Alumna Spotlight: Analia Camarasa

Posted on December 7, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

Analia Camarasa, MS-HNFM, IFMCP, CNS, UWS teaching staff, UWS alumni mentor

Why did you choose the field/profession of human nutrition and functional medicine?

My brilliant father used to say, “no one can take away your education.” He understood the true meaning of this having only completed 6th grade. With that in mind, I chose the field of human nutrition and functional medicine out of need, having more health questions than answers for my daughter and myself. I had been suffering with crippling fatigue and gastrointestinal issues since college that conventional medicine could not fix. At a young age, my daughter suddenly developed unexplained large motor tics. It propelled me to seek higher-level education in pursuit of bettering the state of our health. Within two years, I had graduated and was able to take my health to greater heights with the knowledge gained during this very rigorous program. I felt I had a new lease in life.

Briefly share your experience in advocating for state licensure in North Carolina.

During my time at UWS, I took two elective courses through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). These advanced practice modules introduced me to that wonderful educational organization. After graduating from UWS, I was hired to be teaching staff of the master’s program while I continued taking the advanced practice modules from IFM for three years. This experience complemented the education I had gained at UWS very well. In addition, after graduation, I sat for and passed the BCNS exam to become a Certified NutritionSpecialist (CNS). All the while, I was working on the 1,000 supervised practice experience hours required to gain the tile of CNS.

What does it mean to you to become the first licensed nutritionist in your state?

With the support of the North Carolina (NC) Board of Dietetics/Nutrition (the licensing board for dietitians and nutritionists in NC), the North Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Nutrition Advocacy Group (now known as the American Nutrition Association) I advocated for about four years to change the NC Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act. In 2018, after many discussions, meetings and drafting, a new pathway to license nutritionists in the state of North Carolina was enacted. When the opportunity to become a member of the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition dietetics presented itself, I leapt at the chance to help more qualified nutritionists to become licensed in our state. As a result of my education at UWS with a master’s degree in nutrition plus having completed 1,000 hours of supervise clinical practice experience, I was honored to become the first licensed nutritionist (LN) in the state of North Carolina.

How have you evolved and adapted in your own practice or work during this intense time (pandemic, social upheaval, economic uncertainty)?

The good news is that all of my studying inspired my husband to grow his knowledge of nutrition and functional medicine as well. Aside from being an IFM certified practitioner, he is also a board-certified emergency medicine physician. This means that we when it came to the pandemic, we saw the writing on the wall and begun quarantine before it was required in our state. This lead us to start seeing patients virtually early on, at first over the phone. Soon, we began our first telehealth visits and our patients quickly adjusted to the new normal.

How did your work with UWS help you to become an IFM certified practitioner?

During my education at UWS, I took an elective class in Herbal Medicine. Inspired by the depth of knowledge of HNFM’s professor and western herbalist Jason Hawrelak (ND, PhD), I was accepted into a two-year herbal studies program with Registered Herbalist David Winston. Since graduating from UWS, I have taken many continued education courses and attended many conferences to deepen my knowledge of herbs as it relates to nutrition. Class starts in the fall of 2020 and I eagerly look forward to be once again a devoted student with the goal of becoming a registered herbalist.

I am so grateful I followed my dreams to earn a master’s degree, to become a CNS, a North Carolina licensed nutritionist, and an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP). Continuously learning and helping one patient at a time gives me immense joy. I am forever grateful to have heeded my father’s advice and have started in this journey with University of Western States’ Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program. It has opened my life to new opportunities, to be of service and touch the lives to the people in my community.

Connecting with Dr. Lester Partna

Posted on December 3, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

Dr. Lester Partna has been a staple in the University of Western States (UWS) chiropractic sciences department since 1989 and embodies what it means to Take the Lead both in his professional and personal life. Learn more about the renaissance man, (DJ) Dr. Partna.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of chiropractic?

I was a teenager when I was first exposed to chiropractic. My mom was helped significantly by a chiropractor when other methods of treating her low back pain had been unsuccessful. As I learned more about chiropractic, it was the concept of conservative health care, along with the dramatic results that I witnessed in my mom that fueled my journey toward this exceptional profession. By the time I graduated from high school, my career goals were clear.

What drives your passion for chiropractic education here at UWS?

I chose to attend Western States because of its reputation as a science-based chiropractic institution, and because they advocated and taught a broad-scope, patient-centered chiropractic model. Those are still the characteristics of the institution which I find to be the most compelling and which represent the most positive way forward for the profession.

What is a favorite memory you have from your time working at UWS?

The daily experience of being in the classroom with eager future chiropractic physicians is energizing and fulfilling in a way that, after 26 years, has created a rich mental scrapbook of great memories. I also think of the many extracurricular UWS events that have been so enjoyable: golf tournaments, barbecues, commencement ceremonies, and so many others. As I reflect on my years at UWS, I believe that my true satisfaction ultimately revolves around the relationships that have been developed with so many students and graduates over so many years. Of particular delight, in recent years, is to be able to teach the children of some of my former students.

What is one main pearl of wisdom you hope your students take away from your instruction?

Keep learning, while maintaining a sense of intellectual humility. As Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu said, “To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.” Strive to be knowledgeable—not to be a know-it-all.

Along with being the famous DJ Partna, please provide some other pastimes and passions you are involved in.

I have been told that I am a man of many interests and I suppose that’s true. Variety has always appealed to me. That’s probably why I like buffets.

I have been a musician from my earliest years, starting on the trumpet, adding the piano, guitar, bass, and drums along the way. I sang in a barbershop quartet while attending Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC). My wife is an accomplished musician and we performed as a duo for many years at wedding receptions and corporate events. For a period of time a few years ago, we even had the opportunity to write and perform music for television commercials. A few years ago, I took up the bagpipes with the encouragement of one of our UWS graduates.

I like to play golf, hike, collect and polish rocks from Oregon beaches, fly my hang glider, and make wooden bowls from locally available wood on my lathe. Though not as skillfully in recent years, I can ride a unicycle and juggle.

This is getting too long. I should stop now.

Why do you believe it’s important for health care providers to have other interests outside of work?

The story is told of nine-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright, who walked with his uncle on a winter day across a snow-covered field. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow’s flight, and then young Frank’s tracks meandering all over the field.

“Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again,” his uncle said. “And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that.” Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this experience had greatly contributed to his outlook on life. “I determined right then,” he’d say with a twinkle in his eye, “not to miss most things in life, as my uncle had.”

For fun – What item is on your bucket list that you cannot wait to cross off?

I want to play golf with my wife at The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. It’s been on my bucket list for many years, so I don’t think it would be accurate to say that I can’t wait to cross it off. I’ve already been waiting a long time.

University of Western States Core Values

Posted on November 25, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

In fall 2019, University of Western States (UWS) launched an initiative to better define its core values as a forward-thinking health science university. Core values are fundamental concepts that support the UWS mission and goals, shape the campus culture and exemplify the university’s brand and identity. In short, the formal exploration of core values helps the campus answer the questions, “Why do we do what we do at UWS?” and “What values do we want to personify to create an exceptional workplace and educational environment?”

Guided by the university motto, “for the good of the patient,” the initiative focused on engaging faculty and staff in identifying core values that make UWS a unique place to work and learn. A task force was convened to formulate the key core values of the university based on input from employee focus group sessions led by Executive Vice President Rosalia Messina, EdD, MPA, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dana Sims, PhD.

“The core values will assist us promoting cohesion on our new campus by guiding us on how we want to treat each other, our students, our patients and our community,” Dr. Messina stated.

The university’s new core values will:

Guide the recruitment, selection and evaluation of employees.
Integrate into strategic and operational planning processes.
Inform institutional decisions and the creation of institutional goals and objectives.
Be promoted internally and externally to help differentiate UWS from other colleges and universities.

Connecting with a Graduate Studies Student Abroad

Posted on November 19, 2020November 20, 2020 by Dana Schatz

Jessica (Nomi) Levy, NBC-HWC, RYT

UWS Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine (HNFM) Student in Jerusalem, Israel

Social media handle: @nomiknowshealth

How has the HNFM program helped deepen your knowledge and pursuit toward incorporating functional medicine into your life and future career?

I regularly say to my husband – I absolutely love my program! I am learning things that help me on a day-to-day basis make healthier decisions for myself and my family. I am able to be a more valuable resource for my coaching clients and the IFM affiliated doctor that I work with. I see this degree as a stepping stone to so many goals that I have – continuing my education even further, writing a book and getting my CNS certification.

How have you adapted your coaching business and working with clients during this time?

At the beginning of the pandemic I, along with the rest of the world, switched over to Zoom sessions. I was a little nervous because I felt like we would lose some of the “magic” connection that happens in a session. However, I was surprised that for some of my clients it made things easier. It eliminated the trip into my office and let them schedule their session over their lunch break or another convenient time. Instead of me sticking to my office days, like I normally would, my hours opened up. I could see clients while my kids had their evening tutoring sessions or early in the morning while they were sleeping in. As we have now transitioned to being back at my office, I am back to regular hours, but I still offer all of my clients the choice of connecting virtually or in-person. About one-third have chosen to stay on Zoom.

With the normal happenings of each day being interrupted by the pandemic, how have you kept yourself focused in life, motherhood, work and schoolwork?

The pandemic made life a lot more intense in some ways and relaxed in others. The first week of shut down for Israel coincided with winter 2020 finals week. I was writing papers and studying and my kids were just in the house, trying to entertain themselves. I adjusted by waking up early, doing a few hours of work while the kids slept in a bit, and then spent the day with the kids, catching a time here or there for work, and playing tag team with my husband so we could manage it all. I can say that I felt grateful for school, because it kept me focused on something other than checking the news or googling “Corona symptoms for dogs.”

What are some things your family has adopted into their routine that has served you well?

One thing my kids will probably say that has served us well is our new TV! We have never owned a television and have limited, (once a week for two hours) screen access, for my kids. Once corona hit we ordered a television and in the evenings, we would have TV time together. We watched cooking shows, sports and some oldie family movies. My kids got into parkour from watching one show – not the best sport to try while in lockdown! We enjoyed that time to slow down together at the end of the day and just laugh. We are back to our usual limited screen time, but we do enjoy just squishing on the couch together every once in awhile and watching a movie.

What nutrition, wellness and self-care advice could you offer your fellow UWS classmates?

Wherever you are in life, whether in the single and learning stage, juggling with family and work /school stage, or anywhere in between, have a sacred routine. My sacred routine involves getting up each morning before my kids, enjoying a coffee with my husband, and then going for a run. I did this during corona even when the lockdown meant we weren’t allowed to be out of a 100-meter radius from our house. I ran a lot of circles around the block! A sacred routine sets the theme for the whole day. I can’t imagine just waking up and jumping into my day. Entering each day having had a little “me time” means that I am more mentally available for all the different roles and activities in my life.

UWS Library Earns High Accolade With Online Computer Library Center

Posted on November 18, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

The Online Computer Library Center, formally known as OCLC, ranked the University of Western States Library 14th out of 7,500 libraries in their 2019 Annual Report as having the quickest interlibrary loan (ILL) turn-around time with an incredible 83% fulfillment. This statistic from a major library service provider refers to loan requests that the UWS library staff are fulfilling for other libraries. It also reflects flexible service hours (include evenings and weekends), the workflow that we have been able to establish with the library staff and their schedules, and the contribution that UWS is making to the larger scholarly community.

“The interlibrary loan team in the UWS library is amazingly efficient and resourceful in their work,” said Rian Debner, university librarian. “The team is focused on the needs of our students and our borrowers: their top priority is getting resources into the user’s hands as quickly as possible. Not only do they fulfill many requests a week – often in the hundreds – for the UWS community, but they also leverage the library’s own collection to meet user information needs across the country.

Dr. Daniel DeLapp Retires from UWS Clinic System

Posted on November 13, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

Dr. Daniel DeLapp, chiropractic physician, licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic physician announced his retirement from the University of Western States clinic system. Dr. DeLapp served as an attending physician in the UWS clinic system for more than 30 years.

“It has been a tremendous opportunity and privilege to work with interns and patients over the years,” said Dr. DeLapp. “The wonderful support from my fellow faculty, staff and administration has made this job a very fulfilling career. I will miss you all.”

“Dr. DeLapp is a skilled and compassionate health care provider incorporating multiple disciplines into his practice,” said Dr. Stanley Ewald, UWS associate dean clinical internship.“He is also a caring, talented educator. Opting out of private practice, he embraced education and has been training future doctors for decades. When you think about it, that’s exactly the type of person you want teaching you. We will miss him.”