Dr. Burkman earned her Doctor of Naturpathic Medicine degree from the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago where her training included experience in outpatient settings in addition to rotations at the Salvation Army, an adult rehabilitative clinic. She jointed Collaborative Natural Health Partners in 2012, where she has been for almost 10 years now. She has seen the clinic grow to a multidisciplinary center of excellence and truly enjoys being part of an integrative team.
The idea that food can be used as medicine is what lead Dr. Burkman to naturopathic medicine. From her own struggles with chronic skin ailments and fatigue, she learned how food and digestive health are a paramount to one’s health. Seeking the root cause for presenting symptoms are a cornerstone of both Dr. Burkman’s practice and of naturopathic medicine. She is a Wahl’s Protocol ® certified health professional, a certification that designates additional training in diet therapy geared toward those who suffer autoimmune or other chronic illnesses.
Dr. Burkman sees a variety of conditions, with particular interest in hormonal health, autoimmunity, nutritional medicine, and neurological conditions. She resonates with those who have chronic illness where often the goal is not cure, but to optimize health where they are at. She pays particular attention to the details of a patient story, as that leads to the most appropriate plan. Unwinding years of habits and establishing new ones can be difficult and she takes time to perform a detailed analysis of presenting conditions often including laboratory analysis ranging from routine blood work, expanded nutrient and salivary hormone assessments, urine metabolite assessment and more. As a clinic, the physicians are mindful of financial restraints and work with insurance covered labs when possible. Through communication of goals and treatment plan, her aim is to empower patients to take charge of their health, as empowerment is at the root of change and health.
Commitment to the growth of the naturopathic profession led her to be appointed to the Board of Trustees of her Alma Mater for which she has served since 2015. Additionally, she served a two-year term on Endocrinology Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is an active member of the Connecticut Naturopathic Association. She is an adjunct faculty member of the University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine, which allows her to teach family practice osteopathic residents functional and nutritional medicine. Aside from private practice, board commitments and volunteerism, she invests her time in expanding naturopathic medicine to all states and serves as the President of the Iowa Association of Naturopathic Doctors and fundraises for the Cure CMD foundation.
Dr. Burkman, an Iowa native, enjoys spending time with friends and family and searching for new hiking trails to conquer. She entertains her creative side upcycling old furniture, trying out new food recipes, and creating natural skin care products. She watches comedy shows regularly, catches every Iowa Hawkeye football game she can and enjoys watching the two lights of her life, her twin boys, grow!