Meet Dr. Karen Lottis
Over the past 25+ years, Dr. Karen Lottis has been providing healthcare both as an RN and Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Lottis attended the University of New Mexico where she earned her MSN and PhD, and acquired her BSN from Seattle Pacific University in 1994. Karen has worked in a variety of medical specialties. She also taught as adjunct faculty at the University of Hawaii and Grand Canyon University.
Unlike most Western medicine providers, she incorporates natural healing alternatives, focused on prevention and quality of life factors. Functional medicine is a philosophy where multiple indicators are used including blood, urine and saliva tests. However, the critical factors revolve around a patient’s symptoms, goals and lifestyle aspirations.
As a nurse and Nurse Practitioner, her focus was always patient-centered. With a doctorate in research, the impetus was to discover effective and proven methods to prevent disease, decrease negative symptoms and increase quality of life for every person–man or woman. Early in her Nurse Practitioner career, she was privileged to have studied under a physician in New Mexico who believed strongly in the Bio-Identical Hormone and nutraceutical model of care and has used this extensively since 2006. What a difference this created for patients–it can be truly life-changing!
“I have spent much of my life working 7 days a week, pushing physically and emotionally to the limit. As my own health and attitude began to deteriorate, I recognized fully the dangers we can each put ourselves in by not paying attention to our bodies. I’m incredibly passionate about the level of health and vitality that we can regain – Bio-Identical Hormone therapy, and pellets in particular, offer an opportunity to claim our lives back in a healthy and energetic way! This therapy in conjunction with adequate nutrition, appropriate fitness plan and carefully chosen supplements are at the foundation of health for men and women.”
Meet Sheena
Sheena Twitchell is a Board Certified, Family Nurse Practitioner with about 10 years of experience as an RN in Public Health, Medical/Surgical and Functional Medicine. Sheena has volunteer experience for medical mission trips to Guatemala, numerous public speaking engagements at conferences and health fairs, has lead workshops in trauma-informed care and was awarded March of Dimes Arizona Outpatient Nurse of the Year.
Sheena first joined OHM as a Nurse Practitioner Student spending more than 150 clinical hours with Dr. Karen Lottis and continues to focus on bridging the gap between the western allopathic medical model and natural alternative approaches to healthcare. Since graduating in the Spring of 2022, she has joined the practice and worked closely with Dr. Lottis to provide the same high quality of care that is the standard for Optimal Hormones Medical.
“So much of my time was spent on helping people fight disease and put a band-aid on symptoms rather than finding the root cause or preventing illness. Functional medicine sparked a passion in me because I saw it as the missing puzzle piece from conventional medicine. The diagnostic tests we are utilizing helps find root causes for hormonal imbalances with natural and pharmaceutical options for healing and is centered around the patient’s goals and preferences. I am grateful for this opportunity to practice functional medicine and support others in reaching their goals for optimal health.”