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Join us as we honor his legacy and share resources for patients and the Lyme community. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Honoring Dr. Alexander Shikhman and Dr. James Novak, Community Grief Circle - May 13th, 12pm PSTDear all,
We received multiple requests from people unable to attend our March grief circle about holding an additional meetup to remember Dr. Shikhman. We will hosting this time for group remembrance this Wednesday May 13th, at 12PM.
We will also be remembering and honoring the life of Dr. James Novak, who was one of the first doctors in San Diego to treat Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases. Born and raised in Pacific Beach, Dr. Novak had a family practice clinic and served the local community for forty years. Sadly, Dr. Novak passed suddenly on April 20, 2026. A friend and patient of Dr. Novak wrote a beautiful tribute post in his honor.
Dr. Novak and Dr. Shikhman touched and saved many lives in the San Diego Lyme community. We are grateful to them both.
Hosted on ZoomMeeting ID: 895 6958 8774Passcode: 615644
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Alexander Shikhman, a local San Diego physician whose work profoundly impacted the Lyme and complex chronic illness community.For many patients, Dr. Shikhman represented hope during a difficult and often isolating medical journey. His willingness to explore complex cases with curiosity, compassion, and an integrative perspective helped countless individuals feel seen and supported.In honor of his legacy and to support our community during this loss, we will host a virtual grief and remembrance circle.The gathering will provide a space for patients, caregivers, and community members to share memories, process grief, and reflect on the impact Dr. Shikhman had on so many lives.
Facilitators
Christina Kantzavelos, LCSW, and Weston Finfer (San Diego Lyme Alliance)
DateWednesday May 13th, at 12 PM PST
You can read Christina's remembrance of Dr. Shikhman on Lymedisease.org. Additionally, Christina has compiled a list of clinicians and providers for continuing care options in Southern California.
Community members are also invited to contribute reflections that will be shared with Dr. Shikhman’s family.
To help preserve clinical insights from patients who worked with Dr. Shikhman, we are also collecting treatment approaches and experiences shared by the community. This collaborative document is intended as a resource for discussion with personal physicians.
Here is a short questionnaire for patients and for providers who would like to help inform Christina and BeginWithinToday for future trainings and workshops based on patient's needs.
We invite anyone impacted by Dr. Shikhman’s work to join us as we honor his life and support one another.Continuing Care Options
While no one can truly replace Dr. Shikhman, several physicians and clinics continue to treat Lyme disease and complex chronic illness.NEWEST RESOURCE (ONLINE LYME DOCTORS ACROSS US): https://ravel.healthContinued care may also be available through the Rheumatology Center of San Diego, where his physician’s assistant, Neenah Grade, will continue offering care alongside Tania Rivera.
https://www.rheumsd.comSouthern California ProvidersIrvine
Jessica Tran, ND and Darin Ingels, ND
https://www.tranandingels.comIrvine
Helixona Functional and Integrative Medicine
https://www.helixona.comTemecula, CADr Jonathon Vellinga at Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine (they take insurance)https://www.tcimedicine.com/john-vellinga-mdSan Diego, CATheresa Cyr, DO at Osteopathic Medical Associateshttps://omasd.com/Remote OptionAdditional Lyme Provider DirectoriesFor more resources within and outside Southern California, you can also visit the resources section of my website:If you or a loved one is navigating Lyme disease, please know you are not alone<3
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✨ 2026 Press, thus far… ✨JanuaryA feature exploring the growing movement toward wellness centered and longevity focused travel experiences. Christina contributed insights through the lens of mental health, nervous system regulation, healing, and intentional living, highlighting how travel can support emotional wellbeing and personal transformation.An expert commentary feature examining the impact of chronic stress on physical and emotional health, aging, and nervous system functioning. Christina shared perspectives on trauma, chronic illness, emotional resilience, and the mind body connection.FebruaryAn in depth article examining the psychological, neurological, and emotional impacts of mold exposure through an integrative and trauma informed lens. The piece explores how environmental illness can influence mood, cognition, anxiety, nervous system dysregulation, and emotional wellbeing.A podcast conversation focused on the intersection of mold illness, emotional health, trauma, and nervous system regulation. Christina discussed the often overlooked mental health effects of environmental illness and the importance of holistic care approaches.A live educational discussion expanding on the relationship between mold exposure, chronic illness, mental health symptoms, and emotional resilience, including practical insights for patients navigating complex health conditions.MarchFeatured in coverage recognizing the impact and legacy of Dr. Shikhman within the chronic illness and Lyme disease community, highlighting collaborative advocacy, patient support, and integrative approaches to healing.Guest hosted an episode of The Trauma Therapist Podcast, interviewing Dani Fagan in a conversation centered around trauma, healing, nervous system work, and lived experience within the mental health field.AprilFeatured podcast conversation discussing mental health, chronic illness, healing, and integrative wellness perspectives, with a focus on emotional resilience and holistic approaches to recovery.
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Community Support: Join our FREE Empowerment Circle - May 19th We host live online gatherings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month @6pm PST
The empowerment circle welcomes people & caretakers navigating Tick-borne infections, CIRS, Mold Toxicity & co-diagnoses.
Gather with us in a compassionate community setting to be led in evidence-based curriculum, practicing tools that are proven to help move the nervous system from fight or flight to rest and repair.Our hope is that you walk away feeling supported in your healing journey.
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