I moved to Canada from South Africa in 2018 for two reasons: to be closer to the mountains for snowboarding, and to pursue a career as a Nutritional Therapist – an opportunity not available to me at home. It was through my work supporting the nutritional needs of people living with chronic disease that I was first introduced to Naturopathic Medicine, which immediately resonated with me. It was clear that not only was there a noticeable patient interest in the supportive care that naturopathic medicine offered, but that patients also thrived when they added naturopathic modalities to their care.
I have always aspired to become a doctor, though my path there was anything but linear. After my undergraduate BSc, where I majored in pathophysiology and medical cell biology, I completed an MSc in Nutritional Science. Following this, I built a diverse career in healthcare, including roles as a health reporter, a writer for a doctor-led medical newsletter, an intermediate life support paramedic, and a nutritional therapist. Each role provided valuable skills and perspective, yet I consistently felt a desire to do more - to have a deeper clinical impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took time to reflect on my long-term goals, which ultimately led me to return to school to study Naturopathic Medicine in 2021.
My early semesters at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) reinforced the foundation I had developed during my Master’s degree
in Nutritional Science, while also equipping me with new clinical skills essential to becoming a naturopathic doctor. It was during a foundational lecture that I was first introduced to naturopathic integrative cancer care. As I learned more, my interest quickly grew into a clear passion. I became deeply motivated by the increasing need for supportive cancer care, the strength of evidence-based integrative interventions, and the meaningful impact these approaches had on patients at the Integrative Cancer Clinic (ICC). As a fourth-year intern, I had the privilege of working closely with patients at the ICC under the supervision of Dr. Lander, ND. This experience solidified my decision to focus my career on Integrative Cancer Care and led me to pursue a 2-year cancer care residency within the ICC.
I wholeheartedly believe that a complementary, integrative approach to cancer care offers significant benefits for survivorship, quality of life, and overall wellbeing. I look forward to dedicating my residency to advancing my skills in this field and providing compassionate, evidence-informed care to my future patients.