SEATTLE/April 19, 2021—The medical profession is at a critical crossroads as the public gains greater awareness, acceptance and desire for integrative therapies. This means the professional community must begin collaborating to meet the need. The Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), a non-profit 501-(c)(3) that works to educate the public about and increase access to naturopathic medicine, is recruiting members for an interdisciplinary board of medical doctors (MD) and doctors of osteopathy (DO).
The concept for the board was initiated by Leonard A. Wisneski, MD, FACP, faculty of Georgetown University, George Washington University, University of Colorado; Chair Emeritus of the Integrative Health Policy Consortium and author of Scientific Basis of Integrative Health. “Primary care should be focused on whole-person medicine,” says Dr. Wisneski. “Naturopathic doctors are educated as specialists in lifestyle and behavioral medicine, which hones in on healthy habits that support prevention of chronic diseases. And as such, they should be more readily integrated into primary care settings. This board will help facilitate that process.”
The naturopathic profession is uniquely trained to address many of the pressing health issues that concern the nation, including:
- Whole-person health care support for the treatment of acute illness and the behavioral aspects of chronic disease as outlined in the Naturopathic Determinants of Health.
- The lingering physiological, biological and neurological after effects of the pandemic.
- Growing shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural and low-income areas;
- Non-pharmaceutical treatments for pain management.
- Chronic disease prevention in community health centers, primary care practices and teaching hospitals.
“The creation of the MD/DO Naturopathic Advisory Board is important with the current and future emphasis on whole-person health. A natural approach inclusive of appropriate lifestyle counseling, prevention, wellness, and well-being is an important aspect of healthcare. The education and clinical approach of the naturopathic physician (ND) is perfectly suited to deliver this form of comprehensive care. The Board will be comprised of medical doctors who appreciate these unique talents and will advise NDs as to how best to share their talents and experience with other healthcare practitioners,” says Michelle Simon PhD, ND, President and CEO of INM.
Members of the Board will participate in a series of tele/web conversations with Drs. Wisneski and Simon and provide support for the integration of the naturopathic medicine into university education and teaching centers, primary care and community health settings and other clinical and hospital institutions.
Both INM and their partner organization, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians are looking forward to expanding and defining national opportunities and challenges to advancing the naturopathic medical profession, while providing guidance for potential approaches to educate the greater medical profession on naturopathic medicine.
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Contact: Michelle Simon PhD, ND
Institute for Natural Medicine
4500 9th Ave NE, Ste 300, Seattle, WA 98105
M: 206-399-5451
O: 206-486-3380
Contact for other INM programming information:
Kimberly Lord Stewart
Marketing and Content Director
M: 303.579.8044
The Institute for Natural Medicine is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, partnered with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. INM’s mission is to transform healthcare in America by increasing both public awareness of naturopathic medicine and access to naturopathic doctors for patients. INM believes that naturopathic medicine, with its unique principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness that overwhelms existing health care systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain their optimal lifelong health. INM strives to achieve this mission through the following initiatives:
- Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of naturopathic medicine
- Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
- Research – Expand quality research of this complex and comprehensive system of medicine
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