Meet Avni Dalal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Avni Dalal.

Hi Avni, 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.
My story begins before I was born. My parents immigrated from India to the states in the 90s and settled in the small town of Columbia, South Carolina. My dad, previously a textile engineer, came to America and worked in construction, then sold life insurance from door-to-door, and finally saved up enough money to start his own dry cleaning business.

My mom, a homeopathic doctor in India, came here after marriage and raised me and my sister. My mom’s more alternative medical background played a huge role in my upbringing and similar to many immigrant children like me, going into the medical field was the path my parents saw me destined for. I was always interested in the human body and health but in an act of rebellion (and wanting to explore other options instead of choosing a career that had been thrust upon me), I explored so many different options in my undergrad days.

Around the same time, I had been chronically struggling with menstrual irregularities, fatigue, acne, gut issues, and anxiety and after a quick 15-minute visit to the campus health clinic, I was sent off with a birth control prescription. I was frustrated with the lack of care and attention that patients, including myself, experience in our current healthcare system and felt like all of my concerns had been brushed off.

After finishing my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I worked in the service industry so I could save up money and eventually go to grad school. While randomly searching online one day, I stumbled upon naturopathic medicine, and ironically enough, it was the biggest “aha” moment at that time in my life. It reignited my passion for medicine and I yearned to learn more about traditional wisdom that had been passed down for generations.

Fast forward to when I moved to Arizona in 2017 for naturopathic medical school. The constant stress of attending a rigorous academic program was draining and was taking a gigantic toll on my body. I was going through awful period-related symptoms, experiencing flares of cystic acne, and my mental health was regressing because I was feeling less and less like myself.

Fortunately, I was lucky to be surrounded by amazing naturopathic doctors and was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Being a medical student that was also a patient, I knew that, as a doctor, I wanted my patients to feel empowered and to know that I would always be an advocate for their health.

I appreciated that naturopathic doctors took the time to get to know their patients on a deeper level, prioritized patient education, and went the extra mile to individualize treatment plans with a unique and integrative approach.

It’s been a challenging road to get here but I’m so thankful for the knowledge I now have & for the role I get to play in facilitating someone’s healing journey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being in medical school was like being in a little bubble and since graduating, I feel like I’m still discovering parts of myself that I couldn’t give time to or explore whilst in school.

It’s also a weird experience to be in academia for the majority of my life and then to be thrust out into the real world where I have to know things like…how to be an entrepreneur and taxes??!! But it’s been rewarding and has taught me the importance of prioritizing rest and finding balance in my life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Although I was trained as a primary care physician, my clinical work is focused on menstrual conditions, mental health, thyroid disease, and adolescent care with an emphasis on (but not limited to) PCOS, PMS/PMDD, endometriosis, fibroids, thyroiditis, eczema, psoriasis, gut health/digestion issues, anxiety, depression, insomnia, metabolic syndrome, and stress management.

I believe that medicine shouldn’t be a “one-size-fits-all” approach and I prioritize providing inclusive and culturally responsive care for all – regardless of size, background, or identity. With my naturopathic medical expertise, I get to help my patients by utilizing modalities such as nutrition & diet counseling, herbal medicine, supplements & nutraceuticals, lifestyle coaching, homeopathy, acupuncture, indicated medications, and routine/specialty bloodwork & imaging.

I want my patients to know that I’m always the biggest cheerleader for their health and that they have options. Being a part of your healthcare team means that we work together through shared decision-making so that you feel your best! If you’re interested in working with me, I am currently accepting new patients and will be offering in-person services such as acupuncture, gua sha, cupping therapy, and health counseling starting next month. Be sure to join my mailing list to stay connected on new offerings, blog posts, and more!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dravnidalal.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr.avnidalal
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dravnidalal
• Other: www.dravnidalal.com/blog