Dr. Khalsa has pursued an integrative medicine career since starting medical school at the University of New Mexico. Her interests in bridging the gap between eastern and western medicine began back in childhood when living in northern India. While there, at the age of 12, she was hospitalized and required conventional treatment for her illness. However, integrative therapies were also used, such as ayurveda and yoga, which aided the healing process.

Dr. Khalsa remained in India for 7 years for schooling. She traveled, studied yoga extensively, and encountered many amazing people, including Mother Teresa and Sir Edmond Hilary. She saw the Taj Mahal, visited various sacred and religious monuments, and hiked through beautiful forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. She also saw disease, pain and the misfortune of thousands of men, women and children. While in India, Dr. Khalsa decided to help people through medicine. It was through her experiences in India that she understood the importance of modern medical breakthroughs, which can prevent, and cure disease. Vaccine’s being one of them. But modern medicine also has its limitations. The eastern teachings that emphasize healing through nutrition and movement can also cure disease but has limitations as well. This understanding led Dr. Khalsa to pursue a medical career that could blend the best of both ‘worlds’, and apply them safely and critically.

• Education

Dr. Khalsa completed her medical residency training at the Mayo Clinic. While there she started a partnership between the Mayo Clinic and the Southwest College of Naturopathhic Medicine, where trainees in each institution could swap rotations to learn ideas and techniques in different fields. Dr. Khalsa received the Mayo Clinic Natural Medicine Award in 2007.

Dr. Khalsa completed her acupuncture training at the Helms Medical Institute at UCLA.