Navigating ND School: Student Panel

David James (Sonoran)

David James is from New York and is currently a 3rd year clinical student at Sonoran University of health sciences. David got his Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2010 from the University of Bridgeport. His future career goals include integrative oncology, FABNO tract. In his free time, David enjoys hiking with his dog and spouse.

Liz McAuliff (NUNM)

Liz is in her 4th of four years at NUNM and is originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Prior to naturopathic medical school, she completed degrees in Health Sciences and Spanish before spending time in Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer as well as working in an OBGYN office in Portland. Her primary interests are in Women’s health and Gynecology. When school is not in session, Liz enjoys working as a personal trainer, exploring new hikes, and taking CrossFit classes.

Kirstin Uncur (Bastyr)

Kirstin is a recent graduate from Bastyr San Diego in 2023 with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, her childhood was filled with dreams of becoming a conventional MD. After experiencing certain medical shadowing and volunteering experiences meant to boost up her medical school application, she recognized the importance of the mind-body connection and a different approach to medicine. Kirstin obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University and has a background working for AmeriCorps and with adolescents with substance use disorders. Throughout her time at Bastyr, Kirstin worked for the University as a TA and in outreach, as well as interning for a nonprofit serving at-risk youth. She’s passionate about chronic fatigue, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders. She is eager to help empower patients on their healthcare journey and find the root cause of their disease. Kirstin will be practicing naturopathic medicine and working as a therapist in the San Diego area following licensure.

Kimberly Reid (NUHS)

Kimberly Reid is currently in her third year of clinical studies and internship at National University of Health Sciences (NUHS). Hailing from the beautiful island of Jamaica, Kimberly embarked on a life-changing journey in 2014 when she moved to New Jersey to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Kean University, setting her sights on becoming an MD. During her undergraduate years, her path began to take a different turn as she delved into shadowing experiences. It was during this time that she had realized the significance of treating the whole person, addressing not just the symptoms of disease but also the root causes. In pursuit of this, Kimberly now resides in Lombard, Illinois, where she is diligently working toward a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at NUHS. For two years, Kimberly has served as a teaching assistant and tutor for Head and Neck Anatomy. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom as she is actively involved in mentoring fellow students at NUHS. Her leadership qualities shine as she currently holds the esteemed position of Chair for NMSA Chicago Chapter. Two areas that resonate with Kimberly are integrative oncology and women’s reproductive health. With dreams of becoming an oncology fellow, she intends to apply for residency programs that align with her passion and expertise. She maintains a healthy work-life balance with activities like weight lifting, cycling, and spending hours at the beach.

Andrea Sulyok (CCNM)

Andrea Sulyok is a 3rd year student at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Canada. Prior to CCNM, Andrea studied at the University of Guelph for Biomedical Science and Toxicology. Throughout this time, she worked two years as a microbiologist at a food safety company before deciding that she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. While focused on applying to pharmacy school, she was seeing an ND for her own health, and she found herself drawn to naturopathic medicine. This practice of medicine resonated with her because of its focus on preventive measures and identifying the cause of the illness rather than just treating the symptoms with prescriptions. She also chose naturopathic medicine because the practice supports allowing the body to heal itself with the right natural adjustments and improvements. While pursuing her ND education, she was a wellness representative and administrative assistant at various clinics downtown and worked directly with NDs specializing in metabolic health and complex pain management cases. Andrea is passionate about the mind-body connection and hopes to treat both mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety as well as digestive health and autoimmune conditions.

Andrea served as chapter president of NMSA during her second year at CCNM and is actively participating in and contributing to the school community. Outside of school, she has been lifeguarding and swim coaching for ten years for the City of Toronto. She enjoys running, hiking with her dogs, traveling, healthy cooking, and spending time with friends and family.