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About Us

About Us

Mountain-River Naturopathic Clinic

We named our naturopathic clinic with intention. Dr. Nearpass hails from the mountains of Colorado and Dr. Pollack from the rivers of Oregon. We met and married on the White Salmon River in Washington in 1999, as we completed our medical training and then began our search for the ideal mountain town to establish our practice, build a home and raise our children. Frisco, Summit County and the surrounding mountain towns have exceeded our expectations. Thanks to our amazing, health-minded community, we have been able to offer naturopathic services to locals and visitors since 2003.

The Rocky Mountains and its many rivers have provided us countless opportunities to recreate and convene in nature but also represent so much more in relation to naturopathic medicine. Our goal as doctors is to use the healing power of nature to guide our patients to optimal physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. The mountains provide constant reminders of the strength, stability and foundations of ideal health. The rivers remind us that we must also be flexible and go with the flow as obstacles occur.

As human beings we are perfectly adapted to thrive on a planet that no longer exists.  Modern day lifestyle factors such as rapid transportation, electricity, toxicity, irregular light and sleep patterns, synthetic and processed foods, ongoing stressors, indoor and sedentary living create obstacles to cure.  By remembering and honoring the natural world, and by returning to our roots, patients can make great strides towards optimal health. 

Health is achieved by maintaining balance.  Much like the Yin and Yang of Chinese medicine, mountains and rivers are a model of balance.  Mountains represent the foundations of our medicine: the tangible, scientific aspects including health history, symptoms and laboratory testing, as well as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, prescription and over-the-counter medications. Rivers represent the dynamic traditional and energetic aspects of naturopathy, including body work, hydrotherapy, energy healing, homeopathy, botanical and nutritional medicine. The relationship and interplay between our surrounding mountains and rivers provide not only limitless recreation, but also inspiration and a constant reminder of how to live in a balanced, harmonious, optimally healthy way.