Dr. Dave James is a Naturopathic Physician and PGY1 Resident at Naturopathic Specialists in Scottsdale, Arizona. A compassionate, detail-oriented doctor who prioritizes patient safety and shared decision-making, Dr. James brings a strong foundation in both conventional and integrative medicine. He successfully completed all clinical electives, including Pharmacology, IV Medicine, Acupuncture, Minor Surgery, and holds advanced training in Regenerative Therapeutics, Traditional Chinese and Botanical Medicine, and Homeopathy. His focus is on optimizing patient outcomes through precision medicine and whole-person care.
Dr. James is a professional member of OncANP, AANP, AzNMA, SIO, ASCO, ASH, and the International Oncology Working Group. He serves on the Research Committee of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), where he presented a 2024 poster on integrative lymphedema care. He is also a member of the AANP Membership Committee, and the AzNMA Education Committee.
Dr. James earned his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Sonoran University of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Bridgeport in 2009, where he was elected captain of his NCAA Cross Country Team. Following graduation, he was honored to represent Team USA at three World Championships and was selected by his teammates to carry the American flag at an international opening ceremony. A two-time 100-mile USATF National Champion, his nearly decade-long athletic career inspired his clinical philosophy of resilience, perseverance, and purpose in healthcare.
Returning to medicine in 2021, Dr. James served as class president during the COVID-19 pandemic, worked as a tutor in microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology, and as a teaching assistant for anatomy, genetics, and physical medicine. He conducted botanical research at the Ric Scalzo Institute, contributing to HSV-1 and herbal studies presented at AANP 2023.
From 2023–2025, Dr. James served as a student trustee on the nonprofit Board of Trustees for Sonoran University, helping guide the future of naturopathic education. He was also named the 2024 NMSA Public Policy Fellow, advocating for naturopathic medicine on a national level. In 2025, he was accepted into the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Arizona, joining a prestigious program advancing evidence-based integrative care.
Dr. James is on track to complete his residency in naturopathic oncology and plans to sit for the FABNO (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology) exam. He presented on blood malignancies and integrative support at the 2024 OncANP conference and delivered a 2025 oral CME lecture on cellular therapy, CAR T-cell technology, and bispecific antibodies in hematologic cancers. In his spare time, he offers continuing medical education (CME) talks for colleagues across the profession including the CNPA, AzNMA.
He trained in chronic pain management at the Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine and blends research-backed therapies with personalized, evidence-based care. As a physician, speaker, coach, and educator, Dr. James remains committed to the advancement of whole-person healing.
When he’s not working, Dr. James enjoys mountain biking, hiking with his dog, volunteering with Naturopaths Without Borders, supporting veterans through Team RWB, and finding balance through nature, movement, and community.