ABOUT US
The Mission
Inspired by the butterfly's resilience and transformation, our mission is to meet people where they are in life with a listening ear, a healing heart, and evidence-based, whole-person care. Through education, partnership, and compassionate guidance, we empower individuals to achieve lasting health and wellness.
The Vision
Our vision at Guiding Butterfly Integrative Internal Medicine and Wellness is to redefine healing as a journey of transformation, empowerment, and cultural resonance. We envision a world where internal medicine is not merely clinical, but compassionate, integrative, and deeply attuned to the unique stories, values, and strengths of every individual. Through evidence-based medicine, thoughtfully integrated healing practices, and meaningful partnerships with our patients, we aspire to be a sanctuary where science meets spirit and every person is guided toward vibrant, lifelong whole-person well-being.
Meet Dr. Vanessa al Rashida
Founder of Guiding Butterfly Integrative Internal Medicine and Wellness™
"Hello everyone! My name is Dr. Vanessa al Rashida and I am an integrative internal medicine physician. What that means is that I have completed medical school, internal medicine residency, and integrative medicine fellowship training. I completed my medical degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City 6-year BA/MD program. I also graduated with a bachelors in liberal arts and a minor in Psychology. I completed my Master of Public Health degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in Health Policy and Administration and a certificate in Health Disparities Research. I also graduated from the University of New Mexico Internal Medicine Residency Program. I completed an integrative medicine fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. I am board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine.
In addition, I have a Mindfulness Stress-Based Reduction certificate from Sounds True and an Auriculotherapy (Ear Stimulation treatments) certificate from the Auriculotherapy Certification Institute. I am trained and have certificates in Clinical, Medical Support, Natal, Interlife, and Past Life Hypnotherapy from Hypnotherapy Academy of America.
Even though I am not a native New Mexican, I have worked in and with multiple healthcare systems in the state and have called New Mexico home since 2015. I am, what I affectionately call myself, a "born-again New Mexican." The in-person care I provide is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico with integrative tele-health options available in Arizona and Texas. I am licensed in the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas.
My areas of focus include: motivating patients to be their best selves and live their best lives, promoting preventive care services, health education on both acute and chronic disease management, and advocating for my patients. When I am not seeing patients and clients, my interests are in hiking, fine arts, hot-air ballooning, bowling, volleyball, horseback riding, learning about different cultures and trying my hand at new things.
I may not be the best at talking about myself but I'm better at learning more about others like you. I look forward to getting to know you, meeting you where you are on your health journey, and working together to guide you towards your best health and life. All the best."
The Physician’s Butterfly Oath
"Before my patients and colleagues, I solemnly affirm:
That I shall practice medicine with conscience and honor, striving always to do no harm, mindful of the fragility of life, as delicate as a butterfly’s wings.
That I shall place the health and dignity of my patients above all else, offering care with compassion, respect, and impartiality.
That I shall guard in confidence all that is entrusted to me, as the chrysalis protects transformation unseen.
That I shall respect the individuality and autonomy of each patient, recognizing that healing follows many paths.
That I shall continue to study and refine my art, understanding that mastery, like flight, depends upon balance, discipline, and lifelong learning.
That I shall serve with humility, acknowledging both the limits of my knowledge and the power of thoughtful care to foster renewal.
In this spirit, I dedicate my knowledge and my heart to healing, guiding transformation, and preserving the wonder of life."
The Birth of Guiding Butterfly
"I knew for a while that I wanted to be in private practice. Ever since internal medicine residency to be exact. However, I didn't know where to start. With some more life experiences and prayer, I took a leap of faith and set off learning more about integrative medicine, connecting with people who can help me brainstorm my business plan better, and receiving the love and support from my family and friends near and far along this journey.
This practice blossomed from an ever growing frustration of how the United States health care system currently is. Patients are quickly brought in for a primary care visit, I quickly go over a checklist of things without time to really address deep-rooted causes of disease, and try to quickly end the visit to then have this be on repeat 16-20 times a day, 5 days a week like a broken record. This was a clear sign to me that this was not what I went to medical school and training for. My patients deserve the necessary time to talk with me about not just about their current symptoms but to explore the origin(s) of their symptoms to promote true healing. That is not only their universal right but my truth in knowing this. My life's pursuit is to be yet a guide in my patients' lives to help them realize their inner power to elevate their health and transform their life to one that is of brightness and higher quality, with dignity.
I created this practice and space to provide patients longer visits, effective channels of communication, transparency of costs, and full partnership in their care. Every patient deserves long-term solutions that reflects high quality care and not quick Band-Aid solutions that may result in an increase in health care costs to people. Developing this practice has encouraged me to strive for not just the best I can be, but how I can in return guide heroes (my patients) to be the best they can be along their journey and live the best life they deserve."
-- Vanessa al Rashida, MD, MPH, DNBPAS, ABOIM, FACP
Why the Name "Guiding Butterfly?"
Well, the name is a play on our founder's name. Her first name "Vanessa" is connected to butterflies because the official name of some species of butterflies begin with the name Vanessa (such as the Painted Lady butterfly or Vanessa cardui). And "al Rashida" is the feminine form of the word "rightly-guided" in Arabic. We also like butterflies because of the symbolism they represent across many cultures around the world. Many cultures share the belief that butterflies symbolize the spirit, messengers of change, mindfulness, and renewal.
In the high desert of New Mexico, transformation is quiet and deliberate. Life adapts, unfolds, and endures. The butterfly reflects this rhythm of change—growth that happens in stages, shaped by patience, balance, and resilience. It reminds us that healing is not something to rush or force, but something that emerges through care, presence, and time. We also chose the butterfly as a symbol of our belief that health is a journey—one that honors the whole person and meets each individual where they are, supporting them through every season of change.
As a Guiding Butterfly, we hope that those who seek Dr. al Rashida's services leave each visit feeling motivated and renewed on their journey to good medicine and health. Thank you for your interest in our practice and hope to earn your trust with your care and health.
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Let's begin your journey together.