Take dozens of tasks (all with a deadline), about 250
people--the entire NUHS naturopathic faculty team, drummers,
dancers, 12 respected naturopathic doctors and naturopathic medical
students from all the schools in North America--throw them together
in the auditorium on campus and what do you get?
The 2012 Naturopathic Gathering at NUHS!
This past weekend was incredible! This is the first time that
the NUHS naturopathic program has hosted our colleagues from the
other naturopathic schools in North America. The entire student
body wanted to make sure that we presented ourselves in the best
manner possible for our peers. At the end of the weekend, while
saying goodbye to the students from the other schools, wishing our
best to the Elders who spoke, and hearing the great time that
everyone shared, confirmed to the Gathering Team that our first
hosting was huge success!
This picture is of the wreath stand with wreaths from each school
in attendance.
(Not a steady hand on this one, from my cell phone.)
NUHS helped to establish a tradition within the Naturopathic
Gathering. The Gathering Talking Stick was introduced at this
year's Gathering to be passed from school to school each year as
the Gathering travels throughout North America. The Talking Stick
is to be held by each speaker as they share with conference
attendees. A totem from each school will be placed onto the Talking
Stick the first time that the school hosts the gathering, to remain
with the tick for as long as the Stick exists. The Talking Stick is
the symbolic vessel of the wisdom of the Elder Doctors of
Naturopathic Medicine. Each totem is the symbol of each school's
contribution to the wisdom of our Naturopathic Elders. The Stick is
the thread that will bind each year and each memory to future
Naturopathic Gatherings.
Our opening ceremony was one for the ages! Our naturopathic
students shared their talents in Romani dance, African dance and
drumming! The opening ceremony commenced with drumming as our
dancers entered the auditorium and paused in front of the Elders
where they performed an African tribute dance to the Elders. The
dancers transitioned to the stage and performed a Romani dance as
the procession approached the stage. The procession consisted of
students bringing the NUHS Totem, Gathering Talking Stick, Senior
Elder Present, and the Leader of Ceremonies followed by the entire
complement of NUHS' naturopathic faculty! The Gathering Team made
rhythm sticks for all attendees and each person was banging their
sticks together in harmony. It was an incredibly uplifting sight!
The opening ceremony concluded with speakers from our school
welcoming our guests and our Leader of Ceremonies loudly tamping
the Talking Stick on the floor to open the weekend!
Along with keynote speakers each morning and afternoon, our
guests had the option of breakout session speakers in smaller
groups two times each day. Yoga, meditation and Tai Chi were
available at different times as well! The hardest thing was making
the difficult decision of which speaker's session to attend!
Each year, the Naturopathic Gathering honors one Elder who
personifies the pursuit of our philosophy, the sharing of our
wisdom and promotion of our medicine. We were proud to present the
2012 Beacon Award to Dr. Fraser Smith, assistant dean of
naturopathic medicine at National University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Smith arrived alone at NUHS in 2004, tasked with building a
naturopathic program from the ground up. Dr. Smith's strategy of
incorporating the philosophy of naturopathic medicine started the
first day he arrived on campus. He built his team of faculty with
this thought in mind and now, in my opinion, we have the strongest
philosophical foundation of any of the eight naturopathic schools
in North America! Congratulations Dr. Smith, your honor is well
deserved! (Also, Dr. Smith took our program from one person, him,
to an accredited program in only 8 years!)
This year's Gathering helped to confirm our school's strategy of
a strong foundation in the philosophy of naturopathic medicine
during our education, as well as confirming the personal reasons
that drive each medical student who chooses to practice as a
naturopathic doctor. Each student's confirmation of choosing
naturopathic medicine and its philosophy through interaction with
our elder naturopathic doctors and their clinical pearls, research
and observations throughout years of practice has helped set an
example for us as future doctors. Finally, friendships were
established, contacts made, lessons learned, and decisions
re-affirmed for each student who traveled to Chicago or stayed on
campus after class to attend the 2012 Naturopathic Gathering.
Dr. Gerald Farnsworth (our Senior Elder) and his partner
Neta.
Personally, this year's Gathering was an enlightening and
reinforcing event. I met and enjoyed the camaraderie of colleagues
from each school, made new friends and feel strengthened in our
medicine. To hear our doctors who have been in practice for many
years, fought for licensure throughout the United States and
Canada, and shared with us as students shows the strong bond among
everyone in naturopathic medicine. This event will be stamped upon
my memory as the point I realized that I personally am tasked with
carrying our medicine forward scientifically, legislatively,
scientifically, and perhaps most importantly for our doctors of the
future, philosophically. I have included a bridging moment after
the end of the conference. The picture above is of Dr. Gerald
Farnsworth, our Senior Elder, his partner Neta, and I saying
goodbyes until next year.
Join us next year as we travel from Chicago to SCNM in Arizona
for the 2013 Naturopathic Gathering!