About Erica

Erica M. Elliott, MDErica Elliott is a physician in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a private practice specializing in family and environmental medicine. She has been referred to as a “Health Detective,” drawing from a wide range of disciplines, both mainstream and alternative, to diagnose and treat many different types of illnesses, often difficult to identify. She has successfully treated problems that do not respond to pharmaceutical drugs or other conventional treatments. Trained initially in Western medicine, she also relies on traditional and alternative methods of healing from around the world. Her unique approach to treating her patients requires her to customize each treatment specifically to that person’s ailment, while at the same time addressing the health of the whole person.

Dr. Elliott came to medicine later than most medical students after pursuing other careers and interests. She taught  4th grade on the Navajo Reservation, nutrition and bilingual education to the Quechua-speaking Indians in South America while serving in the Peace Corps, and mountaineering and rock climbing with Outward Bound. The years she has spent living in foreign cultures, both as a child and an adult, enables her to bring a fresh perspective to her work.

Besides her comprehensive knowledge of medicine, Dr. Elliott also offers emotional and spiritual support to her patients. Surviving a life-changing accident that resulted in her own unbearable suffering, Dr. Elliott can wholeheartedly and unflinchingly embrace the difficulties of her patients with great compassion and empathy. From her personal history, she brings to her medical practice an uncommon understanding of the human condition.

Dr. Elliott’s unrelenting curiosity has led her on many eye-opening—and heart-opening— adventures that continue to provide fodder for her upcoming memoir.

To learn more about her medical background, you can visit her website at www.ericaelliottmd.com

 


Comments

About Erica — 63 Comments

  1. While researching a product, VIVE Organic, I saw your photo with text on their website that you approved of this product. Just confirming this is correct.

    I’ve been following your blog for years and love you book.

    Thanks,
    Kim

    • Yes, I am Vive Organic’s consultant. I hope you enjoy the product. Thank you for your kind words about my book. All the best, Erica

  2. I am reading Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert and I’m really enjoying it! I, too, was a schoolteacher but in that Hopi Reservation back in the early 80’s. I taught 4th grade at Hopi Day School in Kykotsmovi. Your book really takes me back! After I taught there for two years, I moved near Farmington where I taught and coached mostly Navajo students. Then I followed my heart to Tucson where I continued teaching, and finally to Prescott AZ where I retired. Haha so I’ve kind of traveled in a circle. Thank you for writing this book!

    • I loved reading about your life’s trajectory–so similar to mine!!! You picked a beautiful place to retire. Many blessings, Erica

  3. Hello Dr Elliott, I live in Berlin/Germany. I was wondering if your network of fellow MDs reaches to Berlin and you could name me some fellow practitioners over here.
    Looking forward hearing from you,
    Annette

    • Hello Annette, I wish I could help you find a good practitioner in Berlin. Unfortunately, I don’t know such a person there. All the best to you, Erica

  4. Dear Erica, what was the name of the Tribe in New Mexico where the Peyote Ceremonies take place .. I Need to take My daughter there for Breast Cancer .. Stage 4 .. Thank You In Advance for Any Help at this crucial time for my daughter ..

    • Dear Alejandra, I participated in the peyote ceremonies 50 years ago, as guest of a Navajo family. Although White people were not allowed in those ceremonies, they made an exception for me. I just got back from a place on the Big Island in Hawaii, called Angel Farms, that has had success using natural methods for healing cancer. You could google them and get more information for your daughter. Many blessings, Erica

  5. I heard you on Coast and am now reading “Medicine and Miracles” and am really enjoying it. I wish I had read it before visiting Canyon de Chelly and the Navajo reservation but that was many years ago. You came across as very warm and natural on the Coast interview, it was one of the best I’ve heard and I’ve been listening since the Art Bell days. What adventures you’ve had and you’ve been giving so much to others.

    • Thanks for your comment, Mitch. I appreciate those kind words. I’m so happy you’re enjoying the book!! Many blessings, Erica

  6. Hi Erica-
    I heard your fascinating interview on Coast to Coast recently even though you came on at 1 am my time near Boston. Your interview led me to this site where I have spent all day reading about your many life adventures. Your blog about the climb of Aconcagua was wonderful. I couldn’t help but think on both expeditions that your climbing parties were lucky to have you with them. You seemed to possess wise decision making skills in the face of enormous challenges-knowing when to turn back etc. Thank you. I look forward to reading Medicine and Miracles.

    Sharon Underhill

  7. Hi Erica,
    great interview with Noory! I’m in New Mexico too and have lived in Arizona but being Hungarian I noticed frybread is identical to our lángos except our toppings are salt and garlic, maybe healthier, not sure. My question, does né in diné mean people? In Hungarian nép means people or nation or folk. Not tonal like Navajo but still there is the occasional related word (when you adjust for several centuries of linguistic separation) so “hogan” house in Navajo I think vs. “otthon” at home in Hungarian. I have seen it with other native Indian languages too and I think the common factor is a very distant connection with Central Asia before massive migrations took place by many peoples but ancient words remained.

    • Hi Krisztina, I see you like making connection regarding languages. I am the same way, alway looking for similarities. I think your hypothesis is correct about a common origin in Central Asia. When I was in Nepal, I saw lots of Tibetans. They looked exactly like the Navajo people and some of their ceremonies were similar, like the sand paintings. It was amazing.I believe that the whole word, Diné, means The People. Many blessings on you, Erica

  8. Aloha Erica, I just listened to George Noory interview you on Coast to Coast. It brought back memories of some of my most profound and meaningful teachings in my life. I was gifted the book, Touch the Earth by TC McLuhan and photography by Edward Curtis, one of the greatest gifts to mankind in my opinion.
    One of the callers on the program asked you if you could recommend something to help them connect with this area of study. I think recommending this book, Touch the Earth or perhaps others that you know of would be an excellent place for people to explore. It is something that they can come back to again and again, the wisdom never becomes irrelevant …
    I look forward to reading your works. I studied Native American studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango Colorado and had the blessed opportunity to substitute teach for a brief time in Kayenta Arizona. And Canyon de Chelly is one of my most favorite places on the planet!
    If you ever make it to Maui, I’ve been here 33 years and can give you some excellent pointers.
    Walk in Beauty, Mara

    • Hi Mara, thank you fro your comments. It looks like we have a lot in common. I have reach Touch the Earth and found it deeply moving. I hope you enjoy my book. I feel so much love and gratitude toward the Navajo people for allowing me into their homes, ceremonies, and into their hearts. I will be forever grateful. Maybe I’ll see you in Maui someday. Love, Erica

  9. Ya’at’eeh Erica! Greetings from the Navajo (Dine) Nation! Read your book in one sitting it was so interesting, I couldn’t put it down. I related to all your experiences on the Rez. I re-lived all the precious memories of my teenage years growing up in Chilchinbeto, Kayenta, Arizona with my family. Many of our traditional elderly grandparents and parents have departed back to Mother Earth. Some who are still living are very old and many were taken by the Covid virus. I too, am a member of the NAC and connect to your visions and truths. Thank you for understanding and being a part of our Dine people.

    • How wonderful to hear from you, Melanie!!! I was so touched by your message. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the book and could relive some of your precious memories. I’m terribly sorry for the loss of so many relatives. It’s tragic. May you stay healthy. Haagooné shidezhi. Erica

    • I just got through listening to you on Coast to Coast, I’ve got to get your books ‼️ You’re so bubbly over the radio ! I so enjoyed listening to you ‼️ I’ve got Sioux in my family on my mom’s side, still doing that genealogy search…
      Anyway thank you for all you do for Navajo!

      • What a lovely message, Anna. I didn’t realize that Coast to Coast Radio reached so many people. I hope you enjoy the book and would welcome your feedback. Warm wishes, Erica

  10. Dear Erica. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life story with us! I relate to so much of what you write about as I wholeheartedly embarked on full immersion into an overlooked and misunderstood American People with a non-written language. Decades later, I continue to serve this community as a physician. Always an outsider…but not just an outsider. I found you in my efforts to learn more about hózhó and other Diné worldview, as some of my work is now focused on bringing services into McKinley County to serve people living far from the road. I hope our paths cross more directly someday. I’ll keep an eye open for you. Best, Julia

    • How wonderful to read your comment, Julia. And what a pleasant surprise to hear that you are still working as a physician in service to the Diné. I hope you enjoyed my book and found parts of it familiar to you. Yes, I hope our paths cross someday. I bow to you and to your work, Erica.

  11. Hi Erica, I just finished your book and enjoyed it very much. (You and I also spoke briefly a few years ago when I was looking for a functional medicine doctor.) I’m writing because I’ve been drafting my own memoir for the past year (in my free time, so it’s very rough) about my experience with mold illness and Hashimoto’s, giving up all my belongings and moving from the East Coast to Santa Fe, and the process of healing through alternative and functional medical approaches. I am a science writer (focusing mostly on environment and somewhat on health) and my goal has been to raise awareness about how much suffering occurs because conventional medicine doesn’t recognize many of these conditions, or (if they do recognize them, such as with autoimmune conditions) doesn’t know how to heal them. My method is to tell my own narrative and include the basis for functional medicine along the way. But I see in your book that you are planning on a series of memoirs. I am suspecting that at least one of them will address your own experience with environmental illness and alternative approaches. If so, I’m feeling like the need for (and interest in) my less exciting experience will no longer exist. Particularly given Sarah Ramey’s recent book “The Lady’s Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness. (Have you read that? I highly recommend it.) Anyway, I wanted to share my project with you and understand if you are proceeding with your series. It will influence whether I decide to continue on with my own book. Thanks for all of this! Best, Amy

    • Even though I’ll be writing about my own experience being injured by chemicals in the workplace in memoir #3, that will not be the main focus of the book by any means. So, do proceed with your vision of telling your story. It’s important. Many good wishes to you on your journey. Erica.

      • Thanks for the feedback. I’ll keep at it! I figure the more voices the better, but I don’t know how much interest a publisher will have if there are similar stories out there. I’m almost done with the book proposal, so we’ll see…

    • Amy, I hope you will tell your story. It’s so important. I am a physician who KNOWS there’s more than the conventional allopathic model. I’ve been healed through various modalities. You aren’t being “scooped” by others. Rather, we are all in community. Best wishes….Julia

  12. Dr. Who Gives The Pills thanks for your book I just finished reading. Not much to do lately but this was a fine distraction, and a real surprise. Keep them coming if there’s time and energy. Your book and blog highlights what a need there is for healers with the skills and insights to fix what hurts, and with the understanding that we all have our limitations. Mike Who Takes The Pills Antioch College class of ’73 Santa Fe

    • What a lovely surprise to hear from a fellow Antiochian. How did you find me? And thanks so much for your comments which I appreciate. Many good wishes, Erica

  13. Dear Doctor Writing to you from uttrakhand india corona is spreading very fast in india now, people need simple advises as steam and other alternate methods to help themselves. My e mail ID is khurkhan235351@gmail.com please write something on efficacy of antiviral herbs in controlling the virus in body regards
    khursheed

  14. (The last communication herein is dated Sept. 2019, so I a hoping that the site is still active.)
    Dr. Elliott, I am assisting in the preproduction of a Canadian documentary on innovative living arrangements for seniors. I observed your TEDxAlb presentation, and wondered if you could give us some additional references on who/where we might do interviews/filming? (Surely, in the course of living at The Commons, other individuals/programs have become known to you.) As busy as you must be, we would appreciate very much exchanging information with you.
    Beau Bailey
    (once a student, then employed by Colorado Outward Bound School)

  15. Hello Dr. Elliot,
    I am wondering if you were a Medical Doctor at a clinic in Sanders, Arizona during the mid 90’s? If so I believe you may have been the OBGYN for my 3 oldest children. Just wondering…

  16. Hello Erica,

    I just finished your book. What a series of adventure you’ve had! I was going to attend your talk this afternoon, but have been asked by my niece to babysit. I’m here is Santa Fe, as well, so am hoping to meet you at some point.

    Briefly, about me: I came to be here, as many people seem to, through personal crisis. It involves financial disaster. Enough said about that. I came here from KC in 2017 to rebuild my life and found Santa Fe to be far less embracing than I had hoped. I have found some equilibrium and happiness, but not without struggles. Just recently things have been falling into place and I think I will stay.

    I, and please don’t roll your eyes, a trained healer (I don’t know why I didn’t anticipate the concept that everyone here, along with their cat, dog, donkey and/or parakeet here is also a healer…naíve, I know.) and had planned on opening a practice and just get moving on that endeavor. Since then I have enrolled at the Santa Fe School of Massage – an amazing place, and am in the process of attaining technical skills that I have felt were lacking. My original training was obtained in Kansas, under the guidance of Jim Crabtree, a former student and faculty member with the Barbara Brennan School of Healing.

    I am writing to you in hopes that you can give me some advice on housing. Is there anything in your community that is available to rent on a temporary basis (1-2 years?) Do any of your neighbors lease rooms? I had some luck through Craigslist and have feelers out through friends. My current situation is ok, but not ideal. I do have a small dog that’s very quiet (she’s 17) and loving. Do you have any advice on the subject?

  17. Hello, I was visiting your site and noticed you have a lot of information on the 2nd ammendment and Veteran issues. It was my hope you might be able share some information relevant to Veterans on your blog. If able, we would gladly make a financial donation to either you or the charity of your choice as a token of appreciation for your support. Thank you in advance for your time, as well as your dedication to the Veteran community.

    Have a wonderful day,

    Grace Hatman

    Outreach Coordinator

  18. Dear Dr. Elliott,
    I find your writing truly mesmerizing. I followed the snowboarding accident memoir like a suspense novel, eagerly waiting for the next chapter!
    I know you are very busy…but was wondering if you might have any thoughts regarding my brother Kimmo’s Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Because of your wide knowledge and network (e.g. familial ties to Germany), I thought you might know some folks here in Europe (or even in the US) who have an alternative approach to treating AML. Here is what Kimmo himself has to say: “I have relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I had AML first time in spring 2015 and it was treated with chemotherapy but I refused to have stem cell transplant at that time. Relapse was official in September 2018. I do not have any other chronic illnesses.
    The amount of some unwanted blast cells started to grow in the end of the year 2017. I tried to treat AML with local alternative methods but it continued to crow slowly. This AML has such a Chromosome mutation which makes it very easy to relapse.
    Two weeks ago I went to hospital because the increase of blast cells start to be faster. Bone marrow test results (27.9.18) before the first chemo:
    1) Bm-MGGFe (microscope): blast cells in bone marrow average 17%
    2) Bm-Resid (flow cytometry): cellularity of the blast zone 7,3%; cells with an abnormal phenotype 9,3% (portion of above amount?)
    – cells with an abnormal phenotype are indicating that something unwanted is proceeding.
    I have received the first chemotherapy treatment.
    I am willing to start proper professional alternative AML treatment and stop chemotherapy at this stage.”
    Thank you much.
    Yours,
    Kaisa Lappalainen

    • Hi Kaisa, I’m terribly sorry to hear that your brother has AML. Regarding contacts in Europe, with the passing of almost all of my relatives in Switzerland, I no longer have the contacts that I used to. Have you looked into the Paracelsus Institute in Lustmuhle, Switzerland? That might be a place to start. I also suggest you sign up for a series of online episodes about alternative treatments for cancer. Here is the link https://go.thetruthaboutcancer.com/agq-encore/?a_aid=1619624&a_bid=428c70e1&chan=trailer It’s possible to watch each episode for free for 24 hours after it airs. Unfortunately, I think it’s already been showing for the past week. If that’s the case, you can buy the DVD series and watch it at your leisure. I would also go on an anti-cancer diet which I have discussed in several blog posts, including the one on breast caner and the recent one on the ketogenic die. I also wrote about the benefits of intermittent fasting. The anti-cancer diet is basically eating strictly organically-grown food, no processed foods, no sugars, no grains, no soy, no dairy products. Its a very high vegetable, low carbohydrate diet with plenty of the plant-based fats–unrefined (no vegetable oils for cooking). I hope this is helpful. Sending many blessings, Erica

  19. Dr Elliot, so much gratitude for spending that few minutes on the phone with me regarding my chronic sinusitis. For the first time in almost four months you’ve given me a hopeful path to pursue. How lucky your patients are to have such a caring, empathetic and knowledgeable physician! Many thanks, Lisa

    • Thank you for your kind words, Lisa. It’s always hard for me to turn people away whom I know I could help. I hope you find the medical blog posts useful. Many blessings on your path toward wellness. Erica

  20. Erica –
    I’ve been reading your blog and am now purchasing a Heavenly Sauna! I’ve developed a rather large (softball size) fibroid and I don’t want to have surgery. Do you have recommendations for alternative therapy to reduce the size of the fibroid?
    Thanks,
    Wendy

    • Hi Wendy, Unfortunately, I can’t give medical advice on the internet. It’s not conducive for practicing good medicine. I can say only that in the hands of an acupuncturist that specializes in women’s health, sometimes they get good results. You got the fibroids because you are estrogen dominant, so avoiding estrogen-mimicking chemicals (most toxins and plastics and pesticides) and reducing your body burden of these chemicals through sauna is a good idea. Best wishes, Erica

  21. Good Morning Erica

    I found you through contacts with Joan Borysenko. I am a retired medical psychologist and part native American. I have so much enjoyed reading your stories, it makes me realize how the native cultures survived for thousands of years with their beliefs and cosmology and our western culture is in major chaos after a couple of hundred.

    I have often lost the “Red Road” and become blinded by the daily responsibilities and activities and you story of the mountain lion brought tears of remembrance to my eyes.I know and have experienced profound spiritual connections and then forgot…thank you for being a messenger of remembrance.

    I look forward to reading more of you thoughts and life experiences.

    Namaste’

    • Dear Dr. Rik, I’m so happy that you found my blog posts meaningful to you. If you hang in there, eventually I’ll be writing about my years living with the Navajo People, some of the most significant years of my life. With many blessings, Erica

  22. I know your not taking new patients but do you have a waiting list? I am 44 years old and I have a variety of medical problems. One of which is very bewildering. . . . I had gone to Florida for holistic drug rehab in West Palm Beach Florida for addiction to pain pills. . . While I was sitting during an NA meeting I noticed the muscle on my right arm was hard as a rock. . . Fast forward two months I woke up one morning and I was unable to use my arm from the shoulder to the elbow, the muscle had detiotated and was completely gone. . How did I not notice the detiotation? Also I have 6 herniated discs in my back, disc degernation, spinal fluids is leaking, I have great pain from both sciatic nerves. .. . Can you please refer a Doctor I can see if you are not accepting new patients? I do not want to see a nurse partitioner? I feel like a 90 year old woman. It’s very fustrating for me. I’ve always been very active.

    • Dear Valerie, I’m terribly sorry you’re having so much pain and puzzling symptoms. I think the best thing to do at this point is to go to a clinic that specializes in spinal problem. The Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix is very good. I wish you all the very best. Erica

  23. Hi. My younger brother Douglas Haines shared your San Antonio musing with me. I am Joy…FAHS ’64. Interested in that you are such a unique physician, that you are in Santa Fe (I was there recently for 5 weeks helping a rugby mate surveying Pecos Canyon) and that we have the Army in common. I am currently staying in Ronald McDonald House in Denver as our grandson was sent home from the hospital after weaning off all life supports after hour and 45 minutes of CPR result of routine catheter procedure, but breathed. He was in persistent vegetative state and hospital released him to hospice end of life care. Anyway….long story, but we are seeing progress. Know you don’t do doctoring on this blog, just interested in running a couple of things by you maybe next time I am in Santa Fe. BTW you are a stunning representative of our FAHS.

    • What a nice surprise, Joy. Thank you for your kind words. My heart aches for your grandson and your whole family. Sadly, I am not able to take on new patients at this time. I’m overwhelmed with over one thousand patients in my full-time medical practice. It’s very sad for me to turn people away, especially when I feel certain I could help them. But, if I end up with more patients than I can handle, I’m not able to give quality care. In any case, I will put your grandson in my prayers. With many blessings, Erica

  24. I understand. I hope you will post what ever solutions you try with your patient. Also if she would like to contact us we welcome her. Perhaps it would help both people. Thank you , Verda

  25. My husband suffers from neuropothy so severely in his legs and hands. Is there anything we can do to relieve his pain naturally.

    • Hi Debbie, this isn’t really the place for me to be giving out medical information. But, I will say briefly that medical marijuana has helped a lot of people which chronic pain. It’s something for you to consider. Many good wishes, Erica

  26. Dr, Elliot, I am reaching out to interesting and extremely curious open minded individuals such as yourself while looking for help for my husband who has Hyperacusis . An extreme condition where he hears everything much louder than it is. The ENT’s say it actually is a problem in the brain. He is doing tinnitus retraining therapy for 1 1/2 years but he is still having to live an isolated life. Have you heard of this and do you know of any cure or anyone who works with this? Thank you for any comments. Verda Fiorenza

    • Verda, I have a patient with hyperacusis. It is a nightmare for her. I am still searching for someone who can help her condition. I have tried many remedies with my patient and have not had success. We haven’t tried acupuncture yet. There is a kind of acupuncture called “scalp acupuncture” that might offer some help. There is a Chinese doctor who does this technique, but he is often gone on teaching tours around the world. Best wishes, Erica

      • Hello Erica. Thank you so much for your reply. I just got it.We did try accupuncture. Not what you are referring to I dont think, but she did use the points for tinnitus and the first session went well but during the second one his brain began reacting negatively with high ringing , anxiety ect.He said he feels so sorry for your patient and it is comforting just to know there are other people seeking solutions. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely , Verda Fiorenza

  27. Thank you for the total-flu-avoidance/treatment information. Really appreciate that, as I do not take the flu shots. However, I keep getting advised (professionally and otherwise) to take the shingles vaccine, which I have not yet done. The idea being that, at 69, I have entered the high risk group. I have been told that the vaccine will not prevent the shingles, but should make any occurrence less severe. I’m concerned that I might my response to the vaccine might be to actually get the shingles. I DO have a lifelong tendency toward cold sores – outside my mouth, inside my nose. Could you advise if you can find the time? Many thanks.

    • Kathy, I’m not able to give medical advice on the internet. And, as I mentioned in the flu vaccine post, I avoid telling my patients to get or not get vaccinated. Instead, I supply them with information so they can make their own choice. Many good wishes, Erica

  28. Dear Erica,
    My doctor wants to put me on statins because of my high cholesterol.Can you give me the names of the articles in the medical journals that will impress him enough to change his mind? He’s pretty closed-minded. Thank you, Phoebe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *