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Congratulations Graduates!

By Tamara Torres
July 31, 2006

July 15, 2006 marked the culmination of four years of rigorous studies and clinical training for 46 students at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. On this day, graduating seniors received their hard earned diplomas as Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine. SCNM’s 18th Commencement Ceremony was held at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. Graduates elected their most respected and admired peers and mentors to speak during the ceremony. Dr. Paul Anderson, who teaches Naturopathic Board Review classes, delivered the unforgettable “Inspirational Message” and Dr. Debi Smolinski, SCNM graduate and founder of the Women’s Integrative Medicine Department, gave the Keynote Speech.

Dr. Christine Girard, Chief Medical Officer/Executive V.P. of Academic Affairs, presented the Daphne Blayden Award to Kelly Collins Crinnion for her "Commitment to Naturopathic Medicine, academic excellence, compassion, perseverance, a loving sense of humor and a positive, supportive outlook.” Joe Holcomb, who was instrumental in organizing the first Naturopathic Gathering with SCNM’s Naturopathic Society, was awarded the Student Leadership Award. Dr. Rick Eberst, Provost/Executive Vice President, recognized the consistent hard work and perseverance of Brandon Chastant and Michelle Michael by awarding them the Highest Academic Achievement. John Robinson, Cristina Romero-Bosch and Natalie Metz were recognized for their outstanding Naturopathic Medical Practice Business Plans chosen by a panel of bankers and loan officers. A rousing student address was delivered by graduating students Brendan McCarthy, Founding President of the Naturopathic Public Awareness Committee, and Sandy Colvard, Founding President of the Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies Naturopathic Medical Association.

The graduating students presented an award of appreciation to Dr. Yong Deng, Chair of the Department of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and Nellie Foster, Lab Manager at the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center. Sherry Crawford Lund was also recognized for her generous financial support to the Hamilton Elementary School Clinic and her service on the Board of Trustees of SCNM as well as the College’s Sage Foundation for Health, which she was instrumental in creating. The ceremony concluded with Dr. Paul Mittman, President and CEO, leading the new physicians in the Naturopathic Oath.

Joanna Hagan, Director of Career Services, reported that 62% of the graduating class had secured job placements upon graduation. Five are opening solo practices and seventeen are working integratively with other NDs , MDs, DOs or DC physicians. “This class did an exceptionally good job of going into practice in other states, which is a change.” said Joanna, “ Eight states are getting new naturopathic physicians!” Of the graduating class, 16 are staying in Arizona to practice; 3 are heading to North Carolina; and 1 is going to each of Texas, California, Utah, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Kansas.

Congratulations to the Summer 2006 graduating class! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

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