Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Panka.
Jacob, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I became a naturopathic doctor because I couldn’t find the kind of care I was looking for. For years, I went through the standard medical system feeling like no one was really listening or looking at the whole picture. It was all quick appointments and prescriptions that masked symptoms without addressing what was actually happening in my body.
I kept thinking there had to be a better way, someone who would take the time to dig deeper and help me build real, lasting health. When I couldn’t find that doctor, I decided to become one.
That’s what drew me to naturopathic medicine. I love that I get to spend time with patients, investigate root causes, and partner with them to create sustainable wellness. Every day, I get to be the doctor I wish I’d had, and that’s honestly the most fulfilling part of what I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles has been simply being recognized as a real doctor. There’s still a general lack of understanding about what naturopathic doctors can actually do and the depth of our training.
I was trained in primary care at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, where the teaching clinic operated as a patient-centered primary care home. My training includes pharmacology alongside extensive education in using nutrition and lifestyle as first-line interventions, prescribing dietary supplements and herbal medicines when appropriate, and ordering comprehensive lab work to understand what’s actually happening in the body.
During medical school, I wore a pin that said “humanism in medicine,” and that’s really stuck with me in defining my practice. But I still encounter people who assume naturopathic medicine is somehow less legitimate or rigorous than conventional care. It’s frustrating because my training prepared me to be exactly what so many people are searching for: a doctor who can blend conventional medical knowledge with natural therapies in a personalized way. The challenge is helping people understand that.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Panka Natural Health?
Panka Natural Health is a family-owned naturopathic clinic in Hopkins, Minnesota, where my wife Dr. Haley and I practice together. We’re known for helping patients find answers to complex health concerns through a comprehensive, personalized approach.
We use detailed lab testing that goes beyond standard bloodwork to identify nutrient deficiencies, hidden GI infections, hormonal imbalances, and toxic exposures. Many patients come to us for natural approaches to lowering cholesterol, type 2 diabetes support, and relief from chronic bloating, or they’re facing complex chronic diseases where they’re looking for a different perspective.
What sets us apart is how we practice. We schedule two-hour initial consultations because your story matters, and we stay connected between visits with phone check-ins and direct messaging with your doctor. My Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research and neuroscience background gives me additional expertise in cardiovascular health, brain and neuroendocrine conditions, and men’s health.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that we’re building a practice rooted in genuine relationships and lasting results. We treat the whole family with lifestyle medicine, clinical nutrition, botanical medicines, and targeted supplementation. This is healthcare that takes the time to understand you as a whole person and empowers you to build sustainable health.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Rather than a single memory, what stands out most from my childhood is growing up around people who valued asking questions and thinking critically. That foundation definitely shaped how I approach medicine today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pankanaturalhealth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panka_naturalhealth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panka.naturalhealth
