Our Care Team
Donald R. Yance Jr. MH, CN, RH (AHG), SFO
Donald (“Donnie”) Yance, is an internationally known master herbalist and nutritionist. He received his herbal training through Sequoia College and is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. He was trained as a clinical nutritionist through the National Institute of Nutritional Education and holds certification through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. He is also professed as a Secular Franciscan (SFO), which equips him with the breadth and wisdom to touch on the spiritual aspects of healing.
Donnie has authored two books, Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer and Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging and Chronic Illness. In addition, he has been involved in authoring and co-authoring dozens of articles that have appeared in major industry publications and national journals. On the education side, each year Donnie gives several lectures across the USA at major hospitals and conferences for both patients and health care providers, as well as making radio appearances.
After decades of extensive research and clinical practice, Donnie has developed a unique approach to healing, which he has named the Eclectic Triphasic™ Medical System (ETMS). ETMS consists of a wholistic diagnostic and therapeutic methodology rooted in American Eclectic herbal tradition, constitutional energetics and contemporary clinical nutrition, continuously honed by the latest scientific research at molecular, cellular and genomic levels.
In 2011, the Centre for Natural Healing (now Mederi Center), where Donnie conducted his successful clinical practice since 1992, merged with the Mederi Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by Yance in 2005. ETMS is the model employed by the Mederi Centre for Natural Healing’s clinical practice team and the Foundation’s professional educational training and clinical research programs. Over the past two decades, Donnie has built a library of well-established, world-class research on the medicinal value and multifaceted interactions of over one hundred botanicals and their key constituents, with major emphasis in the area of Oncology. This incredible collection will be available to health care professionals through the Mederi Foundation’s on-line research database.
Donnie is also the founder and formulator of Natura Health Products, for which he has created a unique line of therapeutic-grade botanical and nutritional supplements. The current Natura portfolio consists of over thirty formulations derived from botanical and nutritional agents acquired from around the world. These products have made a significant contribution to his tangible success in improving the health of his patients, specifically by providing therapeutic amounts of key ingredients that would otherwise be unattainable anywhere in the world.
Susan Saccomanno, ND, LAc
As a naturopathic physician and a licensed acupuncturist, Susan strives to offer you the best in holistic care. She became a doctor because she loves working closely with people to inspire and educate about changes that create vibrant health. Her job is to untangle the mass of information out there, find what is specific to your health situation, and help to build a treatment plan based on you. Let’s work together to create a comprehensive strategy that is specific to you and your needs; a plan that is manageable and also makes you feel really good.
In addition to her general practice, she has expertise in holistic cancer care. She has deep faith in the healing and regenerative powers of natural therapeutics and believes they play a central role in all cancer treatments. She makes sure she is doing everything she can to enhance mainstream therapies, minimize the side effects, and prevent future occurrences. She studied under the Mederi Clinical Training Program to deepen her knowledge and skills with the Eclectic Triphasic Medical System (ETMS).
In both Susan’s general practice and her cancer work, She relies on a research-based model that is very heart-centered, blending the best of naturopathic and Chinese traditions. She appreciates the collaborative aspect of this work and finds this dynamic process of figuring out the right blend of tools very gratifying.
Susan treats acute and chronic illnesses such as:
- Hypothyroid/hyperthyroid
- Insomnia, fatigue, brain fog
- Women’s health issues: irregular periods, cramping, libido, fertility concerns, PCOS, abnormal Paps, postpartum issues, and menopause
- Men’s health concerns: BPH, ED
- Digestive Problems including constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, gas and bloating, heartburn/GERD
- High cholesterol patterns
- Diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia
- Colds and flu
- Allergies, sinusitis, and asthma
- Migraines, other headaches
- Arthritis
- Auto-immune illnesses
- Integrative cancer care
Tools:
- Herbal medicines, from both the Chinese and American/European models
- High quality nutritional supplements
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Homeopathy and biotherapeutic drainage
- Dietary ideas
- Healthy habit ideas
- Cranial work
- Hydrotherapy
Education:
Syracuse University, BA, photography
Appalachian State University, BA, self-designed pre-med
National College of Natural Medicine, Naturopathic Doctorate, Master of Oriental Medicine
Susan currently lives and works in Portland, OR doing naturopathic primary care, and will soon be joining us full time in Ashland. You can read more about her cancer support at http://www.redleafclinic.com/natural-cancer-support/ .
