Dr. Shawn Soszka, ND – Portland, OR
Dr. Shawn Soszka, ND
According to my mother, I was always destined to be a doctor. Certainly, I was curious about how the body worked from a young age. My exposure to medicine began with many trips to the doctor’s office for ear infections. My chronic ear problems were actually due to an undiagnosed milk allergy. Regardless, by the age of three, I was the proud owner of the “anatomy coloring book for children.” My interest in medicine continued throughout my childhood. I was always asking my parents’ complicated medical questions than they couldn’t answer. Over time, this led to a small collection of medical books while still in grade school.
The concept of healthy living was always a part of my life. My parents and grandparents were fans of the late Jack LaLaine. I am blessed with an upbringing involving healthy foods in the burgeoning age of junk food. Eating healthy and taking vitamins were normal to me.
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area exposed me to a lot of the Asian culture in the area. My interest in Chinese medicine began with Kung Fu training while in high school. Studying under a former Shaolin monk, I was particularly fascinated with Tai Chi and Qi Gong I learned.
THE CRISIS
As a young adult, my interest in medicine become more focused after my mother’s many years of migraines and TIAs culminated in a stroke. I remember vividly my fear and frustration as my mother lay in the hospital bed in a coma. Her “doctors” had nothing to offer other than ‘watch and wait’. As I was faced with this family crisis, I knew that there was more to medicine than responding to crises such as strokes, heart attacks and the like. My interest in medicine shifted, with a new focus on finding some form of medicine that could prevent these health problems. My goal was to improve the health of my patients so they or their loved ones wouldn’t have to go through what I did.
EDUCATION
Thankfully, my mother did recover from the stroke. She agreed with me and encouraged me to pursue medical training. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, I attended the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington focusing on pre-med studies. I graduated with both a bachelors of art and science. During my time at Evergreen, I assisted my professors in the microbiology research labs.
In 2000, I graduated from the National University of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. I earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters of Science in Classical Chinese Medicine. I hold active Oregon licenses as a Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist.
EXPERIENCE
Since that time, I have worked in a variety of clinical settings. This includes private practice and an integrated public health clinic. My experience also includes working in HIV/AIDS hospice care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and a pain management specialty clinic. When I decided to change it up a little, I worked on several cruise ship spas sailing throughout the Caribbean.
My practice is in Southeast Portland at the Beeson Wellness Center. While most naturopathic physicians are general practitioners. I have a special focus on thyroid and digestive disorders. I also treat chronic pain conditions using acupuncture, prolotherapy, and stem cell therapy.
I have extensive training in functional medicine. This includes advanced training in adrenal fatigue recovery with Dr. Kalish. Advanced thyroid disorder training with Dr. Kharrazian. As well as, my own research and experience in addressing complex thyroid disorders. I detail my therapeutic approach in my recent book, The Thyroid Fix.
7215 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202, USA 
(503) 238-7025
http://www.drsoszka.com/
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