Mixing Medicine and Politics in Puerto Rico

By Tamara Katayama Torres

This November, I had the opportunity to complete my clinical rotations in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Naturopathic physicians (ND’s) have been licensed in this US territory since 1997, but currently there are only five ND’s on the entire island. I was fortunate to spend the week shadowing Dr. Efrain Rodriguez Malave, the first naturopath to begin practicing in Puerto Rico 18 years ago. In 1999, Dr. Rodriguez authored the book “Natural Medicine: A return to our essence” that became a best seller on the island. Currently, Dr. Rodriguez is President of the Puerto Rican Association of Naturopathic Physicians. As a trailblazer in Naturopathic Medicine, he has fought tirelessly to improve legislation and work with the media to educate the public. He has recently begun negotiations with health insurance companies for coverage of naturopathic medical visits. Dr. Rodriguez is also finalizing plans to open a naturopathic medical school in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Efrain Rodriguez Malave and Tamara Torres at the site of the future naturopathic medical school.

My first day of clinic started with taking my white coat to the cleaners. Dr. Rodriguez explained to me that Latinos are very conscientious of appearances, if your coat isn’t pressed, their not impressed! We saw several patients that were treated with acupuncture, homeopathy or nutritional supplements. In the afternoon, a reporter stopped by from the local press to interview Dr. Rodriguez about natural medicine.

The trip coincided with the Annual Summit of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) taking place in Puerto Rico. The Naturopathic Public Awareness Campaign (NPAC) funded my airfare in order for me to meet and educate senators and state representatives attending the Summit. NPAC is a non-profit, student-based organization that provides resources to educate legislators and the public about the importance of Naturopathic Medicine. NPAC supports state legislative efforts by sending students to testify on behalf of Naturopathic Medicine. The work of NPAC and its student members has played a crucial role in licensing naturopathic physicians in District of Columbia, California and other states.

In the evening, we met with New York Assemblyman Felix Ortiz who is the President of the NHCSL as well as the co-sponsor of the New York bill supporting licensure for naturopathic physicians. I had met with the Assemblyman several times during his visits to SCNM and our extended-site clinics. He had informed us of the NHCSL Summit a few months earlier and encouraged us to become involved. During our meeting, Assemblyman Ortiz surprised us with the news that he try to get us a few minutes to present information on Naturopathic Medicine to legislators on their Executive Committee.

The rest of the week I scrambled to get presentation materials on Naturopathic Medicine sent to Puerto Rico to provide to legislators attending the summit. Karen Howard, Executive Director of the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians), sent 100 brochures. Doni Wilson, ND and President of the NYANP sent me one of their Power Point presentations to modify for the NHCSL. Steve Nenninger, ND, rushed to create a new version of his documentary “Access Denied: Naturopathic Medicine in New York,” to share with legislators.

During the day I saw patients. In the evenings, I accompanied Assemblyman Ortiz and/or Dr. Rodriguez to various receptions, including one at the State Capitol. I was introduced to more than a dozen legislators and had the opportunity to converse with all of them about Naturopathic Medicine. I met the chair of the Senate Health Committee of Puerto Rico, as well as the Speaker of the House. I spoke with state legislators from Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah. I met legislators who were already familiar with Naturopathic Medicine and many others that were interested in learning more.

On the last day of the Summit, Assemblyman Ortiz introduced me to the members of the NHCSL’s Executive Committee and Business Board of Advisors during their annual meeting. I distributed the presentation handouts and other information on Naturopathic Medicine provided by the AANP, NPAC and SCNM.

The experience I gained in Puerto Rico was invaluable. Ultimately, not only did I shadow Dr. Rodriguez and learn about practicing Naturopathic Medicine in Puerto Rico, but also shadowed Assemblyman Ortiz and learned a fair amount about politics. I’d like to think I wasn’t the only one that learned a lot that week; several legislators got a lesson on Naturopathic Medicine as well! To learn more about supporting state licensure for naturopathic physicians, visit: www.globalNPAC.org.