Board of Directors

Gregory Pais, ND, DHANP
HANP Vice President, Board Member since 2015

Dr. Gregory Pais received his Naturopathic Medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1992.  In 1997 he was board certified in homeopathy by the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. He served on the HANP Board of Directors from 1997-2007.Dr. Pais has been in practice since 1993 and has been utilizing clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, and physical medicine for 40 years.

When his father died of colon cancer in 1968 Dr. Pais started his journey into traditional medicine. He felt there had to be some other approach to help people heal besides conventional drugs, radiation, and surgery. Physical medicine and nutrition were the first therapies he worked with in the 70’s. During this time he had a professional massage practice and cooked professionally for vegetarian retreats.

From 1991-1992 he was blessed to attend the California School of Herbal Studies (CSHS), the premier herb training institution of its day. There he studied with amazing herbalists—Rosemary Gladstar, ‘Herbal Ed’ Smith, Michael Moore, Cascade Anderson, Michael Tierra, Susun Weed, Christopher Hobbs, David Winston, to name a few.

While attending CSHS he was first exposed to classical homeopathy and naturopathic medicine. He never looked back. There was something about the empirical message of homeopathy that grabbed his attention, impassioned his healing art, and inspired his practice. Wanting a medical degree to inform his work and provide a venue to practice homeopathy he attended NCNM where he delved into its extensive homeopathic library. Though focused on laying the groundwork for his future homeopathic practice, Dr. Pais embraced other core naturopathic therapies-hydrotherapy, food as medicine, and the therapeutic use of herbs. Graduating in 1992 he created his homeopathic practice within the context of being a licensed naturopathic physician.

Over the last two decades Dr. Pais has helped his patients heal, in part, through exemplifying the interrelationship between lifestyle and health. Whether exploring toxin exposure from the home or the environment, enumerating the health dangers of hydraulic fracturing or genetically modified organisms, he has made the case of how not only are you what you eat, but where you live, the air you breathe, and the water you drink.

Working with both adults and children Dr. Pais sees patients with allergies, eczema, asthma, menstrual problems, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, and those individuals whose immune systems have been compromised. Of particular note are the many patients with anxiety, depression, panic disorders, eating disorders, and behavioral problems that have been helped by homeopathic and naturopathic care.

Grounded in the science of naturopathic medicine, Dr. Pais’s passion and love for natural living and healthy eating permeates his practice. The depth and power of action of homeopathic medicine is augmented by Dr. Pais’s extensive knowledge and decades of experience in helping people create and maintain an optimum lifestyle.

Dr. Pais truly listens to his patients and strives to understand what they have to say. Considering the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of health, he creates a safe, compassionate environment for healing to take place.

Dr. Pais’s mission is revealed in the following quote: “The physician’s high and only mission is to restore the sick to health, to cure, as it is termed.” From the Organon of Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann

“I’ve rejoined the HANP Board of Directors to help revive the practice of Hahnemannian homeopathy within the naturopathic profession. In particular, I invite any new ND who wants to use homeopathy in their practice to contact me for mentorship.”

www.foroptimalhealth.com

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Lisa Amerine, ND, DHANP
HANP Treasurer, Board Member since 2013

Dedicated to homeopathy Dr. Amerine often takes challenging cases including patients with a variety of serious chronic illnesses.  With a reputation for excellence in Homeopathic Medicine Dr. Amerine uses her passion and expertise to help her patients recover their health.

Dr. Amerine graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. She has completed a fellowship program at the Canadian Academy of Homeopathy and is one very few Naturopathic Doctors in the United States and Canada to have been awarded Diplomatic status in homeopathy. Dr. Amerine has a keen interest in the Homeopathic literature of the 18th and 19th centuries. Due to her dedication to homeopathy she has been selected to be one of the few authors of the “Materia Medica Pura Project,” a several thousand-hour project that updates the homeopathic Materia Medica and Repertories. This work expands the foundational knowledge of the Homeopathic Materia Medica will be passed on to homeopathic doctors for generations to come.  Outside of Naturopathic Medicine and Homeopathy Dr. Amerine enjoys spending quality family time with her husband and two young girls.

“Never has there been such need as there is today for pure homoeopathy, nor such opportunities for Naturopathic Physicians with great enthusiasm and true purpose, who are thoroughly trained in homoeopathic methods.  If I can assist this process in any way then I know I am giving back to the profession that I so love.”

Pure Homeopathy
www.purehomeopathy.com

Mike Knapp, ND, DHANP
HANP Secretary, Board Member since 2021

Dr. Michael Knapp is a Naturopathic Physician at Root Natural Health, and Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians Board Member since 2021, as Secretary. He attended National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed a one year teaching and clinical residency at the university.

Dr. Knapp’s practice has an emphasis in digestive problems. He also treats stress, hormonal and immune system complaints that are often linked with gut-brain-microbiome imbalance. Other common acute and chronic complaints include: cold/cough/flu, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto and autoimmune diseases, headaches, depression, anxiety, sleep problems. He works with children over 1 year of age with digestive, allergy and behavior/attention problems and is committed to helping children grow to be healthy adults.

After receiving his BS in Biology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, he worked as a certified nursing assistant in a medical/surgical unit to continue preparation for medical school. Dissatisfaction with the hospital setting and treatment philosophy led him to question his path to become a physician. His own life-long digestive problems worsened and stress mounted while facing the reality of working in the current disease management system. In expressing these concerns to his acupuncturist, he was introduced to the approach he’d been searching for, Naturopathic Medicine. He declined his acceptance to a local medical school and pursued training as a doctor that embraces the future of medicine while cultivating roots in tradition.

He utilizes the foundational tools of naturopathic medicine (nutrition, herbs, physical medicine, behavioral and mind-body medicine) to create the environment for your health to flourish. He has advanced training in homeopathic medicine to greater individualize patient treatment. As a medical student, he saw homeopathy have a wonderful impact with his friends and family, improving mood, PMS, headaches, joint pains and other complaints.

Dr. Knapp taught Insight Meditation at Coconino County Jail through the Exodus – Inmate Substance Abuse Treatment Program. He also taught anatomy and physiology for 5 years at Arizona School of Integrated Studies (ASIS) and has provided medical and educational outreach at Flagstaff Shelter Services and at domestic violence shelters in Northern Arizona.

http://rootnaturalhealth.com/
http://www.purehomeopathy.com/

Nazanin Vassighi, ND, DHANP
HANP Board Member, 2019

Dedicated to the principles of naturopathic medicine, Dr. Nazanin Vassighi strives to guide her patients toward better health with her expertise in homœopathy to treat a variety of acute and chronic disease with special focus on gastrointestinal, auto-immune, and mental health conditions.

Dr. Vassighi is a Naturopathic Doctor and Assistant Professor of Homœopathy at Bastyr University, California (BUC). She graduated with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine with Honors from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, AZ. She continued her post-graduate education at SCNM by completing a first-year general medicine residency. With a love for homeopathy and the profound, life-changing effects it has on her patients, she decided to pursue and was accepted into a second-year residency specializing in Homœopathy at the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center. She is one of a few naturopathic doctors in the nation who has received the privilege of completing this residency, making her part of an elite group of highly skilled homœopaths.

Upon realizing her great passion for education, she continued on as Assistant Professor of Naturopathic Medicine at SCNM, teaching a variety of courses in physical exam diagnosis and gastroenterology. Dr. Vassighi’s greatest source of joy stems from instilling a deep appreciation and skill in the art and science of homœopathy through her teachings, which she was fully able to pursue after landing her dream position at Bastyr University in San Diego. Here she serves as Homœopathy Core Faculty where she teaches both in the academic and clinical settings, training naturopathic medical students in the successful application of clinical homœopathy.

She is an established speaker and her work has been published in Homeopathy Today and Naturopathic Doctor News and Review (NDNR) discussing case studies and topics in homœopathic research. She also serves as a committee member for National Center for Homœopathy’s annual Joint American Homœopathic Conference (JAHC).

“I’ve joined the HANP to ensure Hahnemannian homœopathy has a strong foothold within the naturopathic profession and beyond, starting from the foundation of our educational programs for students and physicians, and ultimately extending to the public. In this manner, homœopathy will remain as a viable and scientifically-based treatment option for the optimization and preservation of health.”

www.bastyrclinic.org || www.drvassighi.com

Miriam Wheeler, ND, DHANP
HANP Board Member since 2020

Dr. Miriam Wheeler is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Arizona, California, and Vermont, and received her doctorate of naturopathic medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM).

She utilizes homœopathy frequently in her practice for its ability to promote and restore health in a safe and effective manner. She believes that this gentle, yet profound approach allows for recovery, along with a lowered predisposition to future illness.

Born and raised in Arizona, she received a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from University of Arizona in 2010. Upon graduation from SCNM in 2014, she completed three years of residency; two years in naturopathic family practice at SCNM’s Medical Center, followed by a one-year, highly competitive specialty residency in homœopathic medicine under the mentorship of the esteemed Stephen Messer, ND, DHANP.

In 2019, she moved her private practice to Nourish Natural Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona. She treats patients of all ages but has a special interest in working with adults who are struggling with thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, mood disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Wheeler serves as adjunct faculty at SCNM where she trains naturopathic medical students. She previously supervised student rotations at SCNM’s Medical Center and ran a community medicine rotation for SCNM’s Sage Foundation at Adelante Healthcare in Mesa, AZ

Dr. Wheeler has been published in American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine, The American Homeopath, and Homeopathy Today.

I am serving on the HANP Board of Directors because I am committed to promoting the practice of classical, Hahnemannian homœopathy by licensed NDs. I want NDs to not only feel comfortable prescribing homœopathy for their patients, but also feel confident that they can be successful in practice through the utilization of homœopathic medicine.

Karthik Ramanan, NMD
HANP Board Member since 2021

Dr. Karthik Ramanan, NMD (“Dr. K”) is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and your Emotional Health Mentor.

Dr. K completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University with dual bachelors degrees in Biological Sciences and Applied Economics and Management. He went on to work eight years on Wall Street, a period of time that spanned the recession of 2008 and the years after. After experiencing a life-changing 100 pound weight loss journey, he left his career and attended Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona to become a naturopathic physician.

Today, Dr. K is committed to helping other high-achieving entrepreneurs and professionals end burnout so that they can stop chasing joy and begin living in wonder.

Website: drkarthikramanan.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drkarthikramanan
YouTube: youtube.com/drkarthikramanan
Instagram: instagram.com/dr.karthikramanan
Clubhouse: @drknmd

Ben Zorensky, ND
HANP Board Member since 2022

After completing his BA from The Johns Hopkins University, in 2000, Dr. Ben moved to Arizona to attend the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. By the time he graduated in 2007, Dr. Ben and his wife, Elaina, had opened a thriving therapeutic hot yoga studio in Tempe and started a family. A year later, Dr. Ben opened WellSpring Holistic Health, an awardwinning wellness center in south Tempe serving clients from all over the valley with modalities including yoga, colon hydrotherapy, massage therapy, esthetics and Naturopathic medicine.

At WellSpring, Dr. Ben and his practice, Naturopathic Athlete, worked with clients
virtually and locally, focusing on modalities including classical homeopathy, nutrition, botanical medicine and yoga asana practice. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Ben has spoken world wide on topics including the human frame, healthy eating and lifestyle management.

Currently, Dr. Ben is a full-time provider with Resilience Naturopathic based in San Diego, CA, specializing in Classical Homeopathy for a pediatric population overcoming autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder known as PANS/PANDAS.

In addition to practicing Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Ben is a certified Wilderness First Responder and guide. When he is not in the office, you can find Dr. Ben with his family in the desert, canyons and forests of Arizona’s vast and varied terrain. Homeopathic remedies are an essential part of his pack. Dr. Ben is also a photographer and has wilderness images displayed in private collections throughout the country

Dr. Ben serves on the HANP board to help promote the practice of classical
homeopathy as a natural, safe and effective modality of medicine for achieving health and well
being.

Sheila Froderman, MS, ND, DHANP, CCH
HANP Board Member since 2022

Dr. Sheila M. Frodermann is a Rhode Island licensed naturopathic physician, a board-certified classical homeopath, and a certified Bowenwork practitioner. She is the founder and director of Providence Wholistic Healthcare (PWH), the oldest naturopathic medical clinic in Rhode Island, located on the east side of Providence.
Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Frodermann received her Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Antioch New England Graduate School and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wellesley College. She received her medical training at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM), an accredited resident medical school where she graduated with honors. She co-designed and piloted the first Integrative Family Medicine residency at NCNM, focusing on Women’s Health. Upon completing her residency, she returned to her native New England to establish a private practice.

Dr. Frodermann’s post-graduate work includes an enthusiastic focus on the science of homeopathy. A long-standing student of Drs. Paul Herscu and Amy Rothenberg, she attends the New England School of Homeopathy regularly. She achieved board certification in classical homeopathy from the Counsel of Homeopathic Certification (CHC), is a diplomate and member of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP), and a member of the National Center for Homeopathy.

Dr. Frodermann is a member of the American Bowen Academy. Discovering the wonder of Bowenwork while attending naturopathic medical school, she offers twenty-five years of experience in assisting clients to heal chronic and acute physical challenges using this spectacular technique. She was trained as an Associate Instructor with the Academy and has since retired from teaching Bowenwork.

Dr. Frodermann is passionate about the practice of integrative holistic medicine. She utilizes the best of western medical knowledge and conventional diagnostics procedures, complemented by the gentle and holistic benefits of the full-range naturopathic therapeutics: medicinal foods, nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and lifestyle and mind-body counseling.

Practicing with compassion and hope, Dr. Frodermann is committed to guiding others toward ever-improving health, deeper mind-body freedom, and an enhanced quality of life. She offers individuals a customized treatment plan in private consultations for those struggling with both chronic and acute health issues.
A member of the Rhode Island Association of Naturopathic Physicians (RIANP) since 2000, Dr. Frodermann served in leadership positions of President and Treasurer for over 10 years. Her dedication to the RIANP was critical in securing licensure. She served as Secretary of the Board at Hope Center for Cancer Support, the historical non-profit cancer support organization of Rhode Island.