What does the term Integrative Medicine really mean? And how is it similar to or different than the medical care you receive? On August 3rd on “About Health” on KPFA 94.1 FM, we discussed various healing modalities that are used on the path towards health and healing.
If you missed the show you can hear it at https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=211515
Our guests were:
Davi Pakter MD. In his practice he focuses on removing the obstacles to health and activating the body’s innate ability to heal. Dr. Davi is board certified in Family Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine. At the core of his philosophy is the concept of Integrative Medicine, which unifies Traditional Allopathic Medicine (the medicine practiced by most MD’s and in Hospitals) with Complementary and Alternative therapies. He currently works at the West Berkeley Family Practice-Lifelong Medical Care Clinic, and works to increase access to integrative medicine for those that can’t afford it.
(Lifelongmedical.org, 510-981-4200)
Also joining us was Kate Lewis, L.Ac. At West Berkeley Family Practice, Kate balances the roles of Center Supervisor and acupuncturist. She was a core developer of the Integrative Medicine progam at West Berkeley which offers Naturopathic services. Kate has worked and volunteered in community medicine for 10 years. She is grateful to be able to offer services to both Spanish and Mandarin speaking community members following her travel and work in clinics in South and Central America as well as living in Shanghai, China.
There are many questions women have when they are in their 40’s and 50’s about when menopause (the last menstrual period) will occur and what treatments are available for the physical symptoms and mood changes that often occur.
Dr. Amy Day and Nurse Barb Dehn were my guests on “About Health” on Monday July 13th. You can hear the entire show here: https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=210178
Barb Dehn is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, award winning author, and a nationally recognized health expert. An in demand and popular national speaker on all aspects of women’s health, she also lectures at Stanford and is a frequent health expert on television and radio
Amy Day is a naturopathic doctor. After eight years at San Francisco Natural Medicine, Dr. Amy opened her private practice in Berkeley specializing in helping busy professional women with stress, fatigue, and hormonal issues. She uses an integrated approach combining diet, exercise, lifestyle counseling, stress management, nutritional supplements, botanical medicines, and bioidentical hormones as she guides women on the journey to optimal wellness. Learn more at www.DrAmyDay.com where you can download a free copy of her newest e-book: The Busy Woman’s Guide to Adrenal Health. www.DrAmyDay.com/adrenalguide
We discussed some simple things you can do to prevent and treat serious health emergencies such as Heat Stroke, Dehydration, and Drowning. And we’ll review ways to assess a situation, such as finding someone on the ground, not knowing what happened. With summer here, it’s a good idea to hone our first aid skills, and review some lifesaving measures.
Joining me was Ashanti Boykin,Emergency Medical Technician, MA program Coordinator, BLS Coordinator, and EMT Skills Instructor, at Fast Response School of Health Care Education. in Berkeley.
Contact me at if you have any questions or ideas for future shows.
Have you talked with your family or neighbors about how you’ll help each other when the next earthquake or fire hits? It’s so easy to put off doing what we need to do to prepare, but there are little steps we can all take that will reinforce our resilience and keep us healthy and safe.
Join me and my guest Ana-Maria Jones for a lively discussion on how to prepare for emergencies from a non-fear based perspective.
Ana-Maria Jones is the Executive Director of CARD – Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters, a nonprofit located in Alameda County. Created by local community agencies after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, CARD offers an alternative approach to emergency preparedness, disaster response, and planning activities.
We look forward to your questions and concerns. You can call in at 510-848-4425 or toll free at 1-800-958-9008
June is Men’s Health Month with the purpose to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. On June 8th I was joined in-studio at KPFA (94.1FM) by two wonderful men to discuss Fathers, Kids, and Health.
There are many ways fathers can be good role models for their children, especially when they spend time together. You can listen to the show at https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=184112
Our guests were:
Dr. Will Courtenay, an internationally recognized expert in men’s health and in helping men, boys, and fathers. The American Psychological Association calls him, “a leading psychologist in the field of masculinity.” He provides psychotherapy and counseling to individuals in the S.F. Bay Area, and phone consultation to those outside of the area. You can reach him at 415-346-6719 or check out his website at http://www.themensdoc.com. He is also the author of Dying To Be Men: http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Men-Environmental-Biobehavioral-Psychotherapy/dp/0415878764
Gary Thompson, the Fatherhood Coordinator for the Family Health Services Division of the Alameda County Public Health Department. He is also one of the co-founders of the Fathers Corps, a learning community of male service providers administered in collaboration with First Five, Alameda County. http://www.first5alameda.org/alameda-county-fathers-corps. He has more than twenty-five years of experience administering education and family-centered programs and advocating for the Bay Area’s most vulnerable children and families. You can reach Gary at 510-667-4343.
Lisa Fredericksen and Caroll Fowler, MFT were my guests on About Health, on KPFA—94.1 FM, on May 25th to discuss what happens to the people who live or work with a person who misuses alcohol. If you missed the show, here is the link: https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=183126
My guests:
Lisa Frederiksen is a national keynote speaker, consultant, and founder of BreakingTheCycles.com. She is the Author of nine books, including “If You Loved Me, You’d Stop!” and “Quick Guide to Addiction Recovery: What Helps, What Doesn’t,” and the Quick Guide to SecondHand Drinking: A Phenomenon that affects millions. You can contact Lisa at:
Caroll Fowler is a therapist who has been working in the field of addictions for 28 years. She has worked at a number of treatment programs and most recently was the Director of the Family Program at Sequoia Center in Redwood City. Additionally, in 2011, she was the Co-Founder of a nonprofit, drug and alcohol program in Kenya. She has a private practice in Castro Valley and facilitates a group for family members in Redwood City. You can reach her at 510-582-5225
Learn more about the health consequences of secondhand drinking at:
My gratitude to the wonderful callers who shared their stories, comments, and questions.
“Secondhand drinking is a term to describe the impacts another person experiences as a result of trying to cope with a person’s drinking behaviors. These are the behaviors a person engages in as a result of drinking alcohol in quantities that exceed what the body and brain can handle. These behaviors include the insane, circular arguments; verbal/physical or emotional abuse; physical assault; unwanted sex; the behaviors that occur in a blackout; the accident caused when driving while impaired.”—Lisa Fredericksen
Davi Pakter MD. In his practice he focuses on removing the obstacles to health and activating the body’s innate ability to heal. Dr. Davi is board certified in Family Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine. At the core of his philosophy is the concept of Integrative Medicine, which unifies Traditional Allopathic Medicine (the medicine practiced by most MD’s and in Hospitals) with Complementary and Alternative therapies. He currently works at the West Berkeley Family Practice-Lifelong Medical Care Clinic, and works to increase access to integrative medicine for those that can’t afford it.
Barb Dehn is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, award winning author, and a nationally recognized health expert. An in demand and popular national speaker on all aspects of women’s health, she also lectures at Stanford and is a frequent health expert on television and radio
Joining me was Ashanti Boykin, Emergency Medical Technician, MA program Coordinator, BLS Coordinator, and EMT Skills Instructor, at Fast Response School of Health Care Education. in Berkeley.
You can listen to the show at https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=184112
