Dr Sabine Thomas

I obtained a B.A in Sociomedical Sciences from Mount Holyoke College and a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Washington State. Immediately after graduation I was continued my training as the School of Naturopathic Medicine Teaching Fellow where I thoroughly enjoying teaching naturopathic clinical theory, dermatology in color and physical clinical diagnosis courses to first, second and third year medical student. One of my fondest memories was in supervising community clinic shifts at community based organizations. Practicing medicine there did not only entail diagnosing and treating but also being very conscious of our patients’ socio-economic, cultural, language background and how these affect their social determinants of health.

I am currently a National Institute of Health/National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIH/NCCAM) post-doctoral research fellow investigating the role of Integrative, Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine in community and global health. My projects include researching the role of natural medicine in the Haitian healthcare system and community health centers in King County, WA.

While I am a strong advocate for evidence based medicine, I also advocate for indigenous and traditional healing practices. I believe that there is value in understanding and learning about time tested and honored health practices. My interest in natural medicine has been shaped by my multi-cultural background. I was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire), my parents are from Haiti and now claim the United States as my home.

I co-founded and preside over Sound And Sustainable Innovative Health Alliances (SASIHA) an organization whose mission is “to break the cycle of disease, through intergenerational conversation by promoting the utilization of traditional medicine and environmental health education.”