Ponderosa Natural Medicine, owned by Dr. Karrina Wallace, has opened a satellite office in Salida.

Wallace, a registered naturopathic doctor, said she has been seeing patients for about a month at the office at 129½ Third St., which she shares with a local midwife.

Wallace’s primary office is in Wheat Ridge, but she sees patients in Salida every other Friday. She said she would like to eventually settle in Salida permanently.

Wallace earned a doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She also has a bachelor’s degree in science, nutrition, food and exercise.

She said she sees a lot of people with digestive issues, and mental health is another focus. She also focuses on preventive care and women’s health. Wallace said she tries to find alternative causes for symptoms.

Wallace started coming to Salida because her partner lives here. She said she’s enjoying getting to know the community better, and the community has been really welcoming.

“I find it really peaceful to come down here, so I do it as much as possible,” Wallace said.

She grew up in a small town in Virginia, which she said was similar to Salida. Wallace said Salida has felt like home.

“Once I started looking to do business here, I started to appreciate the community even more,” she said.