Our Team
Dr. Mikayla Raddysh
NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR
THRIVE FOUNDER
Born and raised in Regina, Dr. Mikayla Raddysh ND always knew she wanted to go into a medical field, but wasn’t sure exactly which path to take. It wasn’t until facing her own health struggles in 2014 that she was led to discover her interest in and passion for naturopathic medicine. She greatly appreciated the time spent during each visit, the in-depth investigation into her health, and the abundance of knowledge provided for every question. All these qualities, inherent to the field, confirmed this career was a perfect fit.
Where she truly fell in love with naturopathic medicine was working alongside Dr. Laura Stark ND—whom she shadowed for a year while completing her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies from the University of Regina.
Dr. Raddysh ND spent the next four years in Toronto, obtaining her Doctor of Naturopathy from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). This was a time of learning and new experiences: living away from home for the first time, experiencing life in a big city, and seeing how naturopathic medicine has moved into the 21st century with advanced and innovative technologies. She is so excited to be back home in Regina, allowing for the sharing of this knowledge with her patients, as well as having the honour of partnering with her mentor and inspiration, Dr Laura.
Despite Dr. Raddysh ND now being fully licensed to practice in Saskatchewan, she’s committed to being a lifelong student, staying on top of the latest developments to help her patients.
Her drive to expand naturopathic medicine—to more people, with further research—is a big part of what motivates Dr. Raddysh ND. She appreciates the practitioners and researchers that have built the profession, and is eager to contribute in a way that enhances the field, while increasing the longevity and health of her patients.
Dr. Laura Stark
NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR
THRIVE FOUNDER
After more than a decade of practicing naturopathic medicine, Dr. Laura Stark ND remains in awe of the body’s wisdom and ability for renewal and growth. With a strong foundation in German New Medicine, she loves connecting with patients to help them draw the connections that help them heal.
Dr. Stark ND’s path to her career might go back to her years as a sports trainer who focused on more than just taping ankles and treating injuries, but a chance conversation with a friend led her from a Bachelor of Kinesiology (with a minor in psychology) at the University of Regina to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). That conversation was the first she’d heard of naturopathic medicine, but she knew immediately that the principles were everything she wanted to do, and aligned even better than her previous plans to pursue physiotherapy.
On that pivotal day, she started her application to CCNM—and she hasn’t looked back. Upon graduating with an abundance of knowledge but a desire for more wisdom, she pursued a seven-month stint at an eco wellness centre outside Ottawa, studying a fourth-generation naturopathic doctor. There, she learned the value of a good night’s rest and grounding in nature—and discovered German New Medicine, which eventually led to her current work with cancer patients. Then she was called home to Regina and established a successful practice here. She’s excited to have gone from mentoring Mikayla to going into business with Dr. Raddysh, to have a colleague who thinks the same way she does, and has a complementary skillset.
Dr. Node Smith
NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR, SEP
Dr. Node Smith, ND, SEP (“Dr. Node”) is a lover of life, of truth and of beauty. He is captivated by the creative mystery of life, and by the universal human need to learn, grow, and connect with others. His one mission in life is to be a light in the world. Everyone was created for a purpose. His purpose is to work with people. Dr. Node has an infectious way about him that inspires people, and helps create powerful transformative spaces. He believes in humanity, he believes in health, and he believes in those he works with. He is more than a doctor, he is a counselor and a guide.
Dr. Node is a modern day renaissance man. He is a man who absorbs knowledge from any scenario. He has made a career out of simply being curious, interested and open. He practices as a naturopathic doctor, but has managed production for multiple companies, has founded companies and non-profit organizations and has traveled extensively. He also enjoys manual labor, and is always looking forward to the next opportunity to spend a weekend cutting wood, playing with motors, or renovating the house.
Dr. Node holds naturopathic licenses in both Saskatchewan, and Oregon, and is also a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. He is an expert in behavioral change and is an adept counselor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). His work emphasizes nervous system regulation, somatic awareness, and conscious development. He specializes in working with individuals who “have all the information,” but are struggling to integrate it into an embodied way of living - usually due to past traumas, grief, or other psycho-emotional or spiritual factors.
He is very excited to have been invited into Thrive Naturopathic, and looks forward to adding his unique skills to facilitating healing at the deepest level so that more people can Thrive!
Alora Bashnick
COLON HYDROTHERAPIST, RECEPTION
Alora’s journey into naturopathic medicine began through her own health struggles. After years of dealing with persistent skin issues and finding little success with conventional treatments, she began searching for answers that addressed the root cause of her symptoms. This search led her to the world of naturopathic medicine, where she discovered that true healing often involves much more than what appears on the surface.
Through her work with naturopaths, Alora explored the deeper connections between gut health, hormones, food sensitivities, and the body’s natural detoxification pathways. This holistic approach transformed not only her skin but her overall perspective on health and wellness.
Working closely with Dr Mikayla was a pivotal part of her journey. Alora resonated deeply with Dr. Raddysh’s philosophy of addressing root causes and supporting the body’s innate ability to heal. Shortly after becoming a patient, she joined the team at Thrive Naturopathic as part of the reception team, allowing her to further immerse herself in the naturopathic community.
In September 2023, Alora expanded her role in natural health by completing an intensive certification in colon hydrotherapy in Moose Jaw. As a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist, she is passionate about supporting digestive health and helping individuals better understand the critical role the gut plays in overall wellness.
Alora is deeply committed to helping others feel empowered in their health journeys and loves supporting patients as they take meaningful steps toward optimizing their health and lifestyle.
Reception Team
Our clinic is rounded out with the vital support of our reception team. These are the folks who answer the phone when you call and greet you with a friendly face when you arrive at the clinic. They help with answering your questions, booking your appointments, taking payments, assisting with supplements and products, and ensuring your comfort during your treatments. They also bring their own brilliant backgrounds to support our treatments and help the clinic run smoothly.
From left to right: Alora Bashnick, Hannah Ramdez, Wendy Palmarin, Kyra Fiacco, Jacinta Mack
Alora Bashnick
Alora’s passion for natural health began through her own healing journey. After years of struggling with persistent skin concerns and finding little success with conventional treatments, she began searching for answers that addressed the root cause. This path led her to discover the powerful connections between gut health, hormones, nutrition, and the body’s natural ability to heal.
Inspired by her experience working with Mikayla Raddysh, Alora joined the team at Thrive Naturopathic and later expanded her role by becoming a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist in 2023. She is passionate about helping people better understand their digestive health and supporting them as they take meaningful steps toward feeling their best.
Outside the clinic, Alora is always deepening her knowledge of natural health—whether that’s reading, listening to podcasts, or learning new ways to support overall wellness. When she’s not in the clinic, she enjoys cooking and creating new recipes or spending quality time with her friends, family, and her dog, Harlee.
Hannah Ramdez
Hannah is a Human Kinetics student at the University of Regina and hopes to one day attend the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is passionate about health and wellness and enjoys supporting patients on their wellness journeys at Thrive. Outside of the clinic, Hannah loves staying active and teaches spin classes, combining her passion for movement and healthy living.
Wendy Palmarin
Wendy is a student of holistic nutrition and health coaching who has provided workshops for female students and athletes on holistic foods and nutrition, and influenced health food initiatives. She is passionate about designing and creating a holistic health and wellness plan to support future Thriving.