Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey McLarry.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. McLarry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a naturopathic doctor. I earned my degree from Bastyr University right here in San Diego. Prior to that I earned my Bachelor of Science in molecular, cellular and developmental biology from the University of California in Santa Barbara. However, my love for medicine and nature goes back to my childhood. I could often be found playing outdoors making “potions” or “medicines” from flowers, leaves, sand and water. I would sometimes bandage my siblings’ arms or legs with make-shift casts and pretend to be their doctor. So, I knew from an early age I was destined for a natural, creative, form of healing.
Before attending medical school, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry and with conventional physicians and I learned a few things – I saw the ability of conventional medicine to lessen specific symptoms of disease, but I also realized that disease states overall were growing, not shrinking, despite multiple pharmaceutical interventions. More than that, I noted the entire lack of education around how food, water, exercise, vitamin status and nature could help heal the body, and more importantly help prevent disease. I knew then that conventional medicine would was not my calling, I needed something more fundamental and holistic. Naturopathic medicine is really the marriage of a love for healing and a great respect for nature and the body’s ability to heal it’s self when given the right support and circumstances. In my practice, I strive to look at the body as a whole structure, unique to everyone. I work to find the physiological root cause of any dysfunction, and work with the patient to correct any imbalances or deficits so that their body can restore its optimal function.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to becoming a naturopathic doctor, was certainly not without its challenges. The naturopathic medical program is remarkably challenging. Naturopathic doctors spend years learning bio-physiology, conventional pharmacology, anatomy, biochemistry, botanical medicine, counseling and more. It’s really a combination of many types of medicine, so it takes an incredible amount of time and devotion to truly absorb and apply the information in a way that is safe and effective. On top of that, when I started medical school, I was a single mother of two very young children who, as expected, required a lot a time and devotion.
By the time I finished medical school, four years later, I had a husband and two more children! To say life was a balancing act is an understatement. Finding time for one thing often seemed like neglecting another, which was an emotional challenge for me. People would often ask me how I was able to do it all. Honestly, having my family by my side was always the biggest inspiration for me and their support is why I can live my dream of practicing medicine as a naturopathic doctor. As a family doctor, I believe that going through medical school with a family only made me a better physician, and I am grateful for them every single day.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
I am currently practicing medicine at the Institute for Specialized Medicine. The owner/founder of this institute is Alexander Shikhman, MD, PhD. He is a leading expert in all things Rheumatology, Immunology, Autoimmune disorders and overall challenging cases, including Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. I joined this practice because I wanted to bring naturopathic medicine to a place that sees thousands of chronically ill patients. Many of them have been dealing with illnesses that have gone undiagnosed or conditions that have been difficult to manage before finding our clinic. They come to the Institute for Specialized medicine for just that – to have a specialized, individualized, treatment plan for their unique presentation of illness. My role here is to incorporate lifestyle & dietary changes to promote healing. I also utilize detoxification methods and treatments to alleviate fatigue to get our patients on the road to recovery.
Many of our patients need their hormones and neurotransmitters balanced as being ill for a long time can take a serious toll on energy, hormones and mental health! I also work independently with patients who are not chronically ill but are seeking natural solutions to primary care concerns such as immune boosting protocols, depression, anxiety, generalized fatigue, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, menopause and more. I feel lucky to practice in a place that offers so many unique treatments, I often design customized IV therapies, incorporate ozone and infrared treatments, design hormone protocols and offer individualized medical treatment plans that fit the individual needs of each patient. Every single treatment plan I design is completely unique, and I think this is where naturopathic medicine really shines! For my patients, there is never a one-size-fits-all medication or treatment, even for the exact same diagnosis, as each patient arrived at their health care challenge via a different pathway.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I plan to keep expanding my patient base. I’ve just begun offering genetic testing for my patients who want to take a deeper dive into the most foundational aspect of health. Genetic testing can help me identify any predispositions to health issues or imbalances in the body. It gives me an immediate road map on how to best support their body and alleviate certain dysfunctions. I’m always researching and learning about unique and new treatments to offer my patients. Currently I’m diving into really revitalizing IV therapies for joint, bone and muscle healing as well as individualized IV therapies for chronic fatigue. I’m also expanding my hormone balancing protocols for women as well as men. I’m always focusing on mental health for patients who have been dealing with chronic illness including Lyme disease and co-infections. To help patients restore confidence I am offering multiple facial and body rejuvenation procedures for patients who want to treat themselves to a little extra love.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dr. McLarry at the Institute for Specialized Medicine
4125 Sorrento Valley Blvd. Ste. A
San Diego, CA 92121 - Website: www.ifsmed.com
- Phone: 858.794.9192
- Email: mclarrynd@ifsmed.com
- Instagram: @seeyouinhealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seeuinhealth
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/ifsmed
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