AANMC Board Members

Fraser Smith, MATD, ND
AANMC President
National University of Health Sciences

Fraser Smith, MATD, ND is the chief academic officer for the ND program serving as Assistant Dean of Naturopathic Medicine at the National University of Health Sciences’ (NUHS) College of Professionals Studies. He is a Professor and author of the textbook, Introduction to Principles and Practices of Naturopathic Medicine.
Dr. Smith is also the author of three additional books for the public, Keep Your Brain Young; The pH Balance Health & Diet Guide for GERD, IBS and IBD; and The Complete Brain Exercise Book.
He is an editorial board member of the Natural Medicine Journal, and teaches Botanical Medicine, Pharmacology and Naturopathic History, Philosophy and Principles at NUHS. Dr. Smith is licensed to practice as a naturopathic physician in Vermont. He is past president (2008 – 2013) of the Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Christine L. Girard, ND, MPH
AANMC Vice President
President, National University of Natural Medicine

Dr. Christine L. Girard is the President of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. For over 20 years she has devoted her career to integrative medicine and educating medical professionals across specialties.

Trained as a naturopathic physician, Dr. Girard’s career has focused on hospital-based integrative medicine and leadership in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. She has been a physician administrator for many years and has held executive leadership positions, including executive vice-president of the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Michael Schanz, MBA
AANMC Treasurer
President, Boucher Institute

Michael obtained his B.Sc. and MBA in Canada.  His experience spans the higher educational, pharmaceutical and financial fields.  His background as a CEO in the European financial sector, as a strategic development consultant with international pharmaceutical and service sector firms, teacher and executive coach provide a level of experience and perspective that working in an international arena is able to bring.  He has a particular passion for naturopathic medicine, particularly botanical medicine and homeopathy.

Bob Bernhardt, BSc, MEd, LLM, PhD
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine

The president of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) since 2004, Dr. Bob Bernhardt, has a broad background encompassing post-secondary education, international education, administrative law and medical education.

Jaquel Patterson, ND, MBA
President, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Dr. Jaquel Patterson is a naturopathic physician who is passionate about seeing people’s lives change dramatically through naturopathic medicine, not only in health outcomes, but in mind, body and spirit. She is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine.

 

Paul Mittman, ND, Ed.D
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Mittman is president of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Ariz., and the founding president of AANMC.

Shawn O’Reilly
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors

Ms. Shawn O’Reilly is the Executive Director and Director of Government Relations for the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.

Harlan Patterson
President, Bastyr University

Mr. Patterson has an MBA from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s in Business from Montana State University. He has served in a number of executive capacities with the University of Washington, most recently as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at University of Washington Tacoma, and as Executive Director of the Washington Vaccine Alliance.

Marcia Prenguber, ND, FABNO
University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Marcia Prenguber is the dean of the University of Bridgeport (UB) School of Naturopathic Medicine. Previously, Dr. Prenguber served as president of the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and president of the Naturopathic Postgraduate Association.

AANMC Executive Director

JoAnn Yánez, ND, MPH, CAE
Executive Director, AANMC

JoAnn Yanez, ND, MPH, CAE is the Executive Director of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges and the chair of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health (ACIH). She also serves on the Integrative Health Policy Consortium Education Committee. Weaving a passion for illness prevention into her professional life, Dr. Yanez’s career has spanned advocacy, academia, patient care and public health. As AANMC Executive Director, Dr. Yanez oversees research, advocacy efforts, and the joint academic endeavors of the accredited colleges of naturopathic medicine. Additionally, she helps spread awareness of naturopathic medicine as a viable and satisfying career path.
 

Prior to joining the AANMC, Dr. Yanez was head of government relations for the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She increased recognition of the importance of licensure in the state and effectively garnered support of legislators and senior government officials. During her tenure with the NYANP, Dr. Yanez was invited to participate in a think-tank on childhood obesity sponsored by MIT, Harvard and Columbia Universities. During the summer of 2009 she found herself “on the hill” working with Congressional members and elected women to increase awareness of the importance for integrative medicine coverage in the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Yanez served six years as a Director of the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education – the accrediting body for naturopathic medical colleges. She was awarded the 2006 Legacy Award from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and 2007 NYANP Physician of the Year Award. Dr. Yanez has also been inducted into the Rho Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership and Scholarship National Honor Societies and is a member of the Delta Omega Honor Society for graduates of schools of public health.

Dr. Yanez resides in Southern California with her husband and son, and enjoys music, dancing, eating good food, and full-throttle belly laughs.