My name is Charlene Julien. I am a trained and experienced Family Nurse Practitioner who completed the AASLD NP/PA Fellowship in Hepatology during my time delivering comprehensive care to my patients in the Gastroenterology/Hepatology/Center for Digestive Disorders of a large academic center. My passion for the intersection of mental and metabolic/gut health began here.

This experience has shaped me as a clinician as well as being a wife, mother, and as a caretaker for a loved one which at times took a toll largely from being let down by the medical system with it's oftentimes varying approaches of being hands off or applying a hammer to a delicate and nuanced issues. The hard reality of the medical system’s limitations was on full display and illustrated to me the sheer (and sometimes seemingly random) luck we have as patients in getting “the right person” to advocate and fight with us for our well-being

This experience, coupled with my nursing background, sharpened my skills in effectively advocating for patients in an overwhelming health care system.

I chose to study Family Medicine as I wanted to have a generalized understanding of health with an emphasis of physical health with a plan to later delve into psychiatry. I am happy with my decision.  Integrative health is the approach that I’m most familiar with since my childhood.  There were always treatments from plants, herbs, fruits, etc... that were incorporated into my everyday life whether I was ill or healthy and my parents would always say in their mother tongue after I’ve seen a physician for care “pa bliye pou pran remed ou!” (“Don’t forget to take your medicine!’), which showed the honor they held for both Western and Caribbean traditions. That was my normal and now my children’s normal, especially since I incorporate my traditions and those of my husband’s who is from Gujarat, India.