Naturopathic Medical Lobby Day

March 19, 2006
by Tamara Katayama Torres

 

 

The first Naturopathic Medical Lobby Day for the state of Arizona took place Mar. 15 at the State Capitol.  The event was a collaborative effort of the Naturopathic Public Awareness Campaign (NPAC), Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM), and the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association (AZNMA). These organizations joined forces to plan the extremely successful event, along with the tireless efforts of approximately 45 SCNM students and staff, including Dr. Christine Girard, Chief Medical Officer of SCNM and Joanna Hagan, Director of Career Services, SCNM. Several Naturopathic Physicians also attended this important outreach effort including Drs. Tam Spat, Carlos Santos, Robert Gear and Michael Cronin, a founder of SCNM.

left to right: Jocelyn Jensen, Lisa Whitney, Heather Paulson SCNM Students educating visitors at the Seasonal Allergies Table

left to right - Representative Amanda Aguirre (D) and Tamara Katayama Torres (SCNM Student)

left to right - Joanna Hagan (SCNM Director of Career Services) providing information on Naturopathic Medical Education

 

The morning commenced with NPAC student members attending a House of Representatives Health Committee Meeting to learn more about the legislative process. Students then had the opportunity to meet with committee members, including Amanda Aguirre (D), Ted Carpenter (R), Laura Knaperek (R), Colotte Rosati (R), and Chairman, Doug Quelland (R), to explain the rigorous training provided to naturopathic medical doctors (NMDs) in addition to the conventional and natural treatment modalities NMDs utilize. The students were accompanied by Deborah Mainville-Knight, Executive Director of the AZNMA, and naturopathic lobbyists from BH Consultants, leaders in health care lobbying, who coordinated appointments with the legislators and helped students navigate through the Capitol buildings.

A reception was held in the afternoon hours to further educate legislators about Naturopathic Medicine. Legislators were treated to delicious hors d'oeuvres and gift bags containing healthy treats, compliments of Sprouts Farmer's Market, culminating with a courtyard tour of educational presentations made by Naturopathic students. Information was presented on different components of Naturopathic Medicine, from the required premedical training and basic science courses to clinical rotations at the Medical Center. Other tables educated guests about the outreach to the medically underserved communities provided by the College's extended site clinics as well as Naturopathic approaches to seasonal allergies. Attendees were also presented information on the health benefits of daily exercise and were given a pedometer to monitor their level of activity.  The reception alone attracted more than 30 legislators who left with a better understanding of the value of Naturopathic Medicine for their constituents and its important role in Arizona's healthcare system.