Today we’d like to introduce you to Alissia Zenhausern-Pfeiffer, NMD, FABNE.
Hi Alissia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path into medicine was deeply personal long before it was professional. I’m a naturopathic doctor with advanced training in endocrinology, and like many of the women I now work with, my journey into fertility and hormone care began with my own health challenges. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis early in my adult life and later went through my own struggles to conceive, an experience that fundamentally changed how I viewed women’s healthcare and the gaps within it.
As I moved through my medical training and into practice, I knew I wanted to focus on women’s health, but it wasn’t until I began working directly with fertility patients that I recognized a major missing link in the space. Women were often told either, “everything looks normal, just keep trying,” or they were rushed into aggressive reproductive interventions without anyone addressing the foundational pieces—metabolic function, inflammation, nutrient status, thyroid health, and lifestyle. There was very little in between.
After years of building a successful in-person concierge practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, I noticed another barrier that kept coming up again and again: access. So many women especially busy, high-performing women wanted evidence-based, personalized fertility care but simply couldn’t fit traditional medical models into their lives. Long wait times, rushed appointments, and geographic limitations made high-quality care difficult to access, even in places like California where the need is enormous.
That realization led me to expand into a California-based telehealth practice, with a strong focus on serving women throughout San Diego and across the state. Telehealth allowed me to create a care model that’s both high-touch and highly personalized, while still grounded in medical rigor and collaboration. It gave us the ability to meet women where they are without sacrificing depth, continuity, or quality.
Today, our practice focuses on fertility optimization, preconception planning, PCOS, thyroid disease, pregnancy, and postpartum care. We work alongside OB-GYNs and reproductive endocrinologists, not in opposition to them, helping women feel informed, supported, and confident in their care. For many patients, this model becomes the missing link they didn’t realize they needed. Care that treats fertility as part of lifelong health, not just a single moment in time. We pride ourselves in bridging the gap between the best of conventional medicine with that natural medicine offers.
At the core of everything I do is a simple goal: to help women feel heard, supported, and empowered in their bodies again. Expanding access through telehealth in California has been a natural and deeply meaningful next chapter in that mission.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building something new, especially in healthcare, rarely is. Early on, there was a lot of doubt, both externally and internally. I was practicing evidence-based, natural medicine at a time when that approach wasn’t widely understood or trusted, even though much of it aligns with what is now considered standard of care. Being early to that intersection meant constantly having to explain, justify, and sometimes defend my work.
One of the biggest challenges was breaking through the misconception that integrative or naturopathic care isn’t rigorous or scientific. For a long time, patients were stuck between two extremes. On one side, there was the rise of wellness “woo-woo” trendsprotocols driven by social media, influencers, and anecdote, often lacking research or medical oversight. On the other, there were very rigid, conventional medical options that focused on protocols rather than the person, leaving little room for nuance, prevention, or personalization. What was missing was a true bridge: care that was grounded in research, clinically thoughtful, and still respected the body as a whole system. That gap is what I saw again and again in fertility care, and it’s ultimately what shaped the model I built. I knew the care I was providing was rooted in data, physiology, and clinical outcomes, but because it didn’t fit neatly into existing boxes, there was skepticism about the model, about patient demand, and even about whether this kind of practice could be successful long term. Launching and scaling a telehealth fertility practice added another layer of complexity. Telemedicine was still a relatively new space for this level of personalized, longitudinal care, and there were many unknowns. Would patients trust the process? Would outcomes be just as strong? Could we truly build connection and continuity virtually? Those questions came up constantly, especially in the early stages. What kept me moving forward was a deep conviction in the mission. I could see firsthand how women were falling through the cracks being dismissed, rushed, or given incomplete answers and I knew there had to be a better way. Over time, patient outcomes, trust, and word-of-mouth validated the model. Looking back, the doubts and struggles were part of the work. They forced me to be clear, intentional, and uncompromising about quality. And in many ways, those early challenges are exactly what shaped the practice into what it is today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about NMD Wellness?
Our practice is a California-based telehealth medical practice specializing in fertility optimization, preconception care, hormone and endocrine health, pregnancy, and postpartum support. We work with women throughout San Diego and across the state who want thoughtful, evidence-based care that goes beyond surface-level solutions and one-size-fits-all protocols. What sets us apart is the way we bridge conventional medicine and integrative care in a way that’s both rigorous and practical. We don’t ask patients to choose between “natural” or “medical.” Instead, we integrate the best of both grounding every recommendation in research, clinical reasoning, and real-world outcomes. Our approach is rooted in endocrinology, metabolic health, and physiology, with a strong emphasis on prevention and long-term resilience, not just short-term fertility goals. We’re especially known for working with patients who feel stuck or dismissed—those with PCOS, thyroid disease, unexplained infertility, recurrent loss, or complex hormone patterns. Many of our patients are high-functioning women who have already “done everything right” and are looking for a strategic, personalized plan rather than more generic advice. We collaborate closely with OB-GYNs, reproductive endocrinologists, and other specialists to ensure care is comprehensive and aligned. From helping women with natural conception to supporting them along their IVF journey, NMD Wellness provides women with integrative solutions to their fertility needs. From a brand perspective, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built. Our model is intentionally high-touch and relationship-driven, even in a telehealth setting. Patients aren’t rushed, minimized, or left to navigate their care alone. Education is a core pillar of our brand—we believe informed patients make better decisions and feel more empowered in their health. What I want readers to know is that this practice exists because women deserve better. Better explanations, better access, better continuity, and better care.
We operate on a membership-based care model. This is intentional. Fertility, hormone health, and endocrine conditions aren’t problems that can be meaningfully addressed in a single visit or through reactive, one-off care. They require continuity, context, and ongoing adjustment. The membership model allows us to build real relationships with patients, track progress over time, and provide proactive support rather than crisis-based care.
From a clinical standpoint, this structure is one of the biggest reasons for our success. It gives patients consistent access, education, and accountability, while allowing us to practice medicine the way it’s meant to be practiced thoughtfully, collaboratively, and without the time constraints that often limit meaningful care. For patients, it creates clarity and confidence. For our team, it creates the space to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care without compromise.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from and be supported by a strong community of mentors, colleagues, patients, and team members who have all played meaningful roles in shaping this practice. Professionally, being part of respected medical and professional organizations focused on endocrinology and women’s health has been incredibly influential. These communities emphasize evidence-based care, continued education, and thoughtful clinical collaboration. Being surrounded by peers who challenge assumptions, share clinical insight, and hold a high standard for patient care has helped me grow as a physician and refine how I approach complex fertility and hormone cases. I’m also deeply grateful for the teammates who help bring this vision to life. Building a high-touch, membership-based telehealth practice requires a team that truly believes in continuity, education, and patient-centered care. Their dedication allows us to support patients consistently and deliver care that aligns with our values. Most importantly, my patients deserve immense credit. Many have come to us after long, frustrating journeys, often feeling dismissed or overwhelmed by conflicting advice. Their trust, openness, and commitment to their health have shaped the practice in profound ways. Patient outcomes and feedback continue to guide how we evolve and improve what we offer. At every stage, I’ve been supported by people who believe women deserve better. They deserve care that is informed, compassionate, and rooted in science. This practice is a reflection of that shared belief.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nmdwellnessofscottsdale.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drzennmd/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@drzen_nmd
Image Credits
Image credit: Nicole Zenhausern
