A Traditional Practice Embracing Complementary Medicine
I began practicing medicine as a General Practitioner in 1986. In addition to my medical practice, I was an E.R. doctor at two hospitals.
Early on in my career, my education and practice were built upon traditional medicine. I recall a patient suggesting that I should be introducing my patients to acidophilus when prescribing antibiotics. She had been treating herself with natural remedies such as herbs and oils to address her health challenges and obesity. Of course, I was skeptical, focused on traditional medicine only but especially after reviewing her lab test results as it revealed that she was in extremely poor health, despite her natural remedies. She then agreed to let me treat her with a more traditional medical approach, prescribing medications to address her health challenges. Instead of getting better, her health continued to decline no matter what medical treatment I tried. I finally came to the conclusion that the only reason she was alive was because of her herbs and oils. I told her to get back on her previous regime. And sure enough, her health began to improve. This experience made me start to re-think how I practiced medicine.
I can honestly say that at this time, I was becoming discouraged as I saw my patients continue to come back to me with the same issues. They were not getting better, no matter the treatment or new prescriptions. In this moment, I now understood why they taught us in medical school that we would only need 1,000 patients to maintain a thriving practice. I wondered if other doctors felt the same way. We were taught to be healers and I felt as though I was failing.
Not long after that, I was sought out by Dr. Dennis Remington, a doctor who had been looking for a partner for his medical practice. He had written several books describing his type of practice, which was both traditional and complimentary medicine. I’ll never forget the day that 3 of his books arrived at my office - "Back to Health Through Yeast Therapy", "The Bitter Truth About Artificial Sweeteners" and "How to Lower Your Fat Thermostat". For a doctor practicing traditional medicine, I was incredibly resistant after reading just the titles, but I had promised Dr. Remington that I would read them. I kept my word and after reading them, I was less judgmental but was reluctant in joining his practice. Dr. Remington’s ideas were foreign to me and went against everything I had learned in medical school. I was concerned that if I ever practiced medicine the way he did, that my medical license would be in jeopardy. Back then it was a reality that it could actually happen.
Two weeks later, a very depressed patient came into my office. I had tried many medical and phycological approaches to help her but with no success. She said, "I think I know what is wrong with me. I think I have a systemic yeast problem". I had just read a book about yeast therapy. I said, "Ok, let's try it, what do we have to lose." After two weeks, she came back into my office and was a completely different woman. I was in disbelief. After seeing her results, I became more open minded, enough to use this therapy on some of my problem patients who hadn't responded to traditional therapies. I was amazed at the results and couldn't deny what I was witnessing. Soon I had other doctors sending patients to me in order to receive this new yeast therapy.
I became the yeast guru in the area and started to question my medical training. Either I had to abandon this therapy and get back to traditional medicine or accept the results I was seeing and forge a new route. I was leaning towards this new way of practicing medicine. However, my wife was resistant to my decision. She knew how much time and money had gone into obtaining my medical license. She thought I would lose it if I were to go into "Alternative Medicine".
We finally made the decision that I would go into partnership with Dr. Remington. I started to use complementary therapies and soon incorporated many more into my practice. My patients were very happy, and I too was much happier since I was now teaching my patients how to live a healthier life. It brought me great satisfaction to see my patients learn how to stay healthy while no longer needing me.
After joining Dr. Remington, it took me three years to change the law in Utah which allowed doctors to use "Complementary Medicine" without fear of losing their medical license. I was also instrumental in helping Homeopathic Physicians obtain licensure in the state of Utah. During this same period of time, another physician, myself and Rae Howard contacted Senator Orrin Hatch to block the FDA's intent to severely limit the sale of supplements. Thanks to Senator Hatch, this created the DSHEA Act, an act that saved the health food industry from overregulation by the FDA. don't think people know how close we came to never being able to purchase the wide array of nutritional products available today. I was willing to sacrifice my license if needs be in order to protect our rights to use these products.”
I am so glad that I took the leap by adding “Alternative or Complimentary” medicine to my traditional training. I have been much happier in my practice over the years. I am still thankful to be able to use both modalities to enable my patients to receive better care.
CV
Education
1965-1968 Missionary-Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1969-1980 Brigham Young University
1981-1985 Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
1985-1986 Tulsa Regional Medical Center Internship
Professional experience
1986-1989 Private Practice Stockton, Missouri
1989-1992 Private Practice Provo, Utah
1992-2004 Private Practice Salt Lake City, Utah
2005-2014 Shelter Cove, California
2014-2014 South Jordan. Utah
2014-2020 Saratoga Springs, Utah
Past Professional memberships
Utah Medical Association
Utah Osteopathic Medical Association
American Osteopathic Association
American College for the Advancement of Medicine
Federation of State Medical Boards
Political
One of Two doctors who spoke to Senator Hatch to start the DSHEA ACT
Student Body President - Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
Voting delegate - American Osteopathic Association
Positions Held
Medical Director - Stockton Nursing Home
President - Physicians for Progressive Medicine
Utah Medical Association - Unproven Medical Practices committee member
Medical Director – Hospice
Utah Osteopathic Medical Association Second Vice President
Utah State Osteopathic Licensing Board member
Chairman for the Utah State Osteopathic Licensing Board
Fellow for the Federation of State Medical Boards
Medical Board – Isagenix International
Chairman Medical Board – Isagenix International
Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board Isagenix International
Member of the Scientific Advisory Board Isagenix International
Author
”Cleansing for Life: Nature’s Best Kept Health Secret”
”More Than Convinced a Doctor’s Story” CD
”Why Diets are Failing Us” (Co-Author)
”The Lazarus Solution” (Co-Author, pending publication)
Personal
Married 46 years to Diane, three children and six grandchildren
Languages
English
Spanish