Full Bio for Emily deStefano

About Emily deStefano

Emily deStefano, also known as Em Naturopathic, is a Vitalistic Naturopathic Doctor in Training, currently in her fourth and final year at Bastyr University San Diego, where she has excelled both academically and clinically. As a graduate of the University of Arizona Honors College, Emily earned dual degrees in Honors Physiology (College of Medicine) and Psychology (College of Science), with a minor in Nutritional Sciences, graduating summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She was honored with the Outstanding Senior Award for her graduating class, a testament to her dedication and excellence.

During her time at Bastyr, Emily was selected to join the highly selective Vitalism Fellowship, an honor typically reserved for post-graduate practitioners, recognizing her exceptional commitment to holistic, nature-aligned healing. This fellowship has deepened her passion for and expertise in the vitalistic principles of naturopathic medicine, which guide her work today.

How Emily Discovered Naturopathic Medicine

From a young age, Emily had always dreamed of becoming a doctor and was deeply immersed in the path to becoming an MD, aspiring to work as an anesthesiologist. She gained extensive experience in the allopathic medical world, including internships in anesthesiology, working in the cardiology unit at Banner Health Hospital in Tucson, assisting at a wound clinic, and observing both vaginal and C-section births in the hospital setting. Emily also served as a Spanish translator and triager for monthly free medical trips to Agua Prieta, Mexico, where she provided care to underserved communities. Alongside her clinical experiences, she held several leadership roles, such as President of the UA Racquetball Club, Treasurer of the Flying Samaritans Medical Club, and member of the Physiology Honors Academy, showcasing her dedication to the medical field.

Despite her commitment to this path, Emily experienced a profound awakening during her sophomore year at the University of Arizona. After a long day working in the cardiology unit, she realized a heartbreaking truth: none of the patients she encountered were healing or getting better, and the doctors, nurses, and staff around her seemed perpetually miserable and stressed. The deeper she immersed herself in the conventional medical system, the clearer it became that this path would not allow her to help people in the way she had envisioned. Emily’s heart was crushed as she faced the realization that the system she had placed so much faith in was not delivering true healing.

Fortunately, Emily’s mentor at the time, an integrative family medicine physician, offered her a lifeline. Hearing Emily describe her frustrations and her vision for patient care, her mentor introduced her to naturopathic medicine. She connected Emily with a naturopathic doctor in Tucson to shadow, and from her very first day in their office, Emily was hooked. She fell in love with the philosophy of addressing root causes, working with the body’s innate ability to heal, and supporting patients through holistic care that aligned with her deepest values.

Inspired and reinvigorated, Emily met with her academic advisor to align her pre-requisites for naturopathic medical school. To her delight, the requirements for MD and ND programs were the same, and she needed only a few additional nutrition courses (which inspired her minor) to make the transition. From that moment on, she was fully committed to the path of becoming a naturopathic doctor and embracing the principles of vitalistic medicine.

A Trailblazer for Vitalism and Leadership

A natural-born leader and advocate for preserving the roots of naturopathic medicine, Emily is paving the way for vitalism to be revived in naturopathic schools. For many years, naturopathic programs have shifted toward more allopathic approaches due to outside influences, straying from their vitalistic foundations. During her third year at Bastyr, fed up with this trend, Emily connected with naturopathic elders and founded an international group of over 165 naturopathic students and physicians who are dedicated to preserving true naturopathic medicine.

She created a mini-school within this group, where elders deliver lectures, host mentorship programs, and inspire students to embrace the principles of vitalism. Emily’s leadership has had a significant impact on the field, including helping elders achieve their highest-ever student attendance at the 2024 Vital Gathering Conference and continuing to advocate for the roots of naturopathic medicine.

Emily is also passionate about craniosacral and visceral therapeutics. She has partnered with Dr. Greg Yasuda, a vitalistic naturopathic doctor in Seattle, to host visceral therapy trainings at the San Diego campus and serves as a teaching assistant for all craniosacral courses at Bastyr. These hands-on therapies are central to her practice, reflecting her dedication to addressing the body’s innate healing mechanisms.

Specializing in Pediatrics and Fertility

Emily has cultivated a unique specialization in pediatrics and fertility-focused women’s health, areas where she has pursued advanced mentorships, preceptorships, and clinical training. Her practice is rooted in the belief that the healthiest parents and children create the foundation for thriving families, where everyone can live their most vibrant expression and fulfill their mission.

Emily’s work emphasizes the distinct needs of children, supporting their development and vitality with services like:

  • Well-child visits

  • Vaccine consultations

  • Craniosacral therapy and visceral manipulation

  • Autistic pediatric care

  • Homeopathy intake

  • Botanical medicine formulation

  • Constitutional hydrotherapy

For women, Emily empowers them to reconnect with their cycles, reclaim hormonal balance after challenges like hormonal birth control or low body weight, and prepare for pregnancy. Her offerings include:

  • Fertility support

  • Pregnancy preparation

  • Fertility Awareness Method education

Her mission is to help families create healthy, happy children and parents by aligning with nature’s rhythms and cultivating vibrant health. Emily’s approach ensures children receive care tailored to their developmental needs while guiding parents toward their highest expression of vitality.

A Commitment to Teaching and Community

Emily strongly believes in Docere, the naturopathic principle of "doctor as teacher." This belief led her to create an online naturopathic community membership, a transformative space where education, resources, and connection come together. Members gain access to:

  • A library of lectures, resources, and podcasts

  • Live Q&A sessions with Emily and other trusted experts

  • Opportunities to book appointments for personalized care

  • A supportive network of like-minded individuals

The community is also where Emily shares uncensored truth, providing a safe and authentic space free from the restrictions of platforms like Instagram, where her posts have been flagged for sharing “too much truth.”

A Passion for Freedom and Vitality

Emily’s mission is to empower individuals and families to break free from systems that no longer serve their well-being and embrace a nature-aligned, liberated lifestyle. Whether guiding parents, supporting women, or mentoring future naturopathic doctors, she is devoted to inspiring vibrant health, meaningful connections, and a deeper understanding of the healing power of nature.