​It is hard to imagine that Foundations Naturopathic Health has turned five! When I first opened our doors, my dream was to create a place where people felt respected, safe, heard and truly supported on their health journeys. Now, five years later, I am beyond grateful for the incredible community we’ve built together.

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Reflecting on the Journey

These past five years have been filled with challenges, growth and countless moments of joy. Like so many small businesses, we faced one of the biggest challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, having to temporarily shut down 6 weeks after opening our doors. It was a difficult and uncertain time for all of us, but thanks to the unwavering support of our patients and community, we made it through.

I remember the excitement of reaching my first 500 patients—a milestone that felt incredible at the time. Now, we’re nearing 1,000 patients, and I’m humbled every day by the trust and support you continue to show. The greatest honour as a practitioner is when a patient refers a friend, colleague or family member - it is the highest compliment, and I am deeply grateful for every referral. Thank you for putting your trust in me.

 

A True Community Effort

From the very beginning, I have felt welcomed by this amazing community. New Westminster is my home and I love that I get to work in the community that means so much to me. The support from local groups, fellow practitioners, and organizations has been incredible, and I’ve had the privilege of forming strong professional partnerships with fellow NDs, suppliers, and local businesses. It truly takes a village to run a practice, and I’m endlessly grateful for the people who have helped along the way.

The clinic would not have come this far without support from my family. My parents have helped by coming in to clean the clinic when I became too busy, offering their time, and always cheering me on. My husband has also been instrumental in not only helping me make my dreams a reality, but also with his continued support and guidance. It means the world to me.

 

Expanding Services & Giving Back

As the clinic has grown, so have our services. Over the past few years, we’ve introduced IV therapy, specialized injections, and an expanded team of healthcare professionals to offer even more comprehensive and complementary care. These additions have been incredibly well-received, and I look forward to continuing to evolve and improve what we offer. Building an integrative, patient-centred clinic continues to be our priority. Take a look at our treatment options here. 

Beyond the clinic, my passion for community health led me to help create the Naturopathic Outreach Clinic with Union Gospel Mission (UGM) in New Westminster. This initiative allows us to provide naturopathic care to those in need, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. My deepest thanks to all of the members and staff at UGM for their continued support! Read more about it here.

 

Professional Growth & Exciting Opportunities

The past five years haven’t just been about growing the clinic—it’s also been a steep learning curve as both a business owner and a physician. There’s always something new to learn, and I’ve embraced the challenges along the way.

In 2022, I had the honour of joining the CCNM (Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine) board, where I recently completed my first three-year term and am now looking forward to my next term. I have also joined a new local community organization, which could open up even more opportunities to support and advocate for naturopathic medicine in the region - stay tuned for more information on that.

Another exciting milestone was being invited to my first advisory board for the medication Rifaximin, which was a unique and rewarding experience to share knowledge and experience with other healthcare practitioners. It’s been incredible to contribute to the broader field of medicine and learn from colleagues in different areas of healthcare.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You

I want to take this moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support, trust, and commitment to your health mean everything to me. The past five years have been an incredible journey, and I truly couldn’t have done it without you.

 

I Want to Hear from You!

As we look ahead to the future, I’d love to hear from you! You are the reason this clinic exists, and your feedback helps shape how we move forward. Whether it’s about a treatment you’d love to see, ways we can improve the clinic, or how we communicate with you, your input is invaluable. Feel free to reach out—I truly appreciate your thoughts!

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It has been an honour to serve you. Here’s to the next five years!

Dr. Heidi Standeven