Nicholas J. Gonzalez, M.D.

by Linda L. Isaacs, M.D.

When I met Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez (1947-2015), the trajectory of my career in medicine changed. At the time, I was a third year medical student, he was an intern — but he was partway through his research into the work of Dr. William Donald Kelley, and Nick had found compelling case reports that convinced him, and me, to dedicate our lives to researching and preserving Kelley's methods.

Drs. Gonzalez and Isaacs at lunch with the staff in 1998

Dr. Kelley was an orthodontist by training, who had created a method of treating cancer with diet, supplements, large amounts of pancreatic enzymes, and detoxification using coffee enemas. In the current era, when organic foods are in most supermarkets, and the medical world investigates the role of the microbiome, it can be hard to believe how controversial Kelley’s work was back then.

I have written elsewhere about the struggles of those early days, and about Nick’s determination as he dealt with obstacle after obstacle. Nick was uniquely suited to spearhead this effort to recreate and study Dr. Kelley’s methods. He was a brilliant physician, well versed in the biochemistry and physiology necessary to understand Kelley’s theories, and he was beloved by his patients. In addition, he had been a journalist before going to medical school, with a cover story for New York Magazine and a stint at Time Magazine. Since he had once been the person asking the difficult questions, he was able to deal effectively with sometimes hostile reporters. I still remember the time Nick was ambushed by a team from a national news program just after his presentation at a conference. Nick dealt with it with aplomb.

Although I worked with Nick even before he set up his practice in New York City, he is better known than I am. His journalism background made him the obvious “front man” for the practice, and he was a passionate and eloquent presenter, fluent orally and in writing. I am by nature more reticent and have had to develop those skills.

During the difficult days of the 1990s, Nick faced and overcame both challenges to his medical license, and financial challenges from medical malpractice suits. Though most physicians fear such attacks, the line of work we had chosen made us especially vulnerable. We maintained financial and business separation, thinking that if one of us was taken out professionally or financially, the other could continue. Since we were never formally partners, some might believe that my role in Nick’s work was purely supportive, even though I co-authored articles and a book with him.

Here is what Nick said about me in his acknowledgements for the book One Man Alone:

I especially wanted to express my appreciation to my colleague and scientific sounding board, Linda Isaacs, M.D., a devoted physician and scientist who has nurtured and grown this work with me. She has been an instrumental part of the effort, helping me complete my original Kelley research back in the 1980s, then working with me, side by side, as we started the practice in late 1987, never hesitating over the years to take on the administrative responsibilities of managing our busy practice. She put our websites together, takes care of the details of running a medical office that would otherwise drive me crazy, and has helped over the past two decades to fine-tune the therapy. She is a superb editor as well, who has with great insight refined each of my books including this one, investing considerable time and effort turning my writing into something better. She is a skilled physician who cares enormously for her patients, as well as a loyal and devoted friend who has helped me keep this treatment alive for future generations of scientists and patients. For your unswerving dedication over the years, I thank you.

From a 2001 letter:

She is a well-trained physician, very knowledgeable about orthodox as well as nutritional and alternative medicine. She keeps current with the literature, and has worked hard to complete any project that she has agreed to do. She is very dedicated to the welfare of her patients.

From a 2007 letter:

She is superbly conscientious, very dedicated to her patients, and interacts always well with patients and staff. She is organized, with unusually good managerial skills.

While a few practitioners over the years spent time in our office learning from Nick, there was no one besides me that he trusted to see the patients that contacted our office seeking treatment. Since his death, I have continued the work, publishing case reports and scentific articles, and seeing current and new patients in my office in Austin. I know that is what he would have expected; I believe he would be proud.

Wondering about the Nicholas Gonzalez Foundation? Click here for an explanation of why I am not involved.