MEET OUR NURSE PRACTITIONER
I am a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 27 years of experience within the conventional medical system. Throughout my career, I have been a dedicated advocate for patients—initially within hospital settings and now extending that commitment to patients in outpatient and community care.
My strong educational foundation has been instrumental in my transition to Functional Medicine. I graduated with honors from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was honored as the first nurse recipient of UCLA’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award in 2005—an award presented to a single graduate student across all UCLA graduate schools. [Read more here.]
Gut microbiome testing is a particular passion of mine. For over a decade, I have championed the mantra “respect the microbes” across all facets of my clinical work. The gut microbiome is a powerful, personalized tool that, when used effectively, can profoundly influence and improve patient health outcomes. [Read what our patients are saying.]
What do people say about me? I am known for being passionate and fiercely protective of my patients. As a staunch advocate, I am willing to challenge systemic barriers to ensure my patients receive the care they deserve.
Education is my second passion. I dedicate myself to teaching and creating educational content for both patients and healthcare colleagues, locally and internationally. I firmly believe that empowering patients with knowledge and practical tools is essential for optimal health outcomes. I am committed to bridging the gap between Conventional and Functional Medicine, recognizing the unique value each brings to comprehensive patient care.
I am also adjunct faculty at Gut Health Education, where I teach courses on the gut-cardiometabolic connection. You can learn more about this role and the program here: Gut Health Education, The Gut Cardiometabolic Connection.
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INSTITUTE OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
July 2020 -Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice
October 2022-Hormone Advanced Practice Module
November 2022-Environmental Module.
November 2023-Gastrointestinal Advanced Practice ModuleSCHOOL OF APPLIED FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE.
August 2021-Advanced Practice Module.UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA. June 2005.
Master of Science in Nursing: Dual Program: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult) Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult + Pediatric).
Honora: “Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year Award,” 2005
UCLA SON Poster Presentation,1st Place, June 8, 2005
Recipient of Merit Scholarship: Florence C. Anderson Scholarship, April 2005 Recipient of Merit Scholarship: Adrienne H. Moseley Scholarship, December 2004 Recipient of Adrienne H. Moseley Scholarship, July 2004
Recipient of Florence C. Anderson Scholarship, March 2004UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA
June 2003
Public Health NurseUNIVERSITY OF CALFORNIA LOS ANGELES, WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA
December 2003
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Honors: Recipient of the Adrienne H. Moseley Scholarship, UCLA, March 2002-December 2003LOS ANGELES PIERCE COLLEGE, WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA
June 2000
Associate Degree in NursingSIMI VALLEY ADULT SCHOOL, SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
October 1997
Licensed Vocational Nurse Program.
Commissioner of Women’s Concerns,
Class President, Clinical Excellence Award -
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS:
April 2025: AACN SFV Conference
“the Adult Microbiome and Beyond”August 2024: Synapse Care Solutions hosted Webinar for the SBNQCC.
"Newborn Microbiome"April 2023: AACN Conference
“Protecting the Newborn Microbiome = Developing the Adult Microbiome”April 2023: ANN Spring Conference
“Oral Immune Therapy”October 2022: IM4US Conference
“I can’t afford that. The Paradigm of Functional Medicine Testing”2021: TMMC
ROP, Part 1, 2, 3 SERIESApril 2021: UCLA SON
Functional Medicine for the Nurse PractitionerMarch 2021: UCLA SON ACNP
Functional Medicine: the OS for Integrative MedicineMay 2020: UCLA SON, MSN FNP
Functional Medicine for the Nurse PractitionerJanuary 2018: TMMC
Necrotizing EnterocolitisSeptember 2016: Providence EBP Symposium
Protecting the smallest patients from NCLABSI
September 2014: Providence EBP Symposium
CLABSI Prevention in NeonatesAugust 2014: PLCOM-T
Hypoxic Ischemic EncephalopathyJune 2014 PLCOM-T
AWOHNN Cardiovascular CurriculumJanuary 2014: PLCOM-T
CLABSI Prevention in NeonatesMay 2012 Providence Evidence Based Practice Symposium
Oral Care with Colostrum in NeonatesJuly 2011: PLCOM-T
Acute Coronary SyndromeSeptember 2010, 2012: PLCOM-T
Simulation for Advancement of EducationNovember 2010 Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune, India
Neonatal XRAY Interpretation Basic Care of the Newborn Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Resuscitation of the Newborn Care Of Neonates On The VentilatorJuly 2010: UCLA School of Nursing MECN
Basic Overview of DysrhythmiasMay 2010: PLCOM-T
Developmental Care in the NeonateAugust 2009: PLCOM-T
High Frequency VentilationMarch 2006: CANP Conference
Non-Invasive Stress TestingAugust 2005: UCLA Med Center, NICU
Neonatal XRAY InterpretationAugust 2004 UCLA Med Center, NICU
Neonatal XRAY InterpretationAugust 2003: 2nd Neonatal Conference, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital
Administration of Blood Products
June 2002: 1st Annual Neonatal Nursing Conference, Deenanath Mangeshkar
-Basic Care of the Newborn
-MAS
-Resuscitation of the Newborn
-Care of Neonate on the VentCOMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS:
June 2025:the Functional Medicine NP, hosted by Integrative Therapeutics (CANP Southbay Dinner event)
June 2024:Holistic Gut Microbiome
Lazy Acres Wellness WorkshopAugust 2024: Holistic Blood Sugar
Lazy Acres Wellness Workshop -
Publications:
PEER REVIEWED:Wadhwani, R. & Williams, A., “Protect the Microbiome.”
Neonatal Network November 2023Wadhwani, R. & Chavez, C., “Emergency Evacuation for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”
2020 American Association of Neonatal Nurses ConferenceWadhwani, R. “nCLABSI Prevention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”
2017 National Association of Neonatal Nurses ConferencePurdy, I. & Wadhwani, R. “Embracing Bioethics in Neonatal Intensive Care Part II: Case Histories in Neonatal Bioethics.” Neonatal Network. 25:1 2006. Embracing Bioethics in Neonatal Intensive Care, Part II: Case Histories in Neonatal Ethics
Publication Available HereNON PEER REVIEWED
Wadhwani, R. “Journey to India: Saving the lives of young ones.” UCLA Today. 24:5. 2003.
Awards:
October 2018, Nursing Appreciation Award, Department of Pediatrics, Torrance Memorial Medical Center
August 2011: Nursing Excellence Finalist, Community Service, Nurse Week
May 2011: Recipient of the Humanitarian Award, PLCOMT
June 2005: UCLA Recipient of the “Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year Award”
June 2005, UCLA SON Poster Presentation, 1st Place
1997, SVAS, Commissioner of Women’s Concerns
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Terms of Working with our NP
Our Nurse Practitioner functions under Standardized Procedures with a Collaborative Physician, who functions in the supervisory role.
We recommend that you continue your relationship with you primary medical team & welcome collaboration with them, for your best health.