The Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians (ILANP) recently received a $7,500 state advocacy grant from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). Illinois was one of four winning state associations among the twelve who applied.

Dr. Kristina Conner of National University who is also president of the ILANP, says: “Our application described what our plan for legislation and advocacy is this year; what we’ve done in the past; our outreach materials as well as our current relationships with legislators.”

“We plan to use the grant for a “lobby day” in Springfield, and also to expand outreach events and materials,” says Dr. Conner. “For example, we are attending the Good Food Festival next month, and participated recently in Integrate Chicago. We also hope to send more legislative alerts, continue with legislative visits to the NUHS campus, and expand distribution of our newsletter.”

The ILANP has been making great progress in educating key legislators about naturopathic medicine and the need for licensing legislation this past year. As part of this effort, several legislators have visited the National University campus to see the excellent facilities and comprehensive primary care education NDs receive.

“We are very grateful for this state advocacy grant from the AANP,” says Dr. Conner. “It’s a good sign that our national association also feels that we are getting closer to legislation here in Illinois.”

Would you like to support Illinois licensure for NDs?
Here’s what you can do:

• Join ILANP if you are an ND or ND student or other health practitioner (DC, MD, etc.)
• Sign up for legislative alerts http://bit.ly/ILANPsignup
• Become an ILANP Patron  http://bit.ly/ILANPdonate
• Join ILANP mailing list  http://bit.ly/ILANPnewsletter