As a new year begins, we turn the spotlight to Bastyr students and alumni, to clinic partners, and to outdoor classrooms on campus. Now on the heels of its 40th anniversary, we look forward with anticipation to the advancements coming from Bastyr University in 2019 and beyond!

Army veteran and Bastyr patient becomes ND student

Brian Trainor’s journey to naturopathic medicine began as a patient at Bastyr University Clinic in San Diego, Calif. After suffering severe injuries in a bicycle accident, Trainor then began experiencing highly debilitating gastrointestinal issues. His diagnosis of ulcerative colitis ultimately led to eight hospitalizations, and eventually a medical discharge from the US Army. Doctors recommended removing his large intestine, but before undergoing this life-changing surgery, Trainor decided to seek autoimmune therapy at Bastyr University Clinic. The results he experienced from his care by Bastyr naturopathic doctors (NDs) inspired him to turn around and help others in the same way, and to enroll at Bastyr. Trainor’s story continues in this video.

Students gain an opportunity to learn from naturopathic leaders

Over 180 ND students gathered to learn from and build relationships with the greater naturopathic community. The sixth annual Hale’s Palladium Opportunity Forum continues to be the Naturopathic Medical Student Association (NMSA) Bastyr-Kenmore Chapter’s largest and most successful event! Each year, the NMSA selects a panel of prominent doctors whose successes make them an ideal sounding board for students’ questions. This year’s notable panelists include:

Michael Cronin, ND, leading expert on the use of Regenerative Injection Therapy (RTI) and other safe and effective non-drug alternatives to treating pain

Nooshin K. Darvish, ND, medical director and founder of the thriving Holistique Naturopathic Medical Center, with fellowships in Integrative Cancer Therapies and Anti-Aging Medicine (candidate status).

Jill Ghormley, ND, coalition leader for medical aid in developing nations worldwide, also the first deaf, licensed naturopathic doctor in the US

Karim Abdullah, ND, whose practice integrates naturopathic and oriental medicine at Seattle Healing Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary community of holistic providers

This year’s, theme was opportunity, something surely top of mind for all students – whether close to graduation or about to enroll!

Seattle health care system partners with Bastyr’s teaching clinic

Local health care and hospital system Virginia Mason recognizes the importance of whole-person health care. In November 2018 the health system launched its Center for Integrative Medicine, seeking partnership with Bastyr for its expertise in natural medicine.

The Center is staffed by Astrid Pujari, MD, of Virginia Mason; and by Kevin Connor, ND, of Bastyr Center for Natural Health. “At Virginia Mason, we’ve always understood the importance of caring for the whole person,” says Ingrid Gerbino, MD, Chief, Primary Care. “The addition of the mind-body-spirit therapies of integrative medicine builds on that understanding and will elevate the quality of the overall patient experience.” The clinic offers naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, mind-body techniques, and other holistic treatment options in a coordinated way to benefit patients. Additional Virginia Mason clinics are expected to begin offering integrative medicine services later in the year. The partnership demonstrates one of numerous ways to answer the growing patient demand for natural remedies in an integrative setting.

Bastyr and community supporters honor native healing plants

The Bastyr University Gardens serve as outdoor classrooms for its students, and for the greater community as well — a place where people connect with and learn firsthand about the healing powers of the natural world. The Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail on Bastyr’s Kenmore Campus has become home to numerous species of endangered plants. Now, thanks to donations from the Tulalip Tribes and the Washington Native Plant Society’s Central Puget Sound Chapter, this beautiful trail will continue to increase awareness of the ecological importance and medicinal uses of the region’s indigenous plant species. Funds will be used to develop a K-12 curriculum, support forest canopy regrowth and make the Trail accessible to more people. “We hope that the Sacred Seeds Trail can serve as an outdoor classroom for all who wish to share and pass on their native teachings to their communities,” says Sheila Kingsbury, ND, RH (AHG), Chair, Bastyr’s Botanical Medicine Department.