Ashley Burkman

Dr. Burkman earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago. She joined Collaborative Natural Health Partners in 2012 and has seen the clinic grow to a multidisciplinary center of excellence and truly enjoys being part of an integrative team.

The idea that food can be used as medicine is what led Dr. Burkman to naturopathic medicine. From her struggles with chronic skin ailments and fatigue, she learned how food and digestive health are paramount to one’s health. Seeking the root cause for presenting symptoms is a cornerstone of both Dr. Burkman’s practice and naturopathic medicine. She is a Wahl’s Protocol ® certified health professional, a certification that designates additional training in diet therapy geared toward those who suffer from autoimmune or other chronic illnesses. Additionally, she completed the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine Neurology Fellowship, an in-depth study of updated research on nutrition, herbal, and functional medicine approaches to neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Burkman sees a variety of conditions, with particular interest in hormonal health, autoimmunity, nutritional medicine, and neurological conditions. She resonates with those who have chronic illnesses where often the goal is not cure, but to optimize health where they are at. She pays particular attention to the details of a patient’s story, as that leads to the most appropriate plan. Unwinding years of habits and establishing new ones can be difficult and she takes time to perform a detailed analysis of presenting conditions often including laboratory analysis ranging from routine blood work, expanded nutrient and salivary hormone assessments, urine metabolite assessment, and more. As a clinic, the physicians are mindful of financial restraints and work with insurance-covered labs when possible. Through communication of goals and treatment plans, she aims to empower patients to take charge of their health, as empowerment is at the root of change and health.

Commitment to the growth of the naturopathic profession led her to be appointed to the Board of Trustees of her Alma Mater for which she has served since 2015. Additionally, she served a two-year term on the Endocrinology Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is a member of the Connecticut Naturopathic Association. She served as an adjunct faculty member of the University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine, which allowed her to teach family practice osteopathic residents functional and nutritional medicine. Aside from private practice, board commitments, and volunteerism, she invests her time in expanding naturopathic medicine to all states by serving as the President of the Iowa Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and fundraises for the Cure CMD foundation.

Dr. Burkman, an Iowa native, enjoys spending time with friends and family and searching for new hiking trails to conquer. She entertains her creative side by upcycling old furniture, trying out new food recipes, and writing children’s books on nutritional wellness and inclusion. She watches comedy shows regularly, catches every Iowa Hawkeye football game she can, and enjoys watching the two lights of her life, her twin boys Calvin and Carter, grow!