code” by Dr. Jason Fung, MD, “Tripping over the Truth” by Travis Christofferson, “Cancer as a Metabolic Disease” by Dr. Thomas Seyfried, PhD, and “Outside the Box Cancer Therapies” by Dr. Paul Anderson, ND

For podcasts, look for anything by Dr. Nasha Winters, Dr. Paul Anderson, or Dr. Thomas Seyfried. They all have many interviews on YouTube, and will give prospective patients a wonderful foundation on how I practice medicine.

The apps I have my patient use (and use myself!) are Cronometer to track nutrition and Calm for stress relief, meditation and sleep.

Pricing:

• Initial Consultation 60 minutes — $360
• First 60-minute Follow-up — $270
• Subsequent 60-minute Follow-up — $240
• 30-minute Follow-up — $180
• 15-minute Follow-up — $90

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thriving-cancer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drterind/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-jackson-nmd-5a79b79/