WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE?
Integrative medicine uses an evidence-based approach to treat the whole person — your mind, body and soul. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are all involved, so integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies. It “integrates” conventional approaches and complementary therapies to achieve optimal health and healing.
DR KRISTEN DONIGAN
I am a board-certified physician with over a decade of experience integrating conventional Internal Medicine with Functional, Integrative, and Trauma-Informed approaches. I appreciate the interdependent nature of wellbeing and consider the whole you, in the unique context of your life, to provide in-depth and individualized care.
To be human is to know vulnerability. Illness and injury are not failures, but inevitable aspects of being human. I strive to maintain a shame-free environment that welcomes authentic connection. I affirm the significance of your experiences and resilience.
While we explore how life’s experiences shape biology, I help you to develop greater agency in your own health. We’ll have nuanced discussions of symptoms, results, and therapeutic strategies, empowering you to make informed decisions. Thoughtfully, I may order laboratory tests and explain results in detail. I intend to facilitate a deeper understanding of conventional medicine and illuminate the common thread among diverse medical disciplines. I help to reconcile conventional medicine, newer technologies, ancient healing traditions, and your personal value system and intuition. While my aim is to awaken insight and self-determination, I may prescribe medications, supplements, and lifestyle modifications as is appropriate.
Honing my unique interdisciplinary approach has meant a commitment to both continued medical education and personal growth. My practice is an expression of curiosity and compassion for the human experience. I work in partnership with patients, and often in collaboration with other medical providers and healing practitioners. Most recently, I enjoyed working at the Raby Institute at Northwestern, a multidisciplinary Integrative Medicine clinic in downtown Chicago.
I recently relocated to the Hudson Valley from Chicago, realizing a desire to create a medical practice devoted to wholeness, grow roots with my partner Brian, develop community, and live among the mountains. Originally from Michigan, I have spent 16 years in Chicago: 4 years in osteopathic medical school, 3 years in allopathic Internal Medicine residency at Rush University Medical Center and nearly 10 years working in Primary Care.
PRAISE
“Dr. Donigan is a gifted clinician who embodies the perfect balance of both the science and the art of medicine. She demonstrates a natural talent and presence to connect with others and to foster the trust that is needed to create change. Her astute clinical skills and generous compassion have served many of our mutual patients in their path towards healing.” - Marissa Serrato MD, FAPA, ABIHM, CCN, Integrative Psychiatrist Chicago, Illinois
“What I appreciate most about Dr. Donigan is knowing that during every appointment she will give me her full attention, listening deeply and not rushing to get to the next patient. She takes every concern seriously and offers solutions that are realistic and effective. I learned so much about myself in my first few appointments that no other doctor was able to determine. She found the root causes to my complicated issues that a dozen other conventional MDs or DOs could not uncover. I have been a patient for 6 years and I have never been healthier and cared for both physical and emotionally.” – Lisa Ringelestein, Oswego, Illinois
“I have been delighted to work with and share integrative patient care with Dr. Kristen Donigan. Patients feel deeply heard and cared for at levels most often unspoken about in medicine. Dr. Donigan practices with heart and patients feel this gentle compassionate approach. She appreciates that uncovering old wounds or traumas provides wisdom for the body’s self-renewal and that finding life’s joy and pleasure elevates profound healing.
Dr. Donigan is a true gem in the medical world!” – Michelle Goebel-Angel, L.Ac., MSOM, MBA Chicago, Illinois
“Dr. Donigan is kind, extremely intelligent, and she deeply cares for people. Her presence, teaching, and compassion allow you to become more yourself.” - Amber Dow, Chicago, Illinois
“Dr. Kristen Donigan possesses all the qualities I look for in a doctor. She is compassionate, caring, immense patience, open to listening to my intuition, and the consummate professional. I have complete trust in Dr. Donigan, and that says a lot. I appreciate that she treats the whole me and not just the physical. It is rare to find such individuals in life, and I am deeply grateful for the value she has brought to my life.” - Danny Faith, Chicago, Illinois
“Dr. Donigan is one of many doctors I have seen and is like no other. Period. She exudes and provides a feeling of calm in her office. Dr. D is a true and connected listener and is always abreast of the current findings concerning east/west medicine. She truly cares. Friends I have sent to Dr. D have all had the same experience and impression. Chicago has lost one of its finest, but many new people will be fortunate to know the gift which is Dr. D.” - Dee Miller, Chicago, Illinois
“Having a long history of doctors who simply did not listen to me, I am totally impressed with Dr. Donigan’s entire approach to health and medicine. Her interest in my health, her ability to remember details of my past care, and offer sound advice with a meaningful explanation, are all components of the wonderful care I was given while seeing Dr. Donigan. She is right on the cutting edge of healthcare, always learning new approaches. Since Dr. Donigan has left Chicago, I am looking for another primary care physician, but I have now seen what quality, personal healthcare looks like and I won’t settle for less going forward. Thank you for everything, Dr. Donigan.” - Carl Miller, Chicago, Illinois
“Dr. Donigan is warm, compassionate and insightful. I am so grateful to feel like she genuinely cares about me and how I'm doing. I've never met another doctor who offers such grounding and connection to her patients.” - Sarah Garcia, Chicago, Illinois