The residency program at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) became certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) in March 2007. Additionally SCNM received CNME approval as a certified sponsor of residency programs. Only SCNM and Bastyr University share this distinction. This certification not only grows the residency program at SCNM within the Naturopathic medical center but it allows SCNM to have approved residency distance sites. Through much guidance and persistence of Dr. Christine Girard, Chief Medical Officer, the residency program at SCNM has become equal to our contemporaries.

Centro de Salud Familiar in Phoenix , Ariz. , has become the first SCNM distance site residency. Drs. Ann Lovick and Tamara Torres, SCNM alumna, will be among the first to begin their residency with Drs. Sam and Cathy Walker. Dr. Scott Luper and Heather Carmichael, Lac, founders of the Alaska Center for Natural Medicine in Fairbanks , Alas. , are currently in the interview process for their first resident.

The residencies at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center start on November 1 and continue through October 31 of the following year. Dr. Christine Sorenson, Residency Director, stated, “We are proud to say that our residents are among the top paid.” The residents currently finishing out their residency through SCNM are Drs. Schuyler McHenry, Barbara Ezrre, Courtney Crance and Katie Swedrock. “It's amazing that they are entering the last quarter of their residency,” said Dr. Sorenson, “We hold a graduation ceremony at the end of each residency and this year we will celebrate on October 27 in Scottsdale in the Biltmore Fashion Park .”

The SCNM Residency Program has grown to support five residents. On November 1 st , SCNM will welcome a new group of residents. This includes 2007 SCNM graduates Drs. Leila Turner, Natalie Krok, Nicole Taylor and MaryK Geyer. Dr. Shane Johnson from Bastyr University will also be among the new residents for 2007-2008.

Currently SCNM residencies are focusing on family practice and general medicine. The hopes for the future include broadening these residencies to emphasis on differed areas of medicine. For 2008, SCNM would like to include Drs. Peter D'Adamo and James Sensenig as distant site residencies.

“As we grow, so will the number of residents per year along with more distant sites and opportunities,” said Dr. Sorenson, “I am proud to be the residency director and excited with our growth potential. Someday, the dream of all ND graduates having a residency will be a reality.”