ABOUT ME

You should know this about me: if you see me around, chances are I’m dripping. I swim in the ocean almost every day. And if I’m not swimming, I’m looking for my Wheke (octopus) friends out on the reef. And if I’m not doing either of those things, I’m getting my sweat on doing workouts out in nature, preferably.

I’ll try almost anything once, as long as it steers clear of violence or harm. I love routine (okay, my body loves routine—-I’ve learned to love it), but within that, I am most myself if I also have new and surprising experiences. That translates into better care for you, as I’m always on the lookout for innovative ways to meet health-related concerns.

Although I had 13 years' practice as a busy Family Medicine doc in the States, I've slowed down the past 3 years and am able to take more time with people now. My main area of focus is Women's Health, and along the way (out of both passion and necessity) I've developed expertise in and natural ways to manage:

perimenopause
fertility
digestive issues
bad periods
pelvic floor dysfunction
post-birth control pill symptoms
thyroid and adrenal health
postnatal mood disorders
PMS/PMDD
chronic vaginal infections
hormonal skin issues
somaticised stress

If you don't see yourself on this list, but want to ask questions before scheduling, set up a 15-min consult for free. I have seen lots of different health conditions in my career and am happy to help you sort out what may be going on or get you linked to the right person in your community.

West Virginia, the Appalachian Mountains, on the ancestral land of the Adena people, and more recently, Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware (Lenape) and Mingo tribes.
State Highway 35! Made it the whole way around this time. What a taonga.
Gotta go with Sunrise on this one. Can’t beat watching the sun come up through the crashing waves here in Tairāwhiti.
I’d love to say fiction, but I leave the library with 98% non-fiction every year because I am the most giant nerd.
We have some amazing glamping options around here, but I love to rough it. A 5-star accomodation for me = being able to see 5 stars before dusk because the sky is so clear.
It was the panda (for obvious reasons), then the dolphin, followed by the honey badger. The most fave ever is the octopus. I have befriended many of them and they are the most intelligent, curious, funny beings. Also, crows, but they don’t live here so we’ll go with octopus.
In no particular order: beach trash art, knitting science into patterns, learning rongoā, trail running, open water swimming, field science, learning how to make excellent Mexican food, weather trends, astronomical events, maramataka, growing food, foraging herbs, roller skating, re-wilding and re-indigenising my ways. My family!
I have a husband, Mike, who works in District Nursing and is kickass at his job and also very hilarious, tells it like it is and is loyal beyond measure.
I have a daughter, Iris, who goes to high school, has several jobs, and is an amazing listener and friend. She also has a wicked sense of humour and I think she’s gorgeous in and out.
I have a son, Harry, who’s at Intermediate and loves chickens, gaming with his friends, mowing the lawn meticulously and pranking me every chance he gets. He has the longest running game of “would you rather” going, even though I’ve told him the things he makes me choose from make me feel woozy sometimes.
1996-2000 Bachelor of Science in Biology and Comparative Anatomy
2000-2006 Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, with 2-year OB/GYN + Paediatrics placement
2006-2020 Primary care physician in Portland, Oregon, USA
2020-2024 Private Practice Women’s Health and Wellbeing, Community Educator
2022-2024 Wellness Consultant and contractor Cancer Society NZ, Gisborne District Council, HEAR4U Trust

The professional stuff that got me here

1996-2000 Bachelor of Science, Biology + Pre-medical studies, James Madison University in Harrisonburg Virginia, USA.
2000-2006 Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, National University of Natural Medicine in Portland Oregon, USA
2003-2004 Certificate in Doula Training, DONA International
2003-2006 Certificate in Natural Childbirth and Midwifery, National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, USA
1998-2000 Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Docent and Curator
1997-2000 James Madison University, Researcher, Junior Taxonomist and Teaching Assistant Anatomy and Physiology
2000-2006 Outside In Clinic, Medical Assistant, Dispensary Manager, Tattoo Removal Assistant
2007-2008 Zen Space Healing Center, Staff Physician
2007-2009 University of Western States, Obstetrics and Gynaecology adjunct professor
2008-2020 Sellwood Family Medicine, Family Doctor and Midwife
2016-2022 Trail Sisters® | Women's Trail Running Community, Contributing Writer
2020-present Functional Again Medicine, Women’s Health Practitioner
2021-present Amanda Roe, ND Whole Health, Classes and consulting for both local and international clients and organisations.
American Association of Naturopathic Midwives Conference speaker
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, National conference speaker
Women’s Health Series, Speaker and Panelist, Portland Oregon Trail Running Community
NZ Cancer Society, Wellness educator
Gisborne District Counsel Wellbeing Consultant

I’d love to help you find your new path. See how you can work with me to discover how to learn your body’s language.

WORK WITH ME

TESTIMONIALS

BODY LITERACY: "Amanda is as enthusiastic as she is experienced. Her warmth, sensitivity and flexibillity have meant I always feel truly met and cared for. She is a fiend for knowledge, which has rewarded her with a wide range of expertise - and if she doesn’t know the thing you need, she will find out. My relationship to, and sense of leadership over, my wellness has grown so much since working with her and I am so, so grateful. I can’t recommend her enough."

WOMEN'S HEALTH: "I have considerably more visibility into how my female body works and how to understand and manage the changes that come with perimenopause."

MENTAL HEALTH: “Both my mental and physical health have improved generally- specifically my depression has improved and my physical activity: injury prevention and recovery”.

INTEGRITY: "I got to know Amanda outside the doctor's office. Her knowledge, ethics and philosophy aligned with what I'd always wanted for my wellbeing. She’s far and away the best practitioner I’ve ever worked with.”

THE WHOLE FAMDAM: "Our family is doing fantastic. Amanda has helped us through a few health snags in the last few years, but in general we love how she steers us towards practices and approaches that help us thrive, not merely survive."