Staff

Keri Lundeen, Medical Assistant

Keri is originally from Northern California, where she completed the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program and extensive IV Therapy Training at Napa Valley College. She worked in Long Term Care for many years and completed training as Director of Staff Development, becoming the Facility Educator. She worked in the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California, specializing in Rehabilitation and Therapy. After moving to Arizona, she stayed home to raise her young children. She is now in our clinic, working directly with Dr. Martha Grout.

"After working for many years in modern medicine settings, it is a great pleasure to work with more varied modalities of care. It is amazing to see the improvements and hear the testimonies of so many people, and to have had a part in their individual progress."

Julie Rasmussen, RN

After Julie completed her undergraduate studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, she completed nursing school at Winona State University, Minnesota. Upon graduation, she accepted a Medical/Surgical position at Samaritan Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

"I learned quickly that although allopathic medicine played a role in helping people, the spectrum of healing options did not empower people to find either their own health or their ultimate happiness. While I worked in hospitals for 14 years, I gathered as much information as possible about other forms of healing. I have a genuine thirst for integrative healing techniques. I visited Indian hospitals and briefly worked in a Tanzanian hospital. I learned and experienced many modalities of healing techniques including Native/Indigenous ways and energetic healing.I am excited to be part of the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine with its open-door approach to many forms of healing."

In 2000, Julie became a Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and more recently, a certified Reiki Level two practitioner.

Pattie Sartor, Front Office

When you call the clinic, it may be Pattie's voice you hear on the other end of the phone.

She completed three semesters in accounting at Southern Connecticut State University in the mid 1970s. Then, she and her husband, Bob, began to raise their family. "I worked exclusively on that for 14 years - best job I ever had!" When braces and glasses began to stretch to family budget, Pattie worked in a bank as in a chiropractic office.

Pattie's mother began a 15 year medical odyssey with heart attacks and Alzheimer's disease; Pattie was a caregiver. Unfortunately, the stress of it all impacted her own health. "We were expecting our first grandchild and I began to fear I would spend the rest of my life watching from a chair as my husband played with the grandkids. Then I met Dr. Martha Grout and became a patient. This was September of 2008. I told her after that first appointment that it was the first time in years I'd ever dared to have hope that my health could improve. Now 25 pounds lighter, off blood pressure medication, able to walk again with the allergic arthritis under control, and able to work again after 5 years of not being able to – my hopes have been realized! My 2 ½ year old grandson has nothing on me now! The most amazing part of working here at the clinic is the chance every day to be a part of giving that wonderful hope to someone else."

Lucy Swerdfeger, Front Office Manager

When you call us, chances are you will reach Lucy Swerdfeger. Your phone calls, your details upon arrival, are her priority.

Lucy graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in May 2008, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. She is the middle daughter of Dr. Grout and Steven Swerdfeger, and is happily engaged to her Australian fiancé, Alex.

"Being part of the family business is a dream come true. I believe in service with a smile. Whenever you call or approach the front desk, you can count on me to make your day better. Being treated with love and respect is a big part of the healing process, and I enjoy my job to its fullest. Coming to work every day is a joy and I want to share my happiness with you."

Outside of work you can find Lucy snuggling with her kitty Fluke or hanging out at Sweet Republic, her favorite ice cream shop.

Sarah Swerdfeger, Medical Assistant

Sarah will work with you in the allergy room as we determine what foods, chemicals, pet dander, and other substances are causing your allergic reactions.

Sarah is a licensed massage therapist in the state of Arizona; she completed her training at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in 2005.

Sarah also keeps our back office operating seamlessly. She maintains the inventory of supplements, supplies and test kits. She prepares charts for the nurses and files a vast amount of paperwork.

Theresa Teeples, Medical Assistant

Theresa assists patients by taking vital signs, in-house tests, and she administers intravenous medications and therapies.

Theresa graduated Phoenix College in 1992 where she achieved her medical assistant certification. She joined the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine after a sabbatical following a family death.

"I like it when I see that I do make a difference in someone's life. I want to help people feel better."

Sharon Thayer, RN

Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in the far south suburbs of Chicago. She has been an RN for 24 years working in oncology, ICU, Infusion (IVs), and hospice, to name a few areas of her experience.

Over the years she realized how much our profit-driven, disjointed healthcare system fails to help a large number of people with life-squelching health problems, seriously inhibiting their ability to thrive to their fullest potential. "I'm so happy to have found ACAM. It's revived my nursing career. It's a very supportive environment."

She loves ballroom dancing, gardening, and spending time with her pets, as well as camping in the north of the state, to cool off during the hot summers.