2008 Arizona Naturopathic Awareness Day

By Leslie Cisar

The 3rd Annual Naturopathic Awareness Day was held at the Arizona State Capitol on February, 27th, 2008.  It was co-hosted by NPAC (Naturopathic Public Awareness Campaign) and the AzNMA (Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association) and attended by SCNM students, faculty, Arizona NMDs, the AzNMA staff and lobbyists, and over 35 state legislators.   

 This year’s theme was “Good Health Is In the Bag with Naturopathic Medicine” and attendees received a cloth grocery bag with this year’s theme and the NPAC and AzNMA logos as a small gift for attending.   

The legislators enjoyed a catered breakfast and browsed six informational booths staffed by students and NMDs.  This year’s booths featured information on autism, diabetes, heart disease, aging gracefully, toxicity in Arizona, and naturopathic medical education.   

“Lobby day gave me the confidence to talk with other professionals about the Naturopathic profession in a way they could understand and relate to,” said Erin Victor, a first year student at SCNM and Public Awareness Co-Chair for NPAC.  “I was amazed at how many people were interested to learn more, and inspired to see that the legislators really do care about the health of people who live in the region they serve.”  

 “I found the experience of Lobby Day to be insightful and look forward to more opportunities to educate the Legislators and the public on Naturopathic Medicine,” said Laurel Spence, Administrative Assistant for the AzNMA.   

Upcoming public awareness events include “Healing Stories,” an event that will bring together people who have been healed, cured, and restored by naturopathy to share their powerful stories of hope and healing.  If you would like to participate, please contact Jessica Patella, president of NPAC, at j.patella@scnm.edu for more information. 

Naturopaths Without Borders Gives Back

By Brittney Emerson

On the weekend of March 2, 2008, eleven enthusiastic members of SCNM’s Naturopaths Without Borders (NWB), a photographer, and a dentist, traveled abroad to volunteer at the Clinica de Campesina in Las Varas, Mexico. It was with great pleasure that our group was allowed to observe this community and assist Dra. Laura del Valle, MD, MPH, founder of the clinic. 

Dra. Laura began building her dream, in Chacala, Mexico, to provide health care to her community at a literal grass-roots treatment center. Now transformed in to a lush resort, where we stayed, Mar de Jade is a popular destination for travelers worldwide. Dra. Laura continues her practice at the Clinica de Campesina in the nearby town of Las Varas, supported by revenues from the resort. This arrangement allows Dra. Laura to provide higher quality care for a greater percentage of her community. 

We learned invaluable lessons on thinking clinically, understanding differential diagnoses, and culture taught not from books, but from the hearts of our patients. Being able to share our compassion with an underserved community was most rewarding. We observed Dra. Laura’s intakes and treatment protocols, as well as assessments given by our dentist to the children of the after school program and clinic patients. Therapies primarily administered by Dra. Laura included homeopathy, acupuncture, physical manipulation, and education on nutrition and lifestyle. We were able to see return patients and it was inspiring to witness how the gentle modalities made such a tremendous impact on their lives. 

Placing faces and personal stories to pathologies we had only read about in books or heard about from our professors, we all left with renewed confidence and pride in our decision to become Naturopathic physicians.  We now hold a greater appreciation for what we have in the U.S. and a humbling sense of importance in giving back to the underserved.             

NWB continues to support our local community through various projects around Phoenix, including nutritional education programs at a juvenile detention center and Hamilton Elementary School. Continuing the tradition, NWB’s trip to Rocky Point Mexico with a pediatric physical therapy organization is set for the weekend of April 11, 2008. Future endeavors abroad, on every continent, are currently being investigated for opportunities open to Naturopathic students and doctors. Return trips to Las Varas are tentatively scheduled for this year and again next year.

NWB board members for 2008 are President Sean Hesler, Vice President Brittney Emerson, Secretary Katie Stage, Treasurer Michelle Maddux, and Fundraising co-chairs Jessica Hayman and Lahnor Ridley. We are excited to continue to share Naturopathic Medicine with the world, and would love your support on Wednesdays at 12:00 pm in Room 7 at SCNM's main campus. 

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182 Miles

By Melissa Coats

182 miles! That is how far 12 brave women from SCNM ran on Feb. 29 and March 1. The MyoMed Ragnar Del Sol Relay’s second year in Ariz. was a success and Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine was represented. Three wonderful SCNM student and family members also volunteered their time, the Kohler family and Mahdi Brown.

The race is more than your average run of the mill marathon. It consists of running through the entire night. Each team member runs three legs, ranging between three and eight miles. This relay race is physically demanding, but legs vary in difficulty, and participants can choose which legs they run. This unique relay format makes the Del Sol an accessible race for beginners yet challenging enough for the most competitive. Our fabulous SCNM team finished the 182 miles in 29:30:33. Ranking 121 out of 147 teams and 4th in the open women division. Not too shabby for only about 8 weeks to prepare. 

Dianna Heath, who you may remember ran in the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert, organized the team. Most of us who ran the race agreed that it was the most fun you could have while exercising and driving around on a little or no rest. 

Each team is allowed two support vehicles. The first vehicle will drop off the first runner, drive ahead a few miles, cheer the runner on, and provide them with water, snacks, and plenty of love. That vehicle will then drive ahead to the first exchange point to drop off the second runner, and pick up the first runner when that leg is complete. They will repeat this pattern for six legs until they hand off to their second vehicle. This leapfrogging pattern will continue all the way to the finish line. Part of the fun is that the teams decorate their vehicles and some had crazy themes. 

Proceeds from the race were donated to Chances for Children. As a not-for-profit organization, Chances for Children-Arizona aims to provide children in Arizona opportunities that otherwise may not be affordable to them. The organization believes in the power of the community as a provider of opportunity for youth. Chances for Children-Arizona is committed to fighting childhood obesity and improving quality of life by supporting partnerships and programs that provide access to sports, physical education, and character education.

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The Mathematics of Compassion

By Annette D'Armata

On Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 the Phoenix Chapter of the Tzu Chi Buddhist Compassionate Foundation held its Annual Free Integrated Medical Clinic to serve those without means to pay for health care. It was the third year in a row that Dr. Yong Deng, SCNM’s Chair of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture, and SCNM students have taken part in the free clinic.

By the time that the doors opened at 9 am, the Buddhist temple was transformed into an efficient, multi-disciplinary medical clinic. Individual stations featuring health care practitioners from all over the valley were ready to receive the influx of people seeking assistance for a variety of health concerns. 

Integrating Eastern and Western practitioners seamlessly under one roof, the clinic was able to provide basic health screenings, visits with specialists in internal medicine, dermatology, pediatrics and gynecology, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture treatments, as well as dental services. An internal medicine doctor provided the initial intake and screening for each patient and then referred the patient to one of the stations for further workup. If referred to Dr. Deng for acupuncture, the patient would be sent upstairs to the SCNM station.

Various doctors saw a total of 340 patients between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. Some had headaches; other complained of menstrual irregularity, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues. By far, the most common presenting symptoms were severe joint or muscle pain.  Most had not seen a doctor in years. The SCNM student clinicians who volunteered were Cho Long (Liz) Kim, Wendy Wang, Marie Niechwiadowicz, and Annette D’Armata.  Guadalupe Martin, a first year student, also volunteered as an additional medical Spanish translator. 

Known for his sharp mind, enthusiasm and fast pace, Dr. Deng conducted the team like a small orchestra, ensuring that each patient received good care and that no patient was kept waiting for long. Although there were only five students, among them they had the abilities to converse with patients in four languages: English, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish. Dr. Deng and the students treated a total of 34 patients. A student would determine the most comfortable language for the patient, conduct an intake in that language and present the case to Dr. Deng, who would do the pulse and tongue diagnoses and determine the treatment protocol. The student would then lead the patient to one of six stations, already set up with cot and dividers, to apply the treatment. Patients were asked, “Have you had acupuncture before?” For most, the answer was, “no.”  Many were curious about why the doctor looked at their tongue to aid in arriving at a diagnosis. 

Students had the opportunity to pass on some of what they have been taught about TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) to new patients. All were given cards with information about Dr. Deng’s student shift at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center and directions for contacting him, if needed, for follow up.

SCNM students are on grueling schedules, with classes that can last all day and into the evening and may include intensive courses or clinical shifts on the weekend. For these students, witnessing the relief brought to each patient and hearing the expressions of gratitude, provided more than enough motivation to volunteer their only remaining free time.  All said that they would do it again.

While debates rage and numbers are “crunched” over the economics of health care, the human cost is often left out of the equation. Meanwhile, the Tzu Chi Buddhist Compassionate Foundation, an organization with chapters all over the world, quietly demonstrated one Saturday in Phoenix that when people’s lives are prioritized and dignity is valued the equation changes. Factoring in compassion appears to require a higher math. The small but significant contribution from SCNM on that day demonstrates this statement - one doctor, five students, four languages, six acupuncture stations and six short hours made a noticeable difference in the lives of 34 people.

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Exciting Updates from Enrollment and Student Services

Admissions

The last few months have been extremely exciting for SCNM. We launched our first ever SCNM and Medical Center commercials on Cox cable, thanks to Marketing Director, Salina Bazurto. The AANMC (Association of Accreidted Naturopathic Medical Colleges) produced a much anticipated video on Naturopathic medical education. You will soon be able to view these videos on the SCNM and AANMC websites. 

The Admissions staff also launched SCNM accounts on Face Book, My Space and You Tube. The Face Book account can be found in Student Groups - Pre-Professional Groups. SCNM on My Space can be found in Public Groups, under Schools and Alumni.  You can access various SCNM videos and the commercials on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/user/swcollege. Please be sure to check out the wonderful videos and information sharing on those accounts. Feel free to send the video links to friends and family. 

Discovery Day

Southwest College held a Naturopathic Discovery Day on March 8 and 11. The attendees were able to listen to lectures from various Naturopathic physicians, see acupuncture and physical manipulation demonstrations, visit various student organizations, take a tour of the medical center, college, anatomy lab, botanical gardens and participate in a question and answer panel.

The afternoon festivities at SCNM were clearly marked with the 3TV hot air balloon hovering above the college. SCNM is a sponsor for 3TV's Project Green campaign.

Enrollment Services Center

Just a friendly reminder, Dawn Durga, Enrollment Services Specialist, staffs the Enrollment Services Center located across from the Registrar’s Office window. The Enrollment Services Center can help students with admissions, financial aid, registration/records, career service information as well as general student assistance. Dawn can be reached at d.durga@scnm.edu or by phone at 480-858-9100 x206. 

Alumni

The Alumni Office is always looking for student volunteers to help with various programs.  If you would be interested in giving back to SCNM and interacting with SCNM alumni, please contact Jain Lancaster in Enrollment Services at j.lancaster@scnm.edu or at 480-858-9100 x203.

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SCNM Softball

In 2007, the students at SCNM began a new tradition by creating an SCNM co-ed softball league. Through Tempe Park and Recreation, students from various quarters joined forces to relieve stress and compete against other local teams. The time spent with other students outside of the classroom was relaxing and enjoyable that students decided to keep Team SCNM alive in 2008.

The 2008 season began Jan. 25 and lasts until March 30. Team SCNM plays every Friday night in March. For a complete schedule visit www.tempe.gov/sports/pdf/FrikSW.pdf. 

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It's About Time, Isn't It?

We believe it’s about time that licensed NDs showcase what they do in their clinical practice each and every day. Are you as tired as we are in seeing infomercials promoting all the wonderful benefits of natural medicine explained by non-experts, without any mention of the true experts – US - the licensed NDs? - The physicians that have the academic training and primary care experience that has sustained growth in the fields of diet, lifestyle, nutrition and botanical medicine.

Well, you can now have a voice, by contributing one or more of your clinical success stories to the soon to be published book called "101 Naturopathic Cures." If you are interested in contributing to this first in a series of historical books that showcase hardworking NDs in clinical practice, simply drop us an e-mail at vismedicatrix@hotmail.com and we will send you an easy to complete questionnaire which allows you to share the case you wish to submit. All contributors will also be able to contribute a 150-200 word bio sketch and the address to their clinical practice. A portion of all sales will be contributed to the AANP and state licensure organizations.

Who are we? Dr. Chris D. Meletis, N.D., NCNM 1992, (former Dean and Chief Medical Officer at NCNM, international author and lecturer) and Dr. Jason E. Barker, N.D., SCNM 2001.

Please join us in furthering established ND's as the rightful experts when it comes to Natural Medicine and its clinical efficacy!

Contact us at: vismedicatrix@hotmail.com Phone: 503.643.1024

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