Alessandra Louise Benson, DO

I was born in Providence, Rhode Island and grew up in Barrington, RI. I graduated from Brandeis University in 2001 with a degree in Biology and Environmental studies. During my junior year, I attended the Earth Semester program at the Biospshere 2 Center in Oracle, AZ and studied desert ecology as well as performed field research, which was an amazing experience, planting the seed from which grew my fascination with the wildlife of the Sonoran Desert. After graduating from Brandeis, I worked for nearly 8 years at Lifespan Oncology Clinical Research at Rhode Island Hospital, most recently as a Clinical Trials Coordinator. I chose to go back to medical school because of my desire to shift my focus to empowering patients with the knowledge of how nutrition and lifestyle choices can prevent and manage the many chronic, debilitating diseases facing our population. I graduated from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2010. I chose to come to University of Arizona for the breadth of training opportunities available at this residency, as well as the focus on integrative medicine and the availability of the Integrative and Palliative Care Fellowships. Professionally, I am interested in Geriatrics, Palliative Care, and Behavioral & Preventative Medicine as well as Osteopathic Manipulative and Integrative Medicine, including Mind Body Medicine.