Bastyr University(January 2010) - Year 2009 may have been a rough year by many people’s estimations, but to look at our schools' accomplishments over the past 12 months, you'd never know it! It has been a year of expansions, improvements and praiseworthy accomplishments across the board. Read on to find out what the schools of the AANMC have been up to in 2009.
Program landmarks:
NUHS awards first diplomas in naturopathic medicine since 1952.
In 2009, the AANMC’s newest member school, National University of Health Sciences, awarded its first doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND) degrees in 57 years. A 104-year-old institution, NUHS offered naturopathic medicine as one of its programs from the 1920s to 1952. That year, the degree was abandoned due to the prevailing criticism of the profession at the time. However, increasing support for and growth of the naturopathic medical profession in recent years has inspired NUHS to resuscitate the program. After re-initiating its ND degree in 2006, NUHS joined the AANMC in 2009. Although only three years old, the school’s ND program is thriving and continuing to expand, adding new faculty and increasing enrollment. The NUHS class of 2009 represents an important milestone for the school as it re-establishes itself among the accredited naturopathic medical colleges of North America. Learn more about NUHS’s historic 2009 commencement.
CCNM strengthens curriculum and clinical education to build better doctors.
At Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, the focus of 2009 was on improving the school’s curriculum and clinical education. As a result, CCNM students are now introduced to the clinic in the first year rather than in the third, thus allowing them to begin experiencing the role of a naturopathic doctor in a clinical and teaching environment much sooner. Additionally, less advanced students now engage in mentorships with their fourth-year peers. As a result, by the time students begin their senior clinic years, they will be comfortable with their roles and inclined to build stronger rapports with their patients. These advancements in curriculum will better prepare graduates to become health care educators and advocates in their communities. Learn more about CCNM’s new clinical education curriculum.
Campus expansion:
Bastyr University breaks ground on LEED-certified student housing project.
In May of 2009, Bastyr University began construction of its new “student village:” 11 eco-friendly cottage-style student residences, which are expected to be ready for occupancy in the summer of 2010. With 12 individual rooms in each three-story cottage, the project will add 132 rooms to the 42 currently available on campus, thus minimizing the number of commuters to campus and creating a greater sense of community at Bastyr. The LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) residences will be built on the western edge of campus along the tree line and will be connected by a series of garden paths, courtyards and outdoor living spaces carefully designed to be energy efficient and to mitigate the impact to the local environment. With more student housing available, Bastyr will be able to expand its already well-established presence in the Northwest naturopathic community. Learn more about Bastyr’s new student village.
SCNM Clinic acquires expanded facility.
Also in the spring of 2009, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences purchased a 42,000-square-foot building adjacent to the school’s campus in Tempe, Ariz. Beginning in the fall of 2010, the school will relocate its Scottsdale, Ariz., clinic to the new building, creating a unified SCNM campus; one entire floor of the building will be dedicated to the clinic, while other space will accommodate a natural pharmacy. There are currently about 340 students enrolled at SCNM, a number that has held steady over the years; but with the additional space provided by the new clinical facility, enrollment is expected to rise to 400. Learn more about SCNM’s new clinical facility.
NCNM expands campus, opening new clinic.
National College of Natural Medicine set its campus development plans into action in September of 2009, purchasing and remodeling an existing building into the new NCNM Clinic, the largest such facility in Portland, Ore. The 18,000 square feet of newly renovated space consolidates the school’s two teaching clinics into one convenient, on-campus location — providing a full spectrum of classical Chinese, naturopathic and specialty services, such as integrative oncology care. In addition to 30 patient treatment rooms, the clinic includes hydrotherapy and IV therapy rooms, a group-acupuncture and qigong area, a full-service natural medicine pharmacy and space for community seminar use. Thanks to a generous pledge from a grateful patient’s family, the future Min Zidell Healing Garden is being designed as a teaching botanical herb garden and will be situated directly behind the clinic. The new facility will allow NCNM NDs to better meet the growing public demand for quality naturopathic care. Learn more about the NCNM Clinic.
Pivotal leadership:
BINM names new president and executive director.
In September 2009, Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine gained Alexander Cortina as the school’s new president and executive director. President Cortina, who holds a doctoral degree in education, had previously served as BINM’s dean of student affairs, registrar and chief development officer; he has been a committed leader at BINM for over eight years and will continue his dedication to quality naturopathic medical education in his new role. The former president, Patricia Wolfe, ND, will continue to serve as president emeritus. BINM is confident that President Cortina will honor Dr. Wolfe’s previous efforts, commitment, direction and leadership, ensuring the continuance of the school’s identity while expanding upon its strong foundation.
UBCNM expands on commitment to clinical training.
Over the past year, University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine has increased students’ opportunities to hone their clinical skills. UBCNM students work with and study under some highly experienced and influential physicians: Peter D'Adamo, ND, author of Eat Right for Your Type and The Genotype Diet, runs a personalized medicine shift using genomics, lifestyle and nutritional therapies. Faculty member Jared Skowron, ND, a Defeat Autism Now (DAN)-certified physician and author of Fundamentals of Naturopathic Pediatrics, supervises a pediatrics shift focusing on autism spectrum disorders. Finally, senior faculty member Jody Noé, ND, oversees a shift focusing on oncology and endocrine disorders. Her book, Fundamentals of Naturopathic Oncology, is expected to be released this year. Whether practicing with experienced naturopathic physicians at the UB Clinic, participating in internal medicine rounds with conventional medical students at St. Vincent's Hospital, or training at a satellite clinic, future NDs at UBCNM now have even more opportunities to successfully treat a diverse population of patients.
View our archives to track the growth and progress of the accredited ND schools over past few years:
Issue #22: Naturopathic Medical School Milestones 2008
Issue #17: Naturopathic Medical School Milestones 2007
Issue #11: Naturopathic Medical School Milestones 2006
Meanwhile, beyond our campuses, the rest of the natural health world has been advancing as well. Read Top 10 CAM News Stories 2009.
Take your first step to becoming a naturopathic doctor today. Request information from the ND school of your choice.
