We continue our "Meet the Herbalist" series with a look at the inspirational work of Dr. Eva Zasloff. She is pioneering a whole new model of home based health care for newborns and mothers in the 4th trimester. Dr. Eva is the mother of three boys and works throughout the greater Boston area.
Can you tell us a little bit about how your work began?
I am a family doctor. About two years ago I created a new kind of medical practice -- to rethink how we are caring for mothers and babies during the fourth trimester. As a mother of 3 and as a doctor trained in pediatrics and women’s health, I have had many experiences showing me that there should be a better way to support new families during this incredibly intense and essential life moment. So I created a home based medical model that provides care for both the newborn and the mother in an integrated way.
What challenges did you face when you first started your practice?
Overcoming fear mostly-- taking that first leap of trying something new is hard. Also, I wanted to create a model of care that was accessible to everyone and to be in network with insurance plans. I was stubborn about figuring out how to make that work. With time, determination, and an amazing operations manager, Davin Eurich, we have been able to create an accessible and sustainable model.
If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on this path, what would you say?
Hang tight because there will be lots of twists and turns! It is sometimes hard to know if you have picked the right path. Looking back, I am amazed that some of my least inspired and hardest moments have since grown into some of my best ideas and directions.
I am a family doctor. About two years ago I created a new kind of medical practice -- to rethink how we are caring for mothers and babies during the fourth trimester. As a mother of 3 and as a doctor trained in pediatrics and women’s health, I have had many experiences showing me that there should be a better way to support new families during this incredibly intense and essential life moment. So I created a home based medical model that provides care for both the newborn and the mother in an integrated way.
What challenges did you face when you first started your practice?
Overcoming fear mostly-- taking that first leap of trying something new is hard. Also, I wanted to create a model of care that was accessible to everyone and to be in network with insurance plans. I was stubborn about figuring out how to make that work. With time, determination, and an amazing operations manager, Davin Eurich, we have been able to create an accessible and sustainable model.
If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on this path, what would you say?
Hang tight because there will be lots of twists and turns! It is sometimes hard to know if you have picked the right path. Looking back, I am amazed that some of my least inspired and hardest moments have since grown into some of my best ideas and directions.
Can you share a favorite go-to herbal book of yours?
Healthy at Home by Tieroana Low Dog MD is a great book filled with recipes for natural home remedies and useful evidence-based information on herbal treatments for common household issues.
Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing?
I studied visual arts at Barnard as an undergraduate. Art has always been a true and intense form of expression for me. When I am able to capture the right creative moment (which is sometimes fleeting and transient!), it can take me to a deep place of meditation and honesty.
Given your background as a health care provider where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years?
As a physician, it is always exciting to find out about new studies being done to establish evidence based data on herbal treatments. I hope that in the future, as the research expands, we can more easily incorporate herbs into the standard western medicine treatments.
Healthy at Home by Tieroana Low Dog MD is a great book filled with recipes for natural home remedies and useful evidence-based information on herbal treatments for common household issues.
Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing?
I studied visual arts at Barnard as an undergraduate. Art has always been a true and intense form of expression for me. When I am able to capture the right creative moment (which is sometimes fleeting and transient!), it can take me to a deep place of meditation and honesty.
Given your background as a health care provider where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years?
As a physician, it is always exciting to find out about new studies being done to establish evidence based data on herbal treatments. I hope that in the future, as the research expands, we can more easily incorporate herbs into the standard western medicine treatments.
You can learn more about Dr. Zasloff's work and practice at her website: www.tovahealth.com. Her Herbstalk class, A Natural Approach to the 4th Trimester, will be offered on Saturday, June 3rd. See the full class schedule here!
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