Our Approach/Philosophy
A spirit of inquiry and critical thinking on the part of the practitioner is essential. While Integrative Medicine incorporates the best of conventional medicine, it also respects the body’s inherent ability to heal. As such, it also makes use of modalities which encourage the body’s healing response. The integrative physician works in partnership with you, the patient, looking at your whole person and your health quest in the context of the whole.
Sometimes the best in life comes through fusion. Integrative Medicine brings together traditional and alternative, ancient and modern, body and mind.
Our story
A graduate of Tulane University Medical School, Dr. Claudia Cooke has been certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is currently certified by the Board of Physicians and Surgeons. She also has Physician Certification in Acupuncture in New York State. Dr. Cooke was previously honored with election to Fellowship in the American College of Physicians and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
Dr. Cooke honed her clinical skills for over twelve years in emergency medicine and is deeply versed in emergency care and its varying perspectives. Five years were spent in one of New York City’s busiest ERs where she cared for over 20,000 patients in the acute care setting.
She held an appointment as an Affiliate Physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Columbia division for 24 years where she served as Clinical Preceptor both in Physical Diagnosis at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons for 22 years and in the past in Acupuncture to the previously existing UCLA School of Medicine’s Medical Acupuncture for Physicians course. In 2022, she retired her Columbia appointment to dedicate herself fully to her medical practice and to writing.
Dr. Cooke’s lineage extends back through five generations of physicians in her family. Her great grandfather Henry was a physician in two of the biggest battles of the Civil War. Her grandfather Robert Anderson Cooke pioneered the field of allergy, opening the first allergy clinic in the US, and publishing the first textbook of allergy. Her personal addition to the family’s medical pedigree is that of the combined approach, one founded upon traditional medical theory and training, and which draws upon alternative medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, nutrition, hypnosis, and other individualized techniques and modalities.
Dr. Cooke welcomes those who want to be proactive in their health journey.
Dr. Cooke speaks French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
Meet the team
Dr. Cooke
A lover of nature and music, Dr. Cooke believes in aligning people with their natural rhythms. Some of the most accessible resources we have for such connection are animals, trees, and flowering plants. The beautiful garden view from her office, its quietness, and the frequent presence of her dog Peep, all create an environment conducive to such alignment.
Jomarly
Office Assistant
Jomarly Bulado has endeared herself to patients who have interacted with her on the phone. Her patience and gentle voice radiate kindness and transmit reassurance to all.
Kathleen
Office Assistant
Kathleen Tuazon joined Dr. Cooke’s practice in September of 2022. Her cheerful voice is good tonic and her internet skills have been a great addition to office efficiencies.
Both Jomarly and Kathleen act as scribes while Jomarly handles most
lab orders and prescriptions, where Kathleen handles most insurance
matters and billing.
Carole
Nurse
Carole Johnson RN, L.Ac., has 35 years of nursing experience under her belt, including Oncology nursing, ozone therapy since the1980s, as well as with multiple IV nutrient therapies including ozone, high dose vitamin C, and various nutrients.
She has good hands and Dr. Cooke is thrilled to have her on board.
Sharon
Practice Manager
The Doctor Whisperer, Sharon Fekete has worked remotely with the practice since 2016 as Practice Management Consultant. I think of Sharon as my first mate on board the boat that is the medical practice. You can learn more about Sharon on her website at www.thedoctorwhisperer.com
Listen to her recent interview with Dr. Cooke:
Anzhela
Nurse
Consulting RN, Anzhela has been with us since August of 2019 and brings a solid background in ER and hospital nursing to the practice. She runs the IV treatments and does a great job of making her patients feel at ease and cared for.
Chong
IT
Chong, IT guy for the office, has been in the background as IT angel for 10 years now. He has a steady hand on the rudder when cyber storms hit that I couldn’t navigate without him.
Peep
Therapy dog in training, enjoying the garden view between patients.
