Dr. Sam Schikowitz's Biography

 Sam Schikowitz began his experience with natural medicine as a child. His parents regularly used their families' traditional cures and ethnic folk-wisdom, including whole food nutrition, herbs, guided imagery, aromatherapy, massage and acupressure, hydrotherapy, and home-birth in their home on Prince Edward Island, Canada. In school, Sam had an interest and aptitude for natural sciences, and was mentored by Dr. Edwards, a passionate science and gym teacher. Upon graduation from high school, he traveled, eventually landing in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada, where he worked on a variety of Organic farms and gardens which also employed these and other healing techniques. There he was influenced by his experiences with a local herbalist, midwife, and activist, Eloise Charet. Feeling that the professions of medical doctor, chiropractor, herbalist, nurse, and osteopathic doctor did not encompass his experience of health and healing, the epiphany came when he discovered a naturopathic physician in British Columbia. It was then that he realized that the naturopathic profession embodied the common sense practicality, open-minded inquiry, and hard science that Sam felt was necessary to bring forth a good family doctor. Sam then set about getting his pre-med bachelors degree from UC Santa Cruz and was accepted at Bastyr University.

While at Bastyr University, Sam’s experience with acupuncture and Oriental medicine changed him from a skeptic, to a student of Oriental medicine. He also benefited from the excellent Ayurvedic instructors. He chose clinical supervisors that combined these approaches with excellent naturopathic and conventional medical care to come to a thorough understanding of their patients’ condition.

Upon completion of the programs, Sam moved to the Mid-Hudson region to be near his extended family and provide family and general care.

Education and Accreditation

Sam Schikowitz is NABNE board a certified and Connecticut State licensed naturopathic doctor, as well as an NCCAOM board certified and New York State licensed acupuncturist. He is also a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), and on the board of directors of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians(NYANP).

His medical training was at Bastyr University, a fully accredited 5-year medical university. The curriculum includes history taking, physical exam, laboratory medicine, diagnostic imaging, conventional and functional diagnosis, referral, and management. Therapies include minor surgery, pharmacy, counseling, botanical medicine, dietary and nutrient therapy, physical medicine, exercise prescription, homeopathy, and other modalities.

His Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine training was also completed at Bastyr University and included traditional Chinese medical diagnosis, acupuncture and oriental medical techniques, Tui Na massage, Chinese herbal formulation, and Chinese nutritional therapy.