Dr. Ruiz-Paedae DOM started her career in healthcare in 1984 when she completed her BS in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, USA. Her first post-graduate degree was a Masters in Medical Technology. She worked at the University Hospital (a teaching hospital) in P.R. for 6yrs, mostly with cancer patients and children with AIDS. In 1989 she moved to Sebring, Florida where she obtained an AA in Business and a BS in Psychology. During the next fifteen years Dr. Ruiz-Paedae worked as a Medical Technologist and managed a medical facility; this allowed her to become proficient in every aspect of medical operations.
At the age of 42 she divorced. Little did she know that this life experience would be the catalyst that would send her on a journey to change her life and the lives of so many others. She spiraled into depression and became a patient of the “standard treatment of western care.” During the treatment she experienced several negative side effects for which the solution was more medication. She realized this was turning into a vicious cycle. These treatments work for some but they did not work for her. She made the decision to find alternatives.
Dr. Ruiz-Paedae found the field of Integrative Medicine and it changed and saved her life. Within a year she was completely healthy and off every medication. She knew then that like her, there were many others out there going through the same thing and looking for alternate care, she had to find a way to help them.
She first tried going through the counseling route and started her Masters in Counseling. After two years in the program she realized that talking to these women would not be enough, as she had firsthand experience of how it was not enough for her. She realized that we had to be sure of their physiological health. How can they think or act clearly if their bodies are missing the building blocks to do this? The only way for her to be able to achieve her goal of helping others was to go back to school and get a doctorate degree that would allow her to diagnose and treat patients with no drugs.
Dr. Ruiz-Paedae was accepted at Florida College of Integrative Medicine (FCIM) where she obtained a BS, Masters and became a DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine). The training in Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM) included: Tuina, Herbology, Homeopathic Injectables, Food Therapy, Counseling, Biofeedback, and many other modalities. She further enhanced her knowledge by continuing her certification in Functional Medicine. Her philosophy is that in order to find the root cause of a disease and actually cure the patient we need to treat the entire human being body, mind and spirit. In order to achieve this she utilizes state of the art western diagnostic testing, such as MRI, X-rays, CT-scans, Thermal infrared imaging and extensive blood work combined with naturopathic and holistic treatments. With this Dr Ruiz-Paedae manages to take the patient from a ‘disease care system’ to a truly ‘health care system’.
Dr Ruiz-Paedae says “it is my privilege and honor to guide you through your journey to health”