Bio
Dr. Eric Blake
Dr. Blake was born in New York City, the son of a graduate professor. He received a degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati in 1994. He focused on cross-cultural medical and religious practices while completing a preparatory medical education . He then worked as an herbalist in a small natural foods store and corner natural medicine apothecary in Cincinnati, Ohio. In anticipation of naturopathic medical school he moved to New York City and worked alongside a well-respected acupuncturist in mid-town Manhattan.
Dr. Blake went on to graduate from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. National College is the oldest college of naturopathic medicine in North America, celebrating 50 years in 2006. There he completed a Masters in Science of Oriental Medicine and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. He pursued special studies in Physical Medicine for infectious and degenerative diseases, Constitutional Hydrotherapy, history of natural medicine and German irisdiagnosis. Before graduating he was already teaching and lecturing in the hydrotherapy courses. After graduation he completed a residency at one of the busiest and longest continually operating naturopathic clinics in North America.
Dr. Blake has authored a teaching text on hydrotherapy for physicians, is the history editor of the Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine project, and is contributing editor of an upcoming textbook of Naturopathic Physical Medicine that will be for international use in Naturoapthic Colleges internationally. He is also currently adjunct faculty at National College teaching hydrotherapy, history, and irisdiagnosis.
Dr. Blake combines his extensive knowledge of therapeutic techniques learned through his unique study of the history of naturopathic medicine with the outstanding training of a modern naturopathic college and his apprenticeship at the side of masters of the art.
Dr. Christopher Metro
Dr. Metro developed an interest in natural medicines early in life while growing up in Buffalo, New York. Nutritional and herbal medicines were introduced by his grandmother at an early age, while homeopathic remedies and cell salts became his first deep interest in the field of natural medicine.
Being the son and grandson of chemists, it was natural for him to pursue and complete a BS in chemical engineering. He went on to specialize in silicate, chlor-alkali and petroleum based derivatives while working for Occidental Chemical Corporation, where he was a part of the technical service and research department. His work provided him with a wide range of experiences in many fields of manufacturing throughout the US. During this time he continued to pursue his interest in natural medicine by completing course work at the New England School of Homeopathy, which inspired his desire to pursue further study at the National College of Natural Medicine.
Dr. Metro completed his a Doctorate in Naturopathic medicine and his Master of Science in Oriental Medicine in 2004. During his tenure at NCNM, he developed clinical experience in drug treatment and co-infections by completing internship programs at Portland Alternative Health Center, De Paul Treatment Youth Center, Outside In and Dignity Village. He developed his interest and experience with difficult and recalcitrant diseases at the Immune Enhancement Program for the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Portland, Oregon.
He has travelled and studied throughout China, working extensively with the respected Daoist elder Prof. Wang Qingyu of the Sichuan Acadamy of Cultural History and Prof. Liu Lihong of Guangxi Institute for Research and Preservation of Classical Chinese Medicine. He has worked with Prof. Heiner Fruehauf, founder of the Classical Chinese medicine department at NCNM, to establish an online film archive of interviews and lectures from experts in mainland China. He currently is an adjunct professor of Integrated Nutrition in the Chinese Medicine Department at NCNM, and he participates in research endeavors in acupuncture with the Helfgott Research Institute.
Melissa Christensen ND, Certified Midwife
Dr. Christensen was born in Alberta, Canada and grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. From her parents she learned the importance of maintaining a healthy active lifestyle in order to achieve optimal wellness and lifelong happiness.
She graduated magna cum laude from Willamette University in Salem, OR with a Bachelor of Arts. While pursuing a career as a professional artist, she rediscovered her childhood dream of one day becoming a physician. Due to the philosophies of health ingrained in her during childhood she elected to pursue a career in natural medicine. Dr. Christensen graduated from the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, OR with a degree in Naturopathic Medicine and a Certificate in Midwifery.
Dr. Christensen completed a two-year gynecology internship with Dr. Kimberly Windstar-Hamlin, which emphasized the treatment and management of a variety of women's health concerns as well as infertility, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and chronic health conditions. Dr. Christensen is also in the process of completing a three-year externship in Naturopathic Midwifery, with an expected completion date in 2011. Dr. Christensen maintains a general family practice with a special interest in women's health, endocrinology, pediatrics, and chronic disease.
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