Meet Molly Santosuosso | Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Molly Santosuosso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Molly, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my practice because as someone who has a chronic autoimmune condition, I felt there was something lacking in the conventional care I received that I wanted to provide to people as a doctor. When I was 15 years old I was diagnosed with Grave’s disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism). While I am forever grateful for the medication I was provided that helped me get back to living my life, there was no discussion of nutrition, lifestyle, or exercise changes to help improve my thyroid function let alone any potential alternative treatment options. Appointments were 15 minute maximum, I always left feeling like I wasn’t getting my questions answered, and I never left my doctors office feeling empowered. I decided early in my college career after working with a naturopathic physician myself, that I wanted to become one myself so I could fill in those gaps that I experienced for my patients.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After making the decision to become an naturopathic physician and completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree in microbiology followed by my 4-year naturopathic medical program at the Southwest College of Naturopathic medicine, I moved on to a 1 year residency program at the medical clinic located at the college. During residency I spent my time working alongside and learning from seasoned physicians particularly in the areas of women’s hormone health, thyroid health and autoimmunity, and gut health. After completing my year of residency I moved my practice to Be Well Medical in Chandler as an independent contractor where I am currently growing my practice.

I’m passionate about helping women get back to living their lives because I know what it feels like to have your symptoms control your life. I focus on root-cause medicine and really generating an understanding of where these symptoms are stemming from. From there we create a treatment plan around not only some immediate relief, but more importantly goals and changes that will create sustainable health. I work with my patients as a team because that’s what we are, we are partners in your health. As a physician I am here to guide, educate, and provide options and insight into my patient’s health, but only they can make the necessary changes to thrive. That is what I believe sets myself and many other naturopathic physicians apart from other medical care, we truly work with you and the hope is to always having you leaving feeling more confident than when you came in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, you can’t truly get a feel for Arizona unless you experience northern AZ. Sedona is always a must, even if just for a day to see (and smell, if you’ve been there you know what I’m talking about) the red rocks. But really my favorite place to visit is Jerome, the quiet little haunted town on a mountain’s edge. I’m definitely a sucker for anywhere that is considered “haunted” so getting to spend some time at the hotel there and read people’s experience in the guest book in the lobby is one my favorite things to show people. If we’re staying close to home, the morning calls for a stellar chai late at Peixoto Coffee in downtown chandler or Bergie’s Cafe in Gilbert, followed before or after by a Liberty Market breakfast. Depending on the time of year, a nice little day-hike at one of the local mountains is usually requested, and we’ll typically bring them to one of our favorite restaurants in the area, The Brickyard Downtown in Chandler for a tapas dinner and great cocktails. All-in-all, Arizona really does have a lot to offer so we’re never too short on ideas of where to bring people next.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have shaped me into the physician I am today. Dr. Leslie Axelrod, Dr. Stephen Messer, Dr. Katie Stage, Dr. Kimberly Volk, and Dr. Jessika DiCampli are some that immediate come to mind that I was able to work with both as a student and resident. Their mentorship was invaluable in making me a better physician. Of course I also couldn’t be more grateful for Dr. Nichole Shiffler, who I not only worked with throughout my education and residency, but who continues to act as a mentor to me and is the owner of Be Well Medical.

Medicine is truly a team sport and I’m so honored to have been and continue to be surrounded by so many incredible physicians.

The love and emotional support that my family, friends, and partner provided me throughout medical school was truly what helped get me through school and during the tough years as a physician during a pandemic. Having the support of those that you hold close is something I’m forever grateful to have.

Website: www.drmollysantosuosso.com

Instagram: @dr.mollysantosuosso

Facebook: Dr. Molly Santosuosso, NMD