National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) and Lorinda Sorensen, ND, MSAc, were honored with special awards at the 4th annual conference of the Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians (ILANP), this past Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, on the NUHS campus in Lombard.

National University President Joseph Stiefel, and Vice President for Academic Services Dr. Randy Swenson accepted the President’s Award for the university’s commitment and leadership in advancing the naturopathic profession in Illinois.

ILANP President Dr. Kristina Conner presents the 2016 President’s Award to
NUHS President Joseph Stiefel and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Randy Swenson

Dr. Lorinda Sorensen, assistant professor of clinical sciences at National University, was presented with the Henry Lindlahr Award for her tireless volunteer efforts and commitment to naturopathic medicine in Illinois. While Dr. Sorensen says she loves working with ILANP and is appreciative of the award, she emphasizes, “We all volunteer a lot of time in support of naturopathic medicine.”

The conference, entitled “Mind-Body Medicine & Naturopathic Practice,” included a series of exciting speakers and workshops:

• Steven Sandberg-Lewis, ND – The Gut Brain Axis
• Jennifer Bahr, ND – Strange, Rare, & Peculiar: Homeopathic Case Analysis & Prescribing in Severe Mental Illness
• Dr. Eugénie Pabst, PsyD – Biofeedback as a Pain Management Tool-A Case-Based Approach
• Cyndi Gilbert, ND – Naturopathic Approaches to Schizophrenia and Psychosis
• Catherine Darley, ND – Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies to Treat Insomnia and Sleep Well
• Brad Lichtenstein, ND – Conversations about End of Life Care

“It was an amazing conference and the caliber of speakers was outstanding,” says Kristina Conner, DC, MSOM, president of ILANP and NUHS chair of clinical sciences. “The speakers’ topics all fit together like a puzzle and layered upon each other within the ‘Mind-Body Medicine & Naturopathic Practice’ focus.”

Dr. Lorinda Sorensen, recipient of the 2016 Henry Lindlahr Award

The conference also offered 12 continuing education credits for both NDs and DCs, made possible through the NUHS Lincoln College of Postprofessional, Graduate and Continuing Education.

New ILANP events this year included a pair of special fundraisers to support public awareness of naturopathic medicine and legislative efforts to bring licensure to naturopathic physicians in Illinois. A “Zen & Now” dinner and auction at the conference commemorated the 10th anniversary of the naturopathic medicine program at National University, and included a historical slide show of the program featuring faculty and students. The weekend before the conference, ILANP hosted its first “Take A Healthy Step and Support Naturopathic Medicine in Illinois” 5K Run/ Walk. Plans are to expand both events next year.

This local event coincides with the start of the 4th Annual US Naturopathic Medicine Week which will be held Oct. 10-16.