Management Medical

Kirsten L. West, ND

**** ******** **. ************, ** 19118 *******.****@****-****.***; 215-***-****

Arizona State Naturopathic Medical License # 09-1153

PROFILE

Long-standing commitment to integrative oncology. Focused on promoting the use of evidence-based natural

therapies to inform an integrative approach to cancer treatment and to advance the field of naturopathic oncology.

Specific goals include: a reputation for clinical excellence; improving patient safety and reducing provider liability;

improving quality-of-life for patients and caregivers; and optimizing outcomes through collaboration with

conventional oncology providers.

EDUCATION

RESIDENCY, INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY 2009-2011

Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Eastern Regional Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE 2009

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Tempe, AZ

MASTERS IN ORIENTAL MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE 2006- present

Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, Distance Learning

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE in Psychology 2003

University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Psi Chi National Honor Society

Certificate of Recognition for Academic Excellence

RELATED ONCOLOGY EXPERIENCE

Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Eastern Regional Medical Center Philadelphia, PA

Naturopathic Resident, Clinical Experience in Naturopathic Medicine and Medical Oncology

• Partnered with a medical oncologist on a PEC team, as a resident.

• Responsible for attending all in-patient rounds as part of an interdisciplinary clinical team and

advising on in-patient status to naturopathic department.

• Responsible for call on in-patients, and for naturopathic co-management of critical care patients.

• Pioneered naturopathic role with un-exposed med onc and physician assistant in PEC team and co-

developed a comprehensive practice model.

• Point-person for training of new nurse classes to ERMC. Responsible for nurse accessibility to

naturopathic medicine department

• Collaboration with nutrition department for creation of educational materials for stakeholders through

hospital initiative for stakeholder wellness.

• Teach bi-monthly class for patients and stakeholders on naturopathic medicine as adjunct to

chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and primary natural therapies for foundations of wellness.

• Responsible for bi-monthly department case presentation and facilitation of clinical discussion.

• Development of naturopathic protocol for management of radiation patients with an emphasis on relationship

building between radiation department and naturopathic medicine department.

• Bi-monthly collaboration with pharmacology department with a focus on cross-provider education on natural

therapeutics for pharmacy fellows from other clinical institutions.

• Co-investigator on clinical trials including development of research materials directed toward IRB approval

• Management of radiation side effects, improvement of radiation efficacy and outcome.

• Management of naturopathic adjunct for pre and post surgical patients.

• Management of chemotherapy side effects, improvement of chemotherapy efficacy and outcome

Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Eastern Regional Medical Center Philadelphia, PA

Naturopathic Resident, Didactic Experience in Naturopathic Medicine and Medical Oncology

• Mentored by leaders in integrative oncology who modeled best practice-protocols.

• Evaluated scientific evidence and mechanism of natural medicine.

• Researched and presented on every major cancer type, stage, course, intervention, prognosis and

outcome.

• Researched all chemotherapy and oncologic interventions, drug-herb interactions and side effects.

• Explored marketing and claims made in the alternative cancer treatment realm to educate our patients.

• Communication with pastoral care and mind body medicine to develop skills in: death and dying;

medical ethics; patient/provider boundaries; fear and crisis; grief process; transformative influence of the

cancer journey.

SPECIALTY ROTATIONS

Patel, Dinesh, MD, Hematology/Oncology, CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia, PA

• Medical Oncology – Observed oncologic management of cancer patients, chemotherapy protocol, dosing and

corollary effects, end-of-life issues, medical ethics.

Robinson, William MD, Dermatology/Oncology, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, CO

• Dermatologic Oncology – Observed oncologic management of skin cancer patients, pathologic study of skin

neoplasias and participation in resident training and rounds.

Lavagnini, Pablo, MD, Radiation Oncologist, CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia, PA

• Radiation Oncology – Observed oncologic radiation management, dosing, IMRT, tomotherapy, stereotactic

radiosurgery, hyperthermia, HIPEC. Joint clinical consults regarding management of side effects associated

with radiotherapy.

Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, Naturopathic Oncologist, Naturopathic Specialists, Scottsdale, AZ

• Naturopathic Oncology – Interned in naturopathic management of several cancer types. Assisted with all

physical exams and case reports. Creation of cancer specific recommendations and treatment plans.

Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO, Naturopathic Oncologist, Denver Naturopathic Clinic, Denver, CO

• Naturopathic Oncology – Interned in Naturopathic oncologic management of cancer patients. Literature

review and assistance in the compilation of treatment recommendations and protocols.

Wagner, Steven, MD, Radiology, CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia, PA

• Interventional Radiology – Observation of diagnostic imaging. Specific interventions included:

chemoembolization, RFA; TheraSphere; thoracentesis; port placement.

Katz, Philip, MD, Gastroenterology, Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

• Gastroenterology – Observation of GI surgical and interventional procedures. Discerned management of GI

critical care, infectious disease, ERCP and hepatobiliary complications.

Seiders, Dawn, MD, Hospitalist, CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia, PA

• Internal Medicine – Observation of Hospital rounds, patient assessment and inpatient care. Distinguished the

role of hospital medicine, management of acute conditions and pain management.

Reisner, Russel, MD, Surgical Oncologist, CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia, PA

• Surgical Oncology – Observation of surgical procedure. Joint tenancy in sterile technique. Comprehension of

surgical complications. Collaborative assessment of wound care.

Lu, Jason, MD, Pulmonary Critical Care and Hospitalist, CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia, PA

• Pulmonology– Observed management of ventilation/perfusion, management of acute infections, electrolyte

management in critical care setting. Observed maintenance physiological stability in critical and in-patient

setting.

Hanau, Cheryl, MD, Head of Pathology, Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

• Pathology – Observation of gross anatomy/pathology rotations. Discerned immunohistochemistry, cytology,

flow cytometry and ThinPrep techniques. Observation and assistance in surgical and clinical pathology case

review.

PERTINENT WORK EXPERIENCE

Herbal Medicinary Assistant 2008

• Assisted in cultivation and wild crafting of medicinary herbs

• Aided in preparation of the ’06 and ’08 Botnical Medicine Conference at SCNM

• Prepared herbs for class medicinary projects

• Mentor to students in cultivating and wild crafting of herbs

Ancillary Health Technician 2003-2005

• Performed phlebotomy on all hospital units

• Worked as ECG technician; STAT basis in ER

• Responsibility of responding to any “codes”

Research Assistant at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center 2003-2005

• Literature Review: Treatment of Depression in Primary Care Medicine

• Secondary Investigator: Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Latino Populations

• Assisted in the design of “depression identification” pamphlet for at risk populations

Professional Risk Management 2000

• Collaboration with risk management team at University of Colorado Hospital

• Coordinated reports to identify areas that need quality improvement initiatives.

• Developed skills with data entry and keyboarding.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Investigator, Clinical Trials (in progress)

o Klimant E M.D., Wright HW N.D., West, K, ND Clinical trial of High Dose IV Ascorbic Acid in

Combination with Gemzar in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

o Lang R N.D., Niesley, MN N.D., Berd DB M.D., West, K, ND, Stevens V N.D. Clinical trial of L-

Glutamine for Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy Associated Peripheral Neuropathy.

• Literature Search and Primary Database Creation on Naturopathic Intervention.

o Organized primary literature based on type of cancer, chemotherapy, safety, quality of life, side effect or

improved outcomes.

o Able to evaluate a study and determine the quality of data, shortcomings, and applicability.

PUBLICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

• West, KL. N.D. Naturopathic Residency. Naturopathic News and Review (NDNR). 2010 April: 6(4):12-15.

• West, KL., N.D. Alschuler L, N.D. Girard, C, N.D. Prenguber, M. N.D. NPGA Abstract: “Outlining goals and

current progress in implementation of universal residency application and matching program.” AANP, Phoenix,

AZ; pending August 2011

• West, KL N.D.“Melanoma: Integrative clinical management” CTCA-ERMC, Philadelphia., PA 2011

• West, KL, N.D.“Integrative Cancer Care” Our Journey of Hope, Dumfries, VA 2010

• West, KL, N.D. “Naturopathic Medicine in the Integrative Care Setting”, CTCA-ERMC. Philadelphia, PA.

Ongoing; 2010-2011

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Implementation of “ A Healthy Start to Wellness” classes, CTCA, Eastern Regional Medical Center

o Education of stakeholders regarding naturopathic medicine: uses and philosophy.

o Creation of classes focused specifically at stress resolution in addition to comprehension of basic herbs,

vitamins and supplements.

• Peer Advisor to R1, CTCA, Eastern Regional Medical Center

o Peer-to-peer relationship focused on working within a team, communication skills, and skills to balance

“work-life” demands and manage stressors that come up in cancer care.

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

Clinical Care Conferences, Oncology, Hematology, Internal Medicine with CME Over 60 hours

Tumor Board and Cancer Conferences with CME Over 120 hours

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

• Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition 2010, attendee

• Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians Annual Conference 2010: Natural and Integrative

Oncology, attendee

• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Annual Conference 2010, attendee

• Integrative Women’s Health Conference on Breast Cancer 2009, attendee

• Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association Annual Conference 2008, attendee

• Southwest Botanical Medicine Conference 2008, attendee

• Oreganon Investigator Meeting: Study of Asenapine and its influences on the Negative Effects of Schizophrenia

2009, attendee

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member:

• Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians

• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

o House of Delegates Member

• Naturopathic Post Graduate Association

o Founding Board Member

• Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians

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