About

"I have been drifting from doctor to doctor over decades trying to address chronic health issues with no clear causes. I have made huge progress in just the first two months working with Dr. DeBell thanks to her new perspective and her availability to answer questions quickly as problems came up with the treatment plan. I don't feel like just another chart, but part of a true collaboration -- one where we still don't have all the pieces, but we have strategies to get closer to solving the mystery."
Rob, 44, Bremerton

Megan DeBell, MD
Physician and Owner

It's nice to meet you. I'm Megan DeBell, MD.

In looking for answers for my own chronic pain, I quickly stumped mainstream medical professionals. As I went from practitioner to practitioner (even getting on a plane a few times), what I wanted the most was a professional to support and guide me as I continued to look for solutions.

I am that professional. I will accompany, guide, and support you as we work together to understand your symptoms and find solutions. I want you to feel better.

I consider myself a medical detective. I put together clues that might not seem connected to give you a clear picture of your health, and help you understand what you can do to care for yourself.

My consultations in functional and integrative medicine are backed up by over seventeen years as a medical doctor. My undergraduate degree is from Stanford University. I received my medical degree from the University of Arizona, and I completed my residency in Family Medicine at Swedish Medical Center. In my years of trying to care for chronic disease in a conventional medical practice, I was frustrated by watching patients get sicker despite taking their medications. My curiosity drove me to seek out answers and information about the deeper causes of disease and to find a different model to care for patients.

I am proud to be board certified in integrative medicine by the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). I have trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine and with Chris Kresser, MS, L.Ac. in his ADAPT clinician training program. My work includes an ancestral perspective, constantly reflecting on how humans have lived for most of our evolution (hint, it wasn't sitting all day at the computer and eating food from bags).

I love to use mind-body medicine in my practice (ask me about my favorite meditation - shaking and dancing). I have completed advanced training with the Center for Mind Body Medicine. I enjoy facilitating mind-body medicine groups - in Seattle and at the University of Washington.

For the last several years, I have also facilitated groups for physician colleagues and for students at the University of Washington modeled on the work of Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. These groups help participants find meaning and inspiration in their work. I am proud to be a member of the clinical faculty in the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine.

I volunteer to teach medical students who provide care at free clinics for immigrants, the uninsured, and the homeless. I speak Spanish and have volunteered extensively in Mexico.

I love food, cooking, and traveling. Feel free to ask me for my favorite recipe for any nutrient dense food you want to prepare.

"Dr. DeBell is the first doctor I can remember who actually took the time to really get to know me and ask a lot of questions about all aspects of my life. She is quick to reply to emails, explains things so I can understand, and takes a genuine interest in my health. I can't say enough good things about her and I feel very fortunate to have found her."
Amy, 48, Seattle

Leah Preble
Patient Liaison

Hi! I'm Leah Preble. As a Patient Liaison at Shine Functional Medicine, I support patients through their healing journey. I assist with patient-doctor communication as well as administrative details and scheduling. I enjoy working with patients as they progress through their testing and lifestyle changes.

My own healing journey with food has fueled my desire to teach and support people in nutrition. I was lucky to be raised by a chef and a nutritionist, so my love for creative food and informed nourishment started at a young age. In college I first studied dietetics, but then designed my own degree in nutrition and psychology at Western Washington University. I knew I needed to bring psychology and counseling skills to my education because we all have intimate and complex relationships with food, eating, and our bodies. I later completed a Professional Coaching Certification Program with Marc David at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating in Boulder, Colorado. Since then I have been on a mission to help people develop a nourishing relationship with food rather than a painful or disordered one.

My previous career focused in restaurant management, event coordination, and wedding planning. Though I love the art of service and creating memorable experiences, I am elated to be focusing on food in a new way. It is a gift to learn alongside the patients of Shine Functional Medicine. Nutrition education is empowering for the mind, body, and spirit! I am excited to be apart of helping people discover the most vibrant version of themselves.

One step away from our relationship with food is our relationship with our bodies. Embodiment practices such as yoga and somatic psychology have been hugely influential in healing my relationship with my body. Practicing and teaching yoga has drastically and positively changed my life. I love how the practice of mindful movement reveals us to ourselves and allows time for reflection and self-study.

Working at Shine Functional Medicine fuels my inspiration for nutrition and holistic health. I am excited to be a part of this integrative approach to healing. The team at Shine shares genuine understanding that each patient is an authentic being; a unique puzzle. This shared sense of curiosity motivates me to support patients as they go through the process of discovering their health! I look forward to working with you!

NICE TO MEET YOU.