Meet Our Team

Physiology is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms. Dr. David Pawsat is a physiologist at heart.

David E. Pawsat, D.O. In 1985, he received a Bachelors of Science degree in physiology from Michigan State University. After college, he performed pulmonary function and sleep testing for Sinai Hospital in Detroit, where he was an integral part in the development of Sinai’s first sleep center.

In order to understand more about the intricacies of physiology, Dr. Pawsat joined a research team at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he began research on neuropharmacologic and surgical treatments for Parkinson’s. It was not long before the itch to apply his experience, lead him to a career in medicine. While attending Michigan State University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine he continued his physiology research, which resulted in the publishing of award winning research on the effects of estrogen in the brain.

Dr. Pawsat’s rich premedical career in physiology had a profound effect on his view of medicine. He had always believed the body has an innate ability to heal, and if placed into an optimal physiologic state can heal itself.

Upon graduation from medical school, his propensity for cutting edge research along with a desire to treat all facets of medicine, lead him to a 12-year career in emergency medicine. During this time he became an integral part of the Michigan State University’s Emergency Medicine Residency, serving as a Site Director and Clinical Professor. Dr. Pawsat truly misses teaching residents and medical students the art of medicine, and hopes to bring his new passion in medicine to the medical community.

A View from the ER

As an Emergency Physician, Dr. Pawsat treated the young, the old, was part of giving life and helped many until their last breath. Through the portal of an emergency department, he was able to view medicine from the outside in. This vantage point allowed him the opportunity to observe the diverse styles of medicine practiced by both primary care physicians and specialists alike.

He was disheartened by a medical model that forces physicians to spend little time finding solutions to patients needs and more time using drugs to suppress symptoms. Most importantly, he experienced the successes of those physicians who carefully listened and respected the power of each patient’s individuality. It was these patients who tended to need fewer medications and who were more likely to survive an illness and/or be cured of a disease.

Physician Heal Thyself

As the 12 years of Emergency Medicine rolled on, so did Dr. Pawsat’s personal energy and luster for medicine. He became increasingly discouraged by the one drug fits all medical community, the increasing number of patients seen with chronic “incurable” conditions and a system designed to treat disease instead of prevent it.

What he did not realize, at the time, was his energy, progressing fatigue and 40-pound weight gain was also due to an undiagnosed thyroid condition. After initiating conventional medical therapy with minimal improvement, it became apparent, that health goes far beyond one pill a day. No hormonal therapy will cure all ills if the body itself is not in a state ready for repair and healing. In other words, hormonal replacement will be of limited benefit, and possibly harmful, if an individual has nutritional, gastrointestinal, immune system and overall physiologic imbalance.

After this realization, Dr. Pawsat began to study the fields of Alternative, Integrative and Anti-Aging Medicine. It quickly became apparent how far reaching the research and evidence had become that prevention and healing begins with a sound physiologic balance of nutrition and hormonal balance. He found a prevalent part of the medical community in Europe, Asia and even the west coast of the United States used scientifically sound methods for creating physiologically sound healing.

The Commitment

Upon leaving Emergency Medicine, Dr. Pawsat made three commitments. First and foremost, to heal himself. Second, formal training and intensive study in the fields of nutritional medicine and hormonal replacement therapies. Third, to make the first two commitments without distraction. In 2005 he took a year off medicine, developed a nutritional and thyroid hormone regimen for himself and began using many diverse healing methods.

The result of this regimen was a 40 pound weight loss, a huge improvement in energy and an incredible passion to give back what he had received. On a daily basis, he is mindful of how he eats, what he eats, when he exercises, works to improve his weakness and has fun with his strengths. He realizes that if he is to advise others, he himself must live by the advice.



During this time of healing Dr. Pawsat received formal training through the Fellowship of Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. A fellowship committed to the study of cutting edge bio-identical hormone, natural and integrative therapies. He is certified in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine by The American Academy of Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Pawsat is an active member of the Institute for Functional Medicine.

The Present

The Future

Accepting new patients: I am accepting new patients

• Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Physiology: 1986
• Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical Education: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine: 1992 Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Residency: Resident in Emergency Medicine: 1996 Botsford General Hospital, Farmington Hills, Michigan
• Fellowship: Anti-Aging & Functional Medicine Fellowship: 2007

In Practice Since: 1995

Associations:

• AOA - American Osteopathic Association - www.osteopathic.org
• A4M - American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine - www.worldhealth.net
• ACAM - American College for Advancement in Medicine
• IFM - The Institute for Functional Medicine - www.functionalmedicine.org
• ICIM - International College of Integrative Medicine - www.icimed.com
• ACOSPM - American College of Osteopathic Sclerotherpeutic Pain Management

Starting early in life Alicia Williams was interested in nutrition and fitness. With a passion for reading and a love for science, this lead to studying Nutrition and Biochemistry at the University of Michigan. Although Cardiology captured her interest and ultimate career, she had a growing concern on what to do with her patients; especially those with multiple chronic health challenges. After Dr. Dean Ornish’s research on reversing heart disease was published, she realized much more needed to be done to impact a patient’s health, not just adding medications and doing procedures.

To try to promote health, she participated as the medical director for the “Coronary Health Improvement Project” which was a 4 week- long community-based program led by Dr. Hans Diehl. This program was very unique and almost 8,000 participants from South West Michigan over a 2 year span learned invaluable health information on the impact of a healthy diet.

She was then involved as the Medical Director of the Borgess Health and Fitness center (which houses Cardiac Rehab, Neuro Rehab and Physical Therapy). While at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center, she was very pleased with helping to develop the first site in Michigan to offer EECP (External Enhanced Counterpulsation), which is a non-invasive treatment for severe angina (chest pain).

The Fitness center also expanded its programs to include Integrative Medicine. At this time, she was very fortunate to collaborate with Dr. Christina Minger and the Metabolic Clinic was started. This clinic offered patients an indivualized approach to applying health based practices to help alleviate chronic symptoms and improve risk for disease. The clinic was developed by Dr. Minger from the principles of Functional Medicine and offered individual and group appointments along with cooking classes. Over the last 17 years Williams has continued to expand her nutritional knowledge with the help of training with the Institute for Functional Medicine.

Over the last 24 years Williams has been honored to work with a very talented Cardiology group at the Heart Center for Excellence at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo as a non-invasive Cardiologist. One of her favorite technologies is Echocardiography (heart ultrasound). She has also enjoyed having students and residents on rotations to teach them about lifestyle, nutrition and sports medicine.

But it was in part from her own health challenges that she became even more focused on the importance of nutrition. With a diagnosis of severe gluten and dairy allergies, she intensified her education on the impact of foods and inflammation on body. With the current challenges in health care, she realized that TRUE health-care reform would require a radical shift in the approach to patient care. With chronic conditions, the focus needed to be on “Restoring Health”, not managing sickness.

Williams is passionate about expanding her clinical experience to include more advanced wellness as it applies to all chronic conditions, especially those that lead to heart disease. Her hope is to significantly reduce the burden of disease and improve the wellbeing of each patient.

Education:

• Undergraduate: University of Michigan, Nutrition/Biochemistry (B.S)
• Graduate: Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
• Internship and 3 years of Internal Medicine: Botsford Hospital, Farmington Hills
• 3 years of Non-Invasive Cardiology: Consortium program, Botsford Hospital and University of Michigan
• Board certified: Cardiology and Internal Medicine

Associations:

• AOA (American Osteopathic Association)
• ACOI (American College of Osteopathic Internists)
• ACC (American College of Cardiology)
• IFM (Institute of Functional Medicine)

Education:

• Undergraduate: Central Michigan University, Public Health Education and Health Promotion(B.S.)
• Undergraduate: Michigan State University, Nursing (B.S.)
• Graduate: University of Michigan Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (M.S.)

Certifications:

• Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
• ANCC Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Keela Yount’s passion for running and Pedorthic foot care started at a young age. As a student at Dewitt High School Keela ran both Track and Cross Country. Her success in both sports earned her a scholarship spot at Central Michigan University for Track and Field and Cross Country. Keela received a master’s in exercise physiology from the University of Arkansas where she also began her coaching career in track and field and cross country. Keela came back to Michigan and coached both track and field and cross country at Central Michigan, earning the honor of two time MAC cross country coach of the year and one time coach of the year for track. She now continues to use her love for running in her pedorthic clinic. Keela’s keen understanding of the mechanics of walking and running gives her the ability to give her patients customized and effective care.

The services she offers include:

• Custom orthotics
• Gait analysis
• Custom footwear
• Footwear sales