Meet the R2 Medical Team

Dr. Erik Natkin is the founder and physician at R2 Medical Clinic. His approach to medicine reflects not only his medical training, but also a diverse personal and professional background that has shaped the way he approaches patients, problems, and healthcare.

Born in California and the son of a psychiatrist, Dr. Natkin was exposed to medicine from an early age. He spent much of his childhood growing up in Germany, an experience that exposed him to a different culture, healthcare system, and way of looking at the world. Those early experiences helped develop the broad perspective and curiosity that would eventually influence his approach to medicine.

His path to becoming a physician, however, was anything but conventional. Before attending medical school, Dr. Natkin pursued interests and worked in several very different fields, including environmental chemistry, construction, information technology, and business. That varied background taught him to approach problems from multiple perspectives and to look beyond the obvious answer when trying to understand why something is happening.

Dr. Natkin ultimately returned to his early connection with medicine and earned his medical degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences. Following medical school, he completed a general surgery internship before continuing his training in orthopedic surgery in Oregon. His surgical training provided extensive experience in anatomy, physiology, musculoskeletal medicine, and the evaluation and treatment of complex medical conditions.

In 2019, Dr. Natkin founded R2 Medical Clinic with the goal of creating a different kind of medical practice—one where providers have the time to listen to patients, understand what they are experiencing, and develop individualized treatment plans rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Today, his clinical practice includes men's hormone health and testosterone therapy, women's hormone optimization, medical weight management, sexual health and erectile dysfunction, peptide therapy, and other areas of wellness medicine. His approach considers symptoms, laboratory findings, medical history, medications, lifestyle, and individual treatment goals when determining what options may be appropriate.

Dr. Natkin has a particular interest in situations where the answer is not necessarily found in a single laboratory value. He believes laboratory testing is an important part of medical decision-making, but that results should be interpreted within the context of the individual patient. Treatment decisions should reflect the overall clinical picture, with patients understanding the potential benefits, risks, alternatives, and limitations of the options available to them.

As founder of R2 Medical Clinic, Dr. Natkin remains directly involved in patient care and also serves as a medical reviewer for educational content published by the clinic. He believes that patients who understand their health and treatment options are better equipped to participate meaningfully in decisions about their care.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Natkin enjoys traveling, skiing, scuba diving, technology, automobiles, and spending time with family and friends. His varied experiences—from growing up in Germany to working in multiple industries before becoming a physician—continue to influence the philosophy behind R2 Medical Clinic: good healthcare begins with understanding the individual, not simply treating a number.

Crystal Rodriguez is the Office Manager at R2 Medical Clinic and brings more than 12 years of experience in healthcare. Her background as a medical assistant includes experience in pediatrics, family medicine, pain management, and hormone therapy, giving her a broad understanding of both patient care and the day-to-day needs of a medical practice.

Crystal began working with Dr. Natkin in 2018 and has been part of R2 Medical Clinic since its founding in 2019. Having been there from the beginning, she has grown alongside the practice and has played an important role in helping R2 become what it is today. Over the years, she has developed lasting relationships with many of our patients and takes pride in creating an environment where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and genuinely cared for.

Whether she is helping a patient navigate their care, supporting the medical team, or keeping the clinic running smoothly behind the scenes, Crystal is an important part of the R2 Medical family. One of the things she enjoys most about her role is getting to know patients beyond their appointments. She believes that a friendly face, a little humor, and taking the time to listen can make a meaningful difference in someone's healthcare experience.

Outside of the clinic, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family and friends and making the most of life outside of work. Her warmth, sense of humor, and genuine interest in people are qualities she brings with her to R2 every day.

I am a mother of two, who believes in the power of continuous learning and professional growth. I hold both an Associate's degree in Business as well as an LMT certification from Arapahoe Community College. Since June 2023, I have proudly contributed to the healthcare field as a medical assistant for Dr. Natkin, where I apply my diverse academic background to support patient care.

Originally born in Colorado, I later moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and ultimately to Denver, Colorado to finish my education. I love the outdoors and adventure and cherish spending quality time with my sisters, exploring nature, and forging new memories. With an unwavering commitment to expanding my knowledge in health care, I am excited to embrace new opportunities and challenges throughout the life that lies ahead.