Bastyr University(January 2011) – Once again, the year 2010 has proven that the naturopathic medical schools can thrive even in challenging times. From campus expansion to curriculum improvement, the past year has seen advancements at every one of the AANMC schools, setting the stage for an exciting 2011!
Growth, expansion & good environmental health:
Bastyr expands its borders, in and outside of Washington
Bastyr University stayed busy on multiple expansion fronts in 2010. On its Kenmore, Wash., campus, the school opened a new student village housing complex for an additional 132 students. This innovative, eco-friendly construction was honored as the U.S. Green Building Council's Outstanding Multifamily Project in the 2010 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Awards. Bastyr also created a new Center for Student Research, which will serve as a resource for students interested in research opportunities. Finally, and perhaps most excitingly, the school announced its intention to establish a campus in California, a development long awaited by residents of the Golden State.
NCNM grows its campus, its botanical garden
Ever conscious of the growth of the naturopathic medical profession, National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) focused on important campus expansions in 2010. A newly acquired campus building will now serve as an expanded lecture hall and classroom space, allowing the school to admit and educate an even greater number of future NDs. In addition, the NCNM Clinic, the largest naturopathic medical clinic in Portland, Ore., was expanded to include a teaching botanical herbal garden, the Min Zidell Botanical Healing Garden. This urban oasis was named after a patient of an NCNM alumnus and made possible by the children of that patient, who donated $150,000 to its funding.
NUHS cultivates medicinal herb garden
At National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), it was the students who broke ground (literally!) in 2010 with their new on-campus herb garden. The project was spearheaded by the school's future NDs, and members of the Naturopathic Medical Students Association (NMSA) have volunteered to tend to and harvest the plants. ND students, as well as those from other NUHS programs, are now able to gain hands-on experience working with the herbs. The garden contains more than 30 medicinal plants, such as Chinese angelica, echinacea and burdock, and there are plans for expansion: The students hope to begin planting at-risk species this spring, turning their herb garden into a Plant Saver Sanctuary.
Academic advancement & advantage:
BINM launches professional development program for students
To prepare students for the realities of clinical practice and to ensure their success as future practitioners of naturopathic medicine and, in many cases, as small business owners, 2010 saw the launch of the Professional Development Program at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM). The program requires students to accumulate 100 professional development hours, which they can earn through community outreach, community education and/or BINM events and educational opportunities. Explains program chair Aaron Van Gaver, BSc, ND, the Professional Development Program is an invaluable addition to the education experience at BINM because it "provides students with a comprehensive view of what is needed to be a well-rounded naturopathic physician.
CCNM paves the way in clinical research
It was an year in medical research for Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM): the school's department of research and clinical epidemiology won the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians' (AANP's) 2010 Award of Outstanding Achievement: Best Research for its cardiovascular disease studies. On behalf of the school, Dugald Seely, ND, MSc, director of research, and Patricia Herman, ND, PhD, presented Naturopathic Treatment for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Whole System Randomized Pragmatic Trial. The results of this year-long study demonstrated that individualized naturopathic treatments effectively reduced the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes, reduced cardiovascular age and decreased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome – all while saving more than $1,000 per person per year. Direct involvement in clinical research studies such as this one provides daily benefits to students at CCNM.
SCNM upgrades curriculum
In the fall of 2010, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) restructured its academic calendar, a change with several benefits of great consequence to SCNM students. Under the new schedule, future NDs will be introduced to the doctor-patient setting in the school's teaching clinic during the first of med school, rather than the third. Such early clinical exposure will aid the students in applying their knowledge to real-world clinic situations. In addition, SCNM reduced the required lecture hours by 200, providing students with more time to experience actual patient care. Finally, the new curriculum in general will incorporate case-based instruction, as well as team-based learning, an approach now utilized in 77 U.S. medical schools. These teaching methods are proven to enhance students' educations by drawing on the diverse strengths and experiences of their peers.
UBCNM advances integrative medicine, starting at the ground level
An integrative approach to health care is one of the core principles of naturopathic medicine, the goal being the long-term health of the patient through the most effective treatment available. At University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM), the naturopathic medical college's place within a larger university, one with other health sciences programs under the same roof, is a definite asset. From day one of their educations, UBCNM students are able to learn side by side with other types of medical students, such as acupuncture and chiropractic. In classroom and in clinic, they collaborate with students from other programs; study under faculty who teach across disciplines; and collaboratively reach out to the patient community with health care events, such as free mammography screenings, free patient diagnoses and community health fairs. All of these interdisciplinary efforts result in knowledge and experience that will benefit the students as practicing NDs. Every year, UBCNM strives to strengthen its integrative approach, and 2010 was no exception.
View our archives to track the growth and progress of the accredited ND schools over past few years:
Issue #26: Naturopathic Medical School Milestones 2009
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 2010.
Take your first step to becoming a naturopathic doctor today. Request information from the ND school of your choice.
