Whole Person. Whole Picture.

May 4, 2026

105

Story by Ann E. Butenas

Celebrating 50 years of integrative medicine, the Riordan Clinic continues to ask deeper questions and help co-learners find more complete answers.

When the Riordan Clinic opened its doors in Wichita in 1975, its approach was anything but conventional. Nutritional lab testing, intravenous vitamin C, root-cause diagnostics, and lifestyle medicine weren’t part of mainstream care at the time. But the clinic’s founders believed that understanding the whole person, not just the diagnosis, was the only way to truly support health.

Fifty years later, that belief hasn’t changed, and the science has continued to catch up. Now serving both Wichita and Overland Park, the Riordan Clinic has grown into an internationally recognized leader in integrative medicine, offering research-backed care that works alongside conventional medicine to address what may be driving illness at its root. As the clinic marks this milestone anniversary, it remains guided by the same mission it started with: empowering patients, “co-learners,” to become informed, active participants in their own health journey.

At the heart of that mission in Overland Park is Stacy Dunn, ND, LAc, FABNO, FABORM, a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist with dual board certification in integrative oncology and integrative fertility. Dr. Dunn joined the Overland Park clinic in 2023, relocating her family from Oregon to return to a region she knows well. A KU alumna with roots in Oklahoma, she said the move felt like coming home in more ways than one.
“I was drawn to Riordan’s rich history, its strong focus on research, and its commitment to patient-centered care,” Dr. Dunn expressed. “I was also excited for the opportunity to be closer to my family and care for a community that feels like home.”
Her breadth of training allows her to approach each co-learner through what she describes as a broad lens, one that recognizes connections that might otherwise be missed.

“I’m able to integrate multiple perspectives into their care rather than focusing on a single diagnosis,” she emphasized.

That whole-person philosophy is especially evident in her work within integrative oncology; a specialty she pursued because of the profound opportunity it offers to support people through some of the most challenging seasons of their lives. Her FABNO board certification reflects advanced training in naturopathic oncology and signals a commitment to evidence-informed, collaborative care. For co-learners, it means having a provider trained to safely integrate supportive therapies alongside standard treatments.

“Supporting patients through one of the most challenging times in their lives is meaningful and rewarding,” Dr. Dunn reflected. “I value using the Riordan Approach to improve quality of life, reduce treatment side-effects, and support long-term health.

The Riordan Clinic’s care model is built on advanced nutritional lab testing, a comprehensive medical evaluation, and a customized integrative plan. It’s an approach designed to complement, not replace, conventional care. Dr. Dunn is direct about the importance of that distinction, particularly for those navigating a cancer diagnosis who may feel overwhelmed by the volume of information (and misinformation) available online.

“I want people to know they don’t have to navigate cancer care alone. There is a great deal of misinformation online, and not all ‘natural’ therapies are safe or effective for an individual’s medical history or compatible with their conventional treatment. The Riordan Approach is highly individualized, taking into account each co-learner’s history, lab results, specific diagnosis and pathology, and treatment plan, so that care is both safe and tailored to their unique needs.”

One area where Dr. Dunn finds co-learners frequently underprepared is the emotional aspect of a cancer diagnosis. While conversations around nutrition and supplements are important, she emphasized that the psychosocial side of cancer is often the most overwhelming and the least discussed.

“Many patients are surprised to learn that their emotional health can significantly influence their physical well-being,” she said. “This makes it an essential part of the support we provide.”

Dr. Dunn’s educational reach extends beyond the clinic walls. She has written and presented on topics ranging from sugar and cancer to supplement safety and was recently featured on the Riordan Clinic’s Real Health Podcast to discuss a subject she feels has been unfairly characterized in recent media coverage: melatonin.

“Many co-learners think of melatonin only as a sleep aid, but it has far more wide-ranging effects,” she said. “There are melatonin receptors throughout the body, and it plays important roles in regulating physiology, including acting as a powerful antioxidant and supporting cellular health.”

Her goal, she explained, is to help broaden understanding of melatonin beyond sleep and highlight its potential relevance in integrative oncology care.
The Real Health Podcast is one expression of the clinic’s three-part nonprofit mission of research, provider and patient education, and integrative care, all of which work in concert to ensure that the knowledge generated within Riordan’s walls reaches as many people as possible.
When asked what sustains her in this work, Dr. Dunn didn’t hesitate. “The moments that stand out most are when a co-learner feels a renewed sense of hope or empowerment,” she said. “Those experiences are a powerful reminder that medicine is not just about treatment; it’s about connection, compassion, and care.”

It’s a sentiment that feels entirely at home at the Riordan Clinic. After a half century of asking harder questions, developing deeper answers, and walking alongside co-learners when other options had run out, the clinic continues to do what it has always done: see the whole person, follow the science, and look ahead.