Nurturer by nature

Physician aims to treat residents mind, body and spirit

MOSES LAKE — In the window of Elizabeth Trautman's office waiting room, two words sit in the window: RELAX and SMILE.

A licensed naturopathic physician and midwife, Trautman opened her business, Columbia Basin Natural Family Medicine, Aug. 14 at its location at 422 W. Third Ave.

Trautman explained she is a general practitioner for all ages, in addition to prenatal care, usually performed in homes.

"We diagnose the same way, use the same tools and we'll refer for imaging, lab work or whatever needs to be done to reach a diagnosis," she said. "But we have a different philosophy in that we treat the whole person. Mind, body and spirit, we consider all integral parts of good health."

Naturopathic physicians also look for the causes of ill health or disease, Trautman explained, and try not to only treat symptoms. In order to do that, she starts at a lower level of intervention, addressing diet and lifestyle before moving up to herbs and supplements, and then some antibiotics if necessary.

"Generally, once it gets above that, then we refer out to a medical doctor," she said.

Trautman originally intended to become an allopathic doctor, but decided she wanted to treat differently.

"I wasn't so much into treating with pharmaceuticals and surgery," she said.

Trautman attended Seattle-based Bastyr University's program, which she said fit her perfectly. She graduated in June 2005, took her boards in August and spent three months in an internship in El Paso, Texas. Prior to Bastyr, she attended Big Bend Community College and Central Washington University, obtaining her master's degree at Arizona State University.

Born in Ephrata and raised in Moses Lake, Trautman saw a need in the community for her type of practice.

"I just decided I wanted to come back to my home community," she said. "I have a lot of extended family here, and a lot of friends who travel quite a ways to see a naturopath. I just love the area of Moses Lake, I love the agriculture and the wide open spaces."

Trautman said she is surprised by a flow of regular patients from within the community since opening. She expected to spend some time educating the public before that happened, she said, but many people were just waiting or tired of traveling out of town for a naturopath.

"I thought when I started, well, if nothing else, I have lots of extended family and friends, but really most of my patients have been people that I have never met before," she said. "Wonderful people, I've been very impressed with the clientele that I've had."

Trautman most enjoys being able to help her patients.

"I love being a doctor," she said. "I'm a nurturer by nature, and I love being able to help people, and also knowing I'm going to make a difference in their life long-term. Seeing people become healthy is very rewarding."