Las Fuentes
Healing the mind, body, and spirit

Many Southwest Native Americans do not have access to conventional medical care facilities and licensed physicians. Indian Health Services funding does not fully support the staffing and equipment needed to assist the population of Native Americans. In addition, barriers such as lack of money, language skills, education, transportation and documented tribal membership contribute to this gap in adequate healthcare. This lack of access is particularly prevalent in Guadalupe, where 22 percent of its 6,000 residents do not have access to healthcare. Located between Phoenix and Tempe at the base of South Mountain, Guadalupe is a Yaqui Native American and Hispanic community. Guadalupe was founded by Yaqui Indians who fled their homeland to avoid persecution and enslavement by the Mexicans around the turn of the century. Over the years, many Hispanic families have also relocated in Guadalupe.

In 1995, with help from the Council of Indian Nations and local businesses, Dr. John Molina founded the Las Fuentes Health Clinic in Guadalupe, Ariz. Dr. Molina is of Apache, Yaqui Indian and Hispanic descent and grew up in Guadalupe seeing residents suffer due to cultural and socio-economic barriers. He decided to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate by becoming a doctor in order to provide affordable medical care to his community. The mission of Las Fuentes is "To provide affordable, comprehensive medical care to the people of Guadalupe and surrounding communities while acknowledging and respecting the cultural uniqueness of each individual." The clinic started with just one small exam room, along with some storage and administrative space in a building loaned by a local Presbyterian Church. The response from the community was overwhelming, and the clinic has grown immensely. Today it is funded largely by donations and grants and has nearly 6,000 patient visits per year.
Las Fuentes provides a variety of medical services including family medicine, women's health, acupuncture, chiropractic, Naturopathic and traditional medicine. Their community outreach program provides health education to local community schools, organizations and events. Las Fuentes also serves as a clinical training site for medical residents, students, assistants and nursing students. Diabetes remains the major cause of early disability and death in Guadalupe. Las Fuentes provides diabetic patients with education and treatment to control their diabetes. A major focus is on developing healthy eating habits and exercise. Health information and regular physical examinations assist the child to incorporate healthy behaviors and reduce their risks for diabetes, obesity and drug abuse.
The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) began providing Naturopathic care at Las Fuentes six years ago. Dr. Jennifer Nevels has been the supervising physician for student rotations at Las Fuentes since 2003. After graduating from SCNM, Dr. Nevels completed the residency program and became an instructor and then Interim Chair for the Women’s Integrative Medicine Department. According to Dr. Nevels, “At Las Fuentes, we utilize different therapies to address the cause of the problem. We assist the body in healing by prescribing botanicals, and nutritional supplements, making dietary and lifestyle recommendations and providing acupuncture treatments.” Naturopathic physical manipulation therapies and homeopathy are also utilized, along with prescription medications when necessary. Patients at Las Fuentes also have the opportunity to receive chiropractic treatments from another SCNM graduate, Kenneth McWilliams, DC, ND.

“The doctors are really good and bilingual. They are on a personal level and get to know the patients. They make you feel comfortable.” Las Fuentes patient

Dr. Molina believes that Naturopathic medicine fits well with traditional Native American medicine in various fashions. He explains, “First, the quality of the healer, the Naturopathic physician, is like the medicine man/woman who takes time to know the patient, their social milieu, and their family. Secondly, the medicinal interventions are natural, in line with the philosophy of Native healers who take their medicine from the earth. Thirdly, Naturopathic medicine looks at root causes of symptoms, maybe emotional or spiritual, like the Native medicine people who also seek these root causes and relieve them by performing ceremonies. This type of intervention highlights the holistic approach that Native healers also use on their patients. Finally, there is much counseling as a way to prevent and control disease, like Native healers who give counsel to their patients.”

Dr. Nevels agrees stating that “The patients at Las Fuentes resonate well with the Naturopathic philosophy. They appreciate that the body, when given the right tools, can heal itself. They also understand the importance of finding the underlying cause to their ailments instead of treating the symptoms.” She adds, “Rotations at Las Fuentes expose students to a different population with different needs. It’s a great opportunity to watch patients health conditions respond and improve so quickly to Naturopathic treatments.”

Wendy Wells, a fourth-year Naturopathic medical student shared her experiences stating, “At Las Fuentes, I learned how to quickly and thoroughly assess the needs of the patient and decide on a plan of action. Time management is a crucial tool to learn as we make the transition into being physicians. It is important to be compassionate and understand the culture of the patient when asking them to make diet and lifestyle changes. This clinic experience gave me this opportunity. I also enjoyed Dr. Nevels’ fun and easy going nature. She is truly a bright light in Las Fuentes. Patients there are naturally open to alternative medicine and so grateful for our care.”

“I can honestly say our collaboration with SCNM has been a tremendous experience for our clinic and patients!” Dr. John Molina, Medical Director

Dr. Nevels states, “More donations would benefit the Naturopathic services offered at Las Fuentes because without them we are unable to give the care patients are seeking and deserve.” SCNM’s Sage Foundation for Health helps support the Naturopathic physician’s salary and supplements, but more donations are needed to have an adequate supply of vital supplements such as essential fatty acids and multivitamins that almost every patient would benefit from.