OUR PROVIDERS
Dr. Karen Appel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who loves to help people become the strongest versions of themselves.
A graduate of Bastyr University, Dr. Appel is also a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and holds an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business. As a naturopathic doctor, she addresses the whole person, with individualized care plans focused on treating the cause of illness, with an emphasis on patient education.
Dr. Appel offers wellness programs that integrate with and complement primary care to help each individual take charge of their health once and for all. She uses a wide range of natural and conventional therapies to support patients ability to achieve their individual goals.
Before becoming a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Appel spent several years as a Crossfit Level 1 trainer and nutrition counselor in addition to her full time military career. She has competed in local weightlifting events, practices yoga, and is a strong believer in the power of meditation. To recharge, Dr. Appel loves traveling to tropical destinations to soak up the sun and scuba dive. During shorter breaks, you can find her day hiking, cooking delicious meals, and playing with three rambunctious cats.
Tara Slusher has been a Registered Nurse since 2015 and has been working with Dr. Appel since 2024, helping her serve the community of Walla Walla.
With experiences primarily in Western medicine, this has been a wonderful opportunity for Nurse Tara to learn and grow in the field of Naturopathic medicine.
She believes the human body has an amazing ability to heal in a more natural way given the right balance and support. Nurse Tara is thrilled to be a part of that process and to offer more healthcare options to the people of Walla Walla.
Along with nursing she also instructs yoga classes at ZenSoul Yoga, so diving into naturopathic medicine feels like home to her!
Outside of her work you can find her practicing yoga and jogging at Pioneer Park, walking and playing with her dogs and eating tacos with herhusband.
“The dogma that closes us off from the broad stream of creative thinking, gets in the way of life itself, which is endlessly creative, adaptive, and unpredictable.”
— Matthew Wood, herbalist