Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine has introduced two new positions to the medical college, Dean of Biomedical Sciences and Dean of Clinical Education. These two positions are a first for SCNM.

Dr. Thomas Richards, Dean of Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Thomas Richards has been promoted into the role of Dean of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Richards joined SCNM in 2004 as a professor of anatomy. He received his Bachelor of Science and Mater of Science in Zoology from the University of Idaho, a PhD in Anatomy from the University of Michigan and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Western States Chiropractic College. Dr. Richards achieved diplomate status in the Diagnosis of Internal Disorders at Western States and practiced and was the clinical director of the Natural Physician Center in Beaverton, Oreg. where he worked closely with three Naturopathic physicians providing comprehensive health care.

In his role as Dean of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Richards will be responsible for the academic coursework within the biomedical sciences including credits, content and competencies. He will also be responsible for the 2008 conversion that SCNM will undergo from a quarterly academic calendar to a semester calendar. In addition to all this, Dr. Richards continues to teach Anatomy at SCNM as an associate professor.

Dr. Joni Olehausen, Dean of Clinical Education

Dr. Joni Olehausen joined SCNM in January 2007 as the Dean of Clinical Education. Dr. Olehausen earned her Doctorate of Naturopathy from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Ore. in 1997. Upon graduation, she completed a one year residency at Tahoma Clinic in Kent, Wash. and remained there for three years as a staff physician with a family practice and special focus in women’s health, natural hormone therapy, biochemical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy and spiritual/lifestyle counseling. As a medical consultant for Meridian Valley Clinical Laboratory, Dr. Olehausen provided laboratory interpretations for steroid hormones, thyroid hormones and comprehensive stool analysis testing. Dr. Olehausen maintained a small family practice in Minn. while serving as the Program Director of Wellness and Fitness through developing individual and corporate wellness programs and developing and providing natural health education throughout Northern and Central Minnesota.

As Dean of Clinical Education, Dr. Olehausen’s responsibilities include overseeing all course material, content and competencies within the Naturopathic modality coursework: homeopathy, Oriental medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, nutrition, counseling, environmental medicine and minor surgery. Dr. Olehausen will also be overseeing all clinical education at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center including student clinical rotations, clinical faculty, and ensuring that students meet all competencies within the hands-on clinical training.