Meet the Staff
Davis W. Lamson, M.S., N.D.
Dr. Lamson has been a staff physician at the Tahoma Clinic since 1988, where he has a family practice treating a wide variety of medical conditions. He particularly uses nutritional biochemistry, endocrine hormones, botanical medicine and his investigational skills as an accomplished research chemist to treat his patients.
Dr. Lamson received a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina, his M.S. degree in organic chemistry from the University of Arizona, and the N.D. degree from Bastyr University in 1982. He is trained as a research chemist and has held positions in teaching and /or research at Iowa State University, Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Dr. Lamson also maintains an active clinical research program at Tahoma Clinic, especially with respect to problems of the immune system and cancer treatment. Current published medical writings include his research on hepatitis C, autism, emphysema and cancer. Works in progress relate to the treatment of autoimmune conditions, diabetes II and kidney failure.
Dr. Lamson is Adjunct Professor and Coordinator of Oncology at Bastyr University. He has served on the board of directors of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and is currently on the board of the Botanical Medicine Academy.
Dr. Christa Hinchcliffe, N.D., L.M.P.
Dr. Hinchcliffe practices general medicine with an emphasis on women’s and children’s health issues including bio-identical natural hormone therapy, gastro-intestinal disorders, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, chronic fatigue, ADD/ADHD and chronic disease. Dr. Hinchcliffe is the Clinic’s focal doctor for Dr. Wright’s well-known bio-identical hormone treatment for women, a natural alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Hinchcliffe’s expertise is in all aspects of women’s concerns.
Dr. Hinchcliffe utilizes the principles of naturopathic medicine, searching for the underlying cause of disease. About her practice, Dr. Hinchcliffe writes the following:
“The most enjoyable part of medicine for me is my interaction with my patients. I feel honored that others choose to share their life and health objectives with me.
I feel it is important to look at healthcare from a holistic perspective, integrating the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social aspects of a person. Even though two people may have the same disorder, each person’s life and health circumstances are individual.”
Dr. Merle Janes, M.D.
Dr. Merle Janes specializes in rehabilitative and anti-pain medicine at the Tahoma Clinic. Dr. Janes uses a technique called “Prolotherapy” along with trigger point injections to reduce pain in structures of the skeleton, including the surrounding ligaments and muscles. This treatment is effective for pain or weakness of the neck, back , knees, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and any other joint, and the supporting muscle structure.
Dr. Janes performs further evaluation using an electronic device called “EMG” if the source of pain is suspected to be the result of nerve damage. Dr. Janes also treats patients with breathing disorders associated with rib joints and rib muscle structure, as well as patients with “Thoracic Outlet Syndrome”. Advanced diagnostic equipment is used to evaluate patients.
Dr. Janes did his undergraduate work at the University of California, graduating in 1971. Thereafter, he attended medical school at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico, graduating in 1978. Dr. Janes performed postgraduate training first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and later in Madison, Wisconsin where he completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency in 1984. Dr. Janes is also bilingual, ( también, habla Español).
Dr. Janes has taught Prolotherapy to doctors from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Baharain, Italy, Central America, and Korea. He treated hundreds of patients in Honduras using this technique during three medical missions there since 1996. He is a member of the “Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy Society” and is a diplomat of the “American Academy of Pain Management”, as well as being board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Janes served as Medical Director to the inpatient rehabilitation program in Pocatello, Idaho for five years before moving to Spokane in 1989 where he became Medical Director of the Mustard Pain Clinic.
Dr. Janes’ states that “I’d rather live in a world where people are happy, and prolotherapy is a means to the end. I think I’m building World Peace, one patient at a time. Getting rid of bodily pain goes a long way to making people happier and more productive in their lives.”
Wendy L. Ellis, ND
Dr. Wendy L. Ellis received her degree in naturopathic medicine from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon after graduating from the University of New England with a degree in medical biology.
Prior to joining Tahoma Clinic, Dr. Ellis practiced medicine in Nicaragua, serving as primary care physician for a rural community on the island of Ometepe and focusing on women’s health, pediatrics, and parasitosis. Dr. Ellis also practiced medicine in Haiti, where she worked extensively with HIV and tuberculosis programs in Port au Prince. Most recently, she maintained a private medical practice in Portland, Oregon.
At Tahoma Clinic, Dr. Ellis will practice general medicine with an emphasis on women’s health and pediatrics. Dr. Ellis joins Dr. Christina Hinchcliffe in Tahoma Clinic’s Women’s Services department, serving as focal doctor for Dr. Wright’s well-known bio-identical hormone therapy for women. Dr. Ellis’s background in midwifery and infertility management compliments her practice at Tahoma Clinic.
Dr. Ellis summarizes her medical approach as follows:
“It is important for me to have good communication with my patients. Each case is very individualized and requires a different approach to optimal health. It is my responsibility, as a physician, to educate my patients, understand their obstacles to health, and work with them to find the most appropriate treatment methods through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and appropriate supplementation.”
Mami Sorajo, MS RD CD
Mami is the clinical nutritionist at the Tahoma clinic and Dispensary. She specializes in the following:
- Food allergies
- Weight management
- Special diets
- Digestive health maintenance
- Blood sugar management
- Pregnancy and infant nutrition
- Sports nutrition
- Supplement guidance
- Cooking classes, sample meal planning guides
Prior to coming to the US to study nutrition, she was a coordinator of community wellness programs with youths in Japan. Mami will provide current information and assist in practical and personalized meal planning respecting individual food sensitivities, health concerns and lifestyles.
Devonna Mauer DeFond, Ph.D.
Dr. DeFond has researched, studied, and utilized natural health principles for over thirty-five years. She received her degree in natural health alternatives from Clayton College of Natural Health, and became an instructor of natural health practices for student teachers in the Peoples Republic of China.
Dr. DeFond now coordinates clinical trials, and consults with MME (Magnetic Mollecular Energizer) therapy patients at the AMRI-WA Center in Renton, Washington.
Dr. DeFond observes, “The results of MME therapy, as cell regeneration capabilities of the human body are accelerated, create a very rewarding study environment at the Advanced Magnetic Research Institute of Washington”.
801 SW 16th St., Suite 121, Renton, WA 98057
Phone: 425.738.5650 Fax: 425.264.0071
E-mail: info@amri-wa.com