Dr. Kat Bodden

my story:

I grew up in a family of healthcare providers and always knew I wanted to work in medicine. When I started my medical journey working as an ER tech, I didn't even know that naturopathic medicine existed.

While working in a level 1 trauma center was certainly exhilarating, I found myself growing increasingly disheartened. We weren't making people healthy - we were managing crisis after crisis. I'd see the same patients over and over with diabetes complications, heart attacks, and strokes, all preventable conditions. Unless a patient was experiencing a true life-threatening emergency, the hospital system didn't provide real help. Patients were given antibiotics or pain meds and sent on their way. Their underlying health issues were never addressed.

I stumbled upon the world of naturopathic medicine by a stroke of luck (I'll tell you the story sometime), and my life was forever changed. I was immediately drawn to the individualized, whole-person, and preventative approach of holistic medicine - especially its focus on addressing root causes rather than just managing symptoms.

I moved to Portland, Oregon, and completed a rigorous 4-year medical program at the National University of Natural Medicine. After graduation, I completed a one-year clinical residency with Drs. Anne Hill and Brooke Bodeen, receiving extensive training in complex chronic conditions and gastrointestinal health.

But here's where my journey took an exciting turn: I discovered that the real breakthroughs in health weren't coming from the latest wellness fads - they were emerging from longevity research and understanding how our bodies actually work. This led me to pursue advanced training as a Precision Longevity Specialist with the Human Longevity Institute. I'm a certified Younger You Practitioner through Dr. Kara Fitzgerald's groundbreaking epigenetics program. I'm also a certified Mold-Literate Provider, understanding how environmental factors impact our aging process.

My approach combines the foundational principles of naturopathic medicine (the vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature) with cutting-edge longevity science. Your body already knows how to heal and thrive; my job is to help you identify what's blocking that natural process and teach you the tools to support optimal aging from the inside out.

I'm not just a doctor treating symptoms - I'm a mentor and guide helping people create profound transformations in how they age. My goal is to educate and empower people to become a picture of optimal health and vitality, inspiring their friends, family, and community to rethink what's possible as we age.

My philosophy is simple: small shifts create sea changes. That's why I named my practice Sea Change Medicine - after witnessing the remarkable transformations that happen when we work with the body's innate wisdom rather than against it.

What I love most about this work is showing people that the path to optimal longevity is filled with joy, pleasure, and vitality. Forget deprivation and restriction, this is about discovering that taking exceptional care of yourself should feel amazing. Life is meant to be celebrated, not endured.