Jakob Sletteland MSc, RH (AHG) is joining Wild Rose as our Director of Research and Development!
Jakob’s background in herbal medicine began in 2002 while living in the forest near Santa Cruz, CA. Getting to know the local flora, a desire to deepen relationships of place, increase health autonomy, and develop radical and resilient community—in addition to a stage 4 cancer diagnosis of his mother—all led to a deepening of study and the beginning of a life-long pursuit in herbal medicine. His interest in emergency and remote medicine prompted him to further study in his early twenties, completing course-work and becoming licensed as an advanced EMT (EMT-I) in OR as well as Wilderness EMT (WEMT).
After working in EMS for some years, Jakob completed a BA in Holistic Health and Phytotherapy (Herb Med) at Prescott College, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Herbal Medicine at the University of New England, in NSW Australia. In addition to self and academic study, he has completed extensive education in clinical nutrition and Western Herbal Medicine, including at the Ohlone Center for Herbal Medicine in Berkeley, CA, a clinical internship at The Columbines School of Botanical Studies in Eugene, OR, as well as at the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism in Boulder, CO.
He is a Registered Herbalist (RH) and professional member of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). In addition to his private practice oriented to underserved communities, Vital Force Natural Health, he volunteered his time and expertise with the free medical clinic for the unhoused, Occupy Medical in Eugene, OR between 2014 and 2019, and volunteers time ongoingly with Native American organizations in the Pacific Northwest. These include with the 4 Nations Sundance (2010-2018) and Blue Mountain Sundance Ceremony (2012-present). He spent years supporting hands-on wound care in the clinic, and maintains a special interest in the intersection of botanical medicine and skin care.
In addition to his herbal medicine background and ongoing practice, Jakob spent over 5 years working as a leader in remote healthcare for Vida Health/Vida Medical, promoting best practices in evidence-based care at the intersection of health coaching, clinical nutrition, and mental health care. This included designing and implementing clinical programs for diabetes prevention—where he worked closely with the DPP at CDC—as well as programs for weight loss, cardiovascular health, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, among others. He was also a cross-functional partner, supporting quality assurance / quality control teams, developing strategies to improve health equity through pioneering support for incorporating Social Determinants of Health, and driving initiatives for clinical safety and efficacy across cardiometabolic and behavioral health domains, improving health outcomes for tens of thousands of patients.
In addition to his herbal medicine background and ongoing practice, Jakob spent over 5 years working as a leader in remote healthcare for Vida Health/Vida Medical, promoting best practices in evidence-based care at the intersection of health coaching, clinical nutrition, and mental health care. This included designing and implementing clinical programs for diabetes prevention—where he worked closely with the DPP at CDC—as well as programs for weight loss, cardiovascular health, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, among others. He was also a cross-functional partner, supporting quality assurance / quality control teams, developing strategies to improve health equity through pioneering support for incorporating Social Determinants of Health, and driving initiatives for clinical safety and efficacy across cardiometabolic and behavioral health domains, improving health outcomes for tens of thousands of patients.
At Wild Rose, Jakob now directs and implements our R&D objectives and initiatives, new product development, QA/QC, GMPs and more. This position harnesses clinical, healthcare management, and operations expertise and pairs it with his 15 years of herbal medicine experience, love of research, phytochemistry, natural products sciences and formulation. He is hugely excited to join Wild Rose Herbs and continue applying his many skill sets in developing the highest quality, effective and ethical herbal products found anywhere!
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