Articles and Our Writers

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Did you ever want to know more information about what goes on behind the scenes, the magic on the other side of the big green curtain? Well now’s your chance…. We’re very proud of our contributors to the Helfgott Blog and believe that if it weren’t for all their hard work, research, and nights spent staring at a glowing computer cube, disecting the worldly affairs of health care, we wouldn’t be what we are today. Please take a moment to get to know the gnomes working steadfastly on behalf of a benevolent health care system and see what interesting facts you can discover about their own personal histories. Or, to skip right to the chase, view an alphabetical list of our articles.

The A-list:
Anne Thiel
Ashley
C. Biscuit
Chelsea
Concerned World Citizens
Eric Grey
Erin C
Heather Schiffke
K Mars
Karen Renee Peterson
Kimberly Ann
Lou
Michael McMahon
zee

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Anne Thiel

Anne Thiel is originally from Cincinnati and moved to Portland 8 years ago to experience life beyond the Midwest. She has a BFA with an emphasis in painting from the University of Cincinnati. After a few years in a property management office, Anne realized she needed a more challenging and personally rewarding career. An unsatisfactory treatment plan from an MD and an alternative medicine reference book put naturopathic medicine on the map as a meaningful path to explore. Nutrition, research, and oncology are her main interests. She is currently collaborating with the Helfgott Research Institute’s PARTNER Project and is a first year student at NCNM.

Articles by Anne Thiel:
Thirsty? Sip on This Tall Glass of Water

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Ashley

Dr. Ashley Haywood is a Helfgott Post-Doctoral Fellow. She graduated from NCNM in 2006, receiving her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her masters in acupuncture and Oriental medicine through the Classical Chinese Medicine program. While at NCNM, Dr. Haywood pursued her interests in Chinese herbs, qi gong, women’s health, and physical medicine. In particular, Dr. Haywood focused much of her women’s health specialty on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). She completed her Chinese medicine thesis on the treatment of PCOS from a Chinese medicine perspective.

Dr. Haywood graduated with a bachelor’s in neuroscience from Oberlin College. She then went on to do research for two years on alcohol and addiction under Dr. Clyde Hodge at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center for Alcoholism at the University of San Francisco. After leaving this position, she did clinical research at UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute under Dr. Louanne Brizendine. There she conducted a research study on DHEA and its effects on mood, memory, and libido. Currently, Dr. Haywood researches a natural form of treatment for PCOS at the Helfgott Research Institute.

Articles by Ashley:
We Want YOU to Think About Food

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C. Biscuit

In the Southern piney piedmont, C. Biscuit was sired by a caring mare and a wild stallion. This combination provided our budding bronco with the qualities of tactful momentum, a sense of adventure, compassion for the underdog, and most importantly the ability to tread upon unfamiliar ground with the greatest of ease.

C. Biscuit believes in hardtack advice, ideals and principles that stand the test of time, and does not rely upon of soft-baked ideas concocted in boardroom enterprises. Most importantly, C. Biscuit stresses that true motivations of change come from within, but that the changes therein are capable going head-to-head with any man of war.

Articles by C. Biscuit:
An Open Letter to Bill Moyers
A Cure for Cancer? Sure…
A Follow Up: A Cure for Cancer? Sure…
Butterfly Health - Meme the Revolution!
Letter to the American Medical Association a.k.a. AMA
Letter to Gossamer Soul
Letter for Marianne Williamson
Operation Oprah! A Project for the Future of Health Care
To the Disenchanted and the Disillusioned
Top 4 Reasons Why Portland is the Center of the Health Care Revolution
To the Health Professionals of America
To Those That Do Business for the State of Oregon
Who Are These Masked Bloggers?

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Chelsea

Chelsea received her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University and completed her dietetic internship at Oregon Health and Science University. Chelsea first became interested in complementary and alternative medicine when battling chronic hip and lower back injuries in college while competing on the Penn State track and field team. She found acupuncture and other modalities to play an essential role in her ability to recover and heal. Currently, Chelsea serves as a research coordinator for Helfgott Research Institute. Before starting at Helfgott, Chelsea worked as a research assistant and dietitian for numerous nutrition and lifestyle intervention trials at Oregon Health and Science University and the Washington Center for Clinical Research. Chelsea’s natural medicine research interests include nutrition for cancer prevention, the relationship between diet, inflammation, and disease prevention, and the role of static magnet therapy for pain management. In addition to assisting with clinical research, she teaches nutrition and cooking classes for cancer prevention and survival with the Cancer Project.

Articles by Chelsea:
Local and Sustainable Food in Hospitals

Continuing contributor for the Food as Medicine page

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Concerned World Citizens

Our Concerned World Citizens speak on behalf of the minority populations and proposes solutions for our health disparities. Not to be contended with, these citizens are out there to make change and make it supportive for everyone involved.

Articles by Concerned World Citizens:
Fifteen Questions
Forging Ahead with AWAREness
Health Is More Than Health Care!
Important NCNM Lecture About GMO Foods by Dr. Russell Marz
Indoor Environmental Quality: The Particulars by Chip Halverson
Rethinking Global Strategy by Alisha Moadab

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Eric Grey

I am a third year student of Classical Chinese Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. I am absolutely, passionately, insanely in love with Chinese medicine. This love has kick started my life in ways I didn’t think were possible. I now believe it is my duty on this planet to foster deep health in as many people as I can manage to come into contact with. This blog is one of the tactics I’d like to use to reach that goal as well as my own personal blog, Deepest Health: Exploring Classical Chinese Medicine.

I’m always happy to hear your comments and questions. If you’d like to comment on a post, please do leave a comment with the post. If you have a suggestion for content, a request for further information or just have some other question - please contact me!

Articles by Eric Grey:
5 Reasons the Natural Health Community Needs to Embrace the Internet
What’s a Doctor, Anyway?

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Erin C

Erin received an MA in sociology with a concentration in policy and advocacy studies from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where she was a Community Fellow, and a BA in journalism from Penn State University. Before coming to Helfgott Research Institute, Erin conducted outcomes research at a substance abuse treatment center and worked as a journalist. Erin ’s natural medicine research interests focus on improving health care, especially preventative medicine, for medically underserved populations domestically and internationally.

Articles by Erin C:
Baby Steps
Health Care’s Dilemma
Meet a Helfgott Researcher: Agatha Colbert, MD
Neighbors to the North
“Poverty and Human Development”: The Social Responsibility of the Naturopathic Physician
The “Doctor” Is In

What’s Your Plan, Stan?
Wrinkles in Energy Research

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Heather Schiffke

A lifelong interest in botanical medicine led Heather to study acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine at Yo San University in Los Angeles. After graduating with her Master’s degree, she went into private practice at Tao of Wellness, specializing in reproductive medicine. She also worked at Yo San as Assistant Academic Dean, where she enjoyed counseling students and organizing continuing education offerings. Heather’s relocation to the Pacific Northwest and a growing interest in complementary, alternative, and nautral medicine research led her to Helfgott Research Institute. She is currently working on the anti-inflammatory diet study, looking at the connection between diet, inflammation and diabetes. In addition, she coordinates the annual Symposium for Portland Area Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (SPARC).

Articles by Heather Schiffke:
The Anti-Inflammatory Diet Study
Transforming the Mind: Consciousness in Medicine

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K Mars

Kevin is responsible for the daily business operations of Helfgott in its pursuits of natural medicine research. Additionally, he is the main contact person for both pre-award and post-award grants and contracts management. Kevin has a B.A. in Philosophy from Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a M.A. in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. He completed his master’s course work in Kathmandu, Nepal and is still deeply involved in Buddhist studies and comparative religion. Before moving to Portland to join Helfgott Research Institute in 2004, Kevin had over eight years of office management experience as both a wine importer and an auditing and accounting firm manager.

Articles by K Mars:
Compassionate Dialogue
The Giant Placebo Effect in the Sky

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Karen Renee Peterson

Karen fell in love with research when she worked at Portland Impact. Her supervisor was inspiring as well as her research topic which motivated her in the same ways that naturopathic medicine does. Karen worked with Portland Impact researching and developing evaluation plans and outcome measures for some of their programs, particularly those involving at-risk youth. Portland Impact’s motto is “A Community of Support.” It was so natural for Karen to make the connections between providing support to an individual through Portland Impact in a social work setting and providing support in a natural health care setting. Natural medicine is fundamental to an individual as it allows each of us to heal in our own naturally ordered way. Portland Impact’s mission is to provide support to clients in such a way where clients can grow and change toward self-sufficiency– very much in their own naturally ordered way. Karen ended up leaving Portland Impact to pursue and ND degree from NCNM. During orientation, when Dr. Zwickey spoke, Karen could identify completely with the beginning phases of the paradigm shift, i.e. when one loses their faith in science/ the prevailing paradigm. She knows she definitely lost her own identification with the “scientific” paradigm as a whole. There were so many characteristics that she questioned and concepts she was unable to stomach. Karen is honored to continue working in this same vein at Helfgott Research Institute on the development of the CAM outcomes. Karen is currently a naturopathic student at NCNM.

Articles by Karen Renee Peterson:
Links in the Food Web

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Kimberly Ann

Kimberly received a dual undergraduate degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Georgia in 2001, focusing on psychopharmacology and the systemic effects of pharmaceuticals. The medical field, however, did not provide adequate answers for addressing her interest in a sustainable and practical health care system. As a result, Kimberly spent a great amount of time traveling abroad. Upon returning from her adventures, she enrolled into the Classical Chinese Medicine program offered at NCNM. She graduated four years later from NCNM with a MS in acupuncture and Oriental medicine—a degree that gave her a solid sense of compassion and a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic nature of health and pathology. Kimberly has embarked on extensive expeditions to rural China, where she immersed herself in the ancient arts of healing.

Currently, Kimberly serves as a Research Coordinator for the Helfgott Research Institute and facilitates studies with students, faculty, and numerous surrounding clinics. One of her favorite pet projects is the Helfgott Blog, where she reviews the latest health care options through a benevolent perspective. She spends her off time in the darkly-lit open mic poetry scene, exchanging thoughtful thoughts with other poets. And last, and probably most importantly, Kimberly is also the Editor-in-Chief at Whispering ink, and a research editor for the delightfully innovative IN UR magazine.

Articles by Kimberly Ann:
12.12.12: Introduction
12.12.12: January< 12.12.12: System’s Back On-line
Advertising Sickness
Dalai Lama in Portland?!
Dietary Drama: Overrated and Unnecessary
Easy as 1-2-3: How to Get Medicine Involved in Your Community
Highlighting the Integration of Healthcare in Portland
Honey? Now That’s a Candied Idea!
How You Can Help the Human Species Survive AND Feel Great
Introducing The Vivid Healthcare Plan Page
Karma Catching Up With Big Pharma?
Looking for Affordable Health Care?
Natural Doctors International Continues to Change the Global Health Climate
Pry Them Jaws of Life Open and Don’t Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out

Rudolf Steiner
Solutions to Indoor Pollutions
Sousa’s Talking to Me?
The Creative Mind: Music and the Brain
The Groundhog Forgot to Deliver the News
The Oprah Show Reigns Over Natural Forms of Medicine!

The True Universal Upset: Loss of Imagination
Things to Do for the Flu and You
Understanding Natural Medicine

Kimberly Ann is also the interviewer for the Stars of Medicine Page and the experimental subject for the 12.12.12 Page: A Year of Sagely Living.

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Lou

Lou graduated from Albright College with a B.S. in Biology. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies Lou worked as a veterinary technician. He then nearly killed his parents by moving to LA to be an actor. While pursuing an acting career, he nearly killed himself teaching high school science in LA’s public school system. Lou has an interest in multidimensional research and believes reductionistic single trial double blind placebo cross-over studies are antiqued and unrealistic as humans do not live in a vacuum. Until the scientific model catches up with his progressive mind, Lou is focused on helping his patients live more fulfilled lives and increasing public awareness of Natural medicine. Lou is currently a third year student in naturopathic doctorate program at the National College of Natural Medicine.

Articles by Lou:
Bill Maher Talks Health Care
Health Care Crisis Solution Found at Jiffy Lube
Why Bill Maher

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Michael McMahon

Michael McMahon is studying Classical Chinese Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine. Prior to attending NCNM, Michael was in private practice as a massage therapist in Mt. Shasta, CA. At that time, Michael founded the Mt. Shasta Writers Series, a quarterly series featuring prominent northwestern poets and writers. This interest led him to his current research project with the Helfgott Research Institute at NCNM with a focus on how natural forms of medicine can heal chronic pain. Before studying massage therapy, Michael spent twelve years in wilderness education and counseling for teenagers. He is a second-year CCM student at NCNM.

Articles by Michael McMahon:
A Fortunate Man
An Open Letter to the Public! POWER to the People!
Are We Really Sickos? Michael Moore’s New Film and Natural Health Care
Good Care Speaks for Itself
Stop Making Sense
The Tipping Point
What Happens When Words Hit the Page?

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zee

Dr. Heather Zwickey is the director of the Helfgott Research Institute and is the Dean of Research and Associate Professor of Immunology at NCNM. Dr. Zwickey trained at the world renowned National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. She received a Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbiology while studying how antigen is presented by the non-classical MHC class I antigen processing pathway during infection. Dr. Zwickey went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. Her research there examined the role of dendritic cells in autoimmune responses. At Helfgott, Dr. Zwickey applies her immunology expertise to natural medicine. Currently, she heads several pilot studies looking at the effects of botanicals, hydrotherapy, energy medicine, and diet on immunological parameters. Dr. Zwickey also explores the mechanisms involved in psychoneuroimmunology and immunological tolerance. In addition to her work at Helfgott, Dr. Zwickey maintains collaborations with investigators at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland and Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio Grange Do Sol in Porto Alegre, Brazil.