

Connecticut has protected the practice of medicine since 1920, and was one of the first jurisdictions to issue licenses to naturopathic doctors in the United States. We are proud of our heritage as pioneers in the advancement and protection of naturopathic medicine, and work diligently to honor our history while moving toward our future.
Naturopathic physicians across Connecticut are as diverse as they are many. While many doctors follow traditional medicine principles, also known as “vitalism,” which emphasize the healing properties of lifestyle medicine, nutrition, botanical medicine, and/or homeopathy, others have integrated with other branches of medicine, and provide higher-intervention modalities and cutting-edge treatments.
Currently, the scope of naturopathic licensure does not offer prescriptive authority. We believe that although prescriptive medications are not necessarily a part of foundational medicine, they can be necessary and beneficial in various health situations. As advocates for the advancement of naturopathic medicine, we strongly support and are actively working toward the inclusion of naturopathic physicians in prescriptive authority in Connecticut.
CNPA also works toward the development of community within the naturopathic community in Connecticut and beyond, offering networking and mentorship opportunities. If you would like to be included on our mailing list to stay informed of these events, please sign up here.
Join us, and protect the future of naturopathic medicine in Connecticut!

Dr. Brody is a Naturopathic physician and a Board Certified Fellow from the American Board of Naturopathic Gastroenterology. He has an insurance based practice in Newtown Connecticut and has been involved with the CNPA for over five years. 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 and received a certificate in classic homeopathy. He later went on and sit for his fellowship in naturopathic gastroenterology and became the first Fellow from the American Board of Naturopathic Gastroenetology (FABNG) in New England. Dr. Brody also teaches in the Biology Department at the University of Bridgeport.
Kathleen Cannon, ND - President and Executive Chair Dr. Kathleen Cannon is a licensed naturopathic physician currently practicing at Wellness Insights Integrative Medicine, an interdisciplinary practice in Darien, CT, as well as virtually. Dr. Cannon specializes in supporting individuals experiencing autoimmune and chronic conditions.
Dr. Cannon deeply believes in the innate intelligence within all of us. After overcoming her own health crisis, she left a job in financial services to pursue helping others on their health journeys and became a naturopathic doctor. She is passionate about empowering you with the knowledge and tools to improve your health as well as learning how to tap into your own wisdom for healing.
A graduate of the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Cannon is certified in HeartMath for stress management, trained in functional medicine, and offers genomics consults. She previously ran a general family practice in southeastern CT. Dr. Cannon also serves on the board of the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk and is a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Sara Frawley, ND - Conference Chair
Dr. Sara B. Frawley is a chemist, Human Biology Professor and Naturopathic Physician. She is the owner of Ground Force Medicine in Cromwell, CT as well as the founder of Willowbrook Health Center. Dr. Frawley uses her medical detective skills to understand the underlying cause of a disease - no two individuals are alike. As a Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Frawley’s goal is to help people better understand how daily choices in diet and lifestyle can affect short- and long-term health.
Local to the area, Dr. Frawley graduated with her doctorate from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. Having learned from some of the most distinguished practitioners of the profession, Dr. Frawley was not only trained in the basics of Naturopathic Medicine, but also has applied its modern interpretation through scientific methodologies. Whether it’s for prevention or treatment, analysis through laboratory testing can be utilized to truly determine the root cause of a disease.
Dr. Frawley has a long history in working with families and children in non-clinical settings, including decades of work for organizations such as the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA of Greater New Haven and Bridgeport.
Tanvi Ghandi, ND, LAc - Membership ChairDr. Tanvi Gandhi, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic physician, licensed acupuncturist, integrative psychiatry provider, and founder of Shiva‑Shakti Acupuncture and Ayurveda LLC. Her clinical work blends naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, Ayurveda-informed care, mindfulness, sound-based practices, and narrative medicine to support whole‑person healing. In addition to her private practice, she serves as a Wellness and Integrative Psychiatry Provider at Silver Hill Hospital, where she facilitates mindfulness and integrative wellness programming across acute, transitional living, outpatient, trauma-focused, adolescent, and professionals’ treatment settings. Her academic background includes postgraduate training in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University, fellowship training in Integrative Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, and foundational research experience in microbiology, immunology, genetics, and biomedical science through UCLA and the National Institutes of Health.
Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Gandhi has demonstrated sustained leadership within naturopathic and integrative medicine organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association. As membership chair she will focus on strengthening engagement, expanding participation, and elevating the visibility of naturopathic medicine across Connecticut. Her broader professional service includes active involvement with PsychANP, fundraising and educational contributions to NYANP, including her upcoming presentation Physician Heal Thyself, and long-standing membership in the Connecticut Society of Acupuncturists. Her leadership philosophy centers on strategic collaboration, practitioner support, professional visibility, and the responsible advancement of naturopathic medicine.
Dr. Gandhi brings to CNPA a mission-driven commitment to advocacy, public education, and professional stewardship. Her experience as a clinician, educator, speaker, writer, published contributor, and podcast participant, including work with NDNR, reflects her dedication to strengthening professional dialogue and expanding awareness of naturopathic medicine. She is committed to cultivating a vibrant professional network, supporting both emerging and established practitioners, and advancing initiatives that highlight the rigor, relevance, and impact of naturopathic medicine in Connecticut. Her service is grounded in professionalism, integrity, and a long-term commitment to helping CNPA grow as a respected voice for integrative healthcare and whole-person patient care.
Anna Kolomitseva, ND - Secretary and Co-Legislative Chair Dr. Anna Kolomitseva, ND, is a Connecticut-licensed naturopathic physician and founder of Independently Healthy Wellness & Coaching (IHWC), with a practice in Georgia and expansion underway in Connecticut. She serves on the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association’s Executive Committee as Secretary and Legislative Co-Chair, contributing to organizational governance, legislative advocacy, continuing professional education, and the advancement of naturopathic medicine.
Dr. Kolomitseva created The Stop Dieting Method®, a federally registered, evidence-informed methodology for women's metabolic health that integrates naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle into a structured, scalable care model. Her work has earned international and statewide recognition, including the 2025 Silver Stevie® Award for Most Innovative Woman of the Year in Healthcare, the 2025 Silver Globee® Award for Impact and Best in Category for Healthcare, Medical, and Biotech, and Best of Georgia 2024.
She is an author and peer reviewer in naturopathic and integrative medicine, with publications in the CAND Journal and Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (NDNR), and serves as a peer reviewer for Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal (IMCJ). Dr. Kolomitseva is a 2015 graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Ellen Lewis, ND - Vice President and Governance and Strategy Chair Dr. Ellen Lewis is the medical director of Shalva Clinic in Westport, Conn. A graduate of Boston University and the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), she began her career with a baccalaureate degree in athletic training. With her focus on injury prevention in athletes fueling her desire to understand more about healing, her next step was a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from NUNM, a two-year mentorship in integrative women’s health, and a certificate in midwifery and pediatrics. Today she is a married mother of two daughters, living the challenges of daily life experienced by many women.
Her dedication to women’s health issues has led to her expertise in Escharotic Therapy for cervical dysplasia. She is sought after for her warm and personal support for patients suffering from pelvic floor issues, HPV, vaginal and urinary disorders, and her strategies for optimizing energy and health. Dr. Lewis provides cutting edge treatment that goes beyond standard care for thousands of women all over the world.
Anthony Pascucci, ND - TreasurerDr. Anthony Pascucci is a Naturopathic Physician practicing for the last three years as part of the team at Collaborative Natural Health Partners, an integrated insurance based practice in the greater Hartford area of Connecticut, amongst an integrated primary care setting. Dr. Pascucci received his doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, where he was part of a mentorship program at the Center for Generative Medicine, under the tutelage of Dr. Peter D’Adamo and Dr. Robert Brody, amongst others. He is currently licensed as a Naturopathic Physician in the State of Connecticut. Dr. Pascucci continues to hone his skills in bodywork that is based on osteopathic medicine, including training in Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute, Visceral Manipulation of the Abdomen and Polyvagal Manual Therapy through the Barral Institute. He also teaches an online Breathwork Class through his practice to use breathing as a vehicle to engage and balance the Vagus nerve, and promote calming and relaxation.
Amanda Placeres, ND, MSAc - Public Relations ChairDr. Amanda Placeres is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2015 and her Master's in Acupuncture in 2017, both from the University of Bridgeport, where she graduated with the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Placeres is an active member of both the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association, demonstrating her commitment to the naturopathic community and her ongoing professional development.

Francesca is a dedicated emerging practitioner whose academic and clinical journey bridges modern neuroscience with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 2025 with highest honors, Summa Cum Laude, earning her degree in Molecular Neuroscience. During her time at URI, she contributed to a multidisciplinary research team examining how exercise, nutrition, and early childhood experiences shape cognitive development in children with and without ADHD. Her work included authoring literature reviews focused on neurodevelopment, behavioral health, and the biological foundations of learning and attention.
She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Acupuncture at the University of Bridgeport, where she is expanding her clinical training and deepening her understanding of integrative medicine. Francesca plans to continue her education by earning a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, with the goal of blending evidence‑based neuroscience with classical Eastern healing traditions to support whole‑person wellness.
Guided by a commitment to compassionate, patient‑centered care, Francesca is passionate about supporting individuals and naturopathic physicians throughout Connecticut. Her work is rooted in curiosity, scientific rigor, and a belief in the healing potential of integrative medicine.
