2026 NYANP Conference Presentations

Lesli Bitel, MBA, RDN, LDN

The Patient Care Pyramid: A Structured Model to
Improve Outcomes, Retention, and Continuity of Care

You’ve probably seen this in your own practice. A patient leaves with a solid plan and good intentions, but somewhere along the way, things fall off. It’s usually not a lack of information. More often, it’s just too much to implement all at once, or it doesn’t quite fit into real life.

In this session, we’ll look at a more effective way to deliver care using a simple, tiered model that improves adherence, continuity, and outcomes. You’ll learn how to move beyond one-time visits and create a more supported, step-by-step patient experience that aligns with naturopathic principles. I’ll walk you through exactly how to structure a program, identify a starting patient group, and build in ongoing support so patients stay engaged and actually implement your recommendations.

Charles Esenwa, MD, MS
Remote Hypertension Screening in Naturopathic Care: A Digital Prevention Model for Heart Disease and Stroke

Hypertension remains the leading modifiable risk factor for heart disease and stroke, yet many Americans remain undiagnosed or undertreated. Naturopathic physicians are uniquely positioned to lead prevention focused cardiovascular care through lifestyle medicine, whole person care, and early detection strategies. This presentation reviews how wearable/ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can be integrated into naturopathic practice using a practical remote care model. Real world pilot data from a naturopathic clinic collaboration will be presented, along with current hypertension guidelines, masked hypertension literature, and implementation strategies that support prevention focused cardiovascular care in both in person and virtual settings.

Senescence and Autophagy in Aging and Chronic Disease

Senescent cells, commonly known as zombie cells, represent an intriguing facet of cellular biology which significantly influence the aging process and age-related ailments. The gradual buildup of senescent cells, coupled with the body's diminishing ability to efficiently eliminate them, becomes a catalyst for the acceleration of aging and the onset of diverse age-related disorders. To gain a clearer perspective on cellular senescence from a clinically relevant standpoint, one must delve into the intricate link between senescence, inflammation, and chronic disease specifically neurodegenerative diseases.

Targeting the fundamental MOAs of aging, such as senescent cells, impaired autophagy is anticipated to reduce the severity or delay the onset of multiple age associated comorbidities. Senolytic compounds such as fisetin and quercetin and autophagy compounds such as TUDCA will be discussed due to their significant impact on senescent cells, and mitophagy and the potential of delaying the aging process including in neurodegenerative diseases.

We often consider diseases of aging to be inevitable, but by better understanding the pathophysiology of aging, we can develop tools to slow its progression. One important hallmark of aging is cell senescence, a crucial biological process where cells cease to divide and enter a state of permanent growth arrest without undergoing cell death.

Aging is characterized by the accumulation of senescent cells in tissues, which disrupts normal tissue function and promotes SASP secretion resulting in “inflammaging”. This presentation explores the intricate relationship between cell senescence and chronic diseases with inflammation at the root, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and pulmonary diseases.

 
Dr. Friedman will review dietary and physiological triggers of cellular senesce. He will share evidence-based and theoretical senolytic therapies to address cell senescence and slow chronic diseases of aging.

Tanvi Gandhi, ND, LAc

Physician Heal Thyself Narrative Medicine and Integrative Psychiatry: Evolving Naturopathic Practice

This workshop aims to empower healthcare professionals by strengthening their well-being, clinical effectiveness, and sense of community through the integration of narrative medicine and integrative psychiatry. Participants will explore the principle of "Physician Heal Thyself"—the idea that healthcare providers must nurture their own health to effectively care for others. Key concepts such as self-care, narrative competence, coregulation, and countertransference will be defined and discussed in accessible terms. The session provides actionable methods, practical examples, and supportive strategies to foster resilience, empathy, and professional purpose.

Ashok Gupta, MA(Cantab), MSc

 "Is It All In The Brain?!" Integrating Brain Retraining "Neuroplasticity" Approaches into Your Practice for Improved Patient Outcomes

Recently, brain retraining, neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation have become hot topics in medicine. Find out about these latest cutting-edge interventions from a researcher and clinician in the field, and how it can be incorporated into your health practice, improving the lives of your patients.

Many chronic illnesses such as Long Covid, ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Mold, Lyme, POTS, and more can be challenging to treat, with relapses common and long-term solutions sometimes being elusive. 

In this BONUS CONFERENCE session you’ll learn about the underlying neurological hypothesis behind these approaches, and how new research is supporting the view that many chronic inflammatory health conditions may originate in the brain.

Dave James, ND, BSc

Neuroplasticity & Vitalism in Parkinson’s Disease: Integrating Pharmacology with Naturopathic Neuro-Restorative Therapies

Parkinson’s disease presents complex neurodegenerative challenges requiring both symptomatic management and neuroprotective strategies. This presentation reviews the pharmacology and clinical use of levodopa–carbidopa while exploring naturopathic approaches that support neuroplasticity and neuronal resilience. Evidence-informed integrative strategies—including nutrition, mitochondrial support, frequency-based therapies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), ketamine-assisted neuroplasticity protocols, and emerging regenerative approaches such as very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs)—will be discussed. Attendees will learn how naturopathic physicians can integrate conventional pharmacotherapy with vitalistic and restorative therapies to support function, quality of life, and long-term neurological health in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Ksenia Malarkey, ND

The Estrogen Cost of Cancer Treatment: An Integrative Framework for Managing AI and ADT-Induced Deficiency in Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivors

Aromatase inhibitor therapy and androgen deprivation therapy produce severe iatrogenic estrogen deficiency in both women and men, driving arthralgia, bone loss, cardiometabolic decline, cognitive impairment, and sexual dysfunction. These consequences are common, debilitating, and rarely addressed in oncology follow-up. This session presents a systems-based naturopathic framework for assessing and treating AI and ADT-induced estrogen deficiency. Attendees will leave with actionable protocols across musculoskeletal, bone, cardiometabolic, and neurocognitive domains, plus evidence-informed guidance on localized hormone therapy, transdermal estradiol add-back in men informed by the PATCH trial, and the estrobolome and circadian signaling as upstream modulators.

Bert Mathieson,ND,MA,RD,LD,CDCES

Clinical Experience with a Novel Stabilized Iodine Complex in the Treatment of Lyme Disease and Co-Infections

The presentation will cover the proposed mechanisms of action of the stabilized iodine complex. Multiple case studies will be presented to illustrate the treatment outcomes in various patients with Lyme Disease and/or co-infections. Clinical pearls gleaned from treating several thousand patients with Lyme disease over more than two decades will be offered to the attendees. 

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