STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

SCNM promotes student involvement as an integral part of Naturopathic medical education. Student organizations and clubs promote building College and community partners and supporting national Naturopathic medical organizations.  These opportunities provide students with leadership development, organizational management, and skill development opportunities in an effort to empower students, to support quality learning experiences outside of the classroom, and to encourage active, thoughtful, involved community citizens.  Southwest College is considered to be the leader in the development of new and ground breaking student organizations.  For instance, did you know that the student led Naturopathic Public Awareness Committee (NPAC) was founded at SCNM by SCNM students and continues to be one of the leading organizations supporting Naturopathic licensure in the U.S.?  Second only to the AANP, NPAC pursues nationwide licensure for Naturopathic Physicians, individual state Naturopathic Associations and students from the other accredited educational institutions.

Student organizations at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine are a way for students to become involved within the College and the community.  SCNM encourages student involvement in professional and community organizations which can range from Student Government Association, Naturopathic Physicians Without Borders, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Imhotep, and/or NPAC to name a few. SCNM is a breeding ground for new and innovative ideas, therefore if there is not a club or organization that suits your individual needs, we certainly will encourage and support you in presenting your proposal to create your club/organization to the Student Government Association.

• Student Government Association (SGA)

SGA is the official voice of the SCNM student body.  SGA representatives work closely with students and College administrators to work on policies and identify ways to best serve the campus and its students.  SGA also sponsors several services and events, such as New Student Welcome Dinners, student activities, and student club/organizations.

• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is the national professional society representing Naturopathic physicians who are licensed or eligible for licensing as primary care providers.  AANP membership includes students, supporting and corporate members, as well as eligible Naturopathic Physicians practicing nationwide.

• Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association (AZNMA)

The Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association is the state professional society representing Naturopathic physicians who are silenced or eligible for licensure in the state of Arizona.

• Naturopathic Medical Student Association (NMSA)

The Naturopathic Medical Student Association is the official student organization for CNME accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. Each college has an active local NMSA Chapter. Governed by students, the NMSA is committed to the following:

• Represent the concerns of naturopathic Physicians-in-training;
• Provide a platform for student advocacy;
• Serve as a channel of communication between the 7 CNME schools;.
• Work in collaboration with each local Student Government Association to ensure that the students’ needs are met; 
• Promote better understanding of Naturopathic Medicine in our local communities;
• Coordinate all school events sucs as the ZRT College Cup and the Bob's Reed Mill Speech;
• Coordinate community service projects;
• Ensure that the schools and surroundings are environmentally friendly;
• Help develop business and leadership skills in students;
• Provide information concerning mentorships, residencies etc, and to provide information about successful graduates;
• Serve as a united voice both within our student community and with outside organizations (AANP, AANMC, ACAM, AACAHC, INM, AMSA, and State Associations).

• Naturopaths Without Borders (NWB)

Naturopaths Without Borders is a non-profit student-based organization founded at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. NWB has recently expanded its vision and is working to overcome language, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers that currently exist between Latino/underserved communities and Naturopathic medical care through outreach and education. Our goal is to make Naturopathic medical care more accessible to all cultural and socioeconomic groups and to educate underserved communities about the principles and modalities of Naturopathic medicine. At the same time, NWB would like to prepare Naturopathic students and physicians to provide medical services to these communities through foreign language and cultural training.

• Imhotep Circle

Imhotep Circle’s Mission is to encourage and develop programs that promote unity and contribute to the education, welfare, and growth of underserved communities and the students of SCNM.  This organization’s goals are to raise funds for local programs, volunteer our time to benefit the underserved communities, and establish programs within the SCNM community that promote our mission.

• Spectrum

A student led service organization formed to offer outreach, education, and support for our LGBTF medical students, NDs and patients.  The LGBTF is positioning itself to become a nationwide organization similar to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

• Naturopathic Advocacy and Community Awareness Team (N-ACT)

Formerly known as NPAC, founded and based out of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, this organization is dedicated to furthering and supporting current and future public awareness efforts for Naturopathic medicine in the United States and Canada. Our members are students of accredited four-year, graduate-level, in-residence Naturopathic medical programs. In coordination with the AANP and the accredited Naturopathic medical schools, N-ACT seeks to further provide resources on the national level to support both federal and states’ needs to educate the public and legislators about the importance of Naturopathic medicine. We strive to expand public awareness of Naturopathic medicine as a viable, affordable option for quality healthcare. As a strong Naturopathic student organization, N-ACT is an extremely effective vehicle for public health education and community outreach.

• Naturopathic Society

In 2002, a small group of students at SCNM were motivated to re-establish a student organization committed to Naturopathic philosophy. This student group was called the Naturopathic Society, an SCNM student group devoted to preserving, promoting and enhancing the understanding of Naturopathic philosophy and its history. Our membership is free and open to the public. At least once per week, we host presentations, discussions, and events related to the philosophy of Naturopathic medicine.  We have also created an online philosophy discussion forum for Naturopathic students and doctors at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NDPhilosophy/

We seek to inform our members of other organizations that support our mission, such as The Naturopathic Gathering and Naturopathic Society International.  Naturopathic Society International provides educational opportunities and resources concerning Naturopathic Philosophy for physicians and students of Naturopathic medicine. By preserving original Naturopathic Philosophy we bridge generations of students, practitioners and other organizations on behalf of our Philosophical roots.

            Mission Statement:

The Naturopathic Society commits to preserve, promote and enhance the understanding of Naturopathic philosophy and its history.

Purpose:

• To explore the origins of medicine and explore the development of our unique approach.
• To look to the future of our profession and support its evolution.
• To gather at least once a week for events that support our mission statement.
• To inform our membership about the existence of other organizations that support our mission, such as The Naturopathic Gathering and Naturopathic Society International.

Click  here for information on this year’s Naturopathic Gathering.

• Writer’s Guild

As future medical professionals, the Writer’s Guild understands the importance of students communicating naturopathy’s knowledge and wisdom to the public and professionals. We will use writing to expand the reach of our profession and to help teach the value and principles of healing to others. The Writer’s Guild was created to give students this opportunity to develop their own writing skills and styles. Monthly newsletters done by the club give students a medium to express themselves as they share news about the school and on healing. The guild hopes to inspire the writer in SCNM’s students and help them to refine their skills.