If you had told my younger self that I would spend over a decade immersed in academia, walk beside my father through stage 4 brain cancer, become a widow in my thirties, and lose everything I thought was certain, I would have said absolutely not.
But it was those raw, unfiltered experiences that led me to what is real…the deeper truth of healing and a form of medicine that lives far beyond symptom management or what appears on a scan.
What I bring into my work now is not only clinical expertise, but the lived understanding that can hold space for your whole story.
If you are longing for that kind of care, I would be honored to walk this path with you.
Let’s back up first…
I grew up in a world that valued achievement and external success, yet even as a child I felt called to question what others accepted without thought. That instinct eventually led me to an all girls boarding school, not because I fit in, but because I could not ignore the quiet knowing that there was more.
Only later did I understand that questioning was not rebellion, but early wisdom.
That same discernment shapes how I practice medicine today. It is intuitive, evidence informed, and deeply holistic. I do not rush to quiet symptoms. I listen, look beneath the surface, and guide you back to what is true for your body.
The diagnosis…
In my early twenties I was focused on studying business, until one weekend in 2002 when everything changed…
My father suddenly struggled to speak, and a hospital scan revealed a tumor the size of a golf ball in his brain. Stage 4. Terminal.
Three months to live.
At twenty years old I went from carefree student to full time caregiver and advocate, spending every night in medical journals searching for answers beyond what we were being told.
The odds were less than 1% for survival beyond ten 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.
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 unexpectedly, 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.”
