Separate waiting rooms for sick kids and well kids are separated by a large fish tank. Dr. Thomas' practice is now accepting new patients.

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Integrative Pediatrics
by Virginia Bruce

Dr. Paul Thomas really loves kids! Not only does he see them six days a week in his practice, he and his wife have raised nine children—three biological and the rest adopted.

And it was because he has such a great regard for children that he has expanded his practice of medicine to embrace methods and concepts that rub some in the medical establishment the wrong way.

“Integrative Medicine” is a term that generally means a practice that embraces more than just traditional medical treatment. This can include referrals to “alternative” practices such as Naturopathic and Chiropractic, combined with an emphasis on prevention and nutrition. It is becoming increasingly popular as people are discovering that less invasive, more preventive treatments are effective and in many cases, more affordable. Dr. Thomas says, “I’m constantly learning and excited to bring you an integrative medicine approach blending the best of holistic, complementary, and alternative approaches with traditional medicine.”

Medical Assistant Ginny Leonnig painted this sea mural that young patients love to pass on their way to the exam room.

Integrative Pediatrics is a full-service pediatric clinic, with a state-of-the-art lab and the expertise to take care of all but the most severe of pediatric emergencies. Dr. Thomas explains that, “The extra is that we give care with an eye for natural healing, partnering with the parents to give children the best of care and minimize the risks that sometimes may be associated with modern medicine.”

Dr. Thomas and his staff spend about one-third of a typical day doing “well-child” checkups. They provide “anticipatory guidance,” helping parents understand the challenges of each stage of development. They talk with parents about growth and development, diet and nutrition, vaccines, exercise, and offer advice to keep their young patients safe.

About two-thirds of patient visits are for sick children. Most of the time, he sees kids with “normal” illnesses—respiratory or tummy troubles, injuries and so forth. When there are good alternatives to traditional medical approaches, he presents both options to parents. His goal is to educate so that people can make informed decisions.

About a tenth of the patients he sees have chronic neurological diseases, including autism and ADD. While working at a large pediatric clinic, Dr. Thomas became acutely aware of the dramatic rise in the incidence of autism. Autism now affects one in every 100 children by the age of five in Oregon. He says, “This rise is real. In the 1970’s it was one or two in 10,000.”

The exam room has a fascinating view of the Cedar Mill Wetland and beyond that helps put young patients at ease.

Dr. Thomas began to realize that the “epidemic” of autism and other behavioral disorders was a huge challenge to traditional medicine because there were no cures. He says, “I found it unacceptable that we had to tell parents that there was nothing we could do. We would see children who were developing normally, and then over the course of three to four months, they would lose language and eye contact and seem to go into a world of their own. They would begin to display behaviors such as ‘stimming’—the repetitive movements or mannerisms that are so baffling to parents and caregivers.”

He says, “My interest in autism started when the parents of my patients were struggling to find answers. About ten years ago I began my quest to understand the why! We are still not sure but it seems clear that we all have differing genetic vulnerabilities. There is not however a “genetic epidemic” of autism and other neurological diseases. Clearly there must be a change in the environment for our children today. I believe it is the interaction between numerous toxins and our impaired ability to detox adequately that ultimately leads to the chronic neurological disorders we are seeing today.”

Dr Thomas feels that in genetically vulnerable individuals, toxins (heavy metals like mercury and aluminum, lead and arsenic), pesticides and plastics along with too many vaccines in the very young (possibly triggering an immune issue or perhaps simply the toxic load of all the vaccines) are among the factors that trigger autism.

For this reason, Dr. Thomas offers a modified immunization schedule when appropriate. He says, “There are vaccines that are so important that not to do them would seem very risky indeed. There are choices in some cases as to the brand of a given vaccine that you can give. For instance, some of the DTaP vaccine’s have more aluminum than others. The timing of vaccines and the number given may have something to do with the safety of the current recommendations.”

For example, the AMA recommends that all newborns be immunized against Hepatitis B, and that it be repeated at 1-2 months. But Dr. Thomas notes that, “Each time this is given you are injecting 250 micrograms of aluminum (the adult daily maximum is 50). Now if mom has Hep B or may have it—then the vaccine is important as it can prevent the transmission of Hep B to the baby. If mom however has been tested and does not have Hep B, the risk to that baby is zero. One catches Hep B from infected sexual partners and IV drug use—much like HIV. So for the mom with no risk factor it truly is not that logical to give that newborn such a high dose of aluminum.”

He also notes that a lot of the food we get now is lacking in essential nutrients. Over-processing is only part of the problem. Industrially-produced food, grown in soil that is depleted of nutrients and then supplemented with only the fertilizers that are necessary to produce large crops, results in food that is lacking vital nutritional elements.

He recommends organically grown food to all his patients, along with filtered water and elimination of the use of plastic in food storage and preparation—especially in the microwave. The office also offers a wide variety of supplements. For patients with complex dietary issues, he refers to Naturopathic doctors and dieticians who can offer even more help with nutrition.

He has found that many children with autism, ADD, and other behavioral issues have severe food sensitivities. Many children improve and even “outgrow” their symptoms when placed on gluten (most grains) and casein (dairy) limited diets. “Tummy troubles” are common in autistic children, and diet modifications, while difficult, may offer rapid relief and long-lasting improvements. Blood tests are available to pinpoint food allergies.

In addition to his regular pediatric practice, he also offers a detox clinic for young people with addictions. His “Fair Start” program treats patients up to age 30 with an integrated approach that includes counseling, diet and supplements along with drug therapy using Suboxone (buprenorphine). This “agonist/antagonist” helps addicts with the pain of withdrawal and also makes drug use less satisfying.

He notes that up to four percent of twelfth graders are using narcotics. They often start with stolen pharmaceuticals but end up using heroin. Children with untreated ADD and other behavior disorders tend to “self-medicate” with illicit drugs to relieve their “baseline irritability.” Once addicted, most people need help to quit, but they must be ready and ask for help, he says. More information about the clinic is at fairstartonline.com.

Dr. Thomas was born in Oregon, and moved with his missionary parents to Zimbabwe when he was four years old. He grew up there, living in a small village until he was seven, and later attended a boarding school in Swaziland for high school. He learned the Shona language, and his parents adopted an orphaned sibling group.

He and his wife had two adopted children and three biological children, when, he says, “at five we thought we were done but there was a different plan for us. My African sister Tsitsi from Zimbabwe, who was by then living in the US, suddenly died and left four children ages 11-19. At the news I turned to my wife and said, ‘I feel we need to go.’ I knew we were the only ones in the family that could keep the kids together—that’s how we ended up with nine!” Since moving to Oregon they lived in Aloha for seven years and have lived in the West Slope area since then.

After finishing medical school, he worked in a VA hospital where he saw many people suffering from “lifestyle” diseases caused by smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, and poor diet. He began to see the futility of a medical system that was focused on diagnosis and treatment without addressing the causes of sickness.

He moved to Oregon in 1988, where he started the Pediatric After-hours Clinic (now Pediatric ER) at Emanuel Children’s Hospital and also taught medical students and residents from 1988-1993.

He was a full-time pediatrician at Westside Pediatrics from 1993 until last summer, when he opened Integrative Pediatrics.

The staff includes Dr. Carol Squyers, who recently retired to Portland to be with her granddaughter as much as possible. She sees patients on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons while Dr. Thomas handles administrative issues, and she also covers the office when he is away.

Three Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP’s)—Wendy Ware, Cathy Lien and Mallory Braun—see most well-child appointments and provide extensive expertise in that area. Dr. Thomas follows them and sees every patient that comes to Integrative Pediatrics. This model gives every patient ample time with a provider and also ensures that on each visit you get to see Dr Thomas.

Nurses Becky Graff, Jillisa Chen, and Julie Graham and Medical Assistants Stephanie Osborne, and Ginny Leonnig help with patient care and lab work. Office Manager Joann Springer and Billing Manager Kristy Madore make sure that scheduling and insurance billing is handled smoothly and patients’ concerns are taken care of, along with receptionists Kristen DeLashmutt and Dr. Thomas’ daughter Aja Crocker. Lef Hylton handles Information Technology and Medical Records. Two of Dr. Thomas’ sons, Taremeredzwa Mutepfa and Noah Thomas also work in Reception and medical records, and Tare also helps as a nurse’s assistant.

Integrative Pediatrics is ahead of the curve with an excellent, informative website (integrativepediatricsonline.com), online new-patient forms, and assessment forms for neurological disorders. The clinic will be introducing a secure email system this summer. Dr. Thomas says, “Patients will be able to access parts of their health record on line securely—like immunization records, medications, problem lists, and allergies. This will help patients team with us to make sure that we are all on the same page. Patients will be able to communicate with us by email and of course the phone will still be an option. There may also be the option of doing some follow-up visits on line.”

The clinic accepts all major insurance coverage (listed on the website), and also has a fee reduction for payment in full when requested for those paying cash.

The clinic is located on the ground floor of the Barnes Professional Center, at 11790 SW Barnes Road, Bldg. A, Suite 140. It is open Monday-Friday 8:30-5, and Saturday 10-noon for sick children only. Contact the office at 503-643-2100 and visit their website at integrativepediatricsonline.com. Prospective new patients can get more information by emailing new@integrativepediatricsonline.com

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