To Doreen DeStefano, RN-BSN, health is like a complex jigsaw puzzle with lots of moving pieces. Solving previously intractable problems and getting all the puzzle pieces to fit together so that function is restored naturally when the body heals itself, is what she finds rewarding about her work. As the owner of Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine and Integrative Skin Care in Fort Myers, Doreen DeStefano also enjoys her partnering relationship with patients that appreciate their role in the model of holistic health care that she practices.

“It’s all about teamwork and patients acknowledging their responsibility for their health. When it’s working well, I get to see patient’s that are overjoyed and grateful to have a new lease on life,” says DeStefano, whose comprehensive approach to optimal health goes beyond the conventional medical model focused largely on removing symptoms.

In DeStefano’s holistic healthcare model, the patient and provider work together to accomplish mutually agreed upon results. “I don’t just listen with one ear to what a patient says, determine what I’m going to do and hand over a prescription. My process begins with our dialogue. My patients leave with homework, which means that have shown me their willingness to make a concerted effort to make dietary changes, take supplements, and remain committed to their customized plan for several months,” she explains.
 
In 2004 DeStefano opened Integrated Skincare. As the enthusiastic licensed esthetician was able to observe her client’s results her beliefs were affirmed. “I intuitively knew how much the internal health of the body actually dictates the health of the skin,” she says. This hands-on experience was all the encouragement she needed to enroll in a program that would lead to a career in natural health and nursing. Her education and in-depth research turned up information about alternative and complementary modalities in the field of natural health that benefited her clients.  

Many of DeStefano’s clients have been happy to discover that following her customized plans for good nutrition, supplementation and IV vitamin therapy clears up other more serious health concerns. “I have enjoyed all the opportunities to share in my clients’ moments for celebrating the return of their health. It took my noticing that functional, anti-aging medicine, IV therapy and naturopathic approaches were having a significant impact on the health of clients to understand that it was time to change the name of my business to reflect this,” advises DeStefano.

DeStefano is now working on an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner degree. Taking care of business throughout the week, she studies on weekends. I have two more years to complete my education. What I would really love to see is an institute of higher education offer is a curriculum for a holistic nurse practitioner, but conventional medicine hasn’t advanced that far yet. It’s feels good to role model it while I dream it can happen,” says DeStefano.

Root Causes Holistic Health Medicine and Integrative Skincare are located at 12734 Kenwood Lane, Ste. 84 in Ft. Myers. For more information call 239-425-2900 or visit IntegratedSkinCare.com.