About
ABOUT DR. SAND
After graduating with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Sand completed a competitive combined residency in gastroenterology, the microbiome, women’s health, and integrative fertility.
Prior to medical school, she studied genetics and Mandarin while working in biomedical laboratories in the U.S. and China. Some of her research included heart stent coatings, novel treatments for blood-based cancers, HIV therapies, and vaccine development.
Additionally, she has studied under traditional healers in Tibet, China, India, and Polynesia to integrate the wisdom
of ancient healing systems into modern care. As a result, she is passionate about creating dynamic, individualized treatment plans, taking into account the whole person and their environment.
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Dr. Sand knows first hand how debilitating chronic disease can be, having dealt with her own undiagnosed gut and hormone conditions for over 15 years. Her personal experience led her to develop collaborations with diverse integrative providers to provide a better platform of care for her patients.
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Dr. Sand lives in Portland, Oregon with her partner. She enjoys traveling, attempting crosswords, running, searching for the best pizza, gardening, petting your dog, supporting local shops, and writing postcards to her pals around the globe.
Dr. Sand is the best medical provider I've ever worked with. She is compassionate, she asks a lot of questions, she is personable and allows her patients to really know her, and she nails my treatment plan every time! I have recommended many friends and coworkers her way. I am so grateful for her and the care she has given me over the last 18 months.
- JDS, patient
EDUCATION
Naturopathic Dual Medical Residency - Gastroenterology, Women's Health, Fertility
National University of Naturopathic Medicine and Kwan Yin Healing Arts Center, Portland, Oregon, 2019 - 2021
Drs. Ilana Gurevich, Stefani Hayes and Whitney Hayes
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Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington, 2014 - 2019
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Master of Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington, 2015-2019
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US-China Government Research and Chinese Language Program
Peking University, Renmin University, Beijing, China, 2010-2013
US Department of Homeland Security Boren Scholarship
China Confucius Institute Hanban Scholarship
International collaboration in oncology and infectious disease research.​
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Bachelor of Science, Genetics, Cell Biology, Human Development
University of Minnesota, 2006-2010
Graduated Summa Cum Laude with advanced study in Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine (Kona, Hawaii, 2010) and Tibetan Medicine (Dharamsala, India, 2010). Study in Mandarin language.
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Research Assistant, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China-CDC) National Center AIDS and STD Control and Prevention (NCAIDS)
Lab of Yi Ming Shao, MD. PhD., Beijing, China, 2011-2012
Publication in PLOS ONE: Resistance in Reverse Transcriptase of HIV-1 CRF_BC Strains
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Research Assistant, Peking University Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
Lab of Hongkui Deng PhD., 2010-2011, Beijing, China
Stem cell differentiation with emphasis in lineage reprogramming.
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Honors Research Thesis, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota
Lab of Dan. S. Kaufman, MD. PhD, Minneapolis, MN, 2008-2010
Published honors thesis: Embryoid Bodies as an Improved Method of Blood Cell Differentiation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
National Tropical Botanic Gardens Field Work Training Program
Western Samoa, 2009
Ethnobotanical field research training and study with local healer in indigenous plant-based medical therapies for gynecologic and urological disease.
Publication in Ethnobotany Research and Applications: Staple food choices in Samoa: Do changing dietary trends reflect local food preferences?
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Research Assistant, Characterization Facility, University of Minnesota
Lab of Greg Haugstad, Ph.D, 2006-2007
Materials characterization of drug-eluting heart stent polymer coatings under an industrial collaboration with Surmodics® using atomic force microscopy for the evaluation of implanted polymer devices.​