Naturopathic and Integrative Dermatology Series

Dr. Ashley Dumont, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor and a graduate from the National University of Natural Medicine.

With a deep-rooted passion for dermatology, she believes in taking an evidence-based, holistic and individualized approach to skin health by addressing the foundational aspects of health as well as incorporating botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, mind-body medicine, and IV therapy. Dr. Dumont understands and values the importance of physical, spiritual, and emotional health and its direct connection to achieving healthy skin and overall wellness. Her goal is to empower her patients to take an active role in their personal and unique path to healing.

Christa Biegler, RD, LN is the host and owner of Less Stressed Life Nutrition & Podcast. She sees telemedicine private practice clients in the areas of digestive, skin, fatigue, sleep and hormone issues. She is the author of The Eczema Relief Diet & Cookbook: Short-Term Meal Plans to Identify Triggers and Soothe Flare-Ups. Her podcast, The Less Stressed Life, provides lifestyle and nutrition content for reducing the inflammation

She graduated from South Dakota State University in journalism and dietetics and completed her dietetic internship at the St. Louis Department of Veterans Affairs with an emphasis in health disparities. She is the president of the South Dakota Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and Marketing Chair for Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine. She was awarded Outstanding Dietitian of the Year in 2020 and Young Dietitian of the Year for South Dakota in 2017.

Dr. Emaline Brown earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2017. She went on to complete one year of residency at Bastyr University Clinic in San Diego, California before joining Healthtopia Clinics, an urgent and primary care practice in Encinitas, California.

Dr. Brown has a passion for tailoring gentle, result-based treatment plans using traditional and evidence-based therapeutics, such as nutrition, botanical medicine, and mind-body medicine. She strongly believes in an integrative, multidisciplinary care team approach that considers the biopsychosocial model in an effort to treat the whole patient. Her goal is to guide and empower all patients to find their optimal wellness.

Jennifer Brand, MPH, MS, CNS is an integrative and clinical nutritionist, and the founder of Jennifer Caryn Brand Nutrition. She specializes in childhood skin rashes, food allergies and sensitivities, and gut problems. Jennifer’s own struggle with gut problems and disordered eating, her father’s battle with psoriasis turned psoriatic arthritis, her brother’s diagnosis of psoriasis, and her mother’s diagnosis of vitiligo left her frustrated, and stirred her search for a different approach as conventional means fell flat.

In 2013 she opened her private, clinical nutrition practice. Jennifer left her corporate healthcare career in 2017 to focus full time on helping clients get relief by addressing imbalances in the gut microbiome.

Jennifer’s work has been featured in peer-reviewed scientific journals, Voyagela, as well as on podcasts, online summits, and in-person presentations at venues such as Casa Colina Hospital in California.

Jennifer Fugo, MS, CNS, LDN is a licensed clinical nutritionist empowering people failed by conventional approaches to beat chronic skin and unending gut challenges. Because she’s overcome a long history of gut issues and eczema, Jennifer has empathy and insight to help her clients discover missing pieces and create doable integrative plans.

She has a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Her work has been featured on Dr. Oz, Reuters, Yahoo!, CNN, and many podcasts and summits. Jennifer is the host of the Healthy Skin Show podcast.

Jessica completed her BSc at York University in Toronto, ON and has completed her Doctor of Naturopathy degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She believes that integrative medicine with an evidence-based approach can allow practitioners to better support patients and optimize patient care. Jessica is passionate about bridging naturopathic and conventional medicine in clinical dermatology.

Dr. Kris Somol is a primary care provider in the Seattle area of Washington State. Dr. Somol specializes in women's health issues, and adolescent care. Dr. Somol graduated from Bastyr University in 2005, and completed a two-year residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle. She is currently clinical academic faculty at Bastyr University, Kenmore campus, teaching Gynecology, Advanced Gynecology, Integrated Case Studies, and classes in mental health. Dr. Somol is committed to working collaboratively with her patients to create successful improvements in their health.

Maria is a naturopathic doctor who attended the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She has a strong interest in integrative dermatology, mental health, environmental medicine, and epigenetics. Maria’s passion is to help make integrative medicine more accessible, especially in the state of Florida where naturopathic medicine is currently not regulated. She is an active member of the FNPA and has participated in naturopathic advocacy and lobbying events such as the DCFLI. In the future, she aims to help others reach their own health goals by providing individualized treatment plans that address the multiple root causes of illness. She also loves animals and would like to help make integrative veterinary care more accessible as well.

Dr. Michael Traub's father was a dermatologist, and this inspired him to become the leading expert in skin in the naturopathic profession. He has taught dermatology at five of the seven accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America and is the author of “Essentials of Dermatologic Diagnosis and Integrative Therapeutics.” He has been medical director of Lokahi Health Center in Kailua Kona, Hawaii for the past 32 years. He has been actively engaged in clinical research throughout most of his career. His most recent investigation is “Efficacy and Safety of Kamedis Eczema Treatment in Children and Adults with Atopic Dermatitis.”

Dr. Nikka Kanani is a licensed Naturopathic doctor practicing in Orange County, California. She specializes in naturopathic dermatology, women’s health, and digestive health. She struggled with skin conditions including acne and eczema, and found relief and healing through integrative medicine. This developed into a passion for natural skin care and integrative dermatology. She believes that clear, healthy skin is achieved by treating the person from the inside out. 

Dr. Kanani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Science from the University of California, Irvine. She then completed her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University in San Diego, California. Dr. Kanani received advanced clinical training in women’s health, dermatology, environmental medicine, and autoimmune disease. She believes in an individualized approach to medicine and treating the patient as a whole person. Dr. Kanani is passionate about educating patients and working with them to create a treatment plan that is both feasible and effective. Her goal is to empower people to take control of their own health.

Proudly celebrating nearly 20 years in the profession, Dr Rob Ayoup, Naturopathic Doctor, has worked to promote the rich benefits of Naturopathic Medicine to the public and colleagues alike. After achieving his BSc in Psychology from McGill University, this proud Montreal native travelled down the highway to attend The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Graduating in 2002, and settling in the Toronto area, he has enjoyed a career filled with varied and unique ways of offering Naturopathic Medicine to the public. In addition to clinical practice, these include: working as a CCNM recruitment representative and teaching assistant; organizing and teaching various public & professionally-focused Continuing Education courses; being a Naturopathic consultant for one of Canada’s largest nation-wide Employee Assistance Programs; and proudly penning a portfolio of published articles covering both general and retail-focused topics in natural medicine and Naturopathic Aesthetics alike.

The bridge into Naturopathic Aesthetics began soon after graduation. Upon completing additional training & certification in Cosmetic Acupuncture, Dr Ayoup soon found a strong interest in his patient population for less invasive and natural approaches to skin health and beauty. This was accelerated by the recognition that this realm of natural-based cosmetics and cosmetic techniques was underexplored in the Naturopathic field. As Dr Ayoup studied and integrated these therapies into his practice, he quickly realized how much Naturopathic therapies, and especially our approach, can offer in the arena of Aesthetics Medicine. Working within various medical spa and fitness facilities has provided a wonderful opportunity to share Naturopathic Aesthetics with a wide population. Building on his passion for constant learning and teaching, Dr Ayoup is eager to educate his fellow NDs, MDs, and all other healthcare providers as to this exciting & unique application of Naturopathic principals and therapies.

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Rubaina Dang is a Naturopathic Doctor with a strong passion for dermatology, gut health and cardiometabolic conditions. She completed her undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience with Honors from the University of California, San Diego and her doctorate degree at Bastyr University, which is one of the world's leading academic institutions for natural and integrative education. During her undergraduate and postgraduate career, she has pursued research in the realm of meditation, mindfulness and cognitive-based therapies. She believes in the connection of the mind and the body, as well as the strong association of the gut, hormones, stress and their interplay with the skin. With a strong interest of understanding her patients and finding the root cause of their complaints, she takes on a holistic, whole-person approach to healing. She recognizes the importance of proper nutrition, a balanced lifestyle, and combining conventional and integrative approaches for optimal outcomes. Her clinical specialties include: eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea, SIBO, PCOS, diabetes, and cardiovascular health. She uses evidence-based research as the foundation of her practices and is currently working on combining science and herbalism into a modern skincare line.