New health centre opens its doors

By tyler olsen Morning Star Staff Jun 17 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

At three floors, more than 11,000 sq. ft., dozens of rooms and, very soon, 27 employees, the De Monte Centre for Natural Health seems big – and it is. After four years of planning, construction and fine tuning the centre, which includes a spa downstairs, is planning to open its doors this week, in the process becoming the largest clinic of its kind in western Canada. According to owner Dr. Denise De Monte, the centre’s size reflects both a growing public trend towards natural medicine and Vernon’s infatuation with alternative treatments. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the community and our patients have been incredible,” said De Monte, who moved to Vernon from Hamilton seven years ago. “I don’t know if it’s the western influence from Vancouver but we actually have more naturopathic doctors in Vernon than anywhere else in North America.” Naturopathic medicine focuses on alternative, natural treatments and shuns drugs and surgery – although De Monte said there is definitely a place for those treatments. Naturopathic doctors like De Monte go through extensive schooling, and take a four-year naturopathic degree following traditional university pre-medicine. The B.C. Naturopathic Association outlines the three tenants of natural medicine, namely the recuperative power of the body, trying to cure the disease rather than treating the symptoms and using therapies that won’t result in side effects or secondary problems. Its proponents emphasize natural medicine’s focus on scientifically proven treatments and the doctors’ extensive education.

“Definitely there’s a place for drugs and surgery, it’s just people seem to not want the side effects so they’re looking for options before and are turning to natural medicine as their first option,” said De Monte. The De Monte clinic, which inhabits the second floor of the building, will include three naturopathic doctors and eight support staff. Downstairs, Solutions Spa will employ 10 practitioners, plus support staff, and will include a host of resort-style spa treatments and detoxification therapies The building is large, but it’s also been built to minimize its environmental footprint, with geothermal heating, special siding, a pure water filtration system and insulation made from sheep’s wool and reclaimed rock. De Monte said it was important for the building to mesh with her values. “I’ve always had an interest in the environment. It’s one of my passions and I’ve never been able to act on it.” Building her new health centre was a way to act on those desires. And it’s also brought one of Canada’s most familiar faces to the Okanagan. After meeting David Suzuki two years ago, De Monte wrote a letter asking the environmentalist to come to Vernon and help open her centre. “He just represents everything I believe in with respect to the environment,” said De Monte. “We invited him two years ago and he accepted. He was obviously enthusiastic about what we’re doing.”