Integrative Primary Care

While the CHI does not offer a full suite of primary care, two of our nurse practitioners (NPs), including Carrie Whittley and Lisa Underhill, are able to serve patients’ primary care needs for a variety of health care issues. One of the distinguishing aspects that our NPs bring to their care includes a holistic and integrative approach that is trauma-informed and tailored to the individual patient they care for.

A Trauma-Informed Approach

This type of care takes account of a person's complete life situation. It informs all the care the client will have with a focus on health and healing from the direct perspective of the patient. Trauma-informed care helps clients to feel engaged, validated, as well as improving their adherence to treatments thus improving health outcomes.

The Four R’s of trauma-informed care include:

1. Realizing the widespread impact of trauma and understanding pathways for recovery;
2. Recognizing the signs and symptoms in patients, families and staff;
3. Responding to trauma in an informed way;
4. Resisting Re-traumatization.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide comprehensive primary care, including thorough assessment, diagnosis, ordering laboratory/diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and referring to a specialist when necessary. Depending on what you are dealing with, one of our skilled practitioners may be able to help support your care needs.

Please review the areas of focus for each of these practitioners to determine which will be the best fit. 

Carrie Whittley can support people with conditions related to sexual health (women and men), past assault and trauma (physical, emotional, or sexual), mental health, addiction support, dermatological skin conditions (i.e. mole and skin tag removal), transexual care, cannabis prescriptions, birth control including IUD/Nexplanon insertion and other health issues. Carrie also works with the team of naturopathic doctors and Jamie Batsch, NP in the support of people living with cancer.

Lisa Underhill can support people with the diagnosis and management of acute or chronic viral infections, auto-immune conditions, mental health, chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and high cholesterol. Lisa is developing more knowledge in functional medicine as she continues her training. Lisa can address gut issues and food intolerances and can prescribe low dose naltrexone for systemic and body inflammation.

Kelly Knoll can support people with dermatological conditions (eczema, moles, psoriasis, skin tags), hormone replacement therapy, menopause and it’s optimal management, mental health (ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD), pain control and palliative care, psychedelic assisted psychotherapy using Ketamine, and sexual health (male and female). Kelly has been working naturopathic doctors in the community for several years, and at the CHI she also provides support to the NDs and NP team with cancer care.

Please note that Lisa does not provide direct care for cancer related needs.