DR. PIERRE’S STORY

Since the age of 13, I knew I wanted to become a doctor, but my path was quite circuitous! Fast forward to college: I was a pre-med student majoring in biology at Cornell University when I realized that I didn't want to go the conventional route. I wanted to be a different type of doctor. I wanted to be the kind of doctor that spent more than 15 minutes with my patients. I wanted to provide more for my patients, despite the limitations of the American healthcare system. But how would I do this?

My frustration stemmed from feeling rushed at my doctor's visits and many times I felt that I wasn't given enough information about my particular diagnosis. This would begin the search for a medicine that I never knew existed - Naturopathic Medicine.

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) must complete 4 -5 years of a medical program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. During that time, naturopathic medical students study the basic sciences along with pharmacology and the clinical sciences. At the same time, natural treatments are incorporated into the curriculum: botanical medicine, Chinese medicine / acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy and physical medicine. NDs in training also learn clinical nutrition, IV therapy, minor surgery and mind body medicine - #nodaysoff . Prior to state licensure, two sets of professional board examinations must be successfully completed. As a result, NDs are trained as primary care physicians (PCPs), but many specialize in certain areas like endocrinology, pediatrics or oncology.

The medicine that we recognize in the United States as "conventional" has not always been the case (as often portrayed). Yes - you heard that right! Ironically, the first place I learned about this was in one of my public health courses in graduate school. Natural medicine (referred to as complementary or alternative medicine in the Western world) has been used throughout many cultures for centuries. The advent of modern day medicine took off after the discovery of aspirin and antibiotics in the early 1900s. Most pharmaceutical drugs are based on plants commonly used in the ancient cultures of the Americas, Africa and Asia.

Natural medicine is making a huge comeback due in part to the rise in chronic disease in the United States. Most of these diseases are preventable through diet and lifestyle change. These include but are not limited to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and cancer. An effective way to decrease these rates is through patient education.

I am an integrative physician who knows how to navigate research and science, who prioritizes natural treatment protocols over pharmaceutical drugs. Optimal patient care often requires collaboration with psychologists, health coaches, nutritionists, chiropractors, NPs and MDs/DOs.

In my approach to medicine, I use my research acumen and public health background to give you the best of both worlds. By combining the best in natural medicine with modern diagnostics, I give my patients the best care. But don't just take my word for it, find out for yourself!

DR. J AT A GLANCE

EDUCATION

Sonoran University of Health Sciences - Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)

SUNY Albany School of Public Health - Master of Public Health (MPH)

Cornell University - Development Sociology / Biological Sciences (BS)

TRAINING

Goldman Sachs OMBW Black in Business Accelerator - 2023

Duke Integrative Medicine Leadership Program in Health & Well-Being - 2023

Liberty Bank Academy for Small Business Certificate - 2020

City of New Haven DNA of an Entrepreneur Certificate - 2020

Cornell University Women’s Entrepreneurship Certificate - 2020

CWC “Learning the Tools of Mindfulness When We Need It the Most” Training - 2020

Yale Stress Center Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Training - 2018

Ashford University “Bridges: Building A Supportive Community” - 2016

SCNM Stress Management for Physicians Training - 2014

Kundalini Research Institute Yoga Teacher Training India (RYT) - 2010

Conscious Pregnancy Training New Mexico - 2010

AWARDS

Hamden Chamber of Commerce Physician Warrior Award - 2023

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) Women Rising Award - 2021

Unfinished Business Grant - 2020

HerSuiteSpot Her Rise MicroGrant - 2020

Natural Nutmeg: 10Best Readers Choice Awards Naturopathic Physician / Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine - 2019 - 2022

The Woman Within You Award: Recognition of Outstanding Service - 2018

Bragg Health Foundation Scholarship Award Recipient - 2014

DR. PIERRE’S BIO

Dr. Jennifer Pierre is the founder and CEO of JenteelNature Health. Her experience as a public health professional and physician spans nearly 20 years, with roles in health research, prenatal health education and mental health. Dr. Pierre specializes in women's health, with the goal of improving reproductive health outcomes and reducing health disparities. She integrates her knowledge of medicine with public health acumen by designing public health wellness programs, and provides medical advisory for non-profits and corporate entities.

Dr. Pierre is a licensed naturopathic physician in Arizona and Connecticut. She received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Pierre is a native New Yorker and alumna of Cornell University and University at Albany, School of Public Health.

She currently serves as Senior Advisor of the Health & Wellness Ministry of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, Executive Board Member for the Divine Grace Foundation, and United Black Mothers of America. She is a Co-Author of Pathways to HerRise, a best-selling anthology for entrepreneurs. She was recently honored by the WBDC and Connecticut’s Lieutenant Governor with the “Women Rising” Award and the Hamden Chamber of Commerce Physician Warrior Award. In addition, she is a multi-year winner of “10Best” in multiple health provider categories in the Natural Nutmeg Readers’ Choice Awards.

Born to Haitian immigrants in Queens, NY, Dr. Pierre considers herself a global citizen, is multilingual, and incorporates cultural sensitivity into her practice style. Her love of patient care extends into global health initiatives, participating in medical missions in Haiti, Mexico and Kenya. Prior to becoming a physician, she received training in prenatal and Kundalini yoga in India, which she emphatically integrates into her patient care protocols. Preceding the explosion of the “natural hair movement”, Dr. Pierre was an influencer whose tips for healthy hair growth, treatment and styling were widely sought after in the natural hair community.

When she is not seeing patients, Dr. J enjoys prayer and meditation, fashion, dancing, reading, traveling with her husband, hosting the Seeking Wellness podcast, and cooking vegetarian meals that make meat lovers reconsider.