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Meet Dr. Heather Paulson of The Paulson Center for Integrative Healing in East Valley, Tempe

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Heather Paulson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Paulson. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.

I wasn’t one of those kids that dreamed of being a doctor. I loved science and biology. I loved looking at how ecological systems operated, initially in the ocean. I always had the ability to see how things that seemed disconnected were connected, and to be creative at problem solving.

I initially started on the path to be a Marine Biologist, but while I was on that path, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. Since I was well versed in reading scientific research studies, finding my way around the biology library, and understanding biological statistics, I became the family fact checker, cancer researcher, and truth teller.

I became the person that gave my family the “normal people” language version of his medical diagnosis. While my dad was dying from his cancer, I took some time away from working for the National Park Service and became a caregiver. This was the first time I came across the word ‘naturopathic doctor.’
Finding Naturopathic Medicine

The principles of naturopathic medicine spoke deep into my heart at a time that I was looking into the face of the heart-breaking loss of my dad, who was my best friend and my teacher. The principles stated:

First, Do No Harm
Doctor as Teacher
Use the Healing Power of Nature
Heal the Whole Person Through Individualized Treatment
Treat the Cause of Disease
Teach the Principles of Healthy Living and Preventative Medicine
Emphasize Prevention
Support the Healing Power of the Body

After my dad died, I went back to my job at Muir Woods in Northern California. One day while walking through the redwoods, I realized that in order to have a healthy watershed, we needed healthy, vibrant humans. If you want less disease, you need to drink clean, pure water.

If you want strength and vitality, the soil your food is grown in needs lots of vitamins and minerals. Realizing that everything was contingent on human health, I immediately applied to Naturopathic Medical School. Having fulfilled my dreams of being a marine biologist, I put my waders and SCUBA gear to the side and put on a stethoscope.

The Story Does Not End There

During my first year of medical school, my husband was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was devastating to have another cancer diagnosis hit so close to home, especially after the recent loss of my dad. One of the most distinct parts of my husband’s journey with lymphoma is that he was able to use naturopathic medicine with his cancer treatments.

Every time my husband walked into his oncologist’s office, they would announce, “Oh good! A healthy one!” Despite being on a chemo regimen that kept him in the hospital for 5 days every 3 weeks, my husband was one of the “healthy ones.” That is when I decided that I had to bring natural medicine and naturopathic oncology to more people. There was no reason for anyone to suffer the way my dad had. Cancer care could be different with natural medicine and naturopathic therapies.

From then on, my life’s work and passion became Naturopathic Oncology. And I have been obsessed ever since.

Has it been a smooth road?
I would say that is has not always been a smooth road. Some of the obstacles have been helping other oncology specialists feel comfortable with integrating natural medicine and diet changes into their patient’s treatment plans. But, I have to say, compared to when I started this journey over 14 years ago, more and more oncologists are open to naturopathic oncology.

Other challenges have included the typical struggles from being a small business owner. I went to medical school and furthered my naturopathic training in oncology because I want to support people suffering with the same questions and challenges my family suffered with multiple times. I come from a heart of service and to think like a business owner from this space of empathy and compassion has been a space of much growth for me. Gratefully, I have been guided by some amazing mentors to help grow and support The Paulson Center.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Paulson Center for Integrative Healing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a Naturopathic Oncologist, I have specialized training in applying natural medicine to cancer care. I am also able to help you safely integrate natural therapies into other cancer treatment programs, such as chemotherapy and radiation.

I have been in the trenches known as cancer for over a decade and how we approach and treat cancer in America continues to change. My passion is to help people who have cancer find and choose the best treatment. I have been on both sides of cancer: having family members diagnosed and as a medical doctor. I am here to help you.

My training includes completing an oncology residency at Goshen General Hospital where I became board certified in naturopathic oncology. At Goshen General, I participated in helping thousands of people with cancer. My experience at the Goshen Center for Cancer care influenced the integrative and comprehensive nature of my own cancer center, The Paulson Center for Integrative Healing. After completing residency, I started teaching oncology and hematology at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. This is also where I started writing the Textbook of Naturopathic and Integrative Oncology.

In growing The Paulson Center, I am most proud of the extraordinary specialists we have brought together to support people in their cancer journey. We have naturopaths, acupuncturist, oncology aesthetics, and massage. We offer a comfortable and cozy environment that feels more like coming into someone’s living room than stepping into a sterile medical office. Because of my husband’s experience with cancer, we know how important a comfortable environment where you can just pause and relax is to the whole healing journey.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love about our city are the great people, healthy cancer fighting restaurant options, enjoying Tempe Town Lake, and the active lifestyle that’s so readily available.

Some of my favorite restaurants that have a menu that fits in with a cancer prevention lifestyle are Pomegranate Cafe, 24 Carrots, True Foods, and Flower Child.

What I like least about the city is that there is no ocean. I know that can’t really be fixed but growing up a Southern California beach baby and Marine Biologist, I do miss the ocean.

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