We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liqaa Naser . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liqaa below.

Liqaa , appreciate you joining us today. Over the course of your career, have you seen or experienced your field completely flip-flop or change course on something?

I began my journey in medicine in 2004 in Iraq as a new medical doctor. Because of my passion for health and my desire to help others, I aspired to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. I dreamt of becoming a fertility specialist. However, because of the war in Iraq, I ended up immigrating to a different country. In that country, as an immigrant, I didn’t have the privilege to choose my specialty freely. Instead, I joined a department that was in dire need of more hands—pediatrics.

Despite the unexpected turn, I found joy in pediatrics. I cherished the moments when I could help a sick child recover and the relief it brought to anxious parents. Still, my passion for helping women never waned. Everything changed when I moved to the United States in 2014. I planned to obtain my medical license and continue practicing as a pediatrician. Unfortunately, due to political turmoil in my home country, I could not obtain the original documents needed to validate my medical license.

Faced with two difficult choices—abandon my career as a physician or return home and leave my husband and family—I chose not to give up. I loved my family and my career too much to walk away. My husband and I decided to stay in the United States, and I resolved to find a way to continue practicing medicine. This decision came after months of intense stress and illness, during which I experienced strange symptoms that no specialist could diagnose. I consulted cardiologists, neurologists, primary care physicians, gynecologists, and chiropractors, but none could identify my condition.

Eventually, I met a naturopathic physician. This was a unique experience; I had never encountered naturopathy before. It was also the first time a physician took the time to ask detailed and clarifying questions. This naturopathic doctor diagnosed and treated me, restoring my health. This experience reignited my passion for medicine. I decided that if I were to study medicine again in the United States, it would be naturopathic medicine.

Liqaa , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a naturopathic physician, medical doctor, and functional medicine practitioner. I am on a mission to help men and women balance their hormones, detoxify their body systems, and optimize their health so they can live their best lives. I use an integrative functional medicine model to optimize my patients’ health and boost their longevity. So, I am here for you whether you are trying to figure out your health concerns for the first time or have been struggling with chronic health issues for years and need answers.

Before attending Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA, I was a practicing Pediatrician in the emergency room and neonatal intensive care unit for over a decade. I am highly skilled at all direct care processes, from initial examination and diagnosis to creating a treatment plan with the individual patient in mind.

My passion for improving my patients’ health and hormonal balance derived from my struggles with an uncommon case of PCOS that led to significant health issues, including secondary infertility. My battle lasted for years, and conventional medicine failed to help despite using advanced treatment modalities until I decided to take matters into my own hands and apply my knowledge and expertise to balance my hormones and restore my health. This healing journey of mine taught me that each of us is unique and only an individualized, holistic medical approach can lead to good results.

My mission is to empower my patients to take control of their health and well-being by providing evidence-based guidance and education. I seek to educate and support men and women in their reproductive age and beyond, helping them make informed decisions that promote healthy lifestyles and optimize their body’s natural healing ability.

In my clinical practice, I utilize bio-identical hormone replacement, including testosterone replacement therapy for men and women, sexual health enhancement, weight loss management, wet cupping therapy, therapeutic fasting, and various other treatments like PRP injections, IV nutrition, high-quality nutraceutical, and peptides.

I am expanding my skills to include acupuncture and intra-articular joint injections that effectively resolve common aging issues.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started my practice as a naturopathic doctor, I aimed to serve my community besides immigrants and low-income groups. I believed that if I offered low-cost or free services and helped people purely out of goodwill, they would trust me, spread the word, and eventually, paying patients would come my way. I was wrong.

In my career and with my first business, which ultimately failed, I learned a crucial lesson: if you don’t value yourself, your knowledge, and your time, others won’t. Every patient I offered free treatment to either didn’t show up, didn’t stick to the treatment plan, or didn’t achieve results because they didn’t feel invested in their healing journey. Conversely, the patients who invested their time, effort, and financial resources into their health were the ones who saw positive outcomes.

This was a hard lesson. I realized that my desire to help others didn’t mean I had to offer my services for free. It took me time to become comfortable with the idea that I had invested years, energy, and resources into my education and skills, and I deserved compensation for it.

When I decided to start a new business, I changed my mindset. I became more comfortable discussing finances with my patients, which led to better results and attracted higher-quality patients. Significantly, I could help those in need by offering discounts or additional services. This balance allowed me to value my work while supporting those in need.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, creating loyal, enthusiastic patients is crucial for succeeding as a naturopathic physician. I call them my raving fans. This involves treating every single patient as my most important client, fostering a deep sense of care and connection that makes them eager to share their positive experiences with others.

I create Loyal and Enthusiastic Patients by providing the following:

1. Personalized Care and Individual Attention: I try to understand each patient’s needs, concerns, and health goals. Tailoring treatments to individual needs shows that I value them as individuals.

2. I follow up and regularly check in on my patients’ progress. This not only shows care but also helps ensure their treatment is effective.

3. Building Trust: Transparency is my brand. I am open and honest about my approach to reaching a diagnosis, creating a treatment plan, and the expected outcomes. Patients who trust me are likelier to follow my recommendations and share their positive experiences.

4. Consistency: I provide reliable and consistent care. Patients will appreciate knowing they can count on their doctor for their health needs.

5. Exceed Expectations: I go above and beyond in my service. This could mean providing additional resources, offering flexible appointment times, or simply showing extra kindness and patience.

6. Education and Empowerment: I help my patients understand their health conditions and the rationale behind their treatment plans. Educated patients feel more in control of their health and are likelier to follow through with treatments.

8. Feedback and Improvement: Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for patient feedback to understand their needs and areas where you can improve.

9. Continuous Improvement: I use the feedback to continuously improve my practice, showing patients that their opinions are valued and acted upon.

10. The Impact of Creating Enthusiastic Patients Creating enthusiastic and loyal patients doesn’t just benefit a practice; it has a ripple effect. Satisfied patients are likely to refer others, and word-of-mouth referrals are powerful. When patients rave about their positive experiences, they naturally attract new patients to any practice.

By focusing on these aspects, I will build a practice where patients feel genuinely cared for and valued, transforming them into enthusiastic advocates for my services. This will contribute to my practice’s success and ensure that I am making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.empowerhrt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empower_hrt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558477711020
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-liqaa-essam-naser-mbchb-cabp-nd-94535315a/