Physician Assistant
Catherine Van Tassell graduated from the University of Utah with a master’s degree in social work in 2004. During her time as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker she primarily worked with end-stage renal patients. In this role Catherine was touched by each patient’s story about chronic health conditions affecting their everyday life. This experience led her towards the medical profession, specifically the emergent need for preventative healthcare.
She decided to further her education with the principal goal of helping patients prevent or reverse disease and graduated from the University of Utah Physician Assistant program in 2016. She has since continued her training by receiving a certificate in integrative medicine from the University of Arizona. She is board certified in lifestyle medicine from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and completed the plant-based nutrition certificate from eCornell and T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. Additionally, she completed the certificate in evidence-based optimal nutrition from Harvard school of Public Health. Catherine is also a Precision Nutrition level one and USA Triathlon coach.
In addition to primary care, Catherine has experience and passion for the field of psychiatry and addiction medicine. She also co-teaches the psychiatry course for the University of Utah Physician Assistant program. She has been a guest lecturer on the topics of Integrative Treatment for Anxiety and Depression, Mental Health in the Workplace, Importance of Connection on Mental Health and more.
In her spare time, you can find Catherine running on the trails with her husband and Golden-doodle, Kingsley. She loves running ultra-endurance sports and creating new whole food plant based dishes.
A plant-based diet saved my life! I was born with a chronic pain condition that severely impacted my life. At times the pain was so debilitating, I was unable to leave my house. Despite seeing multiple specialties, I was given little options outside of taking high doses of opioid medications. This was something I was not going to do. Coincidentally, I watched a movie about factory farming and decided to remove all animal products from my diet. Two weeks later, the pain I experienced for nearly 30 years was gone! It was unbelievable. This is one of the many reasons I am so passionate about helping others. I have lived experience of the power of a plant-based diet.
The power of plants, movement and community. I want to share with the world a lifestyle that has the best outcomes for mental and physical health. And the only side-effect is a slimmer waistline!
Buddha Bowls and Nice Cream
Improving mental health with lifestyle
In the mountains with my husband and dog.
