STAFF

Seattle naturopath Sara Alvarado specializes in the care of babies and children

Dr. Sara Alvarado
Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Midwife

Dr. Sara hails from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. She wanted to be a health care provider as long as she can remember and most of what she did in her formative years was aimed at discovering what kind of practitioner and human she wanted to be. During college, she worked as a health educator and a labor organizer for a health care workers union. “My heart has always been in grassroots organizing and my college years were filled with this.”

After graduating from college, Dr. Sara spent a year working as a case manager with AmeriCorps for individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin, Texas and strategizing about how to best provide quality healthcare for families and increase access to such care. This led her to Naturopathic Medicine and Midwifery at Bastyr University.

Seattle naturopath Krystal Plonski provides pediatric primary care at Rainy City Natural Medicine

Dr. Krystal Plonski, ND, LAc, FABNP
Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist

Dr. Krystal is originally from Connecticut, but has been living in Seattle since 2009. She loves the beauty of the west coast, but also the attitude of the east coast. She graduated with her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program from Bastyr University in 2014. Following graduation, Dr. Krystal completed a 2 year accredited CNME Naturopathic pediatric residency in Kirkland, WA in 2016. 

Dr. Krystal has also worked in a private group practice providing Naturopathic pediatric primary care and has served as an adjunctive teacher and lecturer for the pediatric programs at Bastyr University. Dr. Krystal has passed the national Naturopathic Pediatric Board Exam, earning the title Fellow to the American Board of Naturopathic Pediatrics (FABNP). In addition to currently providing Naturopathic pediatric primary care at Rainy City Natural Medicine with Dr. Sara, she is also practicing acupuncture at Seattle Children’s Hospital Pain Medicine Department as a pediatric inpatient pain acupuncturist. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and 13 year old family dog.

Justine Guarda, office manager at Rainy City Natural Medicine and Rainy City Midwifery

Justine Guarda
Office Manager

I first joined Rainy City Midwifery in 2011 and became part of the Rainy City Natural Medicine staff when Sara Alvarado opened her naturopathic practice.

I rejoined the workforce after spending 5 years at home with my children, Eva and Luca, both the result of beautiful home births. My husband, Fernando, is originally from Mexico and we’re doing our best to raise bilingual kiddos!

Most days find the Guarda Vazquezs keeping up with the general frantic pace of a full family life that includes swim meets, t ball games, camping, general exploring and Sunday night dinners with grandparents, aunt and uncles.

Before becoming a full-time mom, I spent 8 years working for an environmental non-profit here in Seattle.

I grew up in a variety of locales including Italy, Germany and Texas and something I really appreciate about the NW is the open-mindedness found here. We are so fortunate in Washington to have access to naturopaths and holistic medicine.