Plastic Surgeon Daniel Ronel, M.D.

Aromatherapy has used plant and flower essences for millennia to affect mind, body, and spirit - in the Whole Being Plan, aromatherapy is used primarily to establish a positive mental attitude and to minimize anxiety before surgery. These have been shown to lead to better outcomes.

Kris Wrede has been practicing aromatherapy and perfumery for over 20 years in Chicago, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. She has developed aromatic product lines and custom fragrances for clients such as W Magazine, Jones New York, Mirage Hotel Las Vegas, Epicuren Discovery, Treasure Island Hotel Las Vegas, La Posada Resort and Spa, Sanjevani Health & Lifestyle Center, and Urban Oasis & With Child Spas in Chicago.

Kris was certified in aromatherapy and teacher training from the Michael Scholes School of Aromatic Studies, and she received advanced training in the chemistry of essential oils and aromatherapy from Purdue University's International Training Program in Essential Oils. Further training was with the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy and training in natural perfumery and aromatherapy from Master Perfumer Kathryn Degraff. She has published widely and is a frequent guest on news and entertainment television programs, including nationally on PBS.

The American Cancer Society suggests that aromatherapy may be a beneficial complementary therapy for cancer patients - including those with mesothelioma, a form of cancer. When used in harmony with mainstream cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, aromatherapy can not only relax a patient who is feeling stressed or overwhelmed, but can lessen pain, nausea and other side effects of treatment. For more mesothelioma information, and additional content on complementary therapies like Reiki, meditation and aromatherapy for cancer patients, please visit Mesothelioma.com

For those undergoing breast surgery, The White Cloud Institute is conducting a long-term study on the effects of a specific massage technique. Well Breast Massage gently increases the circulation of fluids, like blood and lymph, within breast tissue.

For those undergoing other surgeries, Medical Qigong and Chi Nei Tsang techniqes are used.

Caryn Boyd Diel is the founder of White Cloud Institute. She incorporates into her work a lifetime of study in the areas of counseling, bodywork and hands on healing. Caryn has a Masters degree in Education and Counseling from the University of California. She graduated from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in New York, studied Medical Qigong at the Xi Yuan Hospital in Bejing, China and at the International Institute of Medical Qigong with Sifu J.A. Johnson. She is a Full Instructor with the Universal Healing Tao and has studied with Master Mantak Chia in Thailand. Optional additional sessions after surgery are available by calling the White Cloud Institute, which offers a large menu of energy healing practices: the number is 505-471-9330.

Homeopathy is the fastest growing non-traditional form of medicine in the world -- it is individualized, safe, effective, gentle, non-toxic, non-invasive, non-allergenic, and non-addictive. There are two treatment regimens for surgery: one regimen begins before surgery and targets the physical and "energetic" traumas, and the other is a detoxification from anesthesia regimen that targets the kidneys, liver, and lymphatic system.

The regimens are overseen by Debra Sherry, who obtained her DHHP, DynBC degrees in a comprehensive four-year program at Hahnemann College for Heilkunst in Ottawa, Canada. The College teaches a modern, progressive form of homeopathy geared towards the complex and confused health problems of today's society. She is additionally available for private consultations by calling 505-982-5685.

Dr. Emily Franklin provides pre- and post-surgery treatments for Dr. Ronel's patients in Santa Fe, providing relaxation, speeding recovery, and improving their overall well-being.


Dr. Emily is licensed as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine by the New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and is nationally certified by the NCCAOM* as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine. She received her Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) from the Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Dr. Emily has been treating patients as a holistic health care practitioner since 1996, and her love of people infuses her work as a healer. Her style is gentle and nurturing, spirited and dynamic. Integrating knowledge and intuition, she works closely with each patient to help them move towards optimum health.

Patients undergoing facelift, eyelid tuck, and body contouring procedures (ie abdominoplasty, liposuction) are treated before surgery with therapies such as microdermabrasion, ultrasound, steaming, and oxygen treatments to hydrate and prime the skin's wound healing system. After surgery, additional treatments may include enzyme masks, light treatment, a complete body wrap with nourishing, exfoliating skin products in a heated immersion bed, and massage with serums customized to skin type and healing progress.

The treatments are overseen by Marian Urban of the Sterling Institute. Marian is one of the leading aestheticians in the Southwest, and was instrumental in the development of the specialty in New Mexico. She organized the licensing and credentialing of aestheticians in the state, and trained many of those currently in practice. Marian is the founder and director of The Sterling Institute, which over the past 20 years has developed an international reputation for medical skin care. She is the founder and director of The Medical Spa Professional Alliance, a consortium of aestheticians and physicians. Marian teaches an annual advanced skin care course to aestheticians in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Spain. Optional sessions after surgery are available by calling the Sterling Institute, which is a full-service medical spa: the number is 505-984-3223.

Scott Thomas has been a therapist in Santa Fe for over 20 years. His childhood education was of indigenous knowledge taught by his grandparents and other elders and healers on the Cheyenne River Reservation. His degrees are from the University of New Mexico, the New Mexico Theological Seminary, and New Mexico Highlands University, where he has also taught psychotherapy. He has been the Executive Director for a child sexual abuse treatment center, the Clinical Director of a treatment program for teens, and he has developed clinical community resource programs. He has presented at conferences on the topics of cross cultural work with Native Americans, substance abuse and brain development, and the effects of trauma on identity development. He blends a Western psychological practice with the traditional Native beliefs from his upbringing, and helps people live their lives in harmony, joy, and effectiveness.

Karen Sands, LPCC, LMSW
Karen Sands has been a psychotherapist in private practice in Santa Fe for 20 years. Her practice encompasses a wide range of individual and family issues, and she is an advocate for those who wish to explore their behaviors, choices, and personal presentations. She is on the faculty of Southwestern College where she teaches Ethics and Advanced Counseling, and she has led Ethics and Counseling workshops throughout the region for the past 10 years. She serves on the Continuing Education and Ethics committees for the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado and her M.A. in Psychology and Social Work from Antioch University.