If you told my younger self I’d spend 14 years in university, help my dad through stage-4 brain cancer, become a widow in my 30s, and lose everything — I would’ve said no thank you.
But those experiences led me to something real: the truth about healing and a deeper kind of medicine.
That’s what I offer now — not just expertise, but lived understanding. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’d be honored to walk with you.
Let’s back up first…
I grew up in suburban America, where success was defined by achievement and accumulation — but even as a child, I sensed there was more. At 12, that quiet inner knowing sparked a rebellion that led me to an all-girls boarding school, where questioning became my strength instead of my flaw.
That same curiosity now lives in the way I practice medicine — intuitive, evidence-informed, and deeply holistic. I don’t just treat symptoms. I listen, I look deeper, and I help you return to what’s true for you.
The diagnosis…
In my early twenties, I was chasing success and studying business—until one weekend in 2002, when everything changed. My father struggled to speak, and a hospital visit revealed a golf-ball-sized tumor in his brain. Stage-4, terminal cancer. Three months to live.
At 20, I went from carefree student to full-time caregiver and advocate, diving into medical research to fight the impossible odds—less than a 1% chance of survival beyond 10 years.
Going Beyond Statistics…
I knew the only chance my father had was to do things differently than the doctors advised and to avoid the standard of care, which was a death sentence. Against all odds, I dove into research, sought out new treatments, and connected with experts who recognized our fight.
That journey was the first seed that led me to medical school—and to my true calling.
In the end, my father lived 17 more years because we chose a path beyond convention.
The Awakening
I can still vividly recall the moment I decided to become a doctor. While working in commercial real estate and completing my MBA, I was showing a vacant building in Seattle when it hit me—making money simply wasn’t enough. My true calling was medicine. Despite the challenge of eight more years of schooling, I enrolled in pre-med courses while finishing my master’s degree.
The desire to bring hope to others, much like I had longed to do for my father, became the driving force behind my passion for healing.
Finding my true purpose
Eight years later, after I completed my pre-med studies and earned my doctorate at Bastyr University, I stood at UCLA’s brain tumor conference as a leading expert.
My father was alive and well… in the audience, and sharing our journey, I finally stepped fully into my true purpose.
Taking the road less traveled…
While building my practice in California, I found a quiet writing spot in a small village on the island of Crete in Greece—and met the love of my life. He’d survived cancer by embracing his own power, and our connection changed everything.
I left California to live there, diving into simplicity, nature, and inner reflection. Through him, I discovered the spiritual side of healing—breath work, meditation, and new ways of understanding illness. Those years taught me more about true medicine than any before.
Loss & Transformation
In an instant, everything changed—my husband’s cancer returned, and we spent two years seeking hope across China and Austria. Navigating foreign healthcare, I relied on both knowledge and intuition to make heart-wrenching decisions.
When he passed—not from cancer but unexpected complications—I realized that life and death are beyond our control.
What I can offer is my full heart, my expertise, and unwavering support to help you navigate your own healing journey with courage and clarity.
My dark night of the soul…
In just three months, I lost my husband, my father, our dog, and our home. I retreated to a cabin by a river, surrounded by forest, craving stillness and truth—dreaming of disappearing into the Himalayas or a monastery.
But I stayed. I chose to turn my pain into purpose. I did the deep inner work, learning to be as fluid as water and rooted in presence. That became my real healing—and my greatest training.
Today, I show up as the kind of doctor I once longed for: grounded, compassionate, and here to walk beside you, no matter where you are in your journey.
My journey has shown me…
That statistics are simply motivation, not destiny. Material wealth means nothing without health. Every challenge holds a hidden gift, and true healing comes from following your heart and quieting your mind. Change is constant—embrace it. Nothing is impossible when you believe. Faith is the strongest medicine.
Uncovering the True Essence of Healing…
I was eager to return to my clinical practice, but with a new perspective. As a physician trained in naturopathic medicine, I had always approached the body holistically, treating the whole person. But I soon realized that something essential was missing—true healing requires nurturing the mind, body, and spirit together.
When I began helping my patients align their thoughts with their actions, I witnessed transformative shifts in their well-being.
Everything changes all the time…
Today, I’ve embraced a new chapter of life—remarried, navigating the profound journey of motherhood, and stepping into the heart-opening role of a stepmother to three beautiful women. All the while, I hold sacred space for loss and grief, recognizing their delicate place in my evolution.
Through it all, I honor the beauty of this ever-evolving path and the grace it brings.
Each experience has shaped who I am today and deeply informs the way I practice medicine, with intention, compassion, and presence.
Which Brings Me To You
At the end of the day, nothing else seems to matter once you have lost your health. I understand this deeply, and I’ve dedicated my life to helping you unlock the healing power that’s already inside of you.
If you're seeking a compassionate guide to navigate your healing journey, I invite you to apply to become a patient. Together, we can uncover the root causes of your health challenges and work towards lasting wellness.
“After years of feeling dismissed, I finally felt heard. Dr. Michele blends science with deep intuition. Her guidance has shifted not just my health, but my life.”
“Working with Dr. Burklund was like having a partner in my healing—someone who could hold both the medical complexity and the emotional weight. Her support was exactly what I needed.”
