I'll never forget the day when I walked into the University of British Columbia's (UBC) clinic and the doctor told me the blood tests showed that I had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I was 18. From neck to fingers, I was in constant pain. Unable to complete my first-year music major performance requirements, I dropped out of the music program but did not accept the diagnosis of RA. Knowing I had to search for the cause of my symptoms and condition, I chose to go into medicine to investigate the root causes for myself.

All along, I thought that I would go to conventional medical school for four years and then get a second doctorate in naturopathic medicine. In my final year of my undergrad, I received a scholarship to the UBC School of Medicine, but my heart was not settled. For a month, I spent every free hour I had meditating and praying for guidance. My ultimate goal became clear: I had this deep sense that I had to become a naturopathic medical doctor and help transform myself and others one at a time.

Within months, I was sitting in a classroom amongst 60 other first-year students being oriented about my next four years of life at Bastyr University. And one confirmation showered upon me after another. I met my amazing future husband, John, and we were married in my second year of naturopathic medical school. He has not stopped supporting me and showering me with love since.

It was during these years that my life began to transform as I learned about anatomy, physiology, diseases and laboratory testing, nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, pharmaceutical drugs, minor surgery, and more. I was so awed by the perfect engineering of the human body.

Graduation from Bastyr with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine was followed by a two-year residency and the birth of our first baby. For the next four years, I started a part-time practice at a local doctor's office while raising three beautiful daughters.

Becoming a mother inspired me to become a better person, mother, and physician, and to be the best role model I could be for my children. These three girls inspired me to provide them with the best healthcare possible and to search for non-invasive natural treatments for some of the basic childhood concerns, such as the vaccination dilemma, food allergies, ear infections, and diaper rashes.

My search led me to bio-energy medicine, diagnosis, and healing. First practicing this new form of medicine on my family, I later included some patients and found that we were achieving extraordinary results. By combining medical science, laboratory testing, and physical exam with bio-energetics, I could dig deeper into my patients' concerns and get more specific answers and results. My practice began to suddenly grow and my husband took a break from his job to help me start our first clinic, Holistique.

We opened Holistique Medical Center at Overlake Hospital as the first Washington State hospital-based naturopathic medical clinic in 2002. Within three years, Holistique outgrew its space at the hospital and moved to a new location one block away, followed by the most recent expansion into our current space across from Overlake Hospital.

Holistique Medical Center has now grown into two twin clinics: Holistique Medical Center where we provide longevity & anti-aging medicine, supportive cancer care, and natural aesthetics, and Holistique IV Lounge, which houses our IV therapies and injections.

Every day I am excited to learn something new about health, healing, and medicine. I completed a Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapies in 2010, and am finishing a second fellowship in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine. I am board-certified in Anti-aging & Regenerative medicine providing bio-identical hormone therapy, hormone pellets, and more. I continue to learn & train regularly with doctors and scientists from all around the world. I never stop learning. What I learn I pass on to my colleagues, my resident physicians, and my medical students and patients.

My aspiration is to continue to be an excellent healer and to continue to teach other physicians to be the same so that we can assist in the transforming and healing of patients.It takes a village to heal a patient. As patients heal and become empowered, they in turn become the source of transformation for their community.

Dr. Nooshin K. Darvish
Chief Medical Officer

P.S. Wondering about the root cause of my "RA"? Those tasty corn chips that I had grown addicted to during my undergrad. When I eliminated that from my diet all my aches and pains went away. I am free of any rheumatic disease and have never taken a prescription medication for it. I live a pain-free, powerful and healthy life.