Q&A: Susan Ritter at Dignity Health

Dr. Susan Ritter

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Dr. Raymond Theodosis

Dr. Susan Ritter is a family practice physician and is a fellow of Dr. Andrew Weil’s through the University of Arizona’s Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. She integrates traditional therapies with diet, exercise and alternative medicine treatments.

When did you know you wanted to be a doctor?

My decision to pursue a career in medicine came at the end of my undergraduate years. After completing a bachelor’s in geology, I decided I wanted to pursue a scientific career that allowed me to make an impact on the lives of others. I remember coming home and telling my parents of my plan to pursue medical school and my mom, with some relief, stating, “I think that’s a great idea.” I think she was happy to get me out of the dirt.

Where did you get your education and training?

I earned my M.D. at University of Colorado not far from where I grew up. My husband, who I met in anatomy, and I then headed to University of Arizona for residency. The UA Family Medicine residency provided a strong foundation in integrative medicine as one of the first residency sites to incorporate the Integrative Medicine in Residency curriculum, which is now incorporated into over 40 residency programs nationwide. Our program also provided a strong education in cross-cultural communication as the residency clinic provides care for the large underserved refugee population in Tucson. I then joined UA faculty and completed the two-year Integrative Medicine Fellowship which provided more in-depth education in topics not traditionally covered in medical training, such as nutrition, exercise, mind-body medicine, herbs/supplements, traditional Chinese medicine, and manipulation medicine.

What’s a traditional therapy? What role do diet and exercise play in your diagnoses? What are the types of alternative medicine that you’ve studied?

Every individual I see presents with a unique set of health-related problems and goals that are best managed by a unique treatment plan. Although Western medicine (sometimes referred to as “traditional” therapy) provides us with curative procedures and pharmaceuticals, I do not believe we should overlook the capacity of the human body to heal itself when provided the opportunity.

I always ask my patients what they are eating. Food is the body’s fuel and our current disconnectedness from our food is such that we often don’t appreciate the link between our diet and our health. I’ve witnessed patients make simple diet changes that have caused dramatic changes in health and without the potential long list of side effects we see on television ads every evening.

I stress the importance of regular physical activity. This doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym. It’s important that every individual participate in an activity that gets them moving, that they enjoy, and that they can continue for the long-term. Changes in diet and exercise are not always easy, but the evidence supporting lifestyle interventions for treating/managing illness and maintaining health is clear and deserve time and attention in the doctor’s exam room.

Alternative medicine encompasses anything outside of standard Western medicine for the optimization of health and treatment of disease. This can include traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture and herbal therapies), naturopathy, homeopathy, manipulation therapies (chiropractic, osteopathic, massage), and energy medicine, just to name a few. The practice of integrative medicine involves creating treatment approaches with patients that incorporate both standard Western approaches and alternative approaches depending on the patient’s condition and treatment goals. I often employ herbs, supplements, and mind-body techniques with my patients, in addition to nutrition and exercise counseling. My training has also allowed me to recognize when a certain alternative therapy may be particularly beneficial for a condition that is not improving with standard approaches and I will often refer for manipulation treatments or Chinese medicine consultation.

How has the role of a doctor changed over the years?

The role of the doctor is very different now compared to 50 years ago, or so my older colleagues tell me. I think one of the more important ways in which the doctor’s role has changed is the changing relationship between doctor and patient. Traditionally, there existed a patriarchal model of the doctor telling the patient what to do. This still exists, to some degree. However, patients are now much more informed and want to take more ownership over their health care. I see myself more as a guide, helping patients work toward a healthy lifestyle and choose treatment options that best suit their needs. The integrative care model is well-suited to embracing this changing dynamic between doctors and patients.

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