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

Rosemary , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

I started following a few leaders in the field of functional health while in high school, and this set the foundation for my interest in nutrition as many of them were early thought leaders in the connection between diet and disease and alternative paths to healing beyond conventional standard of care. At UC Berkeley, I knew that I was going to be pre-med but was unsure of my major. I remember browsing the list of majors and seeing “Nutritional Science: Physiology and Metabolism” jump out at me, and without hesitation, I knew this was the one.

I distinctly remember feeling in awe and puzzled by all that I was learning in my classes. It fascinated me how integral various nutrients are in health-promoting biological processes and how to attain these nutrients via diet, but I was confused as to why this knowledge didn’t seem to be utilized in common medical practice. I was a medical scribe for various family medicine doctors and recall feeling unsettled during patient visits. It seemed every patient was walking away with a prescription, and very few were asked about their nutrition or lifestyle. The patients rarely questioned their treatment plans despite them repeatedly being focused on symptom management rather than preventative or investigative approaches into potential root causes. I saw firsthand how symptom-focused treatments often left underlying issues unaddressed and how nutrition and lifestyle were frequently overlooked.

While the decision was challenging as it was an unfamiliar path, I ultimately decided to attend Naturopathic Medical School as the approach to medicine was much more aligned with how I saw myself practicing. I was drawn to the naturopathic philosophy of treating the whole person and addressing the root causes of illness, rather than merely managing symptoms. This integrative approach resonated deeply with my belief in the importance of nutrition and lifestyle as foundational elements of health, and it felt like a natural next step in my journey to make a meaningful impact on patient care.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Naturopathic Doctor and specialize in women’s health.

Growing up surrounded by eight sisters, I developed a fascination with female physiology, which planted the initial seeds towards my clinical interest in women’s health. During my clinic shifts in school, I found myself naturally gravitating toward caring for women of various backgrounds and the fulfillment I felt caring for these women is what confirmed my path.

With a foundation in both traditional and functional approaches to health, I address common women’s health concerns, provide preconception and fertility support, and offer education on optimizing each phase of the menstrual cycle, as well as personalized recommendations for contraceptive methods. Most commonly, women come to see me due to a variety of symptoms which they often feel are “hormonally-driven.” This may include irregular cycles, PMS, painful periods, difficulty conceiving, daily fatigue, mood swings, acne, low motivation, weight loss resistance, brain fog, etc. While hormones are often part of the equation, we dive into many different factors that may be contributing to their current picture.

While many practitioners in naturopathic or functional medicine fields are drawn to this path due to personal or family health challenges that were improved with care beyond conventional medicine, which is a part of my story, my journey is also rooted in a deep commitment to empowering women in their health. I am passionate about addressing the gaps in care that many women face in a typical healthcare setting and strive to provide the care that many women have not yet experienced but deeply deserve.

I feel my care stands out for many because of my past life experiences which have given me the ability to resonate with patient stories on a mental and emotional level. My upbringing was quite tumultuous with many unexpected turns, and while difficult, I am deeply grateful for the experiences because it has given me a capacity to hold space for the women in front of me who need it. I have traveled through many mental, emotional and physical hardships, yet have been able to come out of it more resilient, understanding and filled with compassion for all life experiences. In my care, this ability is what I am most proud of, and have found that simply providing this level of connection and offering a degree of hope as well as multiple options to discuss as a collaborative partnership, is enough to push the needle towards symptom improvement or achieving their health goals.

I incorporate my diverse background, including formal medical training, nutrition education, yoga training, and health coaching, along with advanced training in biofeedback and women’s health, to create well-rounded, tailored treatment plans for each of my patients.

My goal is to facilitate my patients’ journey towards physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional balance and connect them with their inner intuition and understanding that guides them towards health.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, it is dedication to patient-centered care that sets exceptional naturopathic doctors apart. Many people have experienced the stark difference between a rushed visit and one where the doctor takes the time to truly listen and address all concerns. At the end of my initial visits, patients often express that they have never encountered a doctor who asks such detailed questions, cares so deeply, and fosters a supportive and collaborative partnership. These are the types of doctors I’ve always looked up to and modeled my patient care after.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Coming from a family of twelve children, I quickly learned the importance of forging my own path. When I was just 10 years old, we lost our mother, and throughout middle and high school, we moved frequently due to my dad’s job. This constant upheaval and the need to adapt to new schools, make new friends, and join new sports teams instilled in me a strong sense of adaptability and resilience.

During this challenging time, I grappled with the grief of losing my mom and the pain of leaving the place we all called home. This was my first encounter with mental health struggles, which provided me with valuable insights into navigating such experiences. Despite the turbulence, I remained dedicated to my academics and athletics, ultimately achieving my goal of getting into my top choice, UC Berkeley, where I also was able to continue playing soccer on their club team.

These experiences equipped me to face the challenges of being premed at UC Berkeley, provided me with the tools to become a Naturopathic Doctor and gave me unique abilities and life experiences that set me apart in how I approach patient-care and my ability to connect with patients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.womanhoodwellness.com/about-dr-rose
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.rosenurse

Image Credits

Joni Bilderback