Dr. Jennifer Nevels

There were many things that led me down my path to becoming a naturopathic doctor. Everything clicked for me when I was a psychology student at the University of Arizona. I was in my last semester, I was taking an advanced health psychology class, and I was introduced to many alternative health options to wellness. While I was in school, I also worked as a dialysis technician at one of the renal centers in town where I saw, and spent a lot of time with, very ill patients. I had determined that I wanted to go into the medical field, but I didn’t feel like the conventional route was for me. I learned about naturopathic medicine from a book my mother had sent me.

I knew immediately that I had to become a naturopathic doctor. Everything about the philosophy of naturopathic medicine spoke to me. Particularly, I loved the idea of identifying the underlying cause of illness and treating each person as an individual using natural means as much as possible (including nutrition, lifestyle, herbs, vitamins and acupuncture). I started researching naturopathic medical schools online and I knew right away that Sonoran was for me.

After graduation, I earned a residency position at the Sonoran Medical Center and taught gynecology at the school. While I enjoy teaching, I loved working with patients. I eventually left my full-time faculty position to focus on my private practice. Six years ago, my classmate (Dr. Jason Porter) and I opened East Valley Naturopathic Doctors, where we have four naturopathic physicians focusing on different specialties, including women’s and men’s health, pediatrics, mental and sleep disorders, oncology, pain management and aesthetic therapies. Our physicians have done post-graduate training in environmental medicine, so we consider the impact of the environment on one’s heath when we evaluate patients’ underlying issues.

By the time patients come to me, they have been on many different medications, they’re seen numerous doctors and they are still feeling sick and helpless. I am ready to fight for my patients to get answers to their underlying issues so we can get them on the road to recovery. There is no question that the path that I am on was meant for me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else as a career. I feel blessed every day to be able to do what makes me happy, which is helping others get their lives back. The beauty of having my own practice is that I can also walk the walk, meaning it gives me flexibility and balance in my own personal life so that I can take care of myself and give energy to my family and to my patients.

To learn how Sonoran can prepare YOU for a rewarding career in medicine, contact admissions@sonoran.edu or call 480.858.9100.