Originally from San Diego, Melinda's first career was in the hospitality industry, working in exciting restaurants on the West Coast. A lifelong home cook, she turned to nutrition studies when chronic health issues left her with more questions than answers.
Topics: Healthcare, Functional Nutrition, Integrative Healthcare
Dr. Vileka Fisher is a licensed Naturopathic Physician, midwife, and an adjunct faculty member at Portland Community College. They graduated from NUNM in 2021 with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Certificate in Natural Childbirth. They achieved the state requirements for board certification in natural childbirth/Naturopathic midwifery by completing a rigorous two-year internship in Naturopathic midwifery at a busy primary care and birth center facility located in Portland, Oregon. In addition to her doctorate, Dr. Fisher has a Master of Science in nutrition from NUNM and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Corban University.
Topics: Healthcare, Functional Nutrition, Integrative Healthcare
Courtney is a functional nutritional therapy practitioner and yoga instructor. She earned her master’s degree in applied behavioral science/counseling in 2002 from Bastyr University with the intention of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist, but instead started a family of her own and stayed home for several years until her youngest started kindergarten. In 2013 she continued her studies at the Nutritional Therapy Association and works in a family functional medicine clinic in Portland, Oregon. In 2017, Courtney rounded out her education by becoming a registered yoga teacher, and currently specializes in teaching yoga to seniors.
Topics: Healthcare, Functional Nutrition, Integrative Healthcare
Kira Freed, MEd, MScN, is an adjunct faculty member at Portland Community College, teaching in the Functional Nutrition program. She also has several roles at her alma mater, National University of Natural Medicine, as the Teaching Kitchen Coordinator, a Professional Teaching Assistant for the Nutrition program, and as a Food as Medicine Everyday educator.
Topics: Healthcare, Functional Nutrition, Integrative Healthcare
Topics: Healthcare, Meet the IHP Team, Functional Nutrition, Stories & News, Ayurveda, Yoga, Herbalism
A graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine with a Master of Science in clinical nutrition, Megan went on to earn the gold standard in nationally recognized certifications. She is credentialed with the Board of Certified Nutrition Specialists (BCNS®), currently one of only a few practicing in Oregon.
Topics: Healthcare, Meet the IHP Team, CLIMB Center, Functional Nutrition
Ian Rubin is a wellness coach, founder of Wholeself Wellness LLC, coach educator and adjunct faculty member at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM). In addition, he teaches Nutritional Counseling Skills within the Functional Nutrition Program at PCC.
Topics: Healthcare, Meet the IHP Team, Functional Nutrition
Meet Karen Davis, MS, CNS®, a clinical nutritionist who began her career in evidenced-based nutrition when she recognized the key role food choice plays in preventing many diseases.
Topics: Healthcare, Meet the IHP Team, Functional Nutrition
Becoming a functional nutritionist is an exciting and rewarding career. Many people look into nutrition as a career path after a passion for health, wellness, and intentional diet choices, but there is so much to learn about how food, exercise, and other elements of our lives impact the health of our bodies. At Portland Community College, you can pursue a year-long preparation program in Functional Nutrition with a cohort of like-minded students who are also studying through live, online classes. This course is approved by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals as preparation for the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board certification exam.
Topics: Healthcare, CLIMB Center, Functional Nutrition, Integrative Healthcare, institute for health professionals
More and more people are realizing that nutrition is a key factor in good health, and this is creating a demand for professionals who can provide guidance in how to use it to its fullest. This goes far beyond the idea of using food to control weight. Nutrition has been linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, digestive concerns, and more. It makes sense that while bad nutrition can increase risks, good nutrition can decrease them and may even help people heal from certain conditions.
Topics: Healthcare, CLIMB Center, Functional Nutrition, Integrative Healthcare, institute for health professionals