Want to learn how to find health and healing in your kitchen? Join the AANMC and Dr. Cory Szybala for an informative webinar to learn how your food choices can nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Good nutrition is core to overall health, and fundamental to the naturopathic approach to wellness and disease management. Learn the dos and don’ts and how to empower yourself and others to make lasting dietary and lifestyle changes.
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Dr. JoAnn Yanez, AANMC executive director, joins KCAA’s NBC LA affiliate On the Brink to discuss what is known to date about COVID-19 and natural therapies.
Full Transcript of Interview Below.
Topics Include:
The implications of a novel virus
Review of current literature and knowledge, including Traditional Chinese medicine and natural therapies
Tips to support a healthy immune system
How to show appreciation and support for those working on the frontlines of providing care
Tips to keep your mental health positive in the face of COVID-19
Erin Brinker: Welcome back. I’m Erin Brinker.
Todd Brinker: And I’m Todd Brinker.
Tobin Brinker: And I’m Tobin Brinker.
Erin Brinker: And We are On the Brink, the morning show on KCAA AM 1050, FM 106.5 and FM 102.3. We are joined by Dr. JoAnn Yanez. She is the Executive Director of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges and the Chair of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health. She also serves on the Integrative Health Policy Consortium Education Committee. Weaving a passion for illness prevention into her professional life, Dr. Yanez’ career has spanned advocacy, academia, patient care and public health. She joins us monthly to talk about all issues related to naturopathic medicine, health, wellness and just overall well-being. Dr. Yanez, welcome to the show.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Good morning, folks. I hope that you are all well.
Erin Brinker: Yes, going a little stir crazy, but other than that we’re really great. So, one of the things that’s come up throughout this growing crisis is people with their, and I’m going to use air quotes, you can’t see me, but I’m using air quotes, their natural cures for this virus, for the COVID-19. I think most of that is probably bunk, but you are the expert, so what do you do from a naturopathic standpoint do to combat this disease?
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Thank you so very much for bringing that up. So, first off, COVID-19 is a novel virus. What that means is that we’ve never seen it before. So if we’ve never seen it before, we never run any clinical tests or trials on it. Therefore, nobody should be claiming anything is a cure, or anything is specifically preventive for COVID-19. I want to be really emphatic about that. I was actually on the record in Newsweek because there was somebody making claims about cures for coronavirus. And so what we’re seeing is that there is nothing at all indicating that anything is, nothing has been tested. This is all brand new. Some of the trials in China are actively going on right now. They are testing Traditional Chinese Medicine and testing things like intravenous Vitamin C, but that is all going on right now. We have no data, we have no information. We don’t know. So, I think at this point anybody claiming to have a cure should not be doing so.
Erin Brinker: You know, they say that, they point to Chinese medicine and say that naturopathic medicine has been there for thousands of years. I say naturopathic, homeopathic or naturopathic, has been there for thousands of years, and that they have the right cure. But like you said, that may be true that this has been going on, that they’ve had this kind of medicine thousands of years, but this particular virus hasn’t been around for thousands of years. It’s new.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Yes. This particular virus is brand new. Traditional Chinese medicine is not the same as naturopathic medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has been around for many thousands of years and has clinical trials, has studies regarding many, many types of conditions. And if can be very efficacious in those types of conditions. But like I said, this is new, so we really don’t know specific to COVID-19 what is going to work.
We’re seeing interesting things with this virus and virus progression, from a microbiological standpoint of how it works. And so, we’re just trying to understand how the virus works, how it infects tissue, how it’s different from other viruses and other Coronaviruses. Most Coronaviruses will cause very minor symptoms or a common cold. This is obviously not the case here. And so people in the natural products industry are definitely speculating what could work based on what we know about the microbiology of this virus specifically, but we have no, it’s all speculation at this point. Does that make sense?
Erin Brinker: It does. It does. Where something may look promising, but we don’t have any studies to prove that it will indeed be promising, or that there might be some other issue down the road.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Exactly. There are no studies because it is novel. Novel means new.
Erin Brinker: So, what should people do to, I mean we know about the social distancing.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Yes.
Erin Brinker: Are there supplements that people can take to boost their immune system? I know that there’s a lot of people, there’s a lot of nonsense out there. And so the consumer says, “Well if I take this, this and this then it’ll help me.” But I don’t know because everybody seems to say that they have the cure for everything. So, how do you cut through the muck?
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: There are definitely things that help support a healthy immune system. And we’ve talked about that on this show before. Making sure that your vitamin D stores are adequate. Vitamin D is a supplement or it’s a vitamin that increases from sunlight. So, we have higher levels of it in the summer time, lower levels of it in the winter time. So, making sure that your Vitamin D stores are adequate. Understanding that those respiratory droplets, they stay longer in colder air. And so there is a thought process, again, it’s all speculative, that having more humidity in the air, not having as much cold and dry air, may contribute to a lower spread of that respiratory droplet. But again, you don’t really know.
The key takeaways, stress, keeping your stress down. Stress will lower your immune system. And also very, very important to have adequate sleep, to make sure that you’re getting long restful sleep in the middle of the night as much as you can, keeping stress down. We’ve talked about mindful meditation, gratitude before, I know all of those things that are really helpful. That we know helps to mitigate our risk. Making sure that you’re eating a really well balanced and nutritious diet, keeping the sugar down low to a minimum. And you know, all of the basics that we’ve talked about, Erin, before on this show about staying strong and keeping your immune system healthy.
There are some folks that are looking at various different approaches with vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin D. There are natural anti-inflammatory herbs and natural antiviral herbs. But again, we don’t know what is going to work in this case.
Erin Brinker: So, I think about things that people do to clear their minds and to reduce stress and many of them involve being around other people, and we can’t do that right now. And so what do you recommend for, you’re going to get a little, people are going to get cabin fever.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Yes.
Erin Brinker: What do you recommend for keeping that peace of mind?
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: You know, that is a really important component of this because we are by nature social beings. My son is home from school, and we’ve been trying to make the best of it. And I’ve been really heart warmed at all of the afterschool activities that have managed to go online. Yesterday my son did his taekwondo practice online in the living room.
Erin Brinker: Oh.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: He got to wave to all his friends and everybody was there and they had this little mini group taekwondo class and the master was watching them all on their screens, checking their forms, correcting them when they made mistakes. And it was just like they were in class except they were all on their screens. And so I think you know, as much as we can, try and check in with your loved ones every day if you can. If you’re home, if you’re not in the car commuting, you shouldn’t be any way, unless you have a job that is essential to be going into. And so go and connect with folks. You know, we Skyped yesterday with my son’s cousins, and he got to wave at them and talk to them for a little bit.
I think, that human connection, we are so fortunate. I’m just thankful that this didn’t happen 30 years ago because I would be sitting drinking Tang and watching Inspector Gadget soap operas or something. I’m so thankful for those who do have technology now. That is something that is, there’s a disparity there, not everybody has technology and has enough bandwidth to be able to be on with folks constantly. So that is something to be considerate of. And I know that there are some internet companies that are starting to make concessions with people who are low income to up their internet now because they understand that this is the only way people are staying connected. So you know, I do just want to be mindful of that and recognize that not everybody is that fortunate. But I will say that try as much as you can.
You can get outside, within reason it, keep that six feet of distance between you and other people. Go take a walk, go get your bike out. Yesterday my son took his scooter out and I jogged alongside of him. You can still get outside. So, I think people need to recognize they don’t have to necessarily be housebound. You just need to be social distancing. Does that make sense?
Erin Brinker: It makes total sense. Tobin actually talked about how therapeutic it was yesterday for him to run.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Sure.
Tobin Brinker: Yeah, I did the LA Marathon a week ago, and I did not intend to get back to running quite as quickly. I like to give my legs a couple of weeks off, but I was going stir crazy. So, I just did a short two-mile run, and it completely changed my perspective.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Absolutely. I’ve seen friends of mine going out and going for hikes in the woods. You can get out, go out into the desert, just don’t be around people. So, I think people need to recognize, connect with nature, connect with your families, and connect with yourself.
Erin Brinker: So, the final question that I have for you, and I know we’re running a little over, but the final question that I have for you, it has to do with our first responders and our, hospital staff, people who are working longer hours, in areas that have been affected. What can we do? Is there a fund to support them so that they, or is there something that the average person can do to show our appreciation for people who are putting themselves in harm’s way?
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: You know, I’m not exactly sure of existing things. I would imagine that that would be a local jurisdictional type of thing that, maybe call up the non-emergency line of your fire or the police department to ask them what they need, how you can help. Call up the non-emergency line, the hospitals are pretty packed right now. My husband is a hospital administrator as you know here locally, and has been working around the clock all through the weekend, and through the week trying to get the hospital prepped and ready for what they’re anticipating will be increased volume, and also dealing with the emotional state of healthcare workers. So, what I could say on a personal level if you know healthcare workers, check in on them, make sure that their mental health is okay. They’re going to be working hard for the next bit here.
Erin Brinker: They are. And it’s working long hours in a high-pressure situation, and we’re all very grateful for the work that they do.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: I know. So, I’m thinking like this is, we’re basically at war. I feel like we’re at a war time in our country, like this is a war against the virus. We’re being called to do our civic part. Stay home, stay out of crowds, stay safe ourselves, and rather than the army being our infantry, our health workers are our infantry right now.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: So, if you don’t want to leave your house, next week we have a virtual fair. You can stay home, log in on your computer, and join us on our virtual fair. There will be folks from all of the colleges there. We are on social media, on our website at aanmc.org, and we’ll see you online. I hope that folks stay healthy and safe.
Erin Brinker: Well, Dr. JoAnn Yanez, thank you so much for joining us. As always, it was informative and interesting, and we look forward to our next conversation.
Dr. JoAnn Yanez: Thank you folks. Talk soon.
Erin Brinker: Talk soon. Be well. So, with that, it is time for a break. I’m Erin Brinker.
Todd Brinker: I’m Todd Brinker.
Tobin Brinker: And I’m Tobin Brinker.
Erin Brinker: And we are On the Brink, the morning show on KCAA. We’ll be right back.
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Hailing from Baker City, Oregon, Tanya Denne is a third-year naturopathic medical student at Bastyr University – Washington. She shares her path to naturopathic medicine and as an ND student with a special interest in Parkinson’s and Mucuna research.
Why did you choose naturopathic medicine?
“In a similar path to how many arrive to here, chronic illness and running into dead ends within conventional medical systems led me to naturopathic medicine. My father worked as a liaison between the Forest Service and tribal populations so I grew up with exposure to Native American medicine. My favorite books as a child were the ones describing how Native Americans used the plants around them to create medicines. Since childhood I was unknowingly searching for this medical system of sustainability and prevention. I was thrilled when I found out there were medical schools and degrees dedicated to treating the whole person, and removing the obstacles to cure!
Field collection, India, 2015
“Being a naturopathic doctor will allow me to bridge the gap between patient care and bench research. I’ve always wanted to use the natural world around me as medicine. Naturopathic medicine allows me to do this. I can focus on researching Mucuna pruriens for Parkinson’s Disease, and develop my skills as a student clinician. Naturopathic medicine inspires hope. I want to be part of this dynamic group of unique forward-thinking individuals that come together to form an eclectic and vibrant healing community.”
How did you prepare for ND school?
Tanya prepared to become a strong candidate for naturopathic medical school by volunteering and working at Oregon Health & Science University. She researched botanical medicine, Parkinson’s Disease and childhood developmental disorders. Before making the decision to become a naturopathic doctor, she shadowed NDs, attended medical conferences, interned with MD and NDs, volunteered in herb shops, and worked as a florist. “These experiences allowed me to sort through what I was really passionate about. I realized a career in naturopathic medicine would give me the freedom to combine all of my interests in a creative way to care for patients.”
“It was important to me to continue my botanical research on Mucuna and attend a school that was open to collaborative research. Being around mentors that were doing what I am interested in was my top priority. When trying to decide on a school, “I listened to a podcast featuring Dr. Laurie Mischley, where she mentioned Mucuna pruriens for Parkinson’s Disease treatment…which was the very plant I was studying at OHSU at the time. I was thrilled to find a like-minded researcher at Bastyr. I interviewed Dr. Mischley and knew Bastyr University was the right fit for me!”
“Bastyr University has been great; we continue to conduct collaborative research with OHSU. We actually just finished a very successful pilot study demonstrating the neurorestorative potential of Mucuna. I am happy to be at school that has supported me through these endeavors.”
What is your favorite thing about school? What surprised you?
“Parkinson’s Disease Summer School (PDSS) at Bastyr University is one of my favorite weeks of the year. We spend multiple weekends preparing and getting to know our patients based on their extensive lab tests, and required paperwork. We then get to meet and spend a full week, developing that relationship, facilitating their learning, and fine-tuning treatment plans. The patients leave feeling grateful for all the knowledge and care that has been shared. Translating my research skills to clinical ones, specifically with PDSS, working with patients to help them understand how to implement Mucuna in their PD treatment plan has been very important to me.”
Tanya notes her surprise with enjoying classes that she was hesitant to take. She encourages others to keep an open mind, and to enjoy the adventure.
Lab extractions, Bastyr University Tierney Lab, 2018
Lab extractions, Bastyr University Tierney Lab, 2017
Lab extractions, Bastyr University Tierney Lab, 2016
How do you maintain a school/life balance?
“I keep moving! I enjoy hot yoga and running with my dogs that together weigh a total of 200 pounds. It can be hard to stay motivated in the rain in Seattle, but my dogs push me to get outside and we all are better for it. Animals are my balance, and caring for them brings me joy.”
Additionally, “I attend conferences, network, and give poster presentations. These experiences renew me, and I always leave with new collaborations and possibilities. At the most recent Movement Disorder Society Conference in France, I made a connection to the Parkinson’s Institute in Italy. We are now collaborating on a manuscript and Mucuna farming manuals for Indigenous populations in Africa where conventional Parkinson’s medications are expensive and mostly inaccessible.
Poster presentation, Movement Disorder Society Congress, France 2019
What advice do you have for prospective ND students?
Tanya encourages future students to seek out mentors who share your passions. Learn about their career paths by taking the time to interview them and build a connection. Networking and mentorship are huge pieces of professional development. Tanya’s mentor is skilled researcher and clinician – Dr. Traci Pantuso. Together, they are conducting QAQC research surrounding Mucuna pruriens. Their plan is to work in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line to expand on what is known about the neurorestorative potential of Mucuna. Click here to learn more about Tanya’s Parkinson’s and Mucuna research campaign.
“Dr. Pantuso is living proof of my career aspirations; bridging bench research and clinical practice, I am very grateful our paths have crossed.”
Finally, remember to take time for self-care. Naturopathic medical school will test you in many ways. “Choose a school that resonates with your mission and interests,” to ensure that you have the support that you need to be successful.
Click here to learn about other naturopathic doctors’ paths to naturopathic medicine.
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A growing percentage of the population is choosing to focus on prevention, wellness, and natural approaches to managing illness by seeking out practitioners of complementary and integrative medicine.
As such, patients are seeking the advice of naturopathic doctors to guide this process in a safe and effective way.
Despite the popularity of natural medicine, there is a lot of confusion around what naturopathic medicine is and how naturopathic doctors practice. Below we will address some common myths and misunderstandings about naturopathic medicine.
Myth #1: You may complete your naturopathic medical degree online.
One of the most common questions we get is if you can complete your naturopathic medical education online. While some prerequisites may be taken online, the degree itself is hand-on training to become a doctor. Completion of any online naturopathic medical program does not confer eligibility for licensure as a naturopathic doctor in any jurisdiction that formally recognizes naturopathic doctors. Jurisdictions that regulate naturopathic doctors require completion of an accredited, in-residence, doctoral level program that includes hands-on, supervised, clinical training. Furthermore, graduates of online programs are neither qualified nor eligible to sit for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), the passage of which is also a requirement for regulation.
Myth #2: Naturopathic medicine is not scientific or evidenced-based.
Another common myth about naturopathic medicine is that it is not scientific or evidenced-based. Regulated naturopathic doctors go through rigorous four-year, science-based medical education at an accredited or candidate school of the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (the only naturopathic programmatic accreditation agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education). A minimum of two years is spent studying the same biomedical sciences that prepare medical students to be doctors. ND students learn to appraise and weigh the evidence base as a part of developing patient treatment plans. ND schools are also leaders in developing primary research in natural medicine.
Myth #3: Naturopathic doctors are anti-drug/anti-pharmaceuticals.
Naturopathic doctors are not anti-drug/anti-pharmaceuticals. The ND curriculum includes the study of pharmaceuticals as well as the biochemical pathways and mechanisms of actions, indications, and adverse effects of drugs. As an addendum to conventional pharmacology, NDs study the intersection and efficacy of conventional medications with supplements and herbs and drug/herb, drug/nutrient interactions. It is the job of a naturopathic doctor to treat the individual, meet them where they are, and work as part of the health care team for the best interest of their patient. Prescription medications can be part of this process.
Myth #4: Naturopaths and naturopathic doctors are the same.
In jurisdictions that do not regulate the naturopathic profession, individuals without accredited training sometimes use the title naturopath or naturopathic doctor. These individuals should not be confused with graduates from CNME recognized four-year programs and do not complete the standardized education of an accredited program. You may find graduates of accredited programs in the United States and Canada here.
Click here to learn more about the difference between traditional naturopaths and licensed naturopathic doctors in North America.
Myth #5: You need to choose between naturopathic medicine and conventional medicine.
Naturopathic physicians are an integral component of the health care team and work alongside conventional physicians in academia, clinical settings and research. Naturopathic doctors provide patient care based on a foundation of conventional and integrative medicine. As such there is growing demand for NDs in integrative settings. Studies have also shown that by adding naturopathic care to conventional care patients have better overall health. Dugald Seely, ND conducted a comprehensive study of patients at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. At the end of the one year study, the group receiving naturopathic care in addition to conventional care had a large reduction in risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke than the group receiving only conventional care.[i]
Myth #6: Naturopathic medicine is only for wealthy patients.
There is growing insurance coverage for naturopathic medicine in a number of states in the US, which helps make naturopathic care more accessible. For patients who may be unable to afford care, NDs often offer income-based sliding scales. When viewed with a longer-term lens, the cost savings and improvement in life quality from disease prevention is worth the upfront investment for many patients. They see the value in prioritizing care with naturopathic physicians for their overall health.
Additionally, we are proud to state that every AANMC member school offers free or reduced cost care through networks of community outreach clinics. NDs and ND students provide naturopathic care to vulnerable populations who often need it most.
Myth #7: Naturopathic medicine is only for hippies.
Naturopathic medical patients are as diverse as our general population. The top conditions treated include digestive/GI disorders, nutrition, and women’s health, among others, and our patient base spans all beliefs, ages, genders, ethnicities and socioeconomic categories. Patients who value preventive, individualized medicine choose naturopathic doctors. They recognize the importance in preventing disease rather than suppressing their symptoms, and want to lead a healthier lifestyle, taking an active role in managing their health.
Myth #8: Naturopathic doctors are the same as homeopaths.
Naturopathic doctors and homeopaths are not the same. Homeopathy is one of many tools in a naturopathic doctor’s therapeutic toolbox. It is one of many therapies available and only one component of a diverse curriculum.
Myth #9: Naturopathic doctors are not trained as primary care doctors.
Licensed naturopathic doctors work in primary care settings across North America and are able to manage most outpatient concerns typically seen in primary care practices. Naturopathic doctors learn to treat all aspects of family health and wellness, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and acute colds and flus, to chronic aches and pains.
Myth #10: If it’s natural, it must be safe.
Just because something is “natural” does not necessarily mean it is safe. Natural products may have side effects and contraindications. It is important to consult a licensed naturopathic doctor before beginning treatment to ensure that what you are taking is appropriate and safe for you.
With these myths addressed, hopefully you have a better understanding of the role naturopathic doctors play in helping patients stay well longer and live happy and fulfilling lives.
[i] Seely D, Szczurko O, Cooley K, et al. Naturopathic medicine for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: a randomized clinical trial. CMAJ. 2013 Jun 11;185(9):E409-1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23630244/
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Anthony Pascucci is a third-year naturopathic medical student at the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine. He shares his experience in changing his career to naturopathic medicine and as an ND student.
Why did you choose naturopathic medicine?
Frustrated with not getting the help he needed after seeing multiple specialists and providers for personal health concerns, Anthony thought there had to be another way. In his quest for a more holistic approach to care, he found naturopathic medicine and ultimately, his calling.
“I decided to go back to the basics – I changed the way I thought about nutrition, exercise, and the mind-body connection. This new routine helped me feel significantly better than I had with the medications I was prescribed. As a result, I had an epiphany. I wanted to go back to school for medicine, but a different type of medicine than I was used to seeing. I wondered if there was a type of doctor who spent more quality time focusing on the whole person, teaching patients how to make changes in their nutrition and lifestyle so that they don’t need to rely on medications. I wondered if there was a type of doctor who made the types of connections that eluded the scattered array of specialists patients often saw, who focus only on one symptom or one aspect of the patient. To my amazement, I discovered a profession and community that I was previously unaware of, and it opened my eyes to a whole new world… that of naturopathic medicine.”
How did you prepare for ND school?
Anthony did his homework before applying to naturopathic medical school. He reached out to local NDs and naturopaths, visited accredited schools, attended health fairs, and read about naturopathic research.
“I got to know a traditional naturopath whose practice was largely an extension of their Native American traditions, practicing natural medicine on sacred land that had been protected, preserved, and passed down over hundreds of years by generations of healers since before the Europeans arrived on this continent. I also got to know a naturopathic physician who graduated from an accredited medical school. They were different experiences from different tracks in naturopathic medicine, but both were linked by the same principles.
I took it as a very positive and encouraging sign that within months of being accepted into the ND program, Pennsylvania (my home state) became a registered state for naturopathic physicians. Hopefully the step to becoming a licensed state is soon to follow.”
What is your favorite thing about school? What surprised you?
“I never expected all of the memorable and remarkable life experiences, or the chances they provide to connect so profoundly with so many admirable people. UBSNM has an incredible team of teachers and clinical supervisors, who bring such eclectic and impressive medical and life experience to the table. It’s such an honor and pleasure to learn from this group of people. They’re true mentors in medicine, and in life. They inspire and teach me so much. The same is true for the students in the program. I could have never predicted meeting so many amazingly talented and skilled people, and getting the chance to forge such close relationships. You can’t help but become a family with your classmates. Getting our white coats together was a true highlight of my life. Upperclassmen have taken me under their wings and encouraged my development in the clinic.
Additionally, Anthony has found the Bridgeport community to be vibrant and full of opportunities.
Every year we hike to the Leatherman’s Cave, cook food, and make tea from the plants over a fire. We spend the evening playing songs, reading poems, and marveling at the stars and moon as the fire casts our celebratory shadows onto the cave walls.
Another tradition is the Polar Plunge into the Long Island Sound which is a great way to keep the traditions and philosophy of hydrotherapy alive. It is an unbelievable bonding experience to run into the frigid water, while others cheer us on from the beach.
Every year I look forward to the DC Federal Legislative Initiative (FLI) where we meet with other colleges to make a positive impact on the future of healthcare in our nation’s capital. The DC FLI has been the best introduction into the larger world of naturopathic medicine.”
How do you maintain a school/life balance?
“Returning to school as an adult has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Balancing school and work while living alone and paying bills has tested my fortitude, and the unwavering drive that made me know this was what I wanted to do with my life.”
Anthony serves as treasurer for his class and the student government, and recently became the student government president, as well as president of the Garden Club. He is a Pathfinder at the Center of Excellence in Generative Medicine, a mentorship program with Dr. Peter D’Adamo. Additionally, he works at a health food and natural supplement store.
Anthony makes time to be with his friends, enjoying nature, art, museums, and trying new foods. He prioritizes self-care by practicing mindfulness, meditation, and hydrotherapy.
What advice do you have for future ND students?
“My advice is deceptively simple: be open, teachable, and trust yourself and the process. The opportunity to practice naturopathic medicine is an honor and privilege worthy of gratitude. Let that gratitude fuel you. Remember why you love naturopathic medicine, and the reason why you pursued it, and never lose sight of that passion.
A career in naturopathic medicine will bring you fulfillment, satisfaction, and purpose. Naturopathic medical school is a transformative experience in every sense of the word. You will face and overcome challenges that will leave you with a deep sense of accomplishment. You can then use those experiences to provide that transformational experience for your patients on their journey to health.”
Click here to learn about other naturopathic doctors’ paths to naturopathic medicine.
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Dr. JoAnn Yanez, AANMC executive director, joins KCAA’s NBC LA affiliate On the Brink to discuss what is known to date about COVID-19 and natural therapies.
