Natalie A. Sanders
( out of 96 reviews )

Natalie A. Sanders, DO, FACP

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Clinical Locations

Madsen Health Center

Geriatric Care Clinic
Salt Lake City
801-581-8000

  • Dr. Sanders is an Associate Professor with the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Utah. She has primary and consultative patient care responsibilities, performs clinical research, and educates students and residents of all levels across several health care disciplines. Dr. Sanders completed her undergraduate medical education at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, CA. She subsequently graduated from the Internal Medicine Residency program from the University of Utah and was selected as a Chief Medical Resident. After practicing for three years as a General Internist with this same institution, Dr. Sanders formalized her training in a Geriatrics Fellowship.

    Upon completing her fellowship, Dr. Sanders worked as the geriatrician team member of the University of Utah Faint and Fall Clinic. The first clinic of its kind, this multidisciplinary clinic focused on providing expedited, standardized, evidenced based evaluation and treatment to patients with these conditions. Three years after its opening, Dr. Sanders became the Medical Director of the clinic and expanded assessments to include formal frailty evaluations. In 2017, Dr. Sanders narrowed her practice to focus on caring for geriatric patients. Her current clinical practice is at the University of Utah Geriatrics Clinic where she follows a panel of geriatric primary care patients and continues to provide consultative care with a specific focus on faint, fall, and frailty syndromes. She has served as a physician team member of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). HELP is an international evidence based delirium prevention program, of which the University of Utah is a Center of Excellence. This program plays a key role in assisting the University of Utah to become nationally credited as an Age Friendly Health System. Dr. Sanders is recognized as an expert in faint, fall, and frailty syndromes as well as delirium prevention at her institution. Dr. Sanders actively participates in leadership development activities. In July 2023, she will begin serving as the Medical Director for the University of Utah Madsen Geriatrics Clinic.

    In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Sanders supervises medical students, residents, and geriatric fellows. She serves as the Program Director for the ACGME approved Geriatric Fellowship. She also co-leads the combined Medicine-Geriatrics integrated residency/fellowship program. In these roles, she mentors future geriatricians and works diligently to ensure the program is providing outstanding training in geriatrics.

    Dr. Sanders’ scholarly focus complements her clinical expertise. Highlights from her research include addressing the role decreased baroreceptor function has in precipitating falls, the use of testosterone and exercise to prevent future falls and fractures and how the information gained from a frailty assessment may predict patient outcomes and prognosis. She is currently involved in an effort to disseminate Patients Priority Care, an educational framework which gives health care providers the tools to be able to identify what matters most to patients. This work aligns nicely with the University of Utah Health's accreditation as an Age Friendly Health System. Dr. Sanders’ commitment to providing an exceptional patient experience and her clinical acumen enables her to effectively collaborate across departments within the University of Utah and the community at large to ensure ongoing improvement in the care of older adults.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
    American Board of Internal Medicine (Sub: Geriatric Medicine)

    Patient Rating

    5.0 /5
    ( out of 96 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    February 11, 2024
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders is an excellent listener. She takes the necessary time to discuss plans of action so that I as a patient am involved.

    February 11, 2024
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders treated me very well.

    January 30, 2024
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders was filling in for my PCP and took it very seriously. I felt very comfortable.

    January 15, 2024
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Expierence and professional at its finest

    January 01, 2024
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders is a caring doctor who listens to my concerns.

    November 30, 2023
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders was very attentive to my needs and desire to improve my quality of life. This was demonstrated in part by how much time (more than an hour) she spent with me and her willingness to actually touch me. I really liked my first interaction with her and plan to keep her as my primary care physician.

    November 22, 2023
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders is a great Doctor. She is smart, listens and proceeds with correct ordering of tests and treatments.

    October 27, 2023
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr Sanders is always very thoughtful, thorough and constantly looking for any ways to improve my health issues.

    October 26, 2023
    MADSEN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Sanders was very cool, calm and respectful the entire time and I feel like she cared deeply about my Health and memory.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Dr. Sanders is an Associate Professor with the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Utah. She has primary and consultative patient care responsibilities, performs clinical research, and educates students and residents of all levels across several health care disciplines. Dr. Sanders completed her undergraduate medical education at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, CA. She subsequently graduated from the Internal Medicine Residency program from the University of Utah and was selected as a Chief Medical Resident. After practicing for three years as a General Internist with this same institution, Dr. Sanders formalized her training in a Geriatrics Fellowship.

    Upon completing her fellowship, Dr. Sanders worked as the geriatrician team member of the University of Utah Faint and Fall Clinic. The first clinic of its kind, this multidisciplinary clinic focused on providing expedited, standardized, evidenced based evaluation and treatment to patients with these conditions. Three years after its opening, Dr. Sanders became the Medical Director of the clinic and expanded assessments to include formal frailty evaluations. In 2017, Dr. Sanders narrowed her practice to focus on caring for geriatric patients. Her current clinical practice is at the University of Utah Geriatrics Clinic where she follows a panel of geriatric primary care patients and continues to provide consultative care with a specific focus on faint, fall, and frailty syndromes. She has served as a physician team member of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). HELP is an international evidence based delirium prevention program, of which the University of Utah is a Center of Excellence. This program plays a key role in assisting the University of Utah to become nationally credited as an Age Friendly Health System. Dr. Sanders is recognized as an expert in faint, fall, and frailty syndromes as well as delirium prevention at her institution. Dr. Sanders actively participates in leadership development activities. In July 2023, she will begin serving as the Medical Director for the University of Utah Madsen Geriatrics Clinic.

    In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Sanders supervises medical students, residents, and geriatric fellows. She serves as the Program Director for the ACGME approved Geriatric Fellowship. She also co-leads the combined Medicine-Geriatrics integrated residency/fellowship program. In these roles, she mentors future geriatricians and works diligently to ensure the program is providing outstanding training in geriatrics.

    Dr. Sanders’ scholarly focus complements her clinical expertise. Highlights from her research include addressing the role decreased baroreceptor function has in precipitating falls, the use of testosterone and exercise to prevent future falls and fractures and how the information gained from a frailty assessment may predict patient outcomes and prognosis. She is currently involved in an effort to disseminate Patients Priority Care, an educational framework which gives health care providers the tools to be able to identify what matters most to patients. This work aligns nicely with the University of Utah Health's accreditation as an Age Friendly Health System. Dr. Sanders’ commitment to providing an exceptional patient experience and her clinical acumen enables her to effectively collaborate across departments within the University of Utah and the community at large to ensure ongoing improvement in the care of older adults.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Internal Medicine -Primary
    Academic Divisions Geriatrics
    Board Certification
    American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
    American Board of Internal Medicine (Sub: Geriatric Medicine)

    Education history

    Fellowship Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Division - University of Utah School of Medicine Fellow
    Internal Medicine - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    Internship Internal Medicine - University of Utah School of Medicine Intern
    Osteopathic Medicine - Western University of Health Sciences D.O.
    Undergraduate Biological Sciences - University of Nevada B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Davizon-Castillo P, McMahon B, Aguila S, Bark D, Ashworth K, Allawzi A, Campbell RA, Montenont E, Nemkov T, DAlessandro A, Clendenen N, Shih L, Sanders NA, Higa K, Cox A, Padilla-Romo Z, Hernandez G, Wartchow E, Trahan GD, Nozik-Grayck E, Jones K, Pietras EM, DeGregori J, Rondina MT, Di Paola J (2019). TNF-α-driven inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction define the platelet hyperreactivity of aging. Blood, 134(9), 727-740. (Read full article)
    2. Sanders NA, Supiano MA, Lewis EF, Liu J, CLaggett B, Pfeffer MA, Desai AS, Sweitzer NK, Solomon SD, Fang JC (9/18/2018). The frailty syndrome and outcomes in the TOPCAT trial; doi: 10.1002/ejhf.1308. Eur J Heart Fail.
    3. Lund E, Sanders NA, Brignole M, Hamdan MH (2013). Cost Analysis of the Faint and Fall Clinic: A New Model in Health-care Delivery. J Innov Card Rhythm Manag, 4, 1258-1263.
    4. Sanders N, Jetter T, Brignole M, Hamdan M (Aug 2012). Standardized Care Pathway versus Conventional Approach in the Management of Patients Presenting with Faint at the University of Utah. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol, 2012.
    5. Sanders N, Ganguly J, Jetter T, Daccarrett M, Wasmund S, Brignole M, Hamdan M (Aug 2012). Atrial Fibrillation: A risk factor for non-accidental falls. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol, 2012(35), 973-979.

    Book Chapter

    1. Sanders NA, Supiano M (2014). Assessing Older Adults for Syncope Following a Fall. In CS Landefield, A Chang, BA Williams (Eds.), Current Geriatric Diagnosis and Treatment (2nd edition, pp. 443-446). Chicago: Lange Medical Books/McGraw Hill.

    Case Report

    1. Sanders N, Jetter T (October 2011). Syncope Masquerading as a Fall with Seizure Activity. J Am Osteopath Assoc, 111(9), 551.

    Abstract

    1. Ganguly J, Jetter T, Sanders N (05/01/2011). Atrial Fibrillation Independently Increases the Risk for Non-Accidental Falls in the Elderly [Abstract]. Heart Rhythm Journal, 8(5), Supplement.

    Other

    1. Manley N, Schleifer W, Sanders N (2016). Geriatrics Evaluation and Management Tools. Syncope Chapter.  American Geriatrics Society and Talebreza S, ed.  (Eds.). American Geriatrics Society.
    2. Sanders NA (September 2011). Fainting and Falling: Are you at Risk? Living Well (September 2011).

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Sanders N (2017). AGS CoCare: Ortho Co-management Curriculum, “Secondary Fracture Prevention,” American Geriatrics Society, New York, NY 2017 (peer reviewed contribution) [Web].
    2. Sanders N, Singpiel S (10/12/156). Listener Question: Can Over-the-Counter Medications Increase the Chances of Falls in Elders? [Web]. Salt Lake City: The Scope University of Utah Health Radio. Available: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/.
    3. Sanders N, Singpiel S (7/6/16). Falling is Not a Just a Part of Getting Older, It Is a Health Crisis [Web]. Salt Lake City: The Scope University of Utah Health Radio. Available: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/.

  • News & Podcasts

    Podcasts