Staff

Lisa Dugan, RN

Lisa earned a Master's degree in Nutrition Science and a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Syracuse University in New York. She is a certified Reiki Level two practitioner. Lisa was a travel nurse for many years, specializing in Critical Care nursing: ICU, CCU, ER and Cardiac Catheterization. She worked at hospitals in New York, Colorado, and Arizona.

"I value holistic medicine, preventative care, and support of the body's innate ability to heal itself. I seriously considered becoming a Naturopathic doctor, but I came from the East Coast where natural medicine lags behind the West Coast. I am thrilled to be working at the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine which is so aligned with my passions. In my practice as a Registered Nurse, I have always embraced the connection between mind, body and spirit. I am fortunate that I find my work as a nurse to be so fulfilling."

Alexis Morales, Front Desk

Alexis is in charge of the Center's front desk. Your phone calls, your details upon arrival, are her priority.

We are most fortunate to have Alexis in this position. She has worked as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and as a Health Unit Coordinator in a hospital.

She graduated from both Gateway Community College and Scottsdale Community College. Alexis is studying for her Applied Science Business degree.

"I have always been interested in Holistic medicine, and now I am a part of it," she says with her hands firmly grasping the day's paperwork.

Julie Rasmussen, RN

After Julie completed her undergraduate studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, she completed nursing school at Winona State University, Minnesota. Upon graduation, she accepted a Medical/Surgical position at Samaritan Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

"I learned quickly that although allopathic medicine played a role in helping people, the spectrum of healing options did not empower people to find either their own health or their ultimate happiness. While I worked in hospitals for 14 years, I gathered as much information as possible about other forms of healing. I have a genuine thirst for integrative healing techniques. I visited Indian hospitals and briefly worked in a Tanzanian hospital. I learned and experienced many modalities of healing techniques including Native/Indigenous ways and energetic healing.I am excited to be part of the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine with its open-door approach to many forms of healing."

In 2000, Julie became a Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and more recently, a certified Reiki Level two practitioner.

Sarah Swerdfeger, Back Office

Sarah keeps the back office operating seamlessly. She maintains the inventory of supplements, supplies and test kits. She prepares charts for the nurses and files a vast amount of paperwork. If you leave a specimen, Sarah gets it where it needs to go.

Sarah is a licensed massage therapist; she completed her training at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.

"I enjoy my time at the Clinic. I am learning how to change my lifestyle to become a better and healthier person."

Josephina Maria Tenorio, Medical Assistant

Maria will work with you in the allergy room as we determine what foods, chemicals, pet dander, and other substances are causing your allergic reactions. She also fills in for Alexis at the front desk, and Sarah in the back office.

Maria graduated from Apollo College in Phoenix with an Associate's Degree as a Medical Assistant. She worked in a general surgery office for 3 years, booking patients, scheduling, and getting insurance authorizations. She also assisted with minor surgeries and with post-operative visits in the office.

"I came to The Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine because it's a very interesting place. I wanted to learn more about homeopathic medicine. I am a member of the Hopi tribe so I've had experience with shamanism and the culture of the medicine man."

Malcah Yehuda, RN

Malcah earned her Advanced Degree in Nursing from Compton Community College in 1988. She joined the staff of William Richardson, MD in Atlanta, GA, where as a nutrition counselor, she worked with people with eating disorders. She was also in charge of natural childbirth education. Malcah is a licensed nurse with 30 years experience working in the natural health arena. She has extensive experience with raw and natural food preparation. Malcah moved to Arizona in 2006, and joined the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine in June of 2007.

She developed an interest in holistic medicine because she realized that conventional medicine had no way of treating chronic illness, or of teaching people how to live a healthy lifestyle.

"After watching my mother have operation and after operation, and see her suffer so after each procedure, I wanted to do something to make a difference. As a nurse, I wanted to bring a different perspective to people."