Meet Dr. Michal

Health, Education and Creativity

Hello, thanks for stopping by! I’m Dr. Michal, a naturopathic doctor practicing in Philadelphia, PA. After a decade of experience in education, facilitation and community-building I chose to study naturopathic medicine because it encourages out-of-the box, critical thinking that recognizes the relationship between emotional and spiritual wellbeing with physical health. In short, I wanted to become the kind of doctor that I was looking for myself

The modern healthcare system would have you believe that you're broken when really it's broken

and so I took a different path.

By the time I decided to study medicine, I knew that the conventional approach wouldn't work for me.

I grew up in a home with one parent a medical doctor and the other giving homeopathic remedies for colds and craniosacral therapy treatments for headaches.  

In college I was inspired by courses in medical anthropology, global health and social history of medicine because they highlighted the importance of people over profits. The more I learned, the more I saw all the ways in which the U.S. healthcare system is broken. And so I chose a different path.

I took the leap and moved across the country to study naturopathic medicine, which focuses on whole person care, prevention and root-cause healing. I went on to practice as an integrative psychiatric provider in outpatient addiction and mental health recovery and got further confirmation of my calling to serve during someone's most vulnerable moments. I am inspired and humbled at what humans are able to overcome.

After ten years on the west coast, I am back in my hometown of Philadelphia and grateful to be part of a growing community of integrative health providers offering sustainable solutions. 

Ancient Wisdom + Modern Medical Science + Your Intuition 

As a health care provider I am passionate about offering shame-free, evidenced-informed, whole person care that respects, empowers, and invites people to deepen their self-knowledge and tap into their intuition to encourage healing and growth. 

 Foundational Principles of My Practice

  • Existing on this planet can be hard! I stay curious about what has transpired in your life that has led to your health concerns without shame or blame.   

  • There’s no gatekeeping here; gaining access to information in a space that celebrates curiosity and questions can pave the way for reclaiming ownership over your health.

  • My approach to root cause medicine acknowledges that we exist in a much wider context–from family and community dynamics to political and environmental factors–than what goes on in a doctor’s visit. Healing ourselves and healing the world are intertwined.

  •  I aim for my practice to be a place for people who are on a similar path of personal healing and growth to find each other. Connecting people and fostering a sense of belonging is a powerful medicine.

  • I believe in promoting the democratization of health information. People having access to the resources they need to thrive is a human right. 

“One of my greatest pleasures in life is watching you realize how truly deserving you are of the life you desire and how capable you are of making the changes you need to get there.”

Dr. Michal

Education & Training

My unconventional path to practicing unconventional medicine

  • McGill University, Montreal, QC 

    My undergraduate education included a capstone seminar called Health, Social Justice and Democracy where I learned about the importance of primary care providers globally in preventing disease and being a cost-effective contribution to the healthcare system. In a seminar on the Social History of Medicine I learned about how the current medical establishment developed due to social, political and economic factors beyond what was necessarily best for patients. All of this piqued my interest in practicing medicine and I started my pre-med science coursework.

  • While finishing my pre-med classes in Philly, I trained to be a yoga teacher and taught private and group classes for a couple of years before heading to the west coast.

    • Yoga Teacher Certification: Wake Up Yoga, Philadelphia, PA

    • Yin Yoga Teacher Certification: Wake Up Yoga, Philadelphia, PA

    • Yoga Therapy Training: Yoga Re:source, Montreal, QC, Canada

  • Bastyr University, Seattle, WA

    My education at Bastyr included a strong foundation in biomedical sciences, including a year-long Gross Anatomy Lab. As a student clinician, I participated in supervised evidence-based naturopathic clinical practice on patient care, physical medicine, specialty and off-site shifts totaling over 1000 hours. Additionally, as a counseling intern, I provided one-hour counseling sessions to first year naturopathic medical and other students at the Bastyr University Counseling Center.

  • Institute of Natural Medicine, Seattle, WA

    After graduating and passing two licensing exams and becoming licensed with the Department of Health, I practiced full-time at a busy insurance-based primary care clinic through the Institute of Natural Medicine two-year residency program. There I offered annual exams, problem-focused visits, well child visits, acute care, physical medicine and other services. 

  • I tried resisting training in CranioSacral therapy while I was in school because I was already learning so much in my program. I gave in and took my first course through the Upledger Institute in my final year of school. I love incorporating this technique into my work as a naturopathic doctor, since it is so gentle and allows for profound healing. I’m especially interested in applying CranioSacral therapy to those with: concussion and traumatic brain injury, chronic migraine and headache and TMJ dysfunction.

Four fun facts about Dr. Michal!

Music as Medicine

I unexpectedly starting writing songs one Fall day in 2011 and soon realized what a therapeutic tool it is for me to process perceived limitations, healing, love, grief and really whatever life throws my way. I am grateful to be part of such a vibrant and kind music community here in Philly.

Ritual + Practice

Being a human doesn’t come with an instruction manual! I take comfort in learning how our ancestors survived challenging times and carved out meaningful lives. My practices are drawn from a deep personal connection to Nature, as well as taking inspirations from my Eastern European Jewish tradition. I have been asked to lead ritual for lifecycle events, including birthing, baby namings, coming-of-age, wedding, healing, divorce, loss and grief.

Cultural Curiosity

Our digestive tracts tend to be healthiest when we get a diversity of plants and cultures (fermented foods). I also thrive on being exposed to lots of different people, cultures, opinions and world-views. I can only know my own human experience and it’s such a privilege to learn from others about theirs. It not only enriches me personally, but also helps me grow as a clinician to illuminate blindspots so I can provide the best care.

Hometown Philly - gobirds, go Phils, go SEPTA!

My family goes back four generations in Philadelphia and I feel deeply invested in this city. My grandfather and great-grandfather served Northeast Philly with their pharmacy for many decades and I hope that my practice can also be a community resource to bring more health and wellbeing to my hometown. Also, the first time I moved back to Philly, the Phils won the World Series and the second time I moved back, the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Coincidence?