The team at Village Practice in Woonona has always thought outside the box- which is what makes GP Marie Paek the perfect addition.
New to the area, Marie couldn’t be happier after making the move from Sydney.
Serendipity has found her working a couple of days a week at the innovative Woonona practice, bringing her unique style of health care to the Northern Illawarra.
“I work as an integrative medicine doctor ,” says Marie. “I am trained to see the whole person and to recognise the web of interactions within the body, and between the body and mind. I integrate traditional western medical practices with complementary medicine creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet and exercise.
Marie says she spends a lot of time getting to the root of the illness. “ This is done by getting to know the complex web of how genes, physiology and lifestyle factors can lead to chronic illness in that person,” she says.
“Then, through the latest in laboratory testing, I can draw on a wide array of modalities including prescription drugs, botanical herbs, supplements, therapeutic diets, detox programs and stress management techniques.”
Marie is a highly qualified western medicine trained doctor but also has studied an Arts degree majoring in sociology and philosophy, where early on, she was introduced to the importance of connection to one-self and community. She then went on to formally train as a psychotherapist in a body-oriented, mindfulness based psychotherapy to help her patients navigate their internal world of emotions and behaviours.”
She uses this broad background to compliment her role as a GP, as she deals with the trickiest of health issues.
“I look at what leads people into their health condition, so I can give them more tools in their box to deal with the problem.”
“I don’t like to accept the status quo, so if there’s a long-standing problem I will investigate every avenue to find a therapy that will be beneficial.”
Marie is working at Woonona a couple of days a week as she transitions her family to local life. “We love living in the Northern Illawarra,” she says. “My little boys love the bike path at Bulli and of course, we all love spending time together at the beach. We knew it was beautiful, but we didn’t realise how much the slower pace of Illawarra life would benefit our family, PLUS, we can hear the birds. We couldn’t do that when we lived in Sydney!”
Marie says she has noticed the impact of the coronavirus on her community and her patients. “Covid 19 and the subsequent restrictions have brought up the big existential questions of life- Death, loss, grief and isolation all at once. This is indeed a black swan event that will have a massive psychological and social cost to the fabric of our community and how we organise and relate. Crucially, this is the time to reach out and show up for one another”
Marie is taking bookings at Village Practice on Mondays and Thursdays and also welcomes in- person consultations.
Additionally, there are the options of video and phone consultations to accommodate patient’s needs during COVID-19. You can make an appointment by calling Village Practice on 4258 4242 or www.villagepractice.com.au
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