Donna C. Ruiz, M.D., F.A.A.P., A.B.O.I.M C.Ac
Hi There! My name is Dr. Ruiz and I am so excited to be part of the TCIM family!
I wanted to take some time to introduce myself and give you all a little insight into my life.
A little bit about myself…
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I am board-certified in Pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics as well as double-boarded in Integrative Medicine through the American Board of Integrative & Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) and the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM).
I have been practicing Integrative Pediatrics for over 6 years and relocated over the summer to San Diego from the San Francisco Bay area where I previously practiced. Since moving to southern CA, I had the privilege of being part of the prestigious faculty in the Dept. of Clinical Sciences at Bastyr University, CA (http://www.bastyr.edu/) teaching clinical Pediatrics to the naturopathic medical students. I also lecture nationwide teaching homeopathy to fellow physicians through the CEDH (Center for Education & Development of Homeopathy).
I typically see newborns thru young adults (21 y/o). Since I am also board-certified in Integrative Medicine, I have treated the parents of my patients using functional medicine to address their underlying medical problems.
Besides being trained as an allopathic physician, my passion lies in obtaining optimal wellness and restoring health.
To this end, I have incorporated functional medicine, clinical homeopathy, acupuncture, and nutritional medicine to treat various acute and chronic medical conditions.
History:
I have been practicing Pediatrics for over 20 yrs and prior to practicing Integrative Medicine, I was working as a pediatrician in private practice in northern New Jersey and also served as Attending Physician in the Dept. of Pediatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ and The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ before moving to the West Coast. In 2010, I joined a holistic pediatric practice in the San Francisco Bay area, Whole Family Wellness (formerly Whole Child Wellness).
I received my MD from the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, in the Philippines and then completed her residency in Pediatrics at UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, as well as fellowship training in Pediatric Rheumatology at The Hospital of Special Surgery, affiliated with Cornell University Medical College in New York. I completed my acupuncture education through the American College of Acupuncture in New York City with additional clinical training at Chengdu University Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. I was trained in the biomedical approach to autism and also have additional training in functional medicine, holistic nutrition, clinical homeopathy, and herbal medicine.
Specialties:
I specialize in treating children who suffer from allergies, anxiety, asthma, atopic dermatitis, ADHD, autism & other sensory disorders, autoimmune disorders (celiac disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, PANDAS/ PANS), food allergies/ intolerances, genetic mutations (MTHFR, COMT, etc.), headaches, IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), infant colic, chronic infections (chronic otitis media, fungal dysbiosis, H. pylori), nutritional deficiencies, reflux, seizures, tic disorders, and Tourette’s syndrome.
I have also helped the parents of my pediatric population who suffer from chronic conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), leaky gut, food allergies & sensitivities, celiac disease, migraine headaches, hypercholesterolemia, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, etc. to name a few disorders.
Treatment modalities I incorporate into my clinical practice include various nutritional supplements, clinical homeopathy, medical acupuncture, herbs, and dietary support.
Defeat Autism Now!
I have also been trained in the Defeat Autism Now! biomedical approach to autism with additional training through the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS).
As an integrative physician, I have helped numerous families whose children suffer from a collective set of conditions known as Autistic Spectrum Disorders. These include Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and other developmental disorders previously known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Sensory Integrative Disorders.
The biomedical approach encompasses gastrointestinal healing using various nutritional supplements and dietary modifications, addressing infections, immunologic support, and detoxification. In certain circumstances, heavy metal detoxification is also addressed after appropriate testing is performed using urine, blood, hair, and stool analysis.
Traditionally, many children suffering from ASD have been managed using psychopharmacology, and even employing anti-psychotics if deemed necessary, in addition to behavioral therapies such as Applied behavioral Analysis (ABA) and special education programs.
Current research is showing that these children suffer from a wide range of medical problems including increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), intestinal flora imbalances and infection, nutrient deficiencies, multiple food sensitivities, immunologic dysregulation, and central nervous system autoimmunity. Once these illnesses are addressed, the child’s overall health can be improved and recovery is possible.
Personal stuff:
I practice mindfulness meditation, pilates,
and have an interest in Feng Shui and philosophy.
I love quoting Nkosi Johnson who said:
"Do all you can with what you have,
in the time you have, in the place you are."
~Nkosi was an AIDS activist who lived fully until he died at the age of 12.
I love interacting with my patients and their parents!
The 3 Things that I live by:
“Remember, the most important time in your life is now, the most important person in your life is the one you’re with now, and the most important way to create the future is to act with awareness now.”
“Always look at life through the eyes of a child.”
"I believe on building healthy relationships based on trust and good faith by taking the time to be present, truly listen, answer various questions, and explain different integrative treatment modalities available."
Why do you practice Integrative Medicine?
My goal has always been to offer my patients the safest and most effective medical treatments.
The integrative approach is grounded in a philosophy of care that embraces the whole person, mind-body-spirit community, and in so doing optimizes heath and well-being.
Everything I do is about inspiring my patients to live a healthy and vibrant life, and restoring health using a health-oriented rather than a disease-oriented approach.
I consider myself a health adviser & partner with my patients, empowering the child to thrive in his or her own environment within which conventional and alternative modalities stimulate the body’s innate healing potential since the body is capable of healing itself. Every child has the right to thrive as a whole gifted light in this world!
I am blessed to be able to partner with Dr. Erik Lundquist and be part of a wonderful team of providers at TCIM to facilitate healing in a warm and nurturing environment that integrates western and complementary/ alternative medicine customized to meet the unique needs of each individual patient.
May we work together to create a happy, healthy, & sustainable world for today’s youth.
