An Interview with Dr. Ivy Branin
Dr. Ivy Branin
Hi Dr. Ivy, please tell us about yourself and your practice.
I’m a Naturopathic Doctor in New York City who uses diet, nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, homeopathy and lifestyle recommendations to help patients with female hormonal related conditions, mood disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and dermatological issues.
As a naturopathic doctor, I try to find the root cause of the issue rather than mask symptoms and I use natural therapies to address the root cause. The cause is determined from a detailed history, as well as analyzing labs and diagnostic work ordered by the patient's primary care provider or specialist.
Tell us about your background and experience.
I have a BS in Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University, with a minor in French. I also have a Naturopathic Medical Degree from Bastyr University. Prior to becoming a naturopathic doctor, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a biochemical engineer in both vaccines and inhalable insulin for 3 years. After becoming disenchanted with the pharmaceutical industry and learning more about naturopathic medicine, I decided to move across the county to Seattle and enroll in the 5-year Naturopathic Medical Program at Bastyr University. Upon completion of the program and passing my board exam, I moved back to the East Coast and started my practice, Simplicity Health Associates.
I opened my first office back in October 2011 in my hometown of Linwood, NJ. I had originally intended to open my office in New York, but with the arrival of Hurricane Irene coinciding with my arrival back home from Seattle, things changed and decided Linwood would be where I would start my first practice. Three months later, I opened my first New York office in the Flat Iron District, and a year later I opened my current location in the West Village.
How do you differentiate yourself from other providers?
I spend a lot of time with my patients. I really listen to them and put them at ease so they feel comfortable telling me anything. I consider myself somewhat of a medical detective and have suggested that patients tell their doctor to consider a diagnosis that they may have missed. I always follow-up with my patients to make sure they’re achieving their desired results. I rely heavily on science and base most of my protocols on scientific journals I’ve read. I'm a total PUBMED geek!
Some of the other naturopathic providers require that patients pay upfront for the year, which calculates out to be between $100-200/month for ongoing functional medicine/holistic care. With these providers, patients can easily get labs, have a health coach, and the doctor provides more of a holistic approach. Patients are attracted to these providers because they think it’s "all-natural" and economical. I’ve lost a few patients to my competitors because of it being "a good deal," but a few of these patients have come back because, in my opinion, many of these doctors are only holistic superficially and can't provide the same expertise and attention to detail that I can. Other providers treat their programs more like a factory than a one-on-one individual approach like I do.
Why should someone choose you as their provider?
I'm a greater listener, problem solver, my patients enjoy their appointments with me, and they feel comfortable sharing anything with me. I work as a team with the patient’s doctors and practitioners. Because of my engineering background, I am able to work through cases in a very logical manner while still being able to relate to my patients and give them the information they need in an easy to digest way. As part of my problem solving, I’m good at finding creative solutions so my patients can incorporate what can sometimes seem like daunting lifestyle and dietary recommendations into something that’s actually doable. For example, I’ve created a whole meal plan based on the 4-5 restaurants on the patient’s Seamless list.
It’s not just the great experience patients have with me but also the results they achieve. I’ve successfully helped acne patients achieve clear skin in 3 months, I’ve helped women get their periods for the first time after years of no periods, I’ve gotten patients off of PPIs and cured their acid reflux, helped couples get pregnant, plus I’ve helped so many patients with cases of anxiety and depression, HPV/Cervical dysplasia, graves disease (hyperthyroid), fibroids, and SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
I’m a passionate expert who not only uses naturopathic medicine to help my patients but I also live a naturopathic lifestyle myself. Outside of work, I love dancing, cooking, traveling, learning about new cultures (especially French and Judaism), mindfulness, and experimenting with old school home remedies. Many of my interests and hobbies make their way into my blogs, videos, and my recommendations to patients.