Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health, encouraging individuals’ inherent self-healing processes. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods – from nutrition to botanical medicine, from mind-body medicine to vitamin therapy. Rather than just suppressing symptoms, naturopathic doctors work to identify underlying causes of illness, and develop personalized treatment plans to address them.

The designation of FABNO (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology) indicates that a naturopathic doctor has advanced training in naturopathic oncology, meeting the highest standards of the profession. In order to become a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology, a naturopathic doctor must complete a two-year CNME-accredited residency in naturopathic oncology, or practice for at least five years with 2,250 oncology contacts, submit cases for review by designated examiners, complete 50 continuing education credits in oncology, and pass a certification exam.

Yes! With extensive experience working hand-in-hand with oncologists, internists, surgeons and many other conventional medical providers, Dr. Winters is always willing to work as part of your medical team. With your consent, she can consult with your providers and send them copies of your naturopathic plan.

Every person is an individual, so follow-up visits are scheduled based on each person’s needs. That said, with natural medicine you need to wait long enough to see whether there has been a favorable response, but not so long that people fall of the wagon with regard to diet and lifestyle changes. Most follow-up visits are scheduled within 3 – 6 weeks, and then every 1 – 3 months after that. Those with more serious illnesses will require more frequent visits.

Dr. Winters would love to take insurance, but most insurance plans in Pennsylvania do not cover the cost of naturopathic medicine. Patients with health savings accounts (HSA’s and FSA’s) can use that portion of their insurance to cover the cost of the visit. Dr. Winters is always willing to provide an itemized receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

Dr. Winters can arrange a telemedicine visit for those who live more than an hour away from her South Philadelphia office. Please call for more details.

Naturopathic Doctors' scope of practice differs from state-to-state. While NDs in many states can prescribe prescription medications, it is outside the scope of practice in both Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Dr Winters is very familiar with pharmaceutical medicines through her training, her experience working in a hospital-based practice, and through teaching pharmacology. She is careful to avoid drug/herb and drug/nutrient interactions in her treatment plans.

While naturopathic doctors are trained to the level of primary care providers, they are not licensed as PCP's in Pennsylvania or Connecticut. I recommend all patients have a primary care provider they can use for prescription medications or medical emergencies.