Dr. McDonald has been serving the natural healthcare needs of Athens area families for 25 years. He was previously in clinical practice at NEWS from 1998 to 2011, where he practiced Integrative Medicine with Drs. Elizabeth Schultz, DO and Kirk Melville, MD, in Watkinsville, Georgia. He specializes in Acupuncture, Oriental Internal Medicine and Naturopathic Internal Medicine (botanical medicine, functional medicine, homeopathic medicine and nutritional medicine).
He is currently in private practice at 999 Baxter Street, Suite B, Athens, GA, 30606.
Dr. McDonald graduated from Five Branches University with his Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) degree. His combined education in Oriental and Naturopathic medicine total over 12 years. His Oriental medical education also consisted of a four-year Masters degree from East West College of Natural Medicine and a one-year postgraduate internship with Dr. David Cohen, DO, FAAMA (Fellow of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture). His postgraduate specialty with Dr. Cohen was done in French Energetic & Electro-Acupuncture. Prior to his Oriental medical education, Mel spent six years earning two doctoral degrees (Doctor of Naturopathy-distance learning and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine-residential). His Naturopathic medical education is over and above the usual four-year education at most residential naturopathic schools and was combined with a three-year externship at NEWS, which totaled over 3,000 clinical hours alone with an additional 2,000+ hours didactic.
Dr. McDonald is a Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) in the State of Georgia and the State of Colorado. He is a Federally Registered Naturopath in Washington, DC. Dr. McDonald is Board Certified (NCCAOM) in Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM) and Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac), and he is also a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician (ANMCAB/ANMA).
Also included in the focus of his practice are:
- Acute and Chronic Pain Management
- Adrenal and Thyroid Dysfunction
- Anxiety and Stress Disorders
- Emotional Disorders
- Fertility
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Headaches/Migraines
- Hypertension
- Immune Disorders
- Insomnia
- Weight Loss-Doctor Supervised
- Women’s Wellness Care
- …….and many other health concerns
**We are currently accepting new patients.
Meet Angela Urso, MS, CNIM
Reiki Master | Sound Healing Practitioner | Founder of Stillroot & Solace
Angela Urso is a healthcare professional, Reiki Master, sound healing practitioner, and founder of Stillroot & Solace, a wellness practice dedicated to supporting nervous system regulation, emotional well-being, and restorative healing.
With an extensive background in healthcare, Angela brings a unique perspective to holistic wellness by combining her understanding of the human body and nervous system with complementary healing practices.
Angela holds a Master of Science in Surgical Neurophysiology from the University of Connecticut, a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, and a professional background in polysomnography and sleep medicine. Throughout her career, she has worked in highly specialized clinical environments, including sleep medicine and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, where she monitors the integrity of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system during complex surgical procedures.
Her years in healthcare have given her a profound appreciation for the intricate relationship between the nervous system, physical health, emotional stress, and overall well-being. They have also shaped her belief that meaningful wellness involves more than addressing physical symptoms alone.
Driven by a desire to support individuals beyond the traditional clinical setting, Angela expanded her education into holistic wellness, becoming a certified Reiki Master and completing training in sound healing.
For Angela, Reiki is more than an energy-healing practice. It is an opportunity to create a space where individuals can slow down, feel supported, and reconnect with a sense of peace within themselves. She views Reiki as a gentle, complementary practice that encourages intentional rest, self-awareness, and emotional reflection. Her approach is rooted in the belief that healing is not always about doing more, but about allowing ourselves the time and space to simply be.
Through Stillroot & Solace, Angela offers individualized Reiki sessions, therapeutic sound experiences, group sound baths, and wellness programming designed to help individuals navigate stress, burnout, emotional challenges, and periods of transition.
Her work is especially meaningful to those experiencing chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, or the demands of ongoing health challenges. Drawing from both her clinical background and holistic training, Angela strives to create an environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their personal wellness journey.
Angela believes that conventional healthcare and complementary wellness practices can coexist, each offering valuable approaches to supporting the whole person.
Her mission is simple: to help people recognize that rest is not something they need to earn, their well-being deserves attention, and they are worthy of care exactly as they are.
