Dr. Seema Khaneja's vision- to combine into one single practice Mainstream Western Medicine and Eastern Alternative Medicine- has become reality. With the opening of her new office, recent launch of her web site, and increasing recognition as a preferred child health care provider, Dr. Khaneja is ready to turn her success as a pioneer of integrative medicine into knowledge that will broaden the health care choices for patients and providers alike.
Rochester, NY (PRWEB) January 21, 2008 -- During a testimony to the U.S. Senate in 1997 by David Eisenberg, statistics from "The New England Journal of Medicine" were quoted as follows: "The highest use of alternative therapies is found in the so-called "baby boom" generation now age 30-55. An estimated one in every two of these individuals currently use alternative therapies."
Ten years later, as baby boomers continue embracing alternative or complementary health care services for themselves (and now for their children), it comes as no surprise that traditional western mainstream healthcare providers are increasingly willing to handshake with alternative health care providers. And alternative health care providers are welcoming the collaboration with open arms.
And in upstate New York, Dr. Seema Khaneja has kicked it up a notch.
When Integrative Pediatrics opened its doors in 2003, it was unique because Dr. Khaneja is of both worlds. Born in India to loving and devoted parents who both were offspring of Eastern medicine practitioners, and having exposure at an early age to meditation, yoga, and prayer, she can not recall a time when she did not aspire to be a doctor. Starting medical school in New York City at age seventeen, Dr. Khaneja became a board certified pediatrician in 1996, and was listed as one of New York's best doctors by "New York Magazine" in 1998. She authored several chapters for "Attorney's Textbook of Medicine", conducted stress management seminars for physicians, nurses and staff at Brooklyn's Park Ridge Medical Center, is enrolled in a 3-year postgraduate program at the Canadian Academy of Homeopathy, has yoga teacher certification from the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association, is trained in Mind/Body medicine from Harvard, and is trained in Qigong, Hypnosis, Ayurvedic medicine, and more.
"I began my Integrative Pediatric practice because I wanted to be able to practice in a way that allowed me to honor my inner sense of how medicine should be practiced- in an atmosphere of mutual patient-doctor respect, where there is time to address all the needs of the patient, and where I can help children and families achieve greater and greater levels of health, not just control the symptoms. I wanted to utilize my training in complementary/alternative medicine along with my Western medical training. I knew that this would not be possible in a group or hospital setting, so I decided to go solo."
Being a solo practitioner had its advantages- Dr. Khaneja was free to practice in her own style of giving quality care and time to her patients. But she soon found that there were disadvantages as well. A major portion of her time was being spent on administrative and practice management tasks like billing, ordering supplies, appointment scheduling, and similar time consuming but necessary business operations.
"In the summer of 2006, I moved my practice to join with another community pediatrician so that we could share overhead expenses and afford an office staff to take care of the day-to-day responsibilities of running a medical practice. Since then, my practice has increased significantly. I treat kids with acute and chronic medical issues, and I'm able to spend more time with the parents. I empower them to make choices as to how they parent, and educate them on the effects their emotional reactions have on their child's well being. In October of 2006 I presented a talk and case presentation on homeopathy at a medical conference at Rochester General Hospital that was very well received. Many pediatricians and complementary care providers in the community often refer patients to me that are seeking alternative health care."
But Dr. Khaneja's best credentials are the accolades of her patients, who occasionally are also her peers. In the words of one such family, "As health care professionals ourselves, we have very high expectations for our children's provider. Dr. Khaneja's sensitive approach and the time she devotes are truly extraordinary. Her knowledge and experience instill the confidence that allows us to be parents, not providers, to our children. Dr. Khaneja involves us in the process by constantly asking questions and allowing us to guide our daughters' care. Dr. Khaneja is an excellent listener and she uses superb communication skills to practice collaborative care." -Shirish Balachandra MD and April Ricotta CNM
Now that Dr. Khaneja is well established, her goals are to continue building and strengthening the bridges between the different medical practices, for the common good. She is bursting into 2008 with an aggressive agenda.
"My passion is homeopathy and mind/body medicine. I plan to consult for children and families dealing with various health issues and illnesses using my training in homeopathy and mind/body medicine, and to work in conjunction with the primary care doctors so that there is open communication between us. This way, we would both have access to all medical records, reports, test results, and the medical care would be coordinated. I plan to continue my studies, to continue improving my skills. I will also be writing articles for pediatric medical journals and popular magazines on homeopathy and mind/body medicine, and will be giving talks and lectures on these topics to both general and professional audiences. I will be continuing to work towards setting the example for affording people access to collaborative integrative health care."
Based on Dr. Khaneja's past successes, her progressive approach to achieving her goal is sure to be her future accomplishment. And we will all be the better for it.
Dr. Khaneja's biography and selected published works as well as information about her practice are available at http://www.Integrative-Pediatrics.org. Coming this summer, the web site will be expanded to be a more robust resource for patients and medical personnel.
References:
http://www.chiro.org/alt_med_abstracts/FULL/Eisenberg_Testimony_before_US_Senate.shtml
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