Choosing to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine is an investment in yourself and your future. For many students it means time away from loved ones – and for some, relocation with their family to be closer to a naturopathic medical school. The support of family through this temporary, but life-changing transition is sometimes one of the deciding factors in whether or not many students who are parents are able to pursue their passion in naturopathic medicine.
Join us as we share the stories of NDs who have successfully balanced naturopathic medical school as parents. Learn why they chose a career in naturopathic medicine, the challenges they faced, how they found work/life balance, and their advice for future students.
Courtney Middleton is pictured with her son Hendrix.
Discovering a calling and purpose in life
If you ask an ND why they chose a career in naturopathic medicine, the answer is likely to be personal. They face the challenge of balancing family and naturopathic medicine because they have witnessed firsthand the power of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine is a calling and purpose for many, that can be expressed with the individuality as unique as each student. Read on as NDs reflect on their path to naturopathic medicine and what sparked their interest in making the change from their previous careers to naturopathic medicine.
For some, the driving factor behind their decision to be an ND was learning how the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine aligned with their own beliefs on restoring health. They were further excited by the promise of making a lasting difference in lives of their loved ones and community.
Manora Hana Nygren is a former herbalist and the mother of two young boys.
Crystal Sciarini learned of naturopathic medicine after exhausting all other healthcare options for a condition.
Candi Dias is a former yoga instructor and realtor, and a single mother to a young son.
Katarzyna Podolska is a single mother of two small children, former government employee, translator, and language tutor.
Katarzyna Podolska is pictured with her children – Zofia and Zayden.
Taking the leap and accepting the challenge (and the move)
Jennifer Reinmuth-Birch’s life is a juggling act. With the support of her partner, she manages her naturopathic medical school curriculum while homeschooling her 17-year-old twin boys – one is on the autism spectrum and the other is busy applying to service academies and active in other extracurriculars – she does this all while commuting from her organic hobby farm on the Washington Coast to National University of Natural Medicine in Portland.
Like Jennifer Reinmuth-Birch, Dr. Marcello spent his weeks in naturopathic medical school in Connecticut and traveled well over an hour to be with his family over the weekends.
Dr. Joseph Marcello is pictured with his daughter Gianna at his graduation.
For many other naturopathic medical students, the prospect of naturopathic medical school required relocating.
Dr. Lindsay Hollister is pictured with her husband and three children on her graduation day.
How did you do it? Creating work/life balance
Advice for future ND students who are parents
Jennifer Reinmuth-Birch is pictured with her sons.
Finding balance after graduation as a naturopathic doctor
According to the 2020 Graduate Success and Compensation Study, more than half of all ND respondents are parents – here are perspectives of two NDs and how their career in naturopathic medicine has helped them be present parents.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in naturopathic medicine and want to know what it will take to accomplish your goals, please click here to speak with an admissions representative at the school of your choice. Much like a naturopathic doctor’s approach, the admissions representatives take a holistic review of applicants. In addition to your educational background, the admissions will want to know your why – your motivation for becoming an ND.
To learn more about other naturopathic doctors’ career paths and success stories, click here.