Looking Back and Moving Forward at Riordan Clinic

“You’ve got to have a really good imagination to see the bigger picture.” —Dr. Ron Hunninghake

In this episode of the Real Health Podcast, Dr. Ron Hunninghake and Dr. Michelle Niesley discuss how medical thinking has shifted over the decades and how those shifts have shaped the Riordan Clinic. They revisit the first, second, and third “medical revolutions,” what each one focused on, and how the clinic continues to blend scientific understanding with whole-person context.

They share stories from the early years with Dr. Hugh Riordan and Mrs. Olive Garvey, and how their partnership set the tone for curiosity, education, and co-learning. Dr. Ron and Dr. Michelle also reflect on the next phase of the clinic’s work and what they hope to see as a new generation of providers steps forward.

Throughout the conversation, they reflect on why context matters, why listening is essential, and how imagination helps widen our view of health, people, and the world around us.

Ron Hunninghake, MD

Dr. Ron Hunninghake is the Chief Medical Officer of Riordan Clinic and has been with the clinic for more than 35 years. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and has lectured internationally on nutrition, whole-person perspectives, and the history of orthomolecular thinking. His work centers on patient education and co-learning.

Michelle Niesley, ND, MS, FABNO

Dr. Michelle Niesley is the Chief Executive Officer of Riordan Clinic. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and a Master of Science from Dartmouth College, with a focus on biostatistics and epidemiology. She brings more than two decades of experience in integrative medicine, clinical leadership, and evidence-informed patient care.

Episode Links & Resources

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Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome

01:10 How medical thinking has shifted

03:42 Whole-person perspectives

05:25 Left brain, right brain, and seeing the whole picture

08:28 Imagination and the wider view

09:42 The three generations of Riordan Clinic

12:48 Dr. Ron’s reflections on his years at the clinic

14:38 Looking ahead

15:59 Why co-learning remains important

Disclaimer

The information contained on the Real Health Podcast and the resources mentioned are for educational purposes only. They are not intended as and shall not be understood or construed as medical or health advice. The information contained on this podcast is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Information provided by hosts and guests on the Real Health Podcast or the use of any products or services mentioned does not create a practitioner-patient relationship between you and any persons affiliated with this podcast.

Topics covered in this episode:

integrative health, medical history, whole-person perspectives, co-learning, Riordan Clinic history, Dr. Hugh Riordan, Olive Garvey, sustained illness, patient context, provider communication, health education, Kansas health, Wichita community