Meet Dr. Michelle Jeffries of www.drmichellejeffries.com in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michelle Jeffries.

Dr. Jeffries, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It’s hard to admit but when I look back at how my journey unfolded, I think I was a nerd from the beginning! My interest in medicine started in childhood when I would sit with the encyclopedia of the human body on my lap while watching cartoons! I couldn’t wait to learn how it all worked and I just knew I was going to be a doctor My curiosity about skin started in my teenage years with bad acne breakouts. I would spend hours doing my makeup so I could get it just right so no one would see my pimples.

Over time, I realized I was a totally different person with versus without my makeup on. That’s when I started to notice the connection between how you feel on the outside can reflect how you feel on the inside and vice versa. I also had other personal struggles with my skin as I grew up. I had some rashes that would come and go and I’ve had several atypical moles that had to be removed. Because of these personal struggles with my skin, I found myself drawn to a career in dermatology, but I also wanted to work with kids. I was thrilled to find out that I could be both an adult and a pediatric dermatologist.

So during my dermatology training, I also completed fellowship training and board certification in Pediatric Dermatology. At the end of my dermatology training, I found out that I had some health issues that I didn’t have answers to. I started to look for answers outside of traditional medicine. This led me to Integrative Medicine. Integrative Medicine blends together traditional medicine with alternative medicine, nutrition, herbs, supplements, natural medicine and many other modalities.

It does not favor one modality or perspective over the other but blends them together to find the best solution to address health issues from a holistic perspective. It helped heal my health issue and I knew I had to bring this approach into my dermatology practice so I completed fellowship training and board certification in Integrative Medicine. This is how I became so nerdy that I ended up being a triple board-certified physician in Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Integrative Medicine.

Has it been a smooth road?
Many years ago when I started exploring my interest in Integrative approaches to medicine, I felt very alone. Several of my colleagues discouraged me including one of my mentors, which really broke my heart. I felt unsupported and that I was maybe doing something wrong by going outside the box of traditional medicine. It seemed that each medical professional I talked to on both sides were either all about traditional medicine or all about natural medicine and no one really seemed to see the value of both. I was discouraged by these conversations, but something in the core of my being kept nudging me and pushing me to move forward and I knew there had to be a way to blend these approaches.

When I found the Arizona College of Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program I knew I had to check it out. On my first day of the fellowship program was the day I was introduced to the tribe of other medical professionals interested in Integrative medicine and knew I had finally found my path. From that moment on I’ve met so many Integrative health professionals and no longer feel alone. Even my colleagues and mentor that discouraged me in the past are now some of my biggest supporters! Due to this experience, I listen more closely to that inner voice and allow myself to follow the path of my intuition even when I may be discouraged by others. I’m very grateful for this life lesson.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with www.drmichellejeffries.com – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I started my website www.drmichellejeffries.com to have a place where people could go to learn more about integrative approaches to skin care from a Board Certified Integrative Dermatologist. I approach skincare differently from most dermatologists and I see it from a holistic perspective that focuses on the interplay between skin care and the mind, body, and spirit. My philosophy is that these all are interconnected and inseparable.

How we nourish our skin from the outside with products is just as important as how we nourish our minds, our spirit, and our bodies. To take this all a step further, I’m in the process of developing online learning programs for integrative approaches to different skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The site will have a skin product store where you will find access to high-quality organic skin care products and supplements as well as a resource area for you to connect with other Integrative health professionals so sign up for the email updates and keep checking the site for new updates.

This approach may set me apart at this time, but I’m excited to say that I feel this is where medicine is heading and in the future, this will be how most health professionals will approach medicine as I see more and more of my colleagues exploring Integrative Medicine training.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
My first introduction to Arizona was when my parents divorced when I was 8 years old and we moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Sedona, Arizona. I love the red rocks, the wilderness and the creativity in Sedona. When I turned 18, I couldn’t wait to live in Phoenix and be part of a bigger city again, so I went to Arizona State University and have been in Phoenix ever since.

I love the expansiveness of the Phoenix area as well as the landscape of the mountains, sunshine, palm trees, lakes and cactus. There are so many things to do in Phoenix but also close-by in Sedona, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, etc. and California is just a quick flight away. I am a bit afraid when I interact with some of the wildlife such as the rattlesnakes and scorpions, but if that’s the worst it can be, I can accept it as just a part of desert living!

Contact Info:

• Address:
  East Valley Dermatology Center
  1100 S Dobson Rd #223
  Chandler AZ 85286
• Phone:  480-821-8888
• Website: www.drmichellejeffries.com  evderm.com

Image Credit:
Gillingham Studios

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