The Reasons I Live and Practice in Montpelier

I have felt particularly fortunate to be practicing in Montpelier and living in East Montpelier during this past year. When we all first learned of the growing pandemic last winter, my practice was soon shut down by the end of March. This was in following the state’s guidelines. I wasn’t able to provide acupuncture treatment, though I was able to continue providing herbal support to my patients.

While my family and I were stuck at home on our acre of land that abuts relatively dense forest, we were able to get out every day and take a nice walk down our dirt road and into the woods. East Montpelier town volunteers have created and maintain a beautiful network of hiking trails that meander throughout the various chunks of forest. We’ve lived in our home since 2004 and have walked this path many times. So when we were all stuck at home (and still are to some degree), I felt so grateful to live where we do and to have such easy access to walking in nature.

Upon leaving Portland, Oregon with our newborn daughter, my wife and I were looking to settle in a place that has easy access to nature, to be part of a relatively small population size, and to be in a community to which I could add another option for medical care. There were other criteria for us as well, but these were a few of our most important list items. Now that our oldest child is about to go to college, the other two are doing great, and we feel integrated and stable in the central Vermont community, I am proud of the choice we made to be here. It is a wonderful place to raise a family, as there is a sense of security, a supportive community, and excellent schools and education.

What I appreciate as part of the medical care that I offer to the Montpelier community is the relationship that is built with each of my patients. We have science now that shows how the trust in and relationship with our provider affects the outcome of the treatment provided. I happen to be genuinely interested in people. This includes the body, the mind, the emotions, and the spiritual aspect. After graduating college with a pre-medical degree, I was drawn to pursue Chinese Medicine because of how its holistic perspective of a person is central to the theory and treatment approach. I have found that the people who live and work in and around Montpelier also value this in their provider.

They have appreciated even the broader approach of integrative medical care at River Street Wellness. We have a variety of independent practitioners under one roof, where the patient can be at the center of a group of attentive and communicative providers supporting their health and well-being. I enjoy being an independent practitioner of Chinese Medicine, but also being part of a group providing naturopathic medical care, integrative bodywork, and psychotherapy. I can refer to these providers as needed as my individual care for my patient may be limited at times. I also feel grateful and proud that our local hospital, Central Vermont Medical Center, has a cancer treatment center whose providers and administration are very supportive in having myself providing acupuncture to care for their patients going through cancer treatment.

In summary, it’s hard for me to imagine a place more suited for me to practice medicine as I do and to raise my family as we have. I will always be grateful to the community of Montpelier and central Vermont.