Meet Dr. Susan L Marra,
Your Seattle Lyme Disease Doctor
Your Seattle Lyme Disease Doctor
Welcome to My Practice
Dr. Marra specializes in personalized, precision functional medicine, a practice rooted in her own journey as a survivor of multiple tick-borne illnesses, which began in 2000. That lived experience is not background detail; it is the foundation of her clinical philosophy, her empathy, and her relentless commitment to getting patients well.
As a Seattle Lyme disease doctor and Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor (LLND) with 28 years of clinical experience, Dr. Marra practices at the intersection of functional medicine, naturopathic wellness, and regenerative medicine. Her practice is grounded in rigorous lab work, clinical transparency, and evidence-informed naturopathic wellness care.
Dr. Marra understands that complex chronic illness is never one-size-fits-all. Each patient presents a unique constellation of symptoms, a personal illness thumbprint, shaped by their individual genetics, physiology, and environmental exposures.
Her practice focuses on complex chronic illness driven by tick-borne infections (Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, RMSF, and others), mycotoxin and mold illness, heavy metal and chemical toxicity, Long COVID, mRNA vaccine injury, SIBO/SIFO, parasites, and co-infections including Epstein-Barr virus and Herpes viruses. These conditions do not fit neatly into conventional medicine’s frameworks, and that is precisely why so many patients slip through the cracks.
Ready To Start?
If you are ready to move out of chronic illness and into a sustained state of wellness, to reclaim your life and express your full potential, Dr. Marra is ready to walk that path with you.
News & Updates
Stay informed with the latest developments in naturopathic wellness, tick-borne illness research, and integrative health, curated by Seattle Lyme disease doctor, Dr. Marra.
In a major win for the Lyme community, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding research, testing, and treatment for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The bill takes a three-pronged approach: continuing the national public health strategy for vector-borne diseases, reauthorizing regional research centers for five years, and renewing CDC grants to state health departments for prevention and early detection.
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The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, advancing legislation that would provide $150 million over five years for Lyme disease and tick-borne illness research and response. The bill would maintain a national vector-borne disease strategy, sustain regional Centers of Excellence for research and disease surveillance, and renew grants that strengthen state and local public health capacity. It now heads to the Senate for a final vote.
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Cases of alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy triggered by the bite of a lone star tick, have spiked this year on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard Hospital alone conducted nearly 700 tests for alpha-gal this year, with more than half coming back positive. But experts, including a Tufts University infectious disease professor, emphasize that a positive test doesn’t guarantee an allergy will develop, and that standard tick prevention measures like using repellent, wearing long pants, and doing thorough tick checks remain the best line of defense.
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Anaplasmosis, a lesser-known tick-borne illness carried by the same blacklegged tick responsible for Lyme disease, is expanding its range across North America and showing up in new states, including Tennessee. A recent case study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal revealed that the disease can cause serious complications, including myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle. Doctors are urging patients to mention any outdoor activity during medical visits, as early symptoms can easily be mistaken for a common virus.
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Tick-borne disease risks are no longer confined to where they’ve historically been found. The New York Times breaks down the biggest threats by region across the country, from Lyme disease and babesiosis in the Northeast to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the West, and explains how booming deer populations, shifting land use, and rising temperatures are bringing different tick species into new areas. Whether you’re in a high-risk region or not, experts say precautions are still essential.
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Emergency room visits for tick-borne diseases are at their highest levels in a decade, and the threat is only growing. A practicing physician breaks down the three illnesses Americans need to know about: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Alpha-gal syndrome, covering their causes, symptoms, and treatments, as well as why warmer temperatures and suburban expansion are pushing tick populations into new territories.
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In a major step forward for Lyme disease patients, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a series of federal initiatives, including a multi-million dollar tick control pilot program, up to $2.5 million in innovation challenge funding, new research into Alpha-gal syndrome, and a public-private partnership to help patients connect with experienced providers. The announcement also reaffirmed a national goal of reducing Lyme disease cases by 25% by 2035
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From the dry pine forests around Spokane to the remote wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington State has no shortage of tick-prone landscapes. World Atlas breaks down the five highest-risk areas, the tick species most commonly found there, and the diseases they can carry, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and tularemia. If you’re hiking, camping, or riding this spring or summer, knowing where to be extra vigilant could make all the difference.
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The 2026 tick season is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent memory, with ER visits for tick bites hitting their highest April levels since 2017 nationwide. Scientists warn the trend is unlikely to reverse, a Lyme vaccine isn’t ready yet, and your best protection for now is prevention: bug spray, permethrin-treated clothing, and thorough tick checks after going outdoors.
Tick Bites Are Sending More Americans to the ER Than We’ve Seen in Nearly a Decade: Here’s Where It’s Worst.
Emergency room visits for tick bites are at their highest levels since 2017, with the Northeast and Midwest seeing the largest increases due to warmer temperatures and expanding tick habitats. Experts recommend performing thorough tick checks after spending time outdoors, as prompt removal is key to reducing infection risk.
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Doctors Warn of a Potentially Bad Year for Tick-Borne Diseases
Tick season is off to an unusually fast start in 2026, and U.S. doctors are taking notice. Emergency room visits for tick bites are at their highest levels for this time of year since 2017, with Connecticut alone reporting that 40% of submitted ticks are testing positive for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
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CDC Confirms Tick Season Is in Full Swing
The CDC is sounding the alarm: tick bites are higher than normal nationwide in 2026. As tick season peaks, knowing how to properly check for and remove ticks is more important than ever.
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Lyme Disease & Tick Bites on the Rise in the Midwest
Tick season is hitting harder than usual this year. The CDC’s Tick Bite Tracker is reporting emergency room visits for tick bites are at their highest levels since 2017 across most of the U.S., with the Midwest seeing a sharp spike, particularly through April. If you’ve been spending time outdoors, now is the time to be vigilant. Read the full NBC Chicago report here.
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Upcoming: Peptide World Congress 2026
The world’s leading experts in peptide therapy and regenerative medicine are gathering June 19–21, 2026 in Phoenix (and virtually) for cutting-edge lectures, panels, and clinical breakouts centered around the latest in cellular medicine.
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According to TickReport’s April 2026 Tick Forecast, tick activity is elevated across the entire country this spring, with much of the U.S. at moderate-high levels and several western states, including California, Washington, and Colorado, rated high risk. Four species to watch out for include the western black-legged tick, American dog tick, lone star tick, and black-legged deer tick.
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TIME MAGAZINE: It’s Going to Be a Bad Tick Season. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.
Experts are warning of a particularly active tick season this year, so staying protected outdoors is more important than ever. This TIME article breaks down what’s driving the surge and shares practical tips to help prevent Lyme disease.
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Recognition of Lyme disease is gaining momentum within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The roundtable scheduled for December 15, 2025 opens the door for future discussions on acknowledging chronic TBD as a national public health crisis.