About
Dr. Salwa Bakkali-Derksen serves as Medical Director of Empower Wellness Center in Northfield, MN. She earned her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine after completing undergraduate degrees in computer and biological sciences. Her clinical career spans over a decade, with seven of those years at Mayo Clinic as both a hospitalist and outpatient clinician. She has practiced across multiple hospital systems in several states.
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen specializes in internal medicine, functional medicine, and preventive medicine. She treats diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease, hormone imbalances, rheumatologic conditions, autoimmune conditions, and women's health concerns. Her clinical interests include osteopathic manipulation and hormone replacement therapy. She also holds professional experience in quality assurance, teaching, and mentorship. Fluent in three languages, she connects easily with patients from diverse backgrounds. She combines her conventional medical foundation with a holistic and integrative approach to care.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Computer and Biological Sciences (degrees)
Medical School
Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine
Additional Training
Quality assurance, teaching, and mentorship experience; hospitalist and outpatient clinician at Mayo Clinic for 7 years
Languages
English, fluent in three languages
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Bakkali-Derksen right for?
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen works well with adults managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or autoimmune disease. Patients who have struggled to find a root cause for long-standing health issues benefit from her diagnostic depth. She serves both men and women seeking physician-guided hormone replacement therapy. Adults interested in integrating functional medicine with traditional primary care find her approach a natural fit. Her multilingual fluency also makes her accessible to patients from a range of cultural backgrounds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen treats a broad range of conditions including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. She also manages rheumatologic conditions, autoimmune conditions such as ulcerative colitis, and women's health concerns. Her training in internal and functional medicine allows her to address both acute and complex long-term health issues.
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen combines conventional internal medicine training with a holistic and integrative perspective. She uses thorough bloodwork and diagnostic testing to identify underlying causes rather than simply addressing surface symptoms. Her goal is to help patients build sustainable health, not just manage their conditions.
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen earned her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine and spent over a decade as a hospitalist and outpatient clinician. She worked at Mayo Clinic for seven years and practiced across multiple hospital systems in different states before establishing Empower Wellness Center in Northfield, MN.
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen holds a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine and specializes in internal medicine, functional medicine, and preventive medicine. Her training spans over a decade of clinical practice, including seven years at Mayo Clinic.
Yes, hormone replacement therapy is one of Dr. Bakkali-Derksen's key clinical interests. She provides physician-guided bio-identical HRT for both men and women. She personalizes treatment based on each patient's lab results and health history.
Yes, osteopathic manipulation is among Dr. Bakkali-Derksen's clinical interests. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, she incorporates this approach alongside her internal medicine and functional medicine care when appropriate for the patient.
Dr. Bakkali-Derksen speaks three languages. Her multilingual ability allows her to communicate effectively with patients from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Yes, Dr. Bakkali-Derksen runs a medical weight loss program at Empower Wellness Center. She offers personalized plans and physician oversight, including access to medications such as Semaglutide. Virtual visits for weight loss are also available.
Doctor profile last updated April 11, 2026