Dr. Aunna Herbst
SALT Health
As a physician with a focus in functional medicine, Dr. Herbst takes a more holistic and integrated approach to patient care, treating the underlying causes of disease, rather than just the symptoms. She began her professional journey in 1999 when she graduated from the Trinity College of Natural Health. She graduated from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007 and completed her certification with the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2013. Dr. Herbst furthered her knowledge and skill in 2007 by graduating from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her certification with the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2013.
Dr. Herbst spent three years working to establish the highly acclaimed Center for Functional Medicine at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic — the first of its kind — serving as the Director of Clinical Operations and onsite Physician. She is sought after for her expertise, receiving awards and speaking invitations at events across the nation. A recent accomplishment included a 2017 research sponsorship award from the American Osteopathic Association.
Dr. Britton Lott
The Breast Center, A MANA Clinic
Dr. Britton Lott is a board certified breast imaging specialist with The Breast Center of Northwest Arkansas. She completed a diagnostic radiology residency at UAMS in Little Rock and a breast imaging fellowship at Breast Imaging of Oklahoma. Dr. Lott comes from a long line of radiologists: her father, sister, uncle, and cousin are radiologists, as well.
Dr. Lott is an active member of the Society of Breast Imaging and holds a seat on the Washington Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and the MANA Board of Directors. She is a co-director for Arkansas Breast Cancer Specialists, a multidisciplinary group focused on improving patient outcomes. Dr. Lott is a regular speaker at breast cancer events where she advocates for increased funding for research and improved access to care. Additionally, she has worked with Arkansas legislators to expand insurance coverage for breast imaging services, including the passage of Act 553 in 2021.
Dr. Lott is a former Arkansas State Heptathlon champion and NCAA college athlete, winning the Big South Conference Heptathlon in 2002. Dr. Lott grew up in Northwest Arkansas and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing, ideally in the company of her three daughters.
Dr. Michelle Walters
The Breast Center, A MANA Clinic
Dr. Walters completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Texas A & M and her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Following an internship, residency, and fellowship in MRI and Breast Imaging, Dr. Walters moved to Dallas and became a partner at Radiologic Associates of North Texas where she has provided breast imaging for the last 24 years. She recently moved to NW Arkansas and joined the breast imaging group at The Breast Center.
Dr. Walters is a fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Radiology, and has held many leadership positions with this organization, including the Presidency. She has published a number of professional papers, and was also the medical columnist for Sí Magazine, a local Hispanic Life publication in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Prior to moving to Northwest Arkansas, Dr. Walters was voted by her peers as one of the top doctors in Dallas.
Aside from her career, Dr. Walters enjoys hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other activities outdoors. She enjoys exploring trails, rivers, and lakes in Northwest Arkansas with her two dogs, “Franklin” and “Ellie”.
Nikki Watts
Born and raised in Arkansas, Nikki Watts grew up in Fort Smith, AR and attended Southside Highschool. She later attended Henderson State University to pursue a degree in Aviation. She completed her bachelor’s degree of Science in Aviation with a minor in Physics and held the position as Vice President of the professional collegiate aviation fraternity, Alpha Eta Rho. During that time, she obtained her Private, Commercial, and Instrument Pilot ratings. While in college she met her husband, Brian Watts. Following graduation she moved to Atlanta, GA. After the birth of their first son, Aiden, they decided to move to Arkansas to be close to family. Shortly after their move, their second born, Gavin, completed their family.
During the early years of motherhood, Nikki was tested for the BRCA gene due to a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. She was positive. For her this meant alternating mammograms and breast MRIs every six months, along with pelvic ultrasounds. During this time, Nikki and Brian were busy raising their young family and becoming very active in their church. For Nikki, this included working in the nursery, volunteering at camps, organizing family nights, hosting small groups in her home, and making three separate trips to different countries in Africa for mission work. This led Nikki to follow God’s calling in her life to pursue a master’s degree in Human Services Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University.
In late 2018 shortly before her yearly breast MRI, she felt a lump and as someone who is BRCA positive, a small lump in her breast only meant one thing. Appointments moved quickly and she was diagnosed with Stage 2b triple negative breast cancer. It was decided to participate in a chemotherapy pill trial that was that was led by Highlands Oncologist, Dr. Thaddeus Beck. In mid 2019 she traveled to The Center of Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, LA to undergo a double mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction. She had a complete pathological response to the chemotherapy pill. This was followed by IV chemo and a 2nd surgery in New Orleans. During her lengthy recoveries from surgeries, Brian and Nikki were able to benefit from the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. The Hope Lodge provided a free place to stay with access to a kitchen, dining room, and laundry room. They felt very blessed to utilize their facilities during her recovery time.
By the end of 2019 she was finished with all treatments. Nikki is now healthy, homeschooling her two sons, active in her church, and is a board member and director of a local homeschool co-op in Rogers.
