Avikai Staff

Founder, Director

Dr. Michelle Turcotte, ND

Dr. Turcotte is a graduate of
Bastyr University and is a naturopathic physician.
She studied pre-med & psychology at the University of Washington, graduating cum laude.
She is also a licensed NMD in Arizona.

Specialties

• Cellulite Treatment with Lipolaser & Hormone Balancing
• Weight loss with hCG (shot free).
• Hormone Rejuvenation (drug free)
• Metabolic Analysis -mind & body
• Whole Body Cleanse, Detoxification
• Balance Emotions & Mood Swings

Dr. Turcotte is a founding member of International Medical Spa Association, a member of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and the International SPA Association.

Paige Lakerman, Esthetician

News Briefs

Naturopathic Physicians to Receive the Same Academic Recognition as MDs

NDs will be classified by the federal government in the same professional category as allopathic medical doctors under a new system recently approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The change becomes effective in July 2008.

The new law places NDs in the “Doctor Degree-Professional Practice” category along with MDs, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, osteopaths, podiatrists, pharmacists,  veterinarians and lawyers.

The degree reclassification formalizes the growing national acceptance of naturopathic medicine as a field of knowledge equivalent to traditional medicine.

Numbers of Naturopathic Physicians on the Rise

From 2001 to 2006, the number of licensed and affiliate NDs in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past six years from 1362 in 2001 to 2780 in 2006.

Definition of an ND: “individuals who successfully complete a four-year graduate-level degree from an accredited naturopathic medical school.” NDs embrace holistic approaches to healing and consider the whole person-body, mind and spirit.”

NDs should not be confused with naturopaths that receive their principle education and training through various formats, such as workshops, seminars, apprenticeships, correspondence courses and other alternative methods. Naturopaths are sometimes called lay or traditional naturopaths to contrast them with the more academically and professionally educated naturopathic physicians.

Since 2000, three additional states (California, Idaho and Kansas) and the District of Columbia enacted ND licensing, increasing the total number of states to 18.

Arizona, Washington, Oregon and Connecticut experienced the most dramatic increases during the five years.

Three factors are associated with the rising supply of NDs in the U.S.: Rising demand for CAM; increased lobbying for licensure; and growing interest among private insurance companies to cover naturopathic services.