Bastyr has come a long way in 25 years, naturally

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Bastyr has come a long way in 25 years, naturally

By: Cathy Herholdt, Journal Newspapers

 

 

Bastyr University's campus, located in a natural, wooded setting in St. Edward's

State Park, is decorated with banners announcing its 25th anniversary.

 

 

 

" It's been a tremendous act of faith. " These are the words used by Bastyr

University President Thomas C. Shepherd, DHA, to describe the evolution of

Bastyr from its humble beginnings to being recognized nationally as a full,

comprehensive university and one of five members of the American Association of

Naturopathic Medical Colleges.

This year, Bastyr celebrates 25 years of not only teaching, training and

educating naturopathic physicians, but of helping change the way America looks

at natural medicine.

It was April 1978, when founding president Dr. Joseph Pizzorno met with Drs. Les

Griffith and Bill Mitchell around a kitchen table and decided to start a

college. They began with only $200, donated by the mother of Pizzorno's

secretary.

" I don't think people realize how challenging Bastyr's founding was, " said Dr.

Pizzorno. " We had no prospects for funding, no prepared students or trained

faculty, no up-to-date text books, no positive media or political support and no

pathway for accreditation. "

But by 1989, Bastyr had achieved every one of those initial goals, including

accreditation, which was unprecedented for such a school.

Today, Bastyr has gone from 30 students to 1200, and offers BA, MA and Doctoral

programs in numerous aspects of natural health care.

Bastyr has been at the forefront of changes toward the acceptance of the science

behind natural medicine, including taking part in the creation of the Office of

Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institute of Health, in 1992.

Thirteen states now license naturopaths, a change Bastyr also had a hand in.

" The federal government is now embracing what Bastyr and natural medicine have

stood for all these years, " said Dr. Shepherd.

Shepherd, a former CEO and hospital administrator, has been practicing natural

medicine for 20 years.

" It is the answer to our health care needs, " says Shepherd, who sees integration

of conventional and natural health care systems as the future of medicine and a

goal of Bastyr.

" Our dream for the future of health care is to have MDs, NDs,

acupuncturists...working together for the better of health care, " he said.

Shepherd is encouraged by a shift in this area, which is why collaborative

medicine is part of the strategic plan for the future of Bastyr. Other aims are

securing the medicine and advancing the medicine, which involve ensuring that

natural medicine is available and accessible to everyone, and improving research

in natural medicine.

As a school, Bastyr has grown at a steady pace from graduating its first

four-year degree students in 1982 to being a respected institution, recognized

for its leadership in the natural health sciences. Over the years, Bastyr has

opened a highly successful teaching clinic that now sees 36,000 patient visits

per year, received grants to study such world-wide health issues as HIV/AIDS,

and founded a cancer research center.

Students appreciate the quality of education they receive, as well as an

all-encompassing atmosphere of health and wellness.

" The programs at Bastyr are unique, but even more so is the attitude among

students, faculty and staff. All their life experiences and work experiences

create a dynamic environment in which we not only learn Oriental medicine,

naturopathic medicine, or nutrition, but we learn to be whole, well-balanced

human beings, " said one Master's program student.

Natural medicine has grown in acceptance over the years as well, giving Bastyr

another good reason to expand. A 2002 study by the Institute for Health and

Healing at California Pacific Medical Center revealed that more than 80 million

Americans turn to complementary and/or alternative medicine every year. The

amount of time naturopathic physicians spend with patients is a distinctive

feature of naturopathic medicine, and likely one major reason people are turning

to it for health.

The future of Bastyr looks bright. With plans to expand into California with a

branch campus, a master plan that includes major changes to the current campus

which is nestled amidst the trees in St. Edward's State Park, and a possible

move of their clinic, Bastyr is setting the stage for the next quarter century

to be as successful as its first.

" Bastyr has been both a university for the advancement of healing and an

advocate for social change, " said Dr. Pizzorno. " We have made the world realize

that natural medicine offers great value. "

 

Bastyr University 25th Anniversary Lecture Series Your Roadmap for Healthy

Living

Thursday, Jan. 22, 6:30-8:30pm

Held at the REI Seattle Flagship store, 222 Yale Ave. North, Seattle.

Would you like more vitality and energy? It's possible, naturally. Join Dr. Jane

Guiltinan and Dr. Joe Pizzorno to learn about a naturopathic approach for

optimizing wellness and quality of life throughout adulthood. You'll hear which

dietary and exercise habits, behavioral issues and health screening

recommendations are most likely to promote wellness, prevent disease, and foster

vitality and longevity. Cost: $20.

To register, or for a complete list of lectures offered in the series, visit

www.bastyr.edu/continuinged or call 425-602-3075 (1-800-841-6721 ext. 3075 toll

free).

 

 

 

 

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