Meet Dr. Fischer (my story)

My original career was as a research biologist, studying immunology and antiviral agents. My “second career” began by starting medical school at age 28. I’ve spent over 30 years as a practicing family physician in multiple, diverse roles. I’ve also taught and pursued graduate training in legal and medical bioethics. What a privilege it has been, accompanying families through joyful life transitions and health challenges, from childbirths to the sacred moment of final breaths, entrusted with the life stories of these diverse human narratives!

However, over the years, I found the ability to honor time with patients increasingly strained and suffocated. Medical visit lengths become shorter and shorter; regulations become more odious. I wanted to find a better way to truly listen, reflect and help heal.

So, in 2015, I decided to train in Integrative Medicine and holistic Health Coaching at the University of Minnesota and Duke University: pursuing further education in updated philosophies of trauma-informed therapy and mind-body techniques, and as an Integrative Health Coach under wise and exceptional mentors. However, the twists and turns of life and the pandemic era kept me juggling dual roles as coach and physician, wearing my stethoscope and scrubs until my retirement in 2025.

Looking back, I see my own path as a constant dance between intellect, the creative spirit, and the heart! I honor that dance for my clients as well.

Creativity and intellectual stimulation fuels my energies; I’ve volunteered, taught, dabbled in photography, ceramics, figure drawing and painting, taught myself several languages (with variable fluency!), trained obedience trial dogs, and failed to train multiple cats (despite my best efforts.) I’m also passionate about live theater, orchestral, folk, and jazz music, opera and art museums, and am an avid reader. Despite some recent health challenges, I enjoy fitness activities such as yoga, swimming, weight training and biking. I volunteer in various capacities to support my community, and am particularly passionate about supporting marginalized populations during this challenging era.

In my personal life, I raised (and launched!) five amazing children and am now facing the luxuries and challenges of an empty nest. I moved from Minneapolis, my home city since the 1990s, to Durham, North Carolina, in 2021, and now am enjoying all the natural and cultural beauty that this state has to offer.