Education:

Ricardo holds a Masters of Science in Health Sciences degree in Integrative Medicine from the George Washington University School of Medicine.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Kansas State University, complete with a rigorous dietetic internship at Emory University Hospital with a focus in MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) .  He received his education in Naturopathy at the Trinity School of Natural Health in Indiana, a small trade school that offers a diverse curriculum in the field of natural health education with membership in the AADP, the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.  Prior to these interests in healthcare, he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Universidad Tecnologica Vicente Perez Rosales in Santiago, Chile.  He currently serves as Adjunct Instructor at George Washington University in their Clinical Research and Leadership Department, and belongs to the professional practice group DIFM, Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine.

In 2018, Ricardo founded Blue Hills Natural Health, LLC, recognizing there was an increasing need to create a practice grounded in the principles of Integrative Medicine and centered on “whole family holistic health and nutrition."

In my own words, my story, in essence, is like that of many of my clients when they first come to see me.

They are at a crisis point, often times with some chronic, nagging or even debilitating health issue that has made them wonder where the unfettered health and energy of their youth went. Perhaps the only option their physician is offering is medication that merely manages their symptoms, or surgery or other invasive procedures. It has them thinking and hoping that “There has got to be a better way!”

They come to me because they are not satisfied with the answers they’ve gotten so far, and they may wish for a different path – one that makes more sense and gives them hope to return to more vibrant health, better sleep, more energy, more mental sharpness.

They ultimately want to rediscover and enjoy again the things in life that mean the most to them.

When I embarked upon the study of naturopathy and nutrition, I reconnected with the passions from my youth for studying biology and voraciously seeking answers about how the world worked. I also reconnected to the healthy “simpler” lifestyle that was available to me in my youth (fresh healthy food, community support, low stress, and regular exercise). Much of this experience from my childhood makes up my nutrition and healing philosophy to this day.

Most importantly, I discovered what I had been missing in my experience as an adult – helping others. I wanted to help others achieve the health and vitality that is everyone’s to own if so chosen.

Prior to embarking on this path, I had returned to the United States from studying abroad in my home country of Chile.  Having just graduated with an engineering degree, I found myself struggling with a change of heart towards my studied profession. 

Through a fortuitous recommendation from a friend, I went to work in a local health food market during this transition and was introduced to a whole new culture of living. I saw people taking a serious interest in their diet – so much so that it was a core part of their identity. I had many conversations with people who implicitly shared a core belief that the body can heal itself.  This was my first formal introduction to naturopathy (you can read more about the principles of naturopathy I apply in my practice here).

To me, this was revolutionary as I had never paid much attention to diet and health. Perhaps this was from having enjoyed good health growing up, with parents and grandparents who always cooked fresh foods in traditional ways.

With this newfound interest, I suddenly knew without a doubt this would become my life’s work.  Unsure of where exactly to start, I found a distance-based program in traditional naturopathy in the early days of the Internet. 

Even though I did not know how to professionally pursue my interests in this field at the time, regardless, as I immersed myself in this new learning experience, I found I was excited to get up in the morning, excited for the next adventure that the truths about healthy living were going to bring me, excited about the investment I was making in myself to pursue this greater purpose in life.

To this day, this is what fuels my passion – to educate others and share the tools to help them restore optimal health and be able to take charge of their long-term health.

Growing up, I have heartfelt memories of the beautiful landscape and temperate climate of the seaside town in Chile where I was born, and where my grandparents also lived and had raised my parents.

I remember so vividly the deep connection of a community of extended family and interesting family friends who regularly stopped by to share a lively meal together full of spirited conversation.

My stomach was filled with the freshest of the fresh: natural pastured meats, patés, cheeses, fresh butter, eggs and milk from my grandfather’s farm (which he sold in a storefront charcuterie in downtown Vina Del Mar), the best bread in the world (made fresh daily), an array of fresh vegetables and medicinal herbs from the family garden, and a seemingly endless supply of native fruits from the family groves – mandarins, cherimoyas, apricots, avocados, lemons, oranges, berries…

The country itself was going through great political turmoil, but my world there as a young boy felt set apart from that, surrounded by the beauty of nature, an abundance of natural foods, and a lively community that promoted a joyful and healthy lifestyle.

Then our lifestyle took an about face. My father, who was a doctor, moved his medical practice (and our immediate family) to the United States. Not only were we missing the support and connection of our extended family and community, our diets went from farm fresh to having no space for a garden, began including processed and boxed foods from the grocery store, margarine instead of butter (thanks to the then-current studies touting the supposed health benefits), and we now also had access to fast food.