Faculty Focus
Dr. Jessica Tran
Born and raised in Orange County, Calif., Dr. Jessica Tran learned about Naturopathic medicine at an early age. Her father was a regular subscriber to homeopathic journals, which she read often, and her pediatrician was an allopathically trained homeopathic and Chinese Medicine doctor. As a young girl, Tran never realized the difference between allopathic and alternative medicine.
“The medicine I grew up with was what I believed to be normal for everyone, at least until I outgrew my pediatrician,” said Tran. “The difference became known to me when I went to a doctor who rejected and challenged all of my beliefs about medicine and homeopathy that I had used all my life. He had said they were a placebo.”
The statements that were made intrigued Tran and she sought to find out the truth about alternative medicines.
Dr. Tran was driven to obtain her medical degree (MD) and study complementary and alternative medicine. It was during her time at the University of California, Irvine that she wrote a paper in her environmental health class and came across a research study by Dr. Walter Crinnion. This was the turning point that pushed Tran to obtain a Naturopathic medical degree (ND).
“Rather than try to learn natural medicine, therapies and treatments from medical doctors who were newly exploring alternative medicine, it made more sense to go to a school where the traditions of natural medicine had been passed down from individuals who practiced and immersed themselves in the medicine,” stated Tran.
While at UC, Irvine, Tran was a clinical research coordinator and research assistant in emergency medicine. She spent two years in the emergency department shadowing residents and attendings which confirmed that she wanted to pursue a career in preventative medicine.
“Working in the emergency department added to my training as a doctor as I saw many acute conditions and traumas,” said Tran. “I felt that some of the conditions could have been prevented if the patient had good primary care.”
Dr. Tran obtained her ND degree from Bastyr University in Seattle, Wash. Just prior to entering her clinical training, Dr. Crinnion, who was an inspiration and whom she had hoped to work with, left Bastyr. Upon graduating, Tran applied for a residency at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.
“I spent extra time while at Bastyr focusing on homeopathy by attending specialized weekend courses and study groups,” said Tran. “My professors and mentors all told me that Dr. Stephen Messer would be an integral part in my homeopathic training, which is why I applied for a residency at SCNM.”
Life takes twists and turns but it always seems to work out for the best, Tran was accepted to SCNM’s residency program and became a resident and then fellow under Dr. Crinnion.
“I wanted the SCNM residency to further my training in homeopathy, but I became deeply engaged in environmental medicine and after my residency pursued a fellowship,” said Tran. “I did not have the same formal training as SCNM students in environmental students, which is why I studied it more intensely as a resident.”
Tran currently teaches courses at SCNM, has a private rotation at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center, is working on several research projects with Dr. Crinnion and drafting clinical research proposals.
