Dr. Erica Volk completed her training in Portland, Oregon at the National University of Natural Medicine, one of the leading accredited institutions for naturopathic medical education in North America. Trained as a primary care provider, her education included clinic rotations in cardiopulmonary medicine, environmental medicine, gastrointestinal health, addictions, pediatrics, transgender medicine, women’s health, mental health, and intravenous nutrient therapy. She has also completed advanced training in classical homeopathy through the New England School of Homeopathy (NESH) and is a candidate for fellowship with the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS). She is a board-certified, licensed naturopathic doctor with the British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).
Before opening her practice in the Okanagan in 2017, Dr. Volk worked in Portland, Oregon both as a primary care provider in a general practice and as a specialist in pediatrics with special needs–a demographic about which she is passionate due to having a beloved older brother with Down syndrome. Committed to advocating for and supporting all vulnerable populations, Dr. Volk is also honoured to have worked with seniors in the Okanagan, providing daily living support. Dr. Volk is happy to be practicing in her hometown of Kelowna, British Columbia to connect with her roots and support residents of all ages, abilities, and walks of life in the beautiful Okanagan.
Identify and treat the cause is one of the foundational principles of naturopathic medicine that resonates profoundly with Dr. Volk. After struggling with digestive problems for most of her life with no hope for a recovery, her life was forever changed after a meeting with a physician trained in functional medicine who not only treated her symptoms but also took the time and effort to uncover their underlying cause. Using natural methods, Dr. Volk was quickly able to eliminate her chronic ailments and resume a normal, healthy life—an outcome she had been told was impossible. Flabbergasted that no other physicians had taken the time to identify such simple problems, she became passionate about the power of natural medicine and pursued an education in naturopathic medicine during which she learned that all health issues have one or more treatable underlying cause. It is Dr. Volk’s mission to be a “health detective” for others who are similarly looking for answers. She is committed to supporting the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of her patients and she firmly believes that the role of doctor is not to dictate treatment plans but to guide, teach, and support patients while respecting their unique values and preferences.
Prior to studying naturopathic medicine, Dr. Volk completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Honours at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, where she wrote her thesis on Harry Potter—a project she heartily enjoyed. In her spare time, Dr. Volk enjoys tap dancing, hiking, yoga, cross-country skiing, reading, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and being a “crazy auntie” to her three nieces and nephew.
