Health and Wellness

Everybody kept telling me I needed to see ‘that hormone doctor’ in Moab. I'm sure glad I did. Finally I’ve found a doctor who cares enough to listen to me and figure out what is going wrong instead of just prescribing an antidepressant that I don’t need." Men and women from all over Utah—as well as from New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, and even Alaska—echo this statement as they meet with staff in the Grand County Wellness Center. Although patients are initially drawn here in search of a sensible and effective approach to the hormonal imbalances that plague much of our population, young and older alike, many come to discover that there is a lot more to the Wellness Center than bio-identical hormone replacement. In fact, some learn—to their surprise—that sex hormone deficiencies are not their problem after all, or at least not their main problem.

Although Dr. Andrew was trained in the traditional Western medical approach to disease, and continues to use that training in the everyday practice of family medicine, it became clear to him early on in practice that something was lacking. "Every time we go to the doctor, we are conditioned to expect to receive a drug—or undergo surgery—for each symptom that ails us. It’s no wonder we are getting sicker as a people and bankrupting our health care system. I believe there is a role for drugs. I prescribe them every day. However, every drug has its side effects and long-term complications, many of which are unknown. Who would have thought a few years ago that the most common cholesterol drugs would contribute to diabetes, depression, hormone deficiencies, and heart failure? These facts are not taught in medical school and the drug companies would rather us not think about them as we dutifully fill our expensive prescriptions every month for the rest of our lives. Making matters worse, an alarming number of Americans are taking 5, 10, or even 15 prescription drugs a month, often at a cost of over $100 a piece. If the multiple side effects and drug interactions don't kill us, the gutting of our life savings will."

Rather than merely "manage" (i.e. perpetuate) disease, Dr. Andrew decided to focus on helping patients enhance their health and prevent disease. As a result of this decision, he regularly attends conferences and lectures by national experts in all areas of medicine. The emphasis of this advanced training is to help patients return, as much as possible, to optimal health. Sometimes this requires the use of certain drugs, at least temporarily. In other circumstances it involves vitamins, minerals, herbs, or hormones, alone or in combination. At the same time, Dr. Andrew is quick to point out that many of the illnesses from which we suffer stem from things that we do to ourselves. Lifestyle, environment, and attitude are inseparably connected with our health. Unfortunately, no combination of drugs can overcome the effects of some of the poisons we put in and on our bodies, some knowingly and others unknowingly. 

What gratifies Dr. Andrew most is being able to help patients return to health and wellness by removing from the body things that don't belong there and putting back things that do. "It's exciting to me when I can treat in a matter of weeks or months a myriad of symptoms for which only 10 years ago I would have written 5 or more potentially lifelong prescriptions. It's a lot of work for doctor and patient alike, but many agree it is more than worth it. We're going through a huge culture shift right now. Just as some people will never embrace computers, some would rather not take the active role in their health that is required for wellness. Fortunately, ever-increasing numbers of people are becoming more educated about their health and are no longer satisfied with statements like 'It's all in your head,' 'You're just getting older,' and ‘You just need to eat less and exercise more.’” For the first time, many patients are realizing they have options. Thanks to the recent addition of Physician Assistant Keely Fitzgerald, the Wellness Center and the Family Practice office are able to accommodate more of both types of patients than ever.