A note from our founder—When I began this journey, I saw myself more as a holistic educator than a holistic doctor, even though I had helped many, many people and had had my own practice.
I definitely suffered from some degree of visibility wounds and fear of being seen.
I just wanted to go to a school that taught all the things I wanted to know, and I knew there must be other people who wanted to know those things, too.
Otherwise, I was kind of a lone wolf, and didn't have a huge support that we now know as the community to help me form my confidence and ideology on my title.
I wanted to offer the holistic doctorates because to my chagrin, I saw other schools offering too many levels of a single modality, and too many upsells in the process.
I wanted to pay once and learn everything, and I assumed that would resonate with others. That's why we have holistic doctorates at Rockwell.
I was just fine going by 'traditional naturopath' before we shifted to teaching just natural medicine and using any other non-intrusive, low lying, passive titles. That was just a fear of being seen and feeling confident in my professional authority.
However, many of our graduates came to us already in established practice, seeking greater training, title, credential, and credibility. They were already very confident and comfortable with their skillsets.
Realizing this, I wanted to better understand their use of the word doctor, and re-evaluate what the term meant to us, and so we did just that when I asked our very first student to write a short post on this matter, which you’ll find below this brief introduction.
In this industry, while not everyone wants to be referred to as 'doctor,’ others feel it’s their right for various reasons, since docere, the Latin root of doctor, meant teacher, in the original sense of the word.
And that's exactly what we do at Rockwell. Rather than treat, diagnose, prescribe, we target, reverse, and eliminate root causes with a focus on prevention.
We empower our clients to need us as little as possible, so we can serve as many people as possible, with the goal of lighting the world in hope and healing and bringing natural, functional, holistic medicine into each and every household across the globe.
Many people feel that conventionally-trained medical doctors (physicians, and physician subtypes, such as the autonomous nurse practitioner, regular NPs, and physician assistants) only monitor and track symptoms with drugs and often unnecessary invasive procedures, such as surgery, which are all more than meets the eye approaches when it comes to side effects and reduction in quality of life. Studies show the average psychiatric appointment is 10 minutes for a quick script, and I’ve seen firsthand in my own clients where these prescriptions were dangerous and inappropriate.
And, unless otherwise functionally trained or self-taught, most licensed medical professionals from the top to the bottom of perceived ranks learn very little about the health and wellbeing of the body, mind, and spirit, which encompass all levels of health.
We give you the title of doctor as teacher with our holistic doctorates and natural health PhDs, which have been offered by holistic educators of this class and type for decades.
If you were ever curious why someone would want to be referred to as doctor, and why they’re comfortable with the term, this article may explain why.
Why I think I Should Be Addressed as "Doctor."
Dr. Michael A. Lonardo, PScD, DNM, PhD.
Rockwell School of Functional & Holistic Medicine
December 4, 2018
Why I think I should be addressed as "Doctor."
In a nutshell; I’ve earned it. In my short time as a holistic practitioner, I have already won the award of “Best Holistic Medicine in the Triangle" (the area where I practice).
I am making a real difference.
It isn’t that I am arrogant, but I have been taking clients that MDs (psychiatrists especially) have made worse than when they originally came to them.
With a compliant client, I am averaging over 80% success in helping people with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and panic disorders.
For the 20% that are remaining, I change the protocol and or do more labs, and then I realize another 80% of that group.
I repeat this one more time.
If there is no change after the third change in protocol there is no change; I am left with two possible reasons.
The first is they simply are not compliant.
Second, their body will not respond to natural substances for whatever reason.
Getting back to the original question, I also feel with the amount of education I have received and continue to receive it shows an extreme commitment to helping others.
Aside from Rockwell, I have earned the following:
- Certificate “Crisis Response” from NC Dept. Of Health and Human Services
- Certificate “Cognitive & Behavioral Consequences of TBI in Adults” from Greensboro Area Health Education Center
- Certificate “Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury” from Greensboro Area Health Education Center
- Certificate “Primary Care & Traumatic Brain Injury” from Greensboro Area Health Education Center
- Certificate “Crisis De-Escalation & Management for First Responders” from Greensboro Area Health Education Center
- Certificate “Public Service & TBI in North Carolina” from Greensboro Area Health Education Center
- Certificate “Substance Use & Traumatic Brain Injury” from Greensboro Area Health Education Center
- Certificate “Youth Mental Health First Aid” from National Council on Behavioral Health
- Certificate “Mastering Mood & Emotion with Herbs & Nutrition” from Nature’s Institute
- Certificate “Domestic Violence from a Christian Perspective” from Northwest Family Life Institute
- Certificate “Healthcare Provider CPR/AED + Standard First Aid (BLS)” from American Health Care Academy
A medical doctor must obtain between 0 and 50 hours of continuing education per year ("Physician CME State Map," 2018).
I have exceeded that amount by more than three times. I don't think I have the education or expertise as a medical doctor, but I feel the client gets better care.
I also fit the definition of a doctor.
"Doctor" means teacher, from the Latin docere, to teach.
It came to refer to people who had achieved great learning, hence the Ph.D. and Doctor of Letters degrees.” (“UOttawa” 2018)
In short, a graduate from Rockwell has earned the title of “Doctor,” and while some may think it pretentious, I think it simply gives notice to the extreme commitment we provide to help and “teach” others how to live a better, healthier life.
REFERENCES:
McDowell, I. (2014, September 3). Definition Of Doctor. Retrieved December 4, 2018,
from https://www.med.uottawa.ca/sim/data/Physician_e.htm
Physician CME State Map. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2018,
