Dr. Debi Walker, ND, FABNO

Naturopathic Cancer Care Specialist 
Empowered by Mindfulness and the Biology of Vitality.

NATURAL CANCER THERAPIES FOR MY MOM?

My interest in integrative cancer care stems from experiencing my own mother’s battle with cancer long before I became aware of naturopathic medicine. While she followed the conventional medical path of treatment for an aggressive brain tumor, we desperately sought out ‘natural cures’ in hopes of beating her poor odds of survival. Although she was cared for by a dedicated team of physicians and nurses, we longed for more guidance in the use of natural medicine to complement her overall care.

I BECAME THE INTEGRATIVE CANCER CARE EXPERT.

This life changing experience resulted in my pursuing a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and integrative oncology residency training as I sought to become the expert my family wished we had.  It is my hope that every family touched by cancer may benefit from the wisdom of naturopathic medical philosophy and be able to access natural therapies in a safe and effective manner to mitigate side effects, improve quality of life and emphasize care of the whole person – mind, body and spirit.

 

My Patients Receive Individualized, Evidence-Based, Integrative Cancer Therapies.

 

My mom taught me that love of life and the desire to live life to the fullest will conquer all fears. 

It is said that every snowflake that falls from the sky is unique in its molecular structure. I see patients who have the diagnosis of cancer as individuals with a unique set of challenges to their health and well-being.   Although two patients may have the same cancer diagnosis on paper, how I treat them naturopathically can look very different, reflecting that no cancer diagnosis is really ever the same between individual patients. It is with deep gratitude that I have the opportunity to help patients and their families receive individualized, research-based integrative cancer care that I wanted so much to provide for my mom so many years ago.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Debi Walker, Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • Naturopathic Medical Residency (Post-Doctoral Training); Midwestern Regional Medical Center – Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Zion, IL 2006 – 2008.     
  • Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine; Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA  2001- 2006
  • Bachelor of Arts, Summa cum laude, Physiology/Cell Biology; University of California at Santa Barbara, California  1990 - 1994                 

 

Professional

  • California Licensed Naturopathic Doctor, Specializing in Integrative Oncology  2008-Current.
  • Adjunct Faculty, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, NV  2009- Current.  
  • Research Assistant, University of California at Santa Barbara, Biochemistry/Pharmacology Lab  1994 – 1997.
    • Publication:  Jordan, M.A., Walker, D., de Arruda, M., Barlozzari, T., and  Panda, D., Suppression of Microtubule Dynamics by Binding of Cemadotin to Tubulin: Possible Mechanism for its Antitumor Action.  Biochemistry 1998; 37;17571 – 17578.
  • Biology, Chemistry & Genetics Tutorial Department Instructor at UCSB, 1994 - 2001.     

 

License and Certifications

  • California State Licensed Naturopathic Doctor,   ND-340,   2008-Current
  • Fellow of the National  Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), 2012-Current
  • IV Nutritional Therapy Certified for California, 2012

 

Honors, Scholarships and Awards

  • 2014       Doctor of the Year Award by California Naturopathic Doctors Association
  • 2005     Bastyr University Employment/Student Scholarship, Bastyr University Fund Scholarship, Bank of America Fund Scholarship  & Key Pharmacy  Scholarship.
  • 2004     Elsa Welch Konig Trust Endowed Scholarship
  • 2002     Bastyr University Scholarship , Joseph E. Pizzorno  Award for Academic Excellence.
  • 1995     California Foundation for Biochemical Research Summer Fellowship recipient

 

Volunteer and Professional Service

  • CNDA Professional Development Committee Co-Chair  2012 - Current

  • Editorial Board, Natural Medicine Journal  2009 - Current

  • Student Counselor, Bastyr University Counseling Center, Kenmore, WA  2005-2006

 

Publications & Articles

  • Jordan, M.A., Walker, D., de Arruda, M., Barlozzari, T., and  Panda, D., Suppression of Microtubule Dynamics by Binding of Cemadotin to Tubulin: Possible Mechanism for its Antitumor Action.  Biochemistry 1998; 37;17571 – 17578.
  • Innovative Molecular Cancer Therapies: A Brief Review. By Debi Walker and Lidia Dounaevskaia ,  Naturopathic Doctor News and Review, May 2007.
  • Know everything about the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D.  By Debi Walker, Tahoe Bonanza, July 22, 2009
  • A guide to preventing Alzheimer’s and age related dementia.  By Debi Walker, Tahoe Bonanza, August 20, 2009
  • Manuscript Preparation –   Kawaguchi,  Yusai.  Improved Survival of Patients with Gastric Cancer or Colon Cancer when treated with Active Hexose  Correlated Compound (AHCC):  Effect of AHCC on digestive system cancer.  Natural Medicine Journal 1(1), September 2009. 
  • Manuscript Preparation –  Mori N, Kitadate K, Fujii H et al.  Oral supplementation with Oligonol, a new lychee fruit derived formulation of oligomerized polyphenols, improves skin condition in women.  Submitted to Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, January 2010.  
  • Book Review:  Integrative Oncology, by Donald Abrams and Andrew Weil.  Book Review by Debi Walker, The Journal of the American Botanical Council, Number 87, August 2010.  
  • Walker, Debi & Kaczor, Tina.  Breast Thermography:  History , Theory  and Use.  Natural Medicine Journal , July 2012.