Alex Jonusas, board-certified physican assistant, recently joined the orthopedic team at Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Verde Valley Medical Clinic − Orthopedics.
Q: What is your care philosophy?
A: I believe first in having compassion for all beings; and I try to bring that into every interaction I have. I believe in a holistic approach to caring for patients and integrate appropriate lifestyle changes along with the best that allopathic medicine has to offer.
Q: What do you enjoy about being in the field of medicine?
A: Being able to help the people be their healthiest selves in mind and body and when they become sick − being able to relieve their pain.
Q: Tell us about your specialty. What drew you to it and what keeps you in it?
A: My specialties are cardiothoracic surgery; whole food nutrition; and over the course of the last year, I have trained and participated with the top orthopedic surgeons at the University of Miami Hospital.
Q: Does your scope of practice include holistic/integrative medicine? If so, please provide details.
A: Yes. Nutrition is key. Initiating lifestyle changes such as movement training – exercising protocols, sleep hygiene, nature and sunlight exposure, and meditation are all vital and often necessary to help achieve health and happiness.
Q: What do patients tell you they appreciate about you?
A: My communication skills and bedside manner.
Q: Why did you choose to relocate here?
A: I choose to relocate here for the wonderful access to nature and all its activities. Also, I wish to practice medicine in a more intimate setting with true community roots.