MSAIN Advisory Board
Dr. Patrick Nuzzo, DN
Patrick Nuzzo started his journey in Integrative Medicine in 1974 when he began his studies to become a functional nutritionist. He worked as an independent contractor in the natural foods industry formulating, marketing and distributing nutritional supplements. Dr. Nuzzo developed several lines of nutritional supplements for the natural food industry including a sports nutrition line for Hall of Fame football star, Walter Payton whom he partnered with in the venture, and developed products for Kraft General Foods and Anheuser Busch.
Dr. Patrick Nuzzo D.N. is the co-founder and president of Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine (SUNM). In 1979, he began his Naprapathic education and graduated from the National College of Naprapathic Medicine in 1983. Since then Dr. Nuzzo has opened, staffed and managed successful Naprapathic practices in Santa Barbara, California; Arlington Heights, Illinois; Lake Zurich, Illinois; Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 2000 he helped introduce the Naprapathic Practice Act of New Mexico and in 2004 got it signed into law making it possible for Naprapaths to practice in New Mexico. In 2006, Dr. Nuzzo was issued a license in New Mexico to open a Naprapathic University and grant the degree of Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine and Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine and Health Sciences (SUNM) was incorporated. It took the team four years to develop the curriculum for the Doctor of Naprapathic Degree (DN).
In 2010, SUNM opened its doors and began offering the DN degree. In 2014, the first Naprapathic class graduated, In 2015, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) was petitioned to accredit SUNM, In 2016, DEAC accepted the petition.
In 2021 SUNM became the first Naprapathic school in the United States ever accredited, as of 2023, 50 Naprapaths have graduated from SUNM.
In 2023, introduced AB153 in the Nevada Legislature allowing Naprapaths to practice and be licensed. AB 153 passed unanimously and was signed into law.
Dr. Joseph Fraley, DC, DN
Dr. Joseph Fraley’s interest in health care started because of his grandfather, who started his career in chiropractic in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army as an EMT and paratrooper, then attained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Anatomy, and a second in Health Sciences. Dr. Fraley also attended a Masters program in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, then graduated from Parker Chiropractic University in 2006. He and his wife Stacy moved back to New Mexico and he started in private practice. Dr. Fraley is a certified chiropractic extremity adjustor, a Fellow of the American Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedics, and a Diplomate of the International Academy of Neuromuscular Medicine. He runs a multifaceted wellness clinic in Ruidoso, New Mexico, which integrates chiropractic, naprapathic, nutrition, and functional neurology.
Dr. Fraley has extensive knowledge and experience in nutrition and the role it serves in overall health and wellbeing. He is the lead instructor in SUNM’s Master of Science in Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition program. Dr. Fraley’s knowledge is instrumental in developing the courses for the nutrition program at SUNM.
Dr. Kirsten LaVista, DN
Dr. Kirsten LaVista graduated from Arizona State University in 1993. She worked in the sales and medical fields from 1993-2000. Dr. LaVista graduated from the National College of Naprapathy in 2000. She introduced Naprapathy to several corporate accounts in the Chicagoland area from 2000-2004. Dr. LaVista moved to Santa Fe in November 2004, and opened the first licensed Naprapathic office in the state of New Mexico with Dr. Nuzzo. She is co-owner of Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine.
Dr. Kristi Bordelon, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer
For more than 20 years, Dr. Kristi Bordelon has been involved in various aspects of education. She previously served as the Chief Education Officer for an online university, taught at the elementary level, and created and conducted professional development sessions for educators. Since the late 1990’s Kristi has been involved in online education as a course developer, instructor, administrator, and student. She has presented at various educational conferences including DEAC, FAPSC, MSET, SITE, EdMedia, E-Learn, Global Learn, and FETC. In 2015 she was presented with the Outstanding Paper Award at Global Learn and in 2016 was honored as the FAPSC Associate Member of the Year.
Kristi is an active member of the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the International Society for Technology in Education, and Kappa Delta Pi. As a member of DEAC, Kristi has served on various site visit committees as an Educational Standards Evaluator and as the Chair. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education and M.A. in Educational Technology from the University of Central Florida, and a post Master’s Certificate in Educational Technology Administration from John’s Hopkins. Her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration was earned at Northcentral University.
Dr. Travis Mason, DN, DC, MS
Dr. Travis Mason brings a unique and highly specialized skill set to the field of integrative health as a dual-trained naprapath and chiropractor. With degrees in Sports Medicine and Chiropractic from the University of Western States and a doctorate in Naprapathy from the Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine in Santa Fe, Dr. Mason combines deep academic knowledge with hands-on expertise.
Over the years, he has shared his passion for healing as an educator, teaching over 100 courses in manual techniques, anatomy, and clinical assessment. His treatment approach is a seamless blend of Naprapathic myofascial therapy and traditional chiropractic spinal and extremity adjustments, providing comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Whether addressing acute pain or promoting long-term wellness, Dr. Mason’s integrative techniques offer a path to optimal health and function.
Dr. Alexjandro Daviano, DN, DO, DrPH, MSDS, MPH, COMP, CNAP, NRP, LP
Dr. Alexjandro Daviano has doctoral education in epidemiology/biostatistics/applied statistics, osteopathy, and naprapathy and master’s education in global public health focusing on infectious disease and data science. He is a connective tissue specialist and researcher studying the epidemiology of injuries/trauma, osteopathic and naprapathic interventions on injury and morbidity, preventative medicine, nutrition, functional neurology, slowing progression of illnesses, pharmaceutical effects on conditions, medical devices, chronic pain, and rare diseases. He develops research and models that translate clinical data and patient information to identify patients with high-priority conditions, events, and symptoms. This then helps patients and populations receive the treatments, interventions, and procedures better specified for their particular conditions, diseases, and events.
Some of the organizations he belongs to are the American Naprapathic Association, The Canadian Naprapathic Association, The American Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners, Delta Omega- Public Health Honor Society, and Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. He is also a review editor for several journals to including Frontiers in Public Health, Frontiers in Epidemiology, Frontiers in Statistical Analysis, Frontiers in Medicine, and Pediatric Emergency Care. He has received awards and accolades from Delta Omega Honor Society, Humana Healthcare Research, Inc., EBSCO, Inc., and for military service to include the Afghanistan Campaign Service Medal, Meritus Unit Medal, and the NATO Service Medal to name a few. Outside of Naprapathy Dr. Daviano loves spending time with his Wife and family, is an avid hiker, explorer, traveler, movie lover, food connoisseur, and runner.
