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Dr. Erica Peirson’s passion for working with children with special needs began early in life. As a young girl, she was especially close to her cousin Courtney, who was developmentally delayed. While others often overlooked Courtney, Dr. Peirson felt drawn to her kind, joyful nature and chose to spend time with her whenever they were together.
When they were both ten years old, Courtney was roller skating outside her home when a neighborhood boy began throwing crab apples at her simply because she was different. She fell, broke her leg, and Dr. Peirson was left shocked and heartbroken. She remembers feeling angry and helpless, asking the adults if the boy would be held accountable. That moment left a lasting impression and strengthened her resolve to one day advocate for children like Courtney, children who are too often misunderstood or mistreated by the world around them.
As a young adult, Dr. Peirson earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Portland State University. During this time and throughout medical school, she worked for 14 years at Shriners Hospital for Children. Her hands-on experience at Shriners deepened her understanding of complex pediatric conditions and confirmed her commitment to helping children with special needs reach their full potential.
Before her college years, Dr. Peirson also worked as an EMT in an Emergency Room in Clearwater, Florida, gaining early exposure to conventional medicine and acute care settings. This experience fostered a strong respect for conventional approaches while also highlighting the need for more comprehensive, integrative solutions for chronic and developmental conditions.
Dr. Peirson went on to earn her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Naturopathic Medicine (NUNM) in 2005. The rigorous NUNM curriculum parallels that of conventional medical schools, with additional training in nutrition, botanical medicine, supplements, and natural therapies. She is a licensed primary care physician in the state of Idaho.
After completing medical school, Dr. Peirson taught Cell Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at Portland Community College. She found great joy in helping students discover the intricate workings of the human body, a passion that continues in her patient care today.
In 2007, Dr. Peirson gave birth to her son, Miles. Four days later, after a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, he was diagnosed with Mosaic Down syndrome. The lack of practical guidance she received from specialists at the time launched her on a deep personal and professional journey. Since then, she has dedicated her life to understanding Down syndrome from every angle, through genetics, epigenetics, the microbiome, neurological development, endocrine function, and individualized nutritional and biochemical support, and to sharing that knowledge with other families.
Today, Dr. Peirson empowers parents and caregivers with the tools and information they need to help their children thrive. Her practice blends the best of conventional medicine with the depth of naturopathic insight, always grounded in compassion and a personal commitment to the children she serves.
When they were both ten years old, Courtney was roller skating outside her home when a neighborhood boy began throwing crab apples at her simply because she was different. She fell, broke her leg, and Dr. Peirson was left shocked and heartbroken. She remembers feeling angry and helpless, asking the adults if the boy would be held accountable. That moment left a lasting impression and strengthened her resolve to one day advocate for children like Courtney, children who are too often misunderstood or mistreated by the world around them.
As a young adult, Dr. Peirson earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Portland State University. During this time and throughout medical school, she worked for 14 years at Shriners Hospital for Children. Her hands-on experience at Shriners deepened her understanding of complex pediatric conditions and confirmed her commitment to helping children with special needs reach their full potential.
Before her college years, Dr. Peirson also worked as an EMT in an Emergency Room in Clearwater, Florida, gaining early exposure to conventional medicine and acute care settings. This experience fostered a strong respect for conventional approaches while also highlighting the need for more comprehensive, integrative solutions for chronic and developmental conditions.
Dr. Peirson went on to earn her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Naturopathic Medicine (NUNM) in 2005. The rigorous NUNM curriculum parallels that of conventional medical schools, with additional training in nutrition, botanical medicine, supplements, and natural therapies. She is a licensed primary care physician in the state of Idaho.
After completing medical school, Dr. Peirson taught Cell Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at Portland Community College. She found great joy in helping students discover the intricate workings of the human body, a passion that continues in her patient care today.
In 2007, Dr. Peirson gave birth to her son, Miles. Four days later, after a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, he was diagnosed with Mosaic Down syndrome. The lack of practical guidance she received from specialists at the time launched her on a deep personal and professional journey. Since then, she has dedicated her life to understanding Down syndrome from every angle, through genetics, epigenetics, the microbiome, neurological development, endocrine function, and individualized nutritional and biochemical support, and to sharing that knowledge with other families.
Today, Dr. Peirson empowers parents and caregivers with the tools and information they need to help their children thrive. Her practice blends the best of conventional medicine with the depth of naturopathic insight, always grounded in compassion and a personal commitment to the children she serves.