Meet Our team of Professionals at Natural Medicine Center of Lakeland
Catherine Onuoha
PhD, RPh, BCPP, CPh
Professional Thermographer and consultant pharmacist Dr. Catherine Onuoha was classically trained to appreciate Western Medical techniques at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). The PhD she earned at MCV is a dual discipline doctorate in Pharmacology and Toxicology. After receiving her PhD, Dr. Onuoha pursued pursued a research position in the field of neuroscience at the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research (WRAIR).
Once her research at WRAIR was completed, Dr. Catherine found work in academia to be rewarding. Dr. Catherine held professorial posts for more than a decade, teaching within public and private institutions. Her teaching charge was to educate fledgling professionals across many medical specialties (Pharmacists, Nurses, Doctor of Orthopedics, Anesthetists, and Physician Assistants).
Throughout her academic years, Dr. Catherine dedicated some time each week to consultations with a patient base either within hospital clinics or in outpatient settings. Patient care continues to hold priority in Dr. Catherine’s work week. She is passionate about providing her patients compassionate, need-based medical care from a functional and natural healing perspective.
Although Dr. Catherine portends professorial work is meaningful, in fact, she loved it–a wee voice of intuition began working within her during 2014. To honor and trust this intuition, she began searching clinic work environments and was resolute in her quest to devote all of her time to patient care.
In January of 2015, Dr. Catherine joined Carol Chandler D.O.M. at the Natural Medicine Center of Lakeland. The two formed an easy collaboration since they share a similar vision of homeopathic healthcare in accordance with Natural and Alternative Healthcare methods.
Carol Chandler, D.O.M. and Dr. Catherine collaboratively have continued the tradition of utilizing Thermography as a powerful discovery tool to help clients far and near our community to achieve optimal health. Dr. Catherine is professionally trained to use Thermography as a unique tool to transduce physiologic changes. Dr. Catherine secondarily completed a rigorous training regimen under Dr. Carol Chandler a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Master Herbalist.
Since April of 2015 Dr. Catherine has assumed responsibility for running the Natural Medicine Center of Lakeland and seeing patients here at this clinic. While Dr. Catherine sees patients here at NMC and runs the day to day operations, she is assisted by her physician supervisor Doctor Justin Strittmatter who oversees medication/treatment decisions.
Wayne Blount, MD, MPH
Dr. Blount grew up in Polk County and joins us here at The Natural Medicine Center with 41 years of experience serving patients in a variety of settings and venues.
Wayne did his undergraduate work at The United States Military Academy and earned a medical degree from the University of Miami. From there he moved on to his family medicine residency in the Army as well as his preventive medicine residency with the University of Washington and the Army.
Dr. Blount served in the Army for 26 years. After his retirement he then taught Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine as a Professor at Emory University and the University of Tennessee for almost 2 decades.
Dr. Blount served as the chief medical officer for 3 other healthcare organizations.
Wayne Blount was named the “Best Doctor” in the Army in 1993 and was also named one of the “Top Doctors” in the U.S for 16 years. He joins us with a passion for his patients. He aims to practice holistic medicine with consideration for the physical, mental, emotional and the spiritual side of patients. He practices both traditional and complementary medicine. He and his wife, Candace, have 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Darla Willmore
B.A., Clinical Thermographer
Darla earned a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Xavier University and spent 7 years in Sales and Business Marketing. Darla joined the Natural Medicine Center as a Clinical Thermographer in April 2015. Darla performs most of the thermal scans done at MyLife Preventive Imaging and The Natural Medicine Center. She is also trained in natural living and herbal medicine. Darla is the Case Manager at MyLife Preventive Imaging and handles the Marketing Department at The Natural Medicine Center. Darla is currently working toward a holistic nutrition certification. She hopes to provide cutting edge and ever-growing nutritional services and advice for the company for years to come.