Dr. Xan Simonson

Dr. Xan Simonson, is an Arizona licensed Naturopathic Medical Physician in Tempe, AZ who takes a gentle and natural approach to your healthcare. Dr. Simonson founded the Xan Medical Clinic for Regenerative Medicine in 2018 where she utilizes the most cutting-edge regenerative techniques to help reduce pain, restore function, and heal the human body.

She is trained in a variety of medical and wellness therapies including Regenerative Joint Therapy (Biologic Allograft), Trigger Point Therapy, Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation, Sexual Rejuvenation, Acupuncture, and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. She has completed additional advanced training in Comprehensive Pain Management and works with her patients, both treating and preventing injuries and to reduce their recovery time. She holds certifications in Peptide Therapy, Ozone therapy, Harper Restoration System, Biologic Allograft Therapy, Prolozone, Prolotherapy, Trigger Point, Suisse Neural Therapy, Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation, O-Shot, P-Shot, BoCox, BoPriapus, Vampire Facial/Facelift and Tennant Biomodulator Device. She believes that the body is the biological foundation of health; it has the natural ability to heal itself if given what it needs in the least invasive and most natural way. She recently has been identified as Top Doc 2020 in Tempe, AZ.

She splits her time between her clinic and teaching other practitioners regenerative medicine. She is the Director of Medical Training and Advisement and Chief Medical Officer for BioJourney Solutions, LLC that provides regenerative health products to clinics. She recently has been identified as Top Doc 2020 in Tempe, AZ and featured in Shoutout Arizona Dec 2021 Issue. She has been awarded one of Top 20 Women of 2020 in the Arizona Woman’s Magazine, December 2007 Issue. She is the author of “Introduction to Biotechnology I & II Lab Manuals” published by Kendall Hunt. She serves as a member of the AzNMA Board of Directors and serves on their Education Committee and Governance Task Force.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, hiking and reading. Her motto she practices daily is “A Vision Shared is A Vision Achieved.”

Rikki Waddell

Dr. Rikki Waddell has dedicated 25 years of her life to the United States Air Force, serving as a medic. A testament to her resilience and commitment, she successfully raised two children as a single mother while pursuing her bachelor’s degree. In 2018, after a commendable military career, Dr. Waddell retired and embarked on a transformative journey into naturopathic medical school.

The decision to transition into naturopathic medicine was grounded in its core foundations and principles, aligning with Dr. Waddell’s philosophy of meeting patients where they are, identifying root causes, and treating the whole person. Graduating in 2023, she now finds herself immersed in a fulfilling internship at Dr. Xan’s Medical Clinic, relishing every moment of her new chapter.

Dr. Waddell’s military background has instilled in her a strong sense of duty and purpose. Choosing to serve her country immediately after high school, the military experience became a crucible where her mindset expanded, and she imbibed values of integrity, honor, and tenacity. These invaluable skill sets, forged in the crucible of military service, are now seamlessly integrated into her role at Dr. Xan’s Medical Clinic.

In her current position, Dr. Waddell continues to draw from her diverse experiences, offering patients not only medical expertise but a holistic approach that considers the entirety of their well-being. Her journey reflects a commitment to service, a passion for healing, and an unwavering dedication to the principles she holds dear. Dr. Rikki Waddell stands as a beacon of resilience, compassion, and service, embodying the ethos of both her military and medical journeys.

Dr. Johanne Gerstel

Growing up in diverse cultural settings aided the development of character a person needs in a career of healthcare and research. Dr. Gerstel was born in the Philippines but followed her family to grow and flourish in various cultural roots of Filipino, Singaporean, and American descent. This constant change in lifestyle helped to evolve her perseverance and versatility so that she could pursue a career in healthcare and research development.

She finally settled down in Arizona to obtain her two Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Psychology at Arizona State University (ASU) while performing research in the field of neuroscience. On her journey to becoming a doctor, she decided to take a detour and worked in the field of behavioral health as a case manager and health and wellness coach for people with serious mental illness. It was during this time that Dr. Gerstel witnessed the lack of alternative therapies for behavioral health patients that spurred her passion to pursue a career that could provide an all-inclusive toolbox for her patients’ journey to better health. She enrolled in Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and after four years of hard work became a licensed NMD or Naturopathic Medical Doctor. During this time, she also participated in botanical medicine research which she has continued to pursue in a Molecular and Cellular Biology Ph.D setting at ASU.

Dr. Gerstel is trained in a variety of medical and wellness therapies including naturopathic family practice, trigger point therapy, acupuncture, botanical medicine, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, holistic counseling, nature cure, and energetic modalities such as craniosacral therapy and reiki. She is passionate about wellness and believes the root of most conditions is connected to our management of stress and our hectic lifestyle. If we reduce stress to healthy levels, we can help the body to start healing itself naturally. It’s no surprise that Dr. Gerstel’s favorite supplement is adrenal support. She believes that if we are going to be healthy, we MUST assist the body’s response to stress and lead our system to a parasympathetic healing state.

In her spare time, Dr. Gerstel reads, writes fiction novels, crochets, hikes, enjoys nature, and spends time with her family and three fur babies: Jelly the Dog, Jams the Cat, and Kiwi the Lovebird.

Alan Gifford, EPc

Alan has a Master’s degree in Exercise & Wellness from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Taekwondo Black Belt.

For 12 years, Alan has helped patients recover from pain, correct muscle imbalances, and restore biomechanical function. His application of muscle movement has been applied to the full range of body types, from Olympic Athletes to 75 year old Retirees.

Collene Bender, LMT

Collene is a licensed massage therapist who specializes in Myofascial Release and restorative therapies. She is the owner of Nurture the Spirit in Tempe, AZ and has been a therapist for over 20 years. Myofascial Release is a safe, and very effective, hands-on manipulative treatment that attempts to release tension in the fascia due to trauma, surgical procedures, inflammatory responses and/or also postural disorders. Connective tissues called fascia surround the muscle, bones, nerves and organs of the body and do not show up on many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CT’s, etc.) Collene is also trained in therapeutic yoga techniques.

Renee Flynn

Renee has been with our company since 2019 and is one of the friendly voices many active and prospective clients hear when calling Xan Medical. Renee is a former CNA and may be seen helping collect patient vitals when not on the phone. Outside of the office she loves the beach, traveling, seeing new places, spending time with her family, flower designing and anything crafty. Renee says “ I love working at Xan Medical, it’s like a second family here and not just a job. I learn something new every day and have become so much more aware of my health and how to take care of my body in a natural way.“

Joe Garcia

MA & IV Technician

My name is Joe, I’ve been in the medical field for over 40 years. I’ve worked in many different fields and areas and each one holds a special place to me, my patients are like my family. From working as a paramedic, to hyperbaric treatments, wound care, to ambulatory flight, and even working in trauma surgery. I’ve done a little bit of everything and truly enjoyed it all. I feel that the medical field is where I am meant to be, and every position I have held has meant just as much to me as the one before, and those that have followed. I feel that every patient is on their own journey to better health and I’m grateful to be a small part of it on the way!

Chris Lawhorn

Medical Assistant

I’ve been a Medical Assistant/Nurses Assistant since 2011. I have been with Xan Medical for over a year, and I previously worked at an outpatient surgery center. My job is to assist the doctor, take patient vitals, help take care of the patients, as well as other skills. My passion is to provide the best care to our patients with dignity, comfort, and empathy.

Paulette Buhl

Paulette started off as a patient at Xan Medical and had amazing success following Dr Xan’s protocols. She was able to reverse her health issues and now feels better than ever. She is the grandmother of Renee and started with XMC in 2021 as her front desk assistant. She has been a huge help to the clinic. She is always chatting with customers, helping out wherever she is needed and baking lots of yummy gluten-free, sugar-free treats for the office. Outside of the office she loves baking, quilting/sewing, doing water aerobics, spending time with her family, traveling to Michigan in the summers and going to church.

Carina Pattichis

Hi everyone, my name is Carina. I graduated ASU with a bachelor’s in clinical exercise science and have been working as a personal trainer for 5 years now. I have a passion for helping people in life through movement. The best parts of my day are when I can help a client get out of pain or push them to do something they never thought they could do before. I love helping people push past their perceived limitations and become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves.