Shanna is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner and was the lead practitioner at the menopause clinic at Sanford Health in South Dakota, which was founded in the Integrative Medicine philosophy of care. “My clinical experience taught me that many integrative practices work. For example, I saw that acupuncture helped with hot flashes, which is so powerful for women who can’t take hormones.”
But it was her professional and personal experience with infertility care that really taught her how to counsel patients. “I learned how to have difficult conversations. Going through the infertility journey myself, I realized the value of education when you don’t feel you have power over every outcome. It gives you a deeper sense of understanding, and empowers you.”
Shanna says her ability to connect is her greatest strength. “I never want to give revolving door care, so I ask great questions! Because in addition to following guidelines, we need to think outside the box and see patients as individuals. There’s no algorithm for that.”