This week marks the first week of my 9th Trimester here in the
naturopathic program. I can't believe that is has been 3 years
since I began and I have only 2 more trimesters left!
After spending my last break on the West Coast from Portland to
Los Angeles, I have to admit, I was anxious to get back into a
routine. I had so many amazing experiences I don't know where to
begin!
Naturopathic Convention
I started off my vacation in Portland, OR at the 25th Annual
Naturopathic Convention. After a group of fellow students and I
participated in the ZRT collegiate bowl we attended as many
lectures at the convention as we could. This year there seemed to
be a focus on naturopathic doctors treating abroad and how we can
help support doctors internationally. One opportunity that students
have been taking advantage of is in Nicaragua called NDI
(Naturopathic Doctors International). Dr. Tabitha Parker
heads NDI and welcomes students to travel to her clinic to gain
experience with international health care. I never knew there were
such amazing things going on in naturopathic medicine!
Naturopathic Clinic
Another opportunity a fellow student and I took advantage of was
to shadow in a naturopathic clinic in southern California. The
doctor had his practice in an office building with many other
health professionals from dentists to family practice medical
doctors. The ND mainly utilizes IV therapeutics treating conditions
ranging from advanced cancer and liver cirrhosis to Lyme disease
and overall disease prevention. In talking with patients during
their treatment, I realized there is an absolute need for more NDs
in southern California. One patient drove over 2 hours in traffic
for her appointment and spent almost 3 hours in the clinic
receiving treatment! She was literally begging my friend and I to
start up practice in California because they need us there! I've
never thought about living on the West Coast, however, there is a
real demand for what we do!
R&R
I finished off my vacation in Los Angeles beach hopping with the
intention of not thinking about school and getting in some much
needed R&R. Although it was very relaxing, I found myself
continually visualizing myself after graduation and wondering what
I am going to do! There are moments of pure terror not knowing what
the future holds yet at the same time I am so excited to be done
with school!
As for now I am focusing on fulfilling all of the requirements
for graduation including patient recruitment, papers and grand
rounds presentations… in the meantime I will keep you posted this
trimester what being a naturopathic intern is like!