YOU CAN SUPPORT US AND OUR EFFORT to gain federal recognition of naturopathic doctors by participating today as a 'virtual lobbyist,' using Capwiz to write your Senators and Representative. Let your Members of Congress know that the high educational standards for naturopathic medicine warrant equity in access to loans, scholarships and residencies.
Click Here to be a virtual lobbyist :)
What are we fighting for exactly? On the federal level, we are simply looking for equity.
- NDs are graduates from accredited institutions equivalent to those in conventional med school.
- NDs must successfully pass board exams administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners as well.
- The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) accreditation standards are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
- Naturopathic Medical programs consist of at least 4 years, 4,100 hours of study and 1,200 direct patient contact clock hours.
- An ND degree is classified on par with MD and DO as a First-Professional Degree under Doctorate-Professional (Clinical).
Why? FOR THE PATIENTS. There is an increasingly daunting demand for primary care physicians and NDs can help fill that void. We have an estimated 5,000 practicing NDs in 20 different states. Our seven accredited schools in North America graduate between 400-500 primary care doctors as NDs every year. Studies show that medically under served areas diminish when we get licensure in a state.
One step towards this is amending the Public Health Service Act so we have access to the same loans, scholarships and residency opportunities as our conventional colleagues.
equal work. equal education. equal cost. equal debt...equal RECOGNITION.
Heres some more links on Naturopathic Medicine-
- Naturopathic Medicine in the Princeton Reviews Top 168 Medical Schools
- ND overview
- Naturopathic Health Care Option from Gradsource.com
