Where It All Began

I started my medical journey as an internist, with additional training in psychiatry and geriatrics. Life had different plans for me – plans that would transform my entire approach to healing and wellness.

The Power of Change

My first big eye-opener came at the Wisconsin Medical Society, where I chaired the Young Physicians section. Working with the AMA showed me just how much impact organized groups could have on healthcare. This led me down an unexpected path into administrative medicine, where I responded to the call when Medicare initiated Medical Directors at the Medicare Contractors. I became:

• The first Medical Director at WPS Medicare – creating their first public list of Medical Policies
• The first Medical Officer at CMS/Medicare’s national office – in the new Bureau to work with Medical Directors at the MACs

I’m particularly proud of this: I created a new way to develop medical policies that gave the physicians and the public more voice in the process. It became so effective that Medicare now uses it nationwide as the LCD Process (Local Coverage Determination)!

My Personal Wake-Up Call: Combining Holistic Medicine

Everything changed when I was exposed to alternative therapies at CMS/Medicare. Reviewing requests for treatments like acupuncture made me realize something crucial: as doctors, we need to understand natural and alternative therapies before we judge them. This revelation led me to a dive deep into:

• Holistic medicine
• Natural healing approaches
• Energy medicine
• Herbal remedies

I served on the Board of Directors and became one of the first physicians to get certified by the American Holistic Medical Association!

Shift in Style – The Magic of Coaching and Motivational Interviewing

In 2003, I trained as a life coach and it completely changed how I interacted with clients as a physician. The shift was strengthened by training in Motivational Interviewing which partners to increase intrinsic motivation for self-management and improved self-care.

Life’s Greatest Teachers

My most profound learning came from personal experience. Being a caregiver changed everything. I supported my niece who lived with Cerebral Palsy and Bipolar Disorder, and later, I stepped away from clinical practice to care for a loved one dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and POTS.

As an experienced caregiver, my heart resonates with the responsibilities and challenges of caring for and facilitating the life journey of loved ones, making advocacy a crucial part of my mission. These experiences opened my eyes to what healthcare looks like from the other side of the desk. They taught me lessons no medical school ever could.

The Power of Peers

I discovered the power of peers as a leader in NAMI at the county, state and national levels. I was a trainer/teacher for NAMI Basics, NAMI Peer-to Peer, NAMI Homefront, and the NAMI Wisconsin Peer Support groups. 

Embracing Digital Innovation

My path of continuous learning took an exciting turn into the world of artificial intelligence. I recently completed certification in AI Generation and prompt engineering, exploring how these powerful tools can create images, videos, sound, and manage content.

I come from a music and art background before medicine and was pleasantly surprised to see how AI rekindled my imagination and creativity. It’s amazing how AI:

• Amplifies creativity in developing educational materials
• Streamlines the business aspects of work
• Makes it possible to reach and help more people
• Transforms routine tasks into opportunities for more meaningful work

I’ve come to think of AI as a sophisticated assistant that handles the time-consuming parts of work, giving me more time to focus on what really matters – connecting with people and providing personalized support. This technology isn’t replacing the human touch; it’s enhancing our ability to provide it.

Why this Matters

I’ve been on both sides – as a doctor and as a caregiver. I know what it’s like to navigate the healthcare maze, to search for answers, to need support. That’s why we focus on:

Our approach integrates conventional wisdom with innovative techniques, fostering an environment where individuals are empowered to take control of their life and health journey.

• Making complex medical information easy to understand
• Supporting caregivers who are supporting others
• Creating a community of peer support
• Empowering you to take charge of your health journey

Be Well – Hope to connect with you! Kay