About the CoAND
Who We Are
The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND) is a nonprofit organization that represents all registered NDs in Colorado. Established in 1984, CoAND is the only Colorado association recognized by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). <www.naturopathic.org>
The CoAND is an all-volunteer association that works to provide its members with professional development opportunities, including a very successful annual conference plus monthly webinars; opportunities to network with each other to share best practices, and of course, protecting the naturopathic doctor title through legislative channels, and continuing to work toward Naturopathic medicine and its doctors being recognized as positive, viable contributors within Colorado’s health care system.
Our Misson
Naturopathic medicine is transforming the health and lives of millions of Americans. The CoAND exists to energize and uplift the naturopathic profession in our state so that more Coloradans can benefit from this natural and effective healthcare option.
Our Story
Although Naturopathic medicine is welcomed and utilized in the state of Colorado, and though Colorado NDs enjoy a robust practice, there is still a lot of work to be done legislatively as well as in the arena of public education and outreach. A bill was passed in 2013 to legally register NDs, which was the first step in the journey to ensure that NDs could practice freely in Colorado. However, the scope of practice in our state remains limited. Colorado NDs are currently not able to practice Naturopathic medicine to the extent and depth of their education and training. Although creative collaborations and the ability to refer exists, patients would benefit from their ND being able to practice to the fullest extent of his/her training.
The CoAND funds legislative efforts, educates healthcare professionals and the public, and collaborates with other organizations. Our end goal is to advance the naturopathic profession in Colorado.
We believe that when naturopathic medicine flourishes in our state, more Coloradans will enjoy access to a form of natural and holistic healthcare that could transform their health and their lives.
Donate
If you would like to donate to CoAND’s legislative efforts, thank you in advance! We have a Legislative Committee of NDs dedicated to CoAND’s legislative pursuits, plus we have a professional lobbyist working with us to advance our mission.
The CoAND understands the importance of giving back to the naturopathic community and has established a scholarship program to accomplish this goal, helping to launch and support students and new graduates in the Naturopathic Medicine community. If you are interested in supporting the CoAND’s efforts in this area, we invite you to donate here:
Act Now!
Let your legislator know that you love Naturopathic Medicine. We ask you to take a moment to locate your legislator and send them a positive message encouraging them to continue considering NDs a valid and important part of Colorado’s healthcare system. You can do that here.
Are you a Naturopathic Doctor new to Colorado?
Are you a newly graduated Naturopathic Doctor? Or just new to Colorado? Welcome in! We have resources to help you navigate your registration through DORA. Become a CoAND member and receive our welcome packet, get discounts on events, including webinars, and our Rocky Mountain Regional annual conference, as well as discounts on professional journals and insurance premium discounts. You will receive a listing in our Colorado Naturopathic Doctor search, which can also be accessed through our Facebook and Instagram. Welcome to Colorado!
Our Board of Directors
Colorado naturopathic doctors have a decades-long history of national leadership in their field. The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND) Board of Directors are elected by their peers to guide and inspire the organization’s vision, legislative action and strategic initiatives.
Kelsey Asplin, ND, CKTP
President of the Board
Dr. Kelsey practices as a naturopathic primary care doctor. This means that she is able to support all of her patients in a variety of health concerns, including gut health, fatigue and stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dr. Kelsey partners with patients starting at 8 years of age, is very comfortable working with adolescents, and sees many adults and seniors, however her focus at this time is with high-performing professionals, such as entrepreneurs, CEOs, athletes, and celebrities.
Her passion for functional medicine, as well as the naturopathic determinants of health, inspires her to approach every treatment plan first with nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. Her goal is to bring the body into harmony by assisting patients with inflammation, sleep improvement, and immune wellness.
Dr Kelsey owns the Denver Naturopathic Clinic and can be found at www.denvernaturopathic.com. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the President of the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner. When she isn’t seeing patients, she trains in kickboxing and weight lifting, enjoys country line dancing, and loves adventuring with her husband and their malamute, Rudy.
James Gilchrist, ND, LAc
Vice President of the board
Born in Denver and raised in Parker, Dr. Gilchrist got to spend two years in Argentina just before he was 20. He returned home with a hunger for foreign travel, and a desire to become a prevention-oriented doctor. Still ignorant to Naturopathic Medicine, he found a home in studying about and visiting the Middle East on several occasions. Upon returning home from Iraq in 2011, he found a career where he could stay in Colorado. Dr. Gilchrist’s private practice, Parker Natural Medicine, was established in 2016. Dr. Gilchrist is also part-time faculty at The Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Outside of work, he enjoys camping, hiking, cooking and spending time with this family.
Jessie Miller, ND
Secretary of the board
Karly Powell, ND
Treasurer of the Board
Dr. Powell graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR and completed their competitive teaching residency in naturopathic primary care before moving to Colorado. In her practice at Hälsa Naturopathic Medicine in Colorado Springs, she provides general naturopathic care to all ages and is particularly passionate about helping patients solve the puzzle of complex chronic illnesses like autoimmune disease, environmental toxicity, dementia and Alzheimer’s, and chronic infections. As a snowboarder, skier, mountain biker, outdoor enthusiast, and competitive triathlete, Dr. Powell also has a special interest in working with athletes to enhance performance and prevent and treat injuries.
Karrina Wallace, ND
Board Member; membership committee
Danica Woods, ND
Board Member; legislative committee
Dr. Danica Woods is a Colorado native practicing as a naturopathic doctor at Natural Medicine of Denver in Lakewood, Colorado. Her practice mainly consists of hormone balancing for women, physical medicine, healing touch modalities, and the integration of mind-body medicine techniques. Her goal is for everyone to be able to access affordable natural solutions and really dig into the root of their health concerns to find healing and wellness.
Dr. Danica Woods graduated from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington in 2019. Her other education and training includes a certification as an Integrative Holistic Life Coach from the Legacy Training Program in Denver, Colorado, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrative Physiology from University of Colorado in Boulder. She is also a current member of the AANP.
Marisa Soski, ND, MS, FABNO
Board Member, Education committee
Dr. Marisa Soski is Co-Owner of Matrix Wellness in Boulder, CO and is board-certified in Naturopathic Oncology. She was first introduced to natural medicine at a young age when her mom would refer to Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch to address health concerns in their family. She was not interested in becoming a doctor until she was exposed to Naturopathic Medicine and alternative cancer therapies while completing her undergraduate degree at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and immediately changed her trajectory towards a profession in the healing arts and attending the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM). In her free time she enjoys cooking meals with friends and family, tending to her off-grid homestead outside Estes Park, and spending time in nature.
Shayna L. Keller, ND
Board Member, Social media Committee
Shayna L. Keller, ND is the owner and operator of West Elks Wellness serving Western Slope in Montrose, CO. She has a passion for humans struggling with their gut health which includes hormonal and skin issues. In the last year she has opened her doors to seeing more children. Sheloves helping parents improve their children’s health because ultimately it ends up changing the whole family’s health outcomes when they see their child get well. She wants to have the largest impact on people’s health that she can. She regularly gives free community talks in Montrose.
She enjoys social media so much that she agreed to help the CoAND with their social media presence to improve access and understanding of what NDs are and what we do. Over the last year she has sat on the legislative community for the CoAND and has learned that politics require patience and building relationships.
She is married and lives with her two dogs and two cats. In her free time she enjoys cooking and baking, gardening, hiking and fishing.
Rosia Parrish, ND
Chair, website committee; co-chair, membership
Dr. Rosia Parrish specializes in naturopathic fertility care, identifying natural solutions to reverse infertility and optimize wellness. Handling complex cases, including unexplained infertility, failed IVF, advanced maternal age, premature ovarian failure, male factor infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss support. Dr. Parrish is founder of Naturopathic Wellness Center of Boulder’s telehealth practice at www.nawellness-boulder.com
Dr. Parrish graduated summa cum laude with distinction and valedictorian honors from CU Boulder in 2004. She earned a degree in medical anthropology with a focus on pharmaceutical politics. Over a decade of clinical trial research preceded her journey to Bastyr University, where she earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Dr. Parrish holds esteemed membership in various prominent professional organizations, including the American Association for Naturopathic Physicians (on the Communications Committee), Colorado Association for Naturopathic Doctors, Naturopathic Medicine Institute, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the Endocrinology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Our Staff
Joy T. Maples
Executive Director