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When all other options have been exhausted, patients seek help from Dr. Kevin Merigian at The Center for Medicinal Arts.

Known as The Center for Wellness Arts until last year, the center changed names for a reason, explained Merigian.

"When we opened, we initially viewed treatment on a preventive basis," he said. "Patients, however, show up to regain health; they don't show up for prevention."

A toxicologist with more than two decades of highly specialized experience, Merigian has a rare philosophy of health and treating patients. In addition to holding a long list of certifications, publishing credits, awards, and university appointments, Merigian is active in the community in a variety of pursuits. He coaches youth football and has served as the medical director for the Memphis Fire Department and the Tennessee Task Force I. He helped with rescue and recovery efforts at the Pentagon after 9/11; he also has an intense interest in art. The walls of the center are covered with Merigian's own artworks, which he shows and sells around town.

Merigian's philosophy is a hybrid, relying on his specialized training in toxicology but not limiting treatments to pharmaceuticals. If anything, his beliefs bridge the long-standing gap that exists between traditional medicine and alternative treatments. Instead of excluding or condemning one approach or another, he believes in exploring best options, especially when treating patients with chronic conditions.

"Medicinals are used all over the world and include herbals and homeopathics," he explained. "However, you can't actually remove yourself from the good stuff that has come out of the pharmaceuticals."

Merigian recognizes that his thinking deviates from many physicians. "I think you use all things available to you and use what works best," he noted.

For example, Merigian says that green-lipped mussels from New Zealand have been shown to improve arthritis primarily because of their beneficial oils.

Merigian believes that the United States healthcare system has succeeded in providing top-notch treatment for acute trauma situations but has failed to help patients with chronic conditions.

"Best acute care in the world. Phenomenal. But for chronically ill patients, applying an acute care model doesn't work," he said. "That's where I differ philosophically."

His therapeutic practices include, among others, homeopathic remedies for chronic illnesses, hormone replacement therapy, and nutritional and supplemental advice.

New patients may be surprised at how different the process is at the center. Unlike many intake processes, the initial visit is extremely thorough and information gathered extends well beyond just questions about physical health. A patient first fills out an eight page questionnaire and then Merigian spends at least an hour with the new patient.

"We talk about everything including symptoms, history, habits, social history, work, hobbies, education and even the spiritual," Merigian said.

Merigian plans to add questions about learning style because he is also interested in understanding how patients learn. "The first step is to understand your disease and I need to know the best way to communicate with a patient," he said. "Some comprehend visually, some by reading, some by hearing information."

Patients pay out-of-pocket when visiting the center, but Merigian noted the center does take care of Medicare patients, as well.

Since opening in 2001, The Center for Medicinal Arts has increased its population of patients by 20 percent each year. Merigian sees people of all ages, from newborn babies to 95-year-old patients. He reports working with more families who are managing children on psychotropic drugs.

Like a traditional office, the center is equipped with diagnostic equipment such as X-ray and CT scan. Separate rooms are set up for vision and hearing tests. Additionally, the center offers computerized regulation thermography, an FDA-approved tool used for screening neoplasms, breast cancers, and various inflammatory conditions.

Merigian, however, even views the use of diagnostic tools perhaps differently than many physicians. "We encourage patients to bring all their medical records," he said. "A standard practice may do one or 10 tests, often repeating tests. It's not cost-effective to repeat tests and repeating tests doesn't help patients financially."

Merigian will even go as far as talking to his patients about faith and spirituality. "People are shocked when I ask them about their belief in God," he said. "The reason is that we all have social agendas and how they perceive their life affects health."

Merigian illustrated his comment with the example of two parents, both of whom homeschooled their children and were interested in taking them off psychotropic medicine.

"One was agnostic and was focused on the scientific reasons; the other believed in God and heard that the Bible disagreed with having children on medicines," he said. "We need to understand the reasons, motivations, and the ramification of decisions."

Merigian notes that an endorsement of one treatment or another should be less of a debate given today's healthcare climate. "Sixty-five to 70 percent of drugs, even vitamins like Centrum, are owned by pharmaceuticals," he pointed out. "One company may own all different types of drugs, including herbal drugs."

He also believes that the type of education a physician receives is equally important. "I don't think most docs were taught how to go back and forth," he said. "I hope one day we'll see medical schools that offer both a medical degree and a natural or homeopathic degree."

Merigian believes part of the problem is that doctors may focus on treating single disease entities when multiple disease processes are present.

Merigian said that he has always held this unique treatment view and is only interested in one thing: treating patients.

March 2007

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