Executive Spotlight: Dr. David K. Hill, D.C.

Those that know the extent of Dr. David K Hill, D.C.’s essential oils expertise may be surprised to learn that his first experience with them was less than perfect. He says, “I had a problem and I had already been to all of my colleagues in addition to doing everything I could, though nothing helped. At this time a patient had come to me and said she had a solution for me. She gave me a bottle of eucalyptus essential oil and told me to just put it on my skin, with no further instructions. Well, I quickly learned that putting eucalyptus oil on cracked and bleeding skin is not a pleasant experience. I went to the bathroom to wash it off, which of course just made it worse. I was very angry, and I took the bottle and threw it in the trash. I determined I would never have anything to do with essential oils again.”
 

But, sometimes life has a funny way of changing our minds. He continues, “Later, one of my children was not doing well. I had a friend who knew about essential oils, and they encouraged me to investigate them a little differently. One thing led to another and I found myself re-investigating essential oils, this time with a different purpose. Through my research, the oils became very powerful for us as a family, and we just stayed focused from that point forward. Because my first experience with them was not a very good one, that’s helped me remain committed to making sure people have access to good and reliable information.”
 

What has been your biggest professional obstacle?

Getting involved in essential oils when they were not readily accepted by other people or the scientific community was a challenge. Essential oils were positioned as something only used by people who didn’t know enough to use medicine. But I began to see oils differently as I was exposed to them. I saw them as powerful, safe, and easy to use, and I saw that lives were being changed. I found myself wanting to be a great voice for essential oils, and that was challenging because I had a lot to learn. As my knowledge increased, I began to feel like a great resource to others, not in a boastful way, but in the sense that I could help more people. Although there were many who began to see me as an expert, it was still difficult because, among my peers and in medicine as a whole, I was seen largely as a maverick out on the edge.
 

While the circumstances were challenging, they allowed me to become more open and aggressive about my opinions. That actually afforded me some pretty great opportunities—and the very thing that was most challenging made me well-known and positioned me as an expert.
 

How would you define your role in the company?

I’m the Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board. I immensely enjoy my involvement with other health care professionals and scientists. There is so much yet to discover and I anticipate doTERRA will continue to redefine essential oils for personal models of use and mainstream acceptance. I love to educate others in the use of essential oils. For me “education” is more than just sharing the value of essential oils. As we foster more research and integrative methods in healthcare, I believe we can more appropriately share increased understanding for their safe and efficacious use. I am so grateful that there are so many who have found great value in what they have learned about essential oils.
 

What is your vision for doTERRA?

As a company our vision has been to share the essential oils with the world. We often say “oils in every home.” I believe this is possible and is an integral part of our mission. On a more personal level, I often feel that I can never do enough to help others. As a physician I feel somewhat called to do this. I have noticed that in general belonging to doTERRA is synonymous with helping others. For me it’s personal and very gratifying when you see people have life-changing experiences with essential oils. I feel an unwavering commitment to continue to create an environment that allows others to find happiness and success in their own use of our products.
 

What is your favorite quote?

“I’d rather be a has-been than a could-have-been by far; because a could-have-been has never been, but a has-been was once an are.” –Milton Berle
 

What is something few people know about you?

When I met my wife—my wife remembers this best—I was wearing orange-tinted sunglasses and bright-orange cowboy boots. I looked great! Thankfully she dresses me now. What do you do for fun? I love being with my family. I don’t care what we’re doing; I just like being involved with my kids and grandkids. I also love flying. It’s exhilarating, it’s challenging, and it’s beautiful. You see things that you would never see any other way. I love all outdoor activities.
 

Random Facts

• Dr. Hill has flown over the Grand Canyon at 14,000 feet.
• He loves all sports and is known for having mad basketball skills.
• When he finds time, Dr. Hill loves to build old cars and trucks.