Laurie R. Mallis, M.D., L.Ac., founder of SearchLight Medical, in Hopewell Junction, New York, has been interested in holistic medicine as far back as she can remember. Originally a traditional Western Medicine doctor, as the years passed Mallis began noticing ways the system failed patients. “When I got into geriatrics, most patients were on 19 or more medications. I knew there had to be a better way to manage their health issues and, at the same time, give them a better quality of life,” she affirms.

In 1997, while looking for books to read on an upcoming vacation, Mallis impulsively stopped into a Barnes and Noble in Hartsdale, New York, when she happened upon a reiki lecture. “I’d never heard of reiki,” she admits. “And I was intrigued with the idea of harnessing healing energy that you could take with you wherever you go!” Mallis stayed for the presentation. Shortly thereafter, she began her reiki journey and became a Master Reiki practitioner in August 1999.

Thus began her foray into practicing holistic medicine. At the time, Mallis was the director of a subacute care unit in a long-term care facility that included working with dementia patients. She began using reiki on many of them and was delighted to witness its healing effects. Inspired, she hoped to incorporate more holistic medicine techniques. However, management wasn’t as open-minded about integrating these ideas, so she began searching for employment elsewhere. “I wanted to work in an environment with like minds,” she shares. 

Mallis plotted her next career move carefully and became medical director at a non-profit medical center that supported weaving holistic medicine into patient care practices. With the company’s blessing, she acquired her medical acupuncture training for physicians from the Helms Medical Institute in Berkeley, California. Mallis was thrilled to begin offering acupuncture treatments to patients. Unexpectedly, the facility was bought by a for-profit corporation and when this occurred, Mallis gracefully bowed out.

Undeterred, Mallis used the sudden career pivot as an opportunity to embark on a new adventure. In October 2010, she enthusiastically opened the doors to SearchLight Medical. Thirteen years later, she is madly in love with the niche practice she built. “SearchLight Medical harmoniously blends ancient healing wisdom with contemporary medical practices,” explains Mallis, who offers first-time patients the luxury of a two-to-three-hour, in-depth visit. “Once you’re my patient, you’re under my wings and we travel your healing journey together,” asserts this passionate practitioner, skilled in the art of intuitive listening. “Unlike Western Medicine practices, I’m very accessible—even on the weekends. I want you to get well so you can start living your life to the fullest.”

Mallis attests that emotions are the root cause of disease. “Ninety-nine percent of our physical ailments are rooted in an emotion,” she says. “But we can rebalance our energy and restore our health,” she suggests. “I’ve seen it countless times. The healing that has happened in my office is almost beyond belief.

SearchLight Medical offerings include reiki, medical acupuncture, Chinese scalp acupuncture, Jade vitality far-infrared heating mat, Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture System, ONDAMED biofeedback technology, Acugraph Qi Analysis, and more. “I’ve seen profound results with ONDAMED as it penetrates down to the DNA to detect and repair areas of cellular imbalance and tissue inflammation,” she explains. “And I’ve been able to show my patients exactly how their bodies are healing using the AcuGraph Qi Analysis. This digital meridian imaging system analyzes the energetic status of acupuncture meridians. It’s a wonderful tool that can show you where your qi energy is blocked and how it improves after treatment. Once a patient sees how they are improving, it helps them stay motivated on their healing journey.” 

Overall, Mallis shares that her chief aim is to create a safe, relaxed environment so that people can heal. “I’m in this profession because I love it,” she affirms. “I’m so blessed to have so many wonderful people entrust me with their healing journey,” she shares. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help restore hope to someone who, at one point, felt no hope. Once they start healing, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment. This feeling never gets old!”

Location: 2424 Rte. 52, Ste. 1A, Hopewell Junction, NY. For more information, call 845-592-4310, email searchlightmed@optimum.net or visit SearchLightMedical.com.