Dec 6, 2006

Naturopathic Students Join American Medical Association

Tempe, AZ (Dec. 6, 2006) – Are Naturopathic Medical Students fit to join the American Medical Student Association (AMSA)? Students at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) team up with AMSA with aspirations to create a future with more comprehensive health care for all.

A few years ago, for the first time ever, a group of Naturopathic medical students at SCNM petitioned to become recognized by AMSA. Today, because of efforts by SCNM students to educate their colleagues, there is a naturopathic interest group within AMSA allowing all medical students the opportunity to be exposed to the naturopathic principles such as “treating the cause” and “treating the whole person.”

Naturopathic students sought to join forces with allopathic medical students in efforts not only to educate each other, but to work together on campaigns such as “Pharmfree” which the AMSA launched to teach qualities of honesty, humility and accountability in dealing with patients and drug companies.  In 2007, AMSA and SCNM will be promoting “Pharmfree” day, where they will ask students to pledge the following:

"I am committed to the practice of medicine in the best interests of patients and to the pursuit of and education that is based on the best available evidence, rather than on advertising or promotion. I, therefore, pledge to accept no money, gifts, or hospitality from the pharmaceutical industry; to seek unbiased sources of information and not rely on information disseminated by drug companies; and to avoid conflicts of interest in my medical education and practice."

AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training. Together with Naturopathic medical students, AMSA plays a prominent role in improving health disparities in America.

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About Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

Located in Tempe, Ariz., and founded in 1993, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences is an accredited higher learning institution. It offers a four-year medical program that trains students to become primary care physicians. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the body’s innate ability to self-heal. It draws on a rich history of natural, nontoxic therapies in combination with current medical advances. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care using integrative modalities such as acupuncture, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, manipulation, and pharmacology. For more information, visit www.scnm.edu.