Dr. Heather is passionate about teaching children and teens new strategies and perspectives to help them manage life challenges. Her approach is teaching kids “how to fish,” rather than giving them a fish, so they can take the tools with them into the rest of their lives. Much of her own life lessons have come from sailing across oceans and living on numerous islands in the Pacific. The ocean and island cultures taught her how to value calmness, patience, and simplicity. Strength often came from fully showing up in the moment, trusting in the unknown, and accepting discomfort. These lessons helped guide her to the field of natural medicine, and allow her to relate to patients as they navigate life changes and health challenges.

Dr. Heather graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon obtaining a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and a Doctor of Science in Oriental Medicine with additional, extensive training in gentle bodywork and medical qigong. Dr. Heather has worked in multiple drug and addiction facilities and found acupuncture and naturopathic medicine to be especially beneficial. She is very flexible in working with kids, and adapts to a style that makes each person feel safe and at ease. For those who are apprehensive about needles, Dr. Heather is trained in a pediatric style of “non-insertive” acupuncture that employs gentle tapping, stroking, and subtle vibration to stimulate the points. She also employs gentle styles of bodywork, such as craniosacral therapy and myofascial release, when appropriate.

Dr. Heather’s interests include spending time with her family, traveling, and connecting to the rhythms of nature via Qigong, hiking, photography, local foods, and anything having to do with being in or on the water. She currently operates a general, private practice on the Island of Hawaii, where she works with patients of all ages.