Dr. Torrey Smith graduated with a degree in naturopathic medicine from National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, Oregon in 1992. He has been practicing in Alaska ever since, at Fireweed Health Care, Natural Health Center, and, now, at Avante Medical Center. Before attending naturopathic medical school in 1988, Dr Smith pursued degrees in Ecological Agriculture with minors in nutrition and art, during which time he also managed a natural food store. He also produced, grew, and sold wholesale carrot and wheatgrass juice, in addition to running some concerts on the west coast for Windham Hill Records.

Dr. Smith lives in Anchorage with his loving wife Leesha, six pure hearted children, and 2 sparky grandbabies.

He is an accomplished musician having played the guitar for more than 30 years. His band, the Mighty Truffle Hunters, has recently threatened to come out of retirement.

Dr. Smith loves utilizing the naturopathic tools to care for the whole person. This includes using nutrients, western herbs and Chinese medicine, body biochemistry, and the latest in scientific medical studies. He enjoys research and is always learning and studying.

Dr. Smith lectures yearly to Providence Family Practice Residency Clinic and University of Alaska Physicians Assistant program in addition to numerous community organizations.

He travels several times a year to get additional training at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians convention and the Northwest Naturopathic Convention. In addition he studies natural and medical journals every day to integrate the latest information to better serve those who need him.

He explored naturopathic medicine after taking care of his loving grandmother who became frail and arthritic in the 70's; he realized there had to be a better method of treatment than the medicine they were giving her, which had horrible side effects.

He feels blessed that the people who come to see him are ready to get well so they can go back out into the world and accomplish the great things they were intended to.

Joy factor is at the top of his wellness pyramid. The direction and process of getting well should always be pointing to more joy. He receives so much Joy from the people he serves and thoroughly enjoys those who seek his direction.

"My approach to patient wellness starts with recognizing the amazing souls the that I am honored to sit with each day. The inspiration to bring them back to their fullness comes through them and into me. I, then, get a chance to experience their often buried and forgotten, intrinsic 'Holistic-wellness', and then reflect back to them the missing pieces to their health puzzle. Often people have lost sight of their own inner wisdom. My job is to wake it up and listen to what that intelligence is trying to tell us."