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Natural Awakenings South Jersey

Q and A with Natural Awakenings and Dr. Shakeilla Shabazz, Virtua Holistic Primary Care: My philosophy in providing care is using a comprehensive and customized care plan with both natural and conventional medical interventions to promote wellness an

 

Why did you decide to be a physician in this particular area of medicine?

I realized that there was a huge gap between both the conventional medicine world and the natural medicine world. I wanted to find a way to bridge that gap in a way that would be safe and effective and allow my patients to be supported holistically—mind, body and spirit.

What makes your role unique at Virtua?

I emphasize the following three principals that are evidence-based, safe and effective for my patients:

-Integrative Nutrition: Allows me to discuss nutritional counseling strategies, complete botanical and supplement consultations and improve heart health, diabetes, digestive and immune disorders, among many others

-Mind Body Therapies: Tools like guided meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques and hypnosis are used to promote mental and emotional wellness, improve sleep and even prepare for surgeries and other procedures

-Non-Opioid Pain Management: A variety of healing techniques are implemented to heal your body and improve the quality of your life including trigger point injections, acupuncture and stretching exercises. Conditions treated include fibromyalgia, muscle strain, arthritis, headache, concussion, cancer and more.

These are things many providers aren’t taught in medical school.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
 

I love collaborating with and supporting my patients. My work has allowed me to witness my patients in their most vulnerable moments. It’s an honor to be a part of their healing process, through the good times and the bad times.

Tell us a “fun fact” about you.
 

My family is from Jamaica originally, and I love preparing, and of course, eating Jamaican food. My family recently opened a few restaurants in Cherry Hill and New Berlin, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, so now I can get home-cooked food anytime I want!

Tell us more about your background.

I completed medical school at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed my family and social medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. I then went on to complete a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at Stamford Hospital, in Stamford, Connecticut, and the University of Arizona. I also worked as a clinical instructor in medicine at Columbia University.

My philosophy in providing care is using a comprehensive and customized care plan with both natural and conventional medical interventions to promote wellness and healing.

Virtua Holistic Primary Care is located at 1001 Rte. 73 North, in Marlton, NJ. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-355-7110.

 

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