Bob Brody, ND

From a young age Dr. Brody, or “Bob,” has always found an interest in natural medicine and the power of nature. Growing up, he was heavily influenced by his father, who is a practicing Nutritionist. At the age of 16, Bob became an Eagle Scout. He is also a third-degree black belt in the traditional Japanese art of Aikido. After high school, Bob went on to pursue an Adventure Recreation degree from Green Mountain College. As a young adult, Bob worked as a teachers’ assistant in Essex Junction, VT. During this time, he witnessed many students taking prescription drugs and saw no improvements to their health. Working with these students inspired Dr. Brody to further pursue natural medicine and become the family physician he is today.

Dr. Brody received his doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, and his Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport Nutrition Institute. He is currently licensed as a Naturopathic Physician in the State of Connecticut. He completed his non-CNME residency at the Center of Excellence in Generative Medicine under Dr. Peter D’Adamo. Dr. Brody has also attended the New England School of Homeopathy.

Nicole Klughers, PharmD, ND - Vice President

Dr. Nicole Klughers is a licensed naturopathic physician, acupuncture specialist, community educator, and former pharmacist. Passionate about healthcare from an early age, Dr. Klughers began her journey by earning a Doctorate in Pharmacy at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy.

After realizing the limitations of conventional medicine, Dr. Klughers was drawn to naturopathic medicine, recognizing this as a way to provide integrative, sustainable and holistic healthcare. Eager to help others heal, Dr. Klughers enrolled at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, and earned a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, concurrently completing a Master of Science in Acupuncture, and graduated summa cum laude in both disciplines.

Dr. Klughers participates in annual naturopathic legislative initiatives in Washington D.C. and is eager to continue the advancement of the naturopathic profession while increasing naturopathic healthcare accessibility for the public. She is an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Connecticut Naturopathic Physician Association, New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians, American Apitherapy Society and her local Holistic Chamber of Commerce.

Weronika Lewkowicz, ND

Dr. Weronika Lewkowicz is a licensed naturopathic physician integrating herbal and natural treatment alternatives into the standard medical model, in order to provide the most integrative and comprehensive treatment options for patients! She was born and raised in a small town in Poland, and emigrated to Connecticut in 2004. Growing up in Poland exposed her to a more integrated medical system, where a doctor can prescribe ginger tea and charcoal for an upset stomach before turning to Pepto Bismol, which is why she resonates with naturopathic medicine.

Weronika received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, minoring in Studio Arts, from Eastern Connecticut State University. She continued on with higher education by looking into medical programs on the east coast. However, none of them felt right until she found the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine, where she graduated summa cum laude with her naturopathic medicine degree, along with a Certificate of Excellence in clinical medicine. Her specialties include women’s health (menstruation, fertility, PCOS, pelvic floor health, post-partum, etc.), as well as mental health due to personal experience.

Sarah Ouano, ND

Dr. Sarah Ouano is a graduate of National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL, and a former Connecticut resident. She currently resides in Las Vegas, NV, and serves as CNPA's Executive Assistant, managing the administrative aspects of the Association's work, providing event planning and staffing, organizing legislative campaigns, and acting as AANP liaison.

In addition to her naturopathic training, she is a Certified Lactation Support Counselor, with specialty in food allergies in chestfed infants. Other projects include marketing and branding consultation, ghostwriting, and event planning for small and large medical practices and businesses.

She can be reached at cnpalegislative@gmail.com.

Jaquel Patterson, ND, MPH

Dr. Jaquel Patterson, ND, MBA, is a highly experienced naturopathic physician and the medical director of Fairfield Family Health in Fairfield, Connecticut. Her practice focuses on Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, allergies, and anxiety and depression. She’s also an expert in women’s health, children’s developmental disabilities, and PANS/PANDAS.

Dr. Patterson has extensive experience as a presenter nationally and locally, speaking on integrative medicine and pain management, chronic diseases, and autoimmune conditions at large forums such as A4M and AANP. She has appeared multiple times on Channel 12 news, Cablevision’s Health Talk, Bottom Line on Your Health, and Green Medics radio. She has also authored publications like Naturopathic Doctor News and Review, Real Simple magazine, and Under Armour.

She has received specialized training in Lyme protocols with Dr. Lee Cowden and Klinghardt Academy. She is an active member of ILADS, MAPS, American Association of Environmental Medicine, AANP and CNPA. Dr. Patterson is the president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She also proudly serves in several professional positions, including co-chair for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Statewide Integrative Medicine Collaborative, the medical adviser for ZyCal Bioceuticals Healthcare, and as the community ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America.

Erica Smith, ND

Dr. Erica Smith graduated as valedictorian of the final graduating class of University of Bridgeport School of Medicine in 2022. She is a fellow with Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) and specializes in autism and complex pediatric disorders. 

Medeya Tsnobiladze, MS, ND

Dr. Medeya Tsnobiladze is a naturopathic doctor practicing in CT. She holds an M.S. degree in Biophysics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and trained in Neuroscience at the Institute for General Reanimatology in Moscow. Upon moving to the United States, she received her ND degree and MS in acupuncture degree from the University of Bridgeport in CT.

She was a professor teaching naturopathic medical students and physician assistant students for 12 years before transitioning to a full time medical practice. Her main interest is an interplay of immunology, neurology, and endocrinology. 

Lindsey Wells, ND - President

Dr. Lindsey Wells is a naturopathic physician with focused practice on pediatric primary care and consultative care for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PANS/PANDAS, other neurodevelopmental disorders, and various chronic illnesses. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at Scared Heart University. She teaches anatomy and physiology and biology to undergraduate pre-health professionals.

Dr. Wells is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association (CNPA), and American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH). She is a frequent contributor to the Journal of Natural Medicine and Natural Awakenings.

In 2016, Dr. Wells was recognized as a “Young Influencer in Naturopathic Medicine” by the AANMC. She is heavily involved with legislative efforts to expand the naturopathic scope of practice to include prescriptive authority in CT, recently testifying in front of the CT public health committee in support of HB 5294. She has served as the president of CNPA since 2019.