Holistic Primary Care and Integrative Medicine
Banyan Integrative Health
The ancient Banyan tree is one of the most venerated trees in existence. For centuries, it has served as a sacred place for communities to gather for healing purposes. Historically, every part of the tree has been used for various medicinal purposes. It is a symbol of longevity in Indian and Indonesian cultures. At Banyan Integrative Health, we strive to be a trusted space for health and healing for our patients and their families. Like the tree, we hope to nurture and support your well-being and partner with you in exceeding your health goals.
Leila Ali-Akbarian MD, MPH, ABFM
Leila Ali-Akbarian (Dr. Ali) graduated from the University of Arizona (U of A) Family Medicine Residency program in 2009 after receiving her medical degree (MD) and Masters of Public Health (MPH) at the U of A. She worked as an attending physician and faculty member in the Family Medicine department following her training, actively participating in patient care, research, and education. She is a graduate of the Arizona Fellowship in Integrative Medicine and was the director of the Family Medicine Integrative Medicine Residential Fellowship program from 2013 - 2019. She continues as a faculty member and teacher with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) in Tucson, AZ.
Dr. Ali served as the medical director of the Supportive Care Clinic at the University of Arizona Cancer Center from 2013 – 2019 and has given many community and academic lectures in the field of integrative oncology and cancer survivorship.
Dr. Ali is committed to providing the highest quality primary care for people of all ages with any health conditions, aiming to ally with her patients to use the least amount of medication necessary to optimize wellness and increase longevity. She is board certified in Family Medicine and is committed to staying on the cutting edge of integrative medicine and fostering resilience. When she is not working, Dr. Ali enjoys frolicking with her children, cooking with her husband, or spending time in nature.
Jessie Pettit MD, IBCLC
Dr. Jessie Pettit graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completed her residency at the University of Arizona Family Medicine Residency Program, and has been licensed and board-certified in Family Medicine since 2009. Dr. Pettit is a graduate of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Fellowship and became an international board-certified lactation consultant in 2013. As former faculty and residency program director at the University of Arizona Family Medicine Residency program, Dr. Pettit brought her training in integrative medicine and expertise in breastfeeding medicine to her education of family medicine residents and medical students. For over a decade Dr. Pettit served as the Medical Director of the Tucson Family Advocacy Program, a medical-legal partnership that addressed legal issues affecting health.
Dr. Pettit embraces opportunities to care for individuals and families as a partner in their healthcare journeys. While her interests and experiences are broad, Dr. Pettit enjoys caring for women along the spectrum of life, especially through times of transition during adolescence, the peripartum period, through menopause, and the trials of life in between.
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