Carolyn R. Walker, MSN, ARNP
Owner, Prevention & Healing of Iowa

Carolyn is currently a licensed nurse practitioner and owner of Prevention & Healing of Iowa. The majority of her practice involves family practice, women's health issues, and detoxification in the context of functional medicine. She graduated from the University of Iowa in August 2000 with a Master of Science in Nursing and is board-certified through ANCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In 1986 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand View College in Des Moines, IA.

Carolyn was awarded a Health Professional Scholarship by the Veteran's Administration in 1985 and worked her first two years after her BSN in the Veterans Hospital system. From 1988 through 1997 she worked several years in home health care nursing as well as a school nurse and a home-based nurse consultant for a major insurer. She has been certified in Community Health nursing through ANCC since 1991 and enjoyed coordinating health-related presentations for homebound aging residents of assisted living centers. Click here to read more...

During her studies at the University of Iowa, Carolyn piloted an Adult Education class on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) in her community. The first class had 44 participants, which was phenomenal attendance for an Adult Education class. She has continued to co-instruct BHRT classes with a local compounding pharmacist. They have held 50+ classes with over 4500+ in total attendance over the past 10+ years.

Carolyn has an in-depth understanding of BHRT through extensive continuing education at Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA). Many health care providers do not realize that BHRT involves an in-depth history and laboratory evaluation of a person's steroid hormone status. Replacement involves prescribed hormones compounded to an individual's specific needs. While a student at the University of Iowa she received a research grant from Sigma Theta Tau/Zeta Chi Chapter for her research project titled, "Why Women Choose Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy." Carolyn published an informational article about BHRT in the journal Advance for Nurse Practitioners in May 2001.

Her work has been recognized by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) in 2002 with the State Award for Excellence. She has presented on BHRT to several hundred nurse practitioners at an AANP National Conference in New Orleans in June 2004. She has also spoken to this topic in St. Louis at a Complementary Medicine conference in June 2004 and will do so again Fall 2009. She has continued to present across the US, sponsored by PCCA and ZRT Labs. She also lectures at a local medical university.

Carolyn is now branching out into the functional medicine field. This means she is evaluating the body's chemistry and restoring function with missing nutrients rather than treating symptoms solely with standard drug therapy.

In addition, Carolyn has been a member of the American Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau since 1986. She is also a member of the Iowa Nurse Practitioner Society (1999), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (2000), the Institute for Functional Medicine (2006) and the International College of Integrative Medicine (2007).

Marty Rhea, CNHP
Certified Natural Health Professional

Marty Rhea received a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Texas at Dallas in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis in Science and Math in 1997. While pursuing a degree intended to result in further medical education, Marty worked as a nationally certified pharmacy technician at a retail pharmacy in Plano, Texas. In completing the Bachelor's degree, the responsibilities of four teenage children prevented the commitment required for further medical education at that time and Marty continued working until moving to Des Moines, IA in July of 2000.

After moving to Des Moines, Marty decided to apply to pharmacy school to further use her knowledge in health care. She was accepted to Creighton Pharmacy School, but once again, after weighing requirements for school against family needs, she decided against dedicating the required time and finances to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She was employed by Central Iowa Compounding Pharmacy during that time, and in that setting learned about Bioidentical Hormones and a more natural way to promote both health and wellness. It was at that point that Marty learned about the study of Human BioAcoustics and traveled to Albany, Ohio to learn the practice of BioAcoustics research from Sharry Edwards, the founder of Human BioAcoustics research. She has also completed coursework to become a Certified Natural Health Professional. The CNHP allows for many other opportunities for education for Marty as well. One of the first training courses Marty completed after becoming a CNHP was to study under Dr. Howard Loomis to become a Loomis Digestive Health Specialist.

As of September 2009, Marty is continuing her education by pursuing a Doctor of Naturopathy degree, while concurrently becoming a Master Herbalist, a Certified Nutrition Consultant, and a Certified Health Specialist.

          PRACTITIONER TESTIMONIES

Carolyn R. Walker, MSN, ARNP
Owner, Prevention & Healing of Iowa

"Ten years ago I did not believe I would have been alive today. Symptoms were occurring which I had never experienced before and those I had had were worsening. There were afternoons where I was totally exhausted and would have to put on an alarm clock for a nap just to get me through the evening. A new symptom of depression was creeping into my life which I had not experienced before. I was constantly cold, hair thinning, gaining weight, had heart palpitations, fibrocystic breasts and could not sleep at night. I prayed to live long enough to see my children into their adulthood. Click here to read more...

At that point in time, one-half of my thyroid gland had been removed (turned out to be a benign goiter) and there was discussion of a possible hysterectomy due to very heavy menstrual flow. I was placed on Synthroid, Prozac, various antihistamines and pain medications without relief. I then decided to investigate Functional medicine options where more in-depth labs would be done to evaluate my hormones for imbalances. Once identified and treated with bio-identical compounded hormones and a more natural thyroid medication, my life changed dramatically for the better. It was at that time that I questioned why patients were not offered what seemed to be a more logical option in investigating and treating imbalances in one's health…simply by working with one's biochemistry.

As I pursued my Master's in Nursing in the late 1990's at the University of Iowa, I immersed myself in the international medical literature addressing bioidentical hormones. I conducted a retrospective, descriptive research project of 100 subjects using compounded bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and found 96 out of 100 subjects still happy and using BHRT 12 months after initiating treatment. This is rare in the world of commercially available HRT where only a meager 20% of women may continue long-term use of HRT due to side effects. There were 37 different presenting symptoms amongst the 100 subjects and 25 of the symptoms were statistically significant in their resolution over time using BHRT.

During my education at the University of Iowa, I also proposed that the compounding pharmacist (who helped me to initially understand BHRT) and I pilot an Adult Education class on BHRT to women. We would teach them about female physiology as well as the difference between various hormone preparations and how they work in our bodies. Since January 1999, we have addressed BHRT to over 4,000 women as we have continued to offer BHRT classes through local Adult Education and other venues.

I became a licensed Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in 2000 and developed a steady practice serving men and women with nutritional and hormone imbalances. Over the past 2-3 years, I am seeing more children on the Autism spectrum of disorders. This has evolved due to my personal experience with heavy metal toxicity in me and some family members.

My practice broadened to incorporate other facets of Functional and environmental medicine when in 2001 I found that our son and I suffered from undiagnosed heavy metal toxicity (mercury, aluminum & lead). I discovered this by ordering a nutritional panel which included a heavy metal screen amongst 130 other metabolic markers. Since heavy metal toxicity will always disrupt hormone function, it then made sense as to why my adrenals, ovaries and thyroid glands were struggling against the odds of heavy metals in my body. This awareness was confirmed working in concert with my physician in St. Louis, Dr. Simon Yu (www.preventionandhealing.com ) as there was no physician in Iowa familiar enough with environmental medicine to help my son and I. I am pleased to state Dr. Yu is now a trusted mentor to me and has helped many of my patients with their toxicities as well. With detoxification, my health continued to improve. With detoxification, our son's energy level, focus and concentration has dramatically improved.

Today, my husband often comments that I'm not the same person I was 10 years ago. A few months ago he wondered if I had an "off switch" as I seemed to have so much energy. One of my dreams has come to fruition as owner of "Prevention & Healing of Iowa" to provide Functional integrative medicine and healing.

My testimony is now being replicated over and over in others as I assist my patients in identifying and treating their nutrient and hormone imbalances, as well as environmental toxicities." I extend my utmost gratitude to the following mentors in my life:

• Sue Horton, RPh, tireless advocate for Functional pharmaceuticals
• Jean Lorentzen, DO, Internal Medicine, who pioneered BHRT in Iowa
• Simon Yu, MD, Internal Medicine, specializing in environmental medicine
• Irene Dougherty & David Cheung, acupuncturists, Eastern Medicine & NAET
• My daughter, who is the first PhD (Biochemistry) in our family, always "wondering" for better answers and wanting to "inspire" others over her lifetime
• My son, who has taught me many lessons which finally came together in 2001 when we discovered significant heavy metal toxicity in his and in my body. With that lesson I have been able to help many others where they could not find help otherwise.
• My son-in-law, who is fervently studying to be a physician and bring new ideas to medicine
• My mother, who lived through many undeserved medical indiscretions giving me the insight and strength to search for more logical, safe options in health-care
• My husband, who continues to support me in my quest for the truth in healthcare

Marty Rhea, BA

    Testimonial Coming Soon!

          STAFF

Jenni Rae Snodgrass
Receptionist

Jenni Rae Snodgrass joined the Prevention & Healing Staff in April of 2008 as receptionist. In the fall of 2008 she became our Aqua Detox Footbath technician.

She has been working part-time while earning her Bachelor's of Science degree in Metaphysical Counseling which she received in May of 2009 from the University of Metaphysics in Sedona, Arizona. Jenni became a certified Reiki practitioner in March of 2009. She has been a professional intuitive for over 15 years.

Jenni has taught Sacred Dance and Moving Meditation at Ancient Ways, along with co-teaching several other metaphysical classes at that location. She was the director for the Sacred Serpent Healing Theater Group from 2003 to 2008.

In August of 2003 she received her ordination with the Universal Life Church and has since changed affiliations. She is now ordained through the International Metaphysical Ministries and is building her practice in energy healing and spiritual counseling. She has become a Oneness Blessing Facilitator in March of 2010, and is currently working towards her Masters degree in Metaphysical Counseling.