New ND alum Dr. Johnny Lemau encourages peers to get out of their comfort zone, make connections across medical profession. 

Dr. Johnny Lemau, a 2024 alumnus of the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), has been on a mission lately to advocate for regenerative medicine. 

Whether it’s been to share findings with fellow former students or muse on the business opportunities available in the field, Lemau has spoken passionately about regenerative injection treatments (RIT) to heal patients with ongoing physical ailments. 

Propelled by an innate curiosity and drive to be a better doctor than the ones he had, Lemau earned his dual degree in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research programs at NUNM in June. 

Years earlier, he worked a busy schedule as a chef and found himself struggling with his own health issues. When conventional medicine doctors gave up on him, he took the advice of a naturopathic physician to make minor changes in diet and lifestyle and gradually saw his health improve. 

Lemau said he had always been attracted to research and enjoyed the tactile nature of working with his hands. When he finally decided to pursue a career in medicine, that philosophy transferred to his work with patients.  

Working clinical shifts as a student at NUNM, Lemau focused on orthopedic medicine and musculoskeletal health. He found that some of his patients were non-responsive to treatment, and this presented a puzzle he worked dedicatedly to solve. 

“I just felt like I was doing everything—bodywork, adjustments, lifestyle things—and they weren’t working for them,” he said.   

Frustrated that surgery might be his patient’s last viable option, he returned to the research in search of answers. Lemau remembered his surprise in reading about interventions using RIT, which had proven successful in patients when all other options had failed. 

“I was like, ‘What the hell? Sugar water?’,” he said. “I was just going down this rabbit hole of research and was like, this is crazy!”  

Studies on RIT showed that injecting a natural solution (often sugar water), blood platelets, and plasma back into a patient’s affected muscle tissues could effectively mimic the body’s natural healing process. This alternative route had significant benefits for patients who didn’t get better while taking traditional anti-inflammatory or steroid drugs for pain.  

RIT was a relatively new and often expensive treatment option, Lemau said, and it wasn’t being offered yet through NUNM Health Centers. He would have to explore regenerative medicine on his own.  

This led Lemau to Naturopathic Mastery , a training platform for naturopathic doctors to learn more about palpation-guided injections and skills in ultrasound for guided injections. 

From there, he sought advanced training at Rejuv MedFit, a clinic offering RIT to patients as a non-surgical option. This gave him even more practical, firsthand experience, as well as business insights into launching RIT to assist athletes with injuries and pain. 

Alongside Dr. Joel Baumgartner, owner and lead practitioner at Rejuv MedFit, Lemau learned to expertly deliver RIT through ultrasound technology. He was also able to connect with all kinds of medical professionals working in the field.  

The experience opened his eyes to the value of collaboration within the medical profession—something he noted other ND students often overlook when launching their careers.  

“I’ve always had a vendetta, like conventional medicine doesn’t like us,” he said, “but going to that convention, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, you’re an ND? That’s great to hear!’”  

Doctors at the conference shared their appreciation for naturopathic physicians and their unique capacity for humility, asking questions, and putting in the effort, he said.  

This made Lemau want to advocate for aspiring doctors and students to get out of their comfort zone more often and attend networking events as he did. It also taught him the importance of bridging gaps within the naturopathic medicine profession. 

Mentorship from other naturopathic doctors, such as Dr. Ryan Wood, an NUNM alum, and Dr. Sean Hesler motivated him to broaden his perspective and become more engaged.  

“Recognizing their efforts also helps unify our schools, which often feel divided,” he said. 

Lemau’s current mission is to be a resource on RIT and regenerative medicine—at NUNM, and beyond.  

In a recent testimonial for Rejuv MedFit, Lemau shared more details about his RIT training and learning from others.  

“Each physician I met was not only a skilled practitioner, but also a passionate educator,” he said. “They took the time to explain complex concepts, answer my questions and encourage me to think critically.”  

The camaraderie deepened his confidence, skills and knowledge, he said, and this kind of support can foster a culture of continuous growth within the natural medicine community.  

“You just never know unless you ask someone—they might be thinking the same thing as you,” he said. “Just going to these things and showing a face to name can change a lot for people in terms of knowing you and just getting yourself out there.” 

By Ashley Villarreal, Marketing Content Specialist