Jessica Mitchell ND

Dean, College of Naturopathic Medicine

Jessica Mitchell, ND, FABNP, is a visionary leader in higher education with a diverse background in administration, clinical care, research, and team leadership. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Dr. Mitchell has consistently achieved success in aligning organizational strategy with naturopathic medicine principles to drive operational excellence and student success. 

Currently serving as Dean of the College of Naturopathic Medicine at Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine) since October 2019, Dr. Mitchell has overseen tremendous achievements in enrollment and student success. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Mitchell has demonstrated agility and resilience, successfully navigating challenges such as the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. She founded and led the COVID Taskforce, ensuring a coordinated response and implementation of health and safety policies. Dr. Mitchell also excels in regulatory compliance, faculty development, and stakeholder management, playing a pivotal role in strategic planning and budget management for the College of Naturopathic Medicine. 

Prior to her current role, Dr. Mitchell held various leadership positions within the institution, including Associate Dean of Naturopathic Clinical Education and Director of Clinical Training and Operations. In these roles, she spearheaded curriculum updates, faculty development initiatives, and strategic partnerships to enhance student learning and patient experiences. 

Dr. Mitchell’s dedication to advancing naturopathic medicine extends beyond her administrative roles. She is a respected researcher and practitioner, contributing to studies on autism spectrum disorder and serving as a co-primary investigator on a Phase II drug trial investigating Microbiota Transfer Therapy for adults on the autism spectrum with gastrointestinal disorders. 

In addition to her professional endeavors, Dr. Mitchell is actively involved in professional associations, serving as a founder and board member of the American Board of Naturopathic Pediatrics, a board member of the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education, and a board member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.   

Outside of work, Dr. Mitchell enjoys recreational activities such as sailing, paddleboarding, and hiking, as well as pursuing interests in yoga, cooking, and travel. With her passion for holistic health and commitment to excellence, Dr. Mitchell continues to make significant contributions to the field of naturopathic medicine and higher education. 

Education

Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Pediatrics 

Sonoran University of Health Sciences, formerly SCNM (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) 

Binghamton University (Bachelor of Science – Psychobiology) 

Professional Associations

• Founding member and current board member, the American Board of Naturopathic Pediatrics 

• Board member, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians 

• Board member, the Council of Naturopathic Medicine Education 

• Member, the Arizona Association of Naturopathic Physicians. 

Publications

Nutritional and Dietary Treatment Study for Children and Adults with Autism, 2018 

SECONDARY STUDY PHYSICIAN  

• Comprehensive Nutritional and Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized, Controlled 12-Month Trial. Nutrients. 2018 Mar 17;10(3) 

• Responsible for physical exams, answering study participant and nurse questions and reviewing laboratory exams to ensure participant safety.   

• This study demonstrated the effect of combining nutritional interventions that have been studied separately on the severity of autism symptoms. 

• Adams JB1, Audhya T2, Geis E3, Gehn E4, Fimbres V5, Pollard EL6, Mitchell J7, Ingram J8, Hellmers R9, Laake D10, Matthews JS11, Li K12, Naviaux JC13, Naviaux RK14, Adams RL15, Coleman DM16, Quig DW17 

Core Competencies for Naturopathic Medical Students, 2015 

CONTRIBUTOR 

• The Chief Clinical and Academic Officers subgroup of the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges wrote and published the Core Competencies for the Naturopathic Medical students. 

• Developing Core Competencies for Naturopathic Medicine Programs in North America: AANMC Core Competencies of the Graduating Naturopathic Student. MedEdPublish. 10.15694/mep.2015.005.0005 

• Henriksen, Melanie; Zeifman, Mitchell; Thompson, H. Garrett R; Beasleigh, Sarah; Byrd-Vaughn, Mikyle;  Carino, Jasmine; Clark, Becky; Conner, Kristina; Degroot, Nick; El-Hashemy, Shehab; Geyer, Mary; Guiltinan, Jane; Johnson, Jennifer; Mitchell, Jessica; Olehausen, Joni; Prenguber, Marcia; Sanders, Jill; Scotten, David; Staruch, Arianna; Yanez, JoAnn. (2015).  

Nutritional and Metabolic Status and Treatments for Autism, 2011 

SECONDARY STUDY PHYSICIAN  

• Responsible for physical exams, answering nurse and participant questions. Reviewed laboratory results to ensure participant safety. 

• This study assessed nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism, identified problems in oxidative stress, glutathione, and many other areas. The study demonstrated that a customized vitamin/mineral supplement was able to significantly improve nutritional and metabolic status, and improve autism symptoms. 

• Adams J13. Audhya T. Medonough-Means S. Rubin RA. Quig D. Geis E. Gehn E. ‘,presto M. Mitchell J. Atwood S. Barnhouse S. Lee W Nutritional and Metabolic Status of Children with Autism vs. Neurotvpical Children. and the Association with Autism Severity, Nutr. Metab (Lond) 2011 Jun 8:8(1):34. 

• Adams .1B. Audhya ‘1’. Mcdonough-Means S. Rubin RA. Quig D. Geis E. Gehn E. Loresto M. Mitchell J. Atwood S. Barnhouse S. Lee W Effect of a Vitamin/Mineral Supplement on Children with Autism. BMC Pediatrics 2011. 11 :11 1 

Toxic Metals and Effect of Detoxification in Autism, 2009 

SECONDARY STUDY PHYSICIAN 

• Responsible for physician exams, answering nurse and participant questions and reviewing laboratory results to ensure participant safety. 

• This study showed: 1. Elevated levels of toxic metals in children with autism, 2. Increased levels of toxic metals are associated with increased severity of autism symptoms, and 3. DMSA (a FDA-approved medication for lead poisoning) is effective for removing toxic metals and improving symptoms of autism. 

• Adams .1B. Audhya T, McDonough-Means S. Rubin RA. Quig D. Geis E. Gehn E, Loresto M. Mitchell J. Atwood S. Barnhouse S. Lee W. Toxicological status of children with autism vs. neurotypical children and the association with autism severity Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013 151:171-180. 

• Adams JR. I3aral M. Geis E. Mitchell J. Ingram .1. llerisley A. Zappia 1, Newmark S. Gehn E. Rubin RA. Mitchell K. Bradstreet J. EI-Dahr J. “The Severity of Autism Is Associated with Toxic Metal Body Burden and Red Blood Cell Glutathione Levels.– .1 Toxicol. 2009:2009:532640. Epub 2009 Aug 26. 

• Adams .113. tiara! M. Geis E. Mitchell J. Ingram J. Hensley A. Zappia I. Newmark S. Gehn E, Rubin RA. Mitchell K. Bradstreet .1. El-Dahr J. Safety and efficacy of oral DMSA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: Part A–medical results. BMC Clin Parmacol. 2009 Oct 23:9:16 
• Adams 313, Baral M. Geis E. Mitchell J. Ingram J. Hensley A. Zappia 1, Newmark S. Gehn E. Rubin RA. Mitchell K. Bradstreet J. El-Dahr J. Safety and efficacy of oral DMSA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: part B – behavioral results. BMC’ Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Oct 23:9:17.