Sustainable + Successful
Patient-Centered HealthCare
Feel like no one is listening to you? At your wit’s end about what to do for your health? Want to get back energy, health, active living?
We hear you!
Our Naturopathic Physicians
Dr. John Yim, ND
With 35 plus years in the health care field, Dr. Yim brings experience, knowledge and sincerity to the care of each patient. His reputation is built on his expertise in developing sustainable, proven and successful treatment programs that can improve your life dramatically and help you attain your health goals. Dr. Yim's passion is to help patients reach their true health potential.
Dr. Yim provides exceptional care for those interested in acute and chronic health issues, women’s and men’s health, hormone balancing, weight management, and family medicine. He provides individualized programs for optimizing your health care with leading lifestyle and nutritional solutions and effective programs.
He has a special interest and additional education and experience in:
gut health
hormone health
allergies and asthma
cardiovascular health
brain health
healthy aging and
pain management
Dr. Yim focuses on science based natural medicine to stimulate the body to heal itself.
In addition to his private practice, Dr. Yim promotes natural health care through articles in various periodicals and public lectures. If your organization or association would like to have Dr. Yim speak at a meeting please contact our clinic at 250-585-2150
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His treatment plans are based on getting to the root cause of your health issue and in symptom treatment. He draws on myriad diagnostic tools from stool analysis to blood tests, hair analysis to DNA testing. Getting a clear picture of your current health is vital to determine the right path to achieve your health goals.
As a primary care provider Dr. Yim also received training and certification in Pharmacology and earned prescription rights. He has excellent relationships with pharmacies across the Island including compounding pharmacies.
Dr. Yim has a podcast he and his wife, Beth, created during the pandemic, Vital Moments in Naturopathic Medicine. Topics include gut health, brain health, sleep, fatigue, stress, and more. You can check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Dr. Yim's lifelong interest in health and nutrition led him initially to massage therapy. After completing his training and board exams, he opened his own practice as a registered massage therapist in Nanaimo, BC. During his seven years as a RMT he realized that he could only take people so far in their health journey. He was able to successfully assist them with physical and structural issues, but felt there was a missing component.
In 1987 he began studies at Malaspina University-College, now Vancouver Island University for prerequisites to attend medical school.
After working as an RMT and attending classes at the university he and his family moved to Seattle so he could attend the prestigious, Bastyr University. He proudly received his doctorate in naturopathic medicine after four years with top honours.
Upon completion of the rigorous licensing exams that the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC requires, Dr. Yim established his clinic and practice back home in Nanaimo, B.C.
Since 1994, Dr. Yim has been helping people regain and maintain optimal health, naturally. He has earned a respected name and reputation for providing exceptional health care.
Dr. Katarine Holewa, ND RAc
Dr Katarine has been a practicing Naturopathic Physician for over 12 years, first in Victoria and now in Nanaimo BC.
Dr Katarine now devotes her time and attention to her Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture practice and patients. She focuses on preventative medicine, creating and maintaining positive lifestyle changes and finding the underlying causes of illness. She approaches medicine using a more holistic approach to health care and by employing the basic Naturopathic principles, treating the whole person rather than separate symptoms or ailments, and creating highly individual treatment plans.
Dr Katarine sees patients of all ages and for conditions ranging from acne and digestive health, to mental health and allergies, to chronic pain and weight management.
She has a special interest in working with
Skin health (acne, eczema & psoriasis, skin aging, dermatitis, etc)
Gastrointestinal disorders (SIBO, dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel, food sensitivities, etc)
Hormone Health and Prescribing (ie: Peri & Menopause, PMS, Fertility, Thyroid Health, Adrenal health)
Autoimmune disorders
Weight management (weight loss support, weight-muscle balance)
Additionally, Dr Katarine licensed to prescribe pharmaceutical medications and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Outside of the clinic, Dr Katarine ND RAc enjoys spending time with friends and family, training and riding her horses, hiking, biking, and walking her dog, exercising her green thumb in her garden and beekeeping. She is a regular shopper at the local farmers markets and healthy cafes and restaurants, a fervent baker and is also a Professional Chocolatier!
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Dr. Holewa brings her extensive training, dedication to natural medicine and her clinic expertise to each of her patient’s care.
She is licensed as a primary care provider with prescription rights and access to diagnostic labs.
Dr Katarine enjoys educating her patients and helping them reach their own unique health and wellness goals. In addition to utilizing Nutritional Counseling, Acupuncture, Botanical Remedies/Herbs and Homeopathic remedies, Dr Holewa has additional certifications in IV (Intravenous) Therapy, Mistletoe Therapy and Neural Therapy.
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Prior to completing her 3-year training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and her 4-year Naturopathic Medical training at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, BC, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary, receiving her Bachelors Degree in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Sciences and her Bachelor of Registered Nursing. She then practiced as a full time Registered Nurse in Post-Partum, Special Care Nursery and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and then continued to practice part-time throughout her Naturopathic education.
Dr Katarine has undertaken further training in Naturopathic Aesthetics, focusing on Rosacea, Acne, Ageing and Hyperpigmentation. She is certified in the use of Neuromodular Injections (Botox and Nuceiva) for the management of fine lines, wrinkles, frown lines etc to help clients achieve a younger, smoother visage. She also utilizes treatments such as
Facial Rejuvenation
Acupuncture,
Facial Gua Sha & Massage
and carries a line of exclusive Aesthetic products which are specifically targeted to treat these various concerns.
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Our Nursing Team
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How Chantal can Help You!
Working on a detoxification program? Finding yourself feeling bloated, constipated, low energy or sluggish?
Colon hydrotherapy is the gentle rinsing of the colon with warm water, to remove encrusted fecal matter, gas and mucus. This allows vital nutrients to be absorbed more easily and leaves you feeling rejuvenated and healthier. One of the main goals of colon hydrotherapy is to assist in cultivating a balanced bacterial environment in the gut. Having well balanced flora and fauna in our gut is essential to a strong immune system and overall health. Colonics can also help re-tone & reshape the colon.
Colon hydrotherapy involves the safe, gentle infusion of water into the colon via the rectum. No chemicals or drugs are involved and the entire therapy is both relaxing and effective. A healthy well-functioning bowel is essential for the maintenance of optimal health and immunity. This vital organ remains the most neglected in the human body. When the blood stream is overloaded with toxic waste, the body will function at a lower level.If you are new to colonics (or a returning patient that has not had treatments for a while) it is recommended to complete a series of 3 treatments within a timeframe of 2 to 3 weeks. This is because the colon has 3 sections and ranges from 5-7 feet in length. Each treatment will build on the one prior to thoroughly hydrate and evacuate the colon. Once this initial series of 3 has been completed you and your therapist can discuss your future treatment plans based on your individual needs and results.
Please book in as 3 individual sessions (within the 2-3 week time frame) when you come in for your first session you will have the option to change this to a prepaid package for a greater savings ($65).Her therapeutic tools reflect both science and spirit: nutritional and lifestyle medicine, prescription hormones, botanicals, acupuncture, pharmaceutical prescribing, and evidence-informed supplements—woven together with presence, curiosity, and an understanding of how the nervous system unfolds toward healing when safety and relationship are at the centre.
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Chantal thrives on improving her physical, mental and emotional health and is a great inspiration to all around her with her warmth, her infectious smile and her deep love of helping others. When not helping VitaCare’s clients achieve their optimal health, Chantal loves to spend her days in nature, hiking and walking her labs Lacy & Luna.
Chantal David, LPN, CT
Chantal David is both a Licensed Practical Nurse and a Certified Colon Therapist. She has been in practice as a colon therapist for over 20 years (since 2002) and also as an LPN for the past 5 years (2018).
Chantal has worked along side Naturopathic Physicians for the duration of her career and is an advocate for the naturopathic approach. Chantal has completed additional training in order to perform IV Nutrient Therapy for patients. She also does nutrient injections, foot detox baths and continues to provide colonics and make recommendations for specific products as indicated.
Chantal is dedicated to supporting her patients in creating and maintaining improved health. She finds tremendous joy in getting to know her patients, being able to provide a safe and comfortable experience for them and mostly watching their health improve.
Want to know more about how Colonics could improve your digestive health? Want to know how to make Colon Hydrotherapy a part of your wellness program? Want to start feeling more energy, less bloated and think clearer?
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If you are new to colonics (or a returning patient that has not had treatments for a while) it is recommended to complete a series of 3 treatments within a timeframe of 2 to 3 weeks. This is because the colon has 3 sections and ranges from 5-7 feet in length. Each treatment will build on the one prior to thoroughly hydrate and evacuate the colon. Once this initial series of 3 has been completed you and your therapist can discuss your future treatment plans based on your individual needs and results.
Please book in as 3 individual sessions (within the 2-3 week time frame) when you come in for your first session you will have the option to change this to a prepaid package for a greater savings ($65). -
Lindsay is a very busy woman - not only is she an asset to VitaCare, she is also the mom to 4 young-adult children. In her “spare” time, Lindsay is also completing her training to become an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner so that she can further help improve the health of her & VitaCare’s clients/patients!
New Practitioner - this could be you!
We are looking for a Licensed, Professional Practitioner to join our team! Including but not exclusive to: Massage therapy, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Kinesiology.
We are a very close group at VitaCare and work together in a team environment. If that is something you are looking for then we are interested to hear from you!
If you are looking for a space to build or move your practice, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at vitacareclinic@shaw.ca along with a cover letter and resume.
Lindsay Russell, LPN, CT
Lindsay Russel is a Licenced Practical Nurse as well as a Colon Therapist. Lindsay has been doing Colon Hydrotherapy now for the past year and a half in our clinic and has been an LPN for 3 years.
Previously Lindsay was working as a nurse at Edgewood Treatment Center in Nanaimo. Lindsay is passionate about holding space for her patients to feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed.
Lindsay enjoys sharing her knowledge to help educate and support her patients through their health journey, as well as getting to know them as the unique individuals they are.
Administrative Staff
