Dr. Luciano Garofalo, ND, MS
He/Him
Dr. Luciano Garofalo is a naturopathic physician, public health researcher, and Tacoma-lover. He received his doctorate in naturopathic medicine and a master of science in medcial research at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR, where his clinical training was focused in integrative primary care, pediatrics, and mental health. He went on to complete a 3-year research fellowship at the University of Washington, funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the NIH.
Dr. Garofalo prioritizes building relationships and collaborating with families in their medical care. Using conventional and natural treatments, he helps patients optimize their health with whatever resources are available to them. As a stereotypical Sicilian, you can expect to talk about food with Dr. Garofalo, even if it has nothing to do with your treatment plan.
Dr. Garofalo is certified as an Autism Center of Excellence with the Washington State Health Care Authority. He approaches neurodiversity as something to be celebrated for all children. He works closely with families and therapists to ensure that everyone’s needs are identified and met with adequate supports. He is passionate about health equity and addressing the health of the Whole Child.
It can be difficult to make health decisions for your children, especially with so much conflicting information online. Dr. Garofalo loves discussing immunizations with families, and he follows the scientific evidence about vaccines. Families should anticipate that immunizations will be discussed at all well-child visits.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Garofalo is affiliate faculty in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington, Department of Health Services and Population Health. He currently collaborates on research about school-based health centers as a way to fill the unmet health needs of children.
He and his wife, Emily, are proud to raise their two children in Tacoma, where they met when working in the L’Arche Tahoma Hope community.
Publications:
- Gersch VC, Garofalo L, Rigel S, Johnson K, Yeun ST, MacDougall E, van Draanen J. Assessing and Addressing Social Determinants of Health in School Based Health Centers. Under review with Journal of Preventive Health.
- Beauregard N, Gersch VC, Garofalo L, Rigel S, Johnson K, Yeun ST, MacDougall E, van Draanen J. Examining Provider Perspectives of Equity at School-Based Health Centers. Under review with Journal of Adolescent Health.
- Garofalo L, Booth-LaForce C, Nurius P, Thompson S, Calhoun B, Shimomaeda L, Lengua L. Cumulative adversity, mindfulness, and mental health in first-time mothers experiencing low income. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 2023 Dec;14. doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100621
- Garofalo L, Bell T, Poling G, Patterson D. Assessing the Feasibility of Rural Primary Care Residency Training for Naturopathic Doctors in the Northwest: A Qualitative Study. Integrative Medicine Reports. In press.
- Solomonian L, Blesoff J, Garofalo L, Lucas S, Picardo A, Garber A, Wilson M, Leach M. Naturopathic Management of Acute Pediatric Respiratory Infections: A Modified Delphi Study. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2023 Mar;29(3):181-195. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0669. Epub 2023 Feb 24.
- Sadowski A, Garofalo L, Welsh A, Bradley R. Naturopathic Doctors: An Underutilized Resource of Whole Health Delivery in Primary Care. Global Advances in Health and Medicine. January 2022. doi:10.1177/2164957X221079787
- Garofalo L, Nakama C, Hanes D, Zwickey H. Whole-Person, Urobiome-Centric Therapy for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection. Antibiotics. 2022; 11(2):218. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11020218
- Garofalo L, Zwickey H, Bradley R, Hanes D. Naturopathic Management of Urinary Tract Infections: A Retrospective Chart Review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2021 Aug 23. doi: 10.1089/acm.2021.0163. PMID: 34424727.
- Garofalo L, Corn J, Sperandeo M. Pertussis Infection in a Naturopathic Primary Care Setting: Reflection on a Case. Permanente Journal. 2020;24:20.065. doi: 10.7812/TPP/20.065. PMID: 33202213.