Hi:

I have volunteered at Dr. John Ruhland’s Natural Health Medical Clinic on Beacon Hill since 2002. For years earlier, and since, I have also been a patient.

As Web site Programmer, IT Manager, Marketing Consultant, and Receptionist for the Clinic, I have had a ring-side seat to daily operations and to Dr. Ruhland’s work ethic.

First of all, he likes to be called Dr. John, an indication he enjoys a more personal interaction than the usual patient/physician encounter.

Secondly, he employs traditional, holistic medicinal treatments which go back thousands of years; that have stood the test of time. He also employs high tech remedies, such as Hyperbaric Oxygen and Ozone Therapies, which have proved to be highly efficacious.

Sometimes the nutritional, homeopathic and oxidative treatments are complimentary to other medical practices. And sometimes, they are used to repair damage done by home or employment environments, or poor eating choices. They can also be used to counter other medical treatments gone awry.

Dr. John has set up a holistic medical clinic which also has an informal atmosphere. Patients sit in a treatment room filled with soft recliners and often talk to each other; sometimes about their health concerns, food recipes, as well as healing remedies they have tried or researched.

My most joyous clinic memory was the day which brought nine patients together who were mostly strangers. After talking with each other about their illnesses, this diverse group of people shared their favorite, memorized poems. Then, a few of them sang their favorite songs. I cannot imagine a more healing environment.

Demian

To whom it may concern:

I am writing in support of Dr. John Ruhland’s proposal to open a Holistic Community Health Center in the old Fire Station #6 at 101 23rd Ave South.

We are in a time when medical costs have skyrocketed and are out of reach of the working class and the poor. This proposal is much needed, particularly in light of the epidemic in diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease that are related to diet. This poor diet is directly due to the lack of information about nutrition and good health practices in these communities. Additionally, mental health illness and post-traumatic stress is another epidemic that gets little attention. And I am not only speaking about trauma that veterans experience, rather I am referring to the undiagnosed PTSD that is a result of the everyday stress of racism and poverty that communities of color in the Central District experience, often unknowingly. This stress and trauma further results in psychosomatic illnesses that can best be addressed through a holistic healing framework.

As you may already know, I am a long-time community activist. I was one of the original founders of the first free medical clinic Sydney Miller Free Medical Clinic, now known as Carolyn Downs Clinic. I was also on the founding board of the Cannon House, an assisted living facility located on 23rd and Yesler. My plan is to work with Cannon House to have a holistic approach in the nutrition and health of their residents. It is actually vital that they do. I plan to facilitate collaboration between the Holistic Center and the Cannon House.

I have been a regular client of Bastyr Naturopathic Clinic for a number of years and know firsthand the benefits of holistic health. I often hoped that naturopathic clinics would be available to residents of the Central District. I can confidently affirm that Dr. Ruhland will be an excellent leader to bring true health into the communities that I have dedicated my life to. Therefore, and for the reasons stated by a coalition of supporters, I encourage the city to get behind this very important proposal.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to speak further.

Sincerely,
Aaron Dixon

To whom it may concern:

It is my pleasure to write a letter in support of the proposal of the establishment of a Holistic Community Health Clinic being submitted to the City of Seattle by Dr. Ruhland.

Healthcare in the United States continues to face many challenges, such as inaccessibility of services, rising costs¹, and increase in environmentally related illness². The concept of Dr. Ruhland’s Natural healthcare, or “green medicine” offers us the benefit of low cost, and being gentle on the environment. My belief is that the Holistic Community Health Clinic will provide the leadership necessary to support the health of the people of Seattle, as well as to foster a healthier environment, one that will allow us to live well today, while letting others live well tomorrow.

In conclusion, I fully support the efforts of Dr. Ruhland and his fellow practitioners as they seek external resources to form the Holistic Community Health Clinic project, which is designed to reach out to all people.

Sincerely,
Amy Duan, RDH

References
1. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. US still spends more on health care than any other country. Public News Center. July 12, 2005. Available at:
jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2005/anderson_healthspending.html
Accessed September 17, 2007.
2. Segelken R. Environmental pollution and degradation causes 40 percent of deaths worldwide, Cornell study finds. Cornell News. September 30, 1998. Available at:
news.cornell.edu/releases/Sept98/ecodisease.hrs.html
Accessed September 17, 2007.

Subject: clinic support

To whom it may concern, my name is Dr. Ronald Sebastian, a general practicing dentist for 20 years.

I support the opening of Dr. Ruhland’s holistic clinic in the fire station. This type of approach to treating patients with PTSD, as well as other ailments and disorders using hyperbaric oxygen, is providing relief where other treatments have failed.

Also, the medical community is finding that herbal and acupuncture methods — used in treating systemic illnesses — are acceptable and sought-after solutions.

Thank You,
sincerely,
Dr. Ron Sebastian