New Dean of the School of Naturopathic Medicine Places Integrative Focus at the Forefront

Jane Guiltinan As America's political leaders press for health care reform, it's the perfect time for naturopathic medicine physicians to take on a larger role in the delivery of health care in America. Naturopathy's focus on preventive health care strategies, including its emphasis on personal responsibility for one's health, aligns with President Barack Obama's stated principles for reform.

At this pivotal time in health care, Bastyr University is prepared to lead the way in advancing the field — especially with the recent appointment of Jane Guiltinan, ND, as the new dean of the School of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Guiltinan is well aware of the opportunities that the current debate on reform presents to both Bastyr and the field of naturopathic medicine as a whole. "For the first time, a national discussion is taking place about prevention and health promotion in the health care system," Dr. Guiltinan says, noting she applied for the position because of the opportunity to be a part of creating a naturopathic medical education that is innovative, integrative in its delivery, and relevant to today's health care challenges and opportunities.

Dr. Guiltinan is no stranger to integrative health care. For 23 years, she has worked tirelessly as a physician, researcher, public speaker and champion of integration, walking comfortably in both the conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) worlds. In 1998, she became the first naturopathic doctor (ND) in the U.S. to be appointed to a public hospital board, a position she holds to this day. She has served as co-director of King County Natural Medicine Clinic, the first publicly funded integrative health clinic in the U.S. Dr. Guiltinan's science-based, straightforward approach to medicine has attracted the mainstream media, which frequently seeks her expertise on natural remedies and other health topics.

Dr. Guiltinan has received many high honors within the field of natural medicine. As a researcher and frequent presenter at international research conferences, Dr. Guiltinan received the Blackmore International Award for Outstanding Research in Natural Medicine in 1990. She is also the past president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and was chosen as Physician of the Year by that organization in 1995.

"My experience working with the conventional medical world has significantly increased my understanding of what we must teach our students for them to work collaboratively with our conventional medicine colleagues," she says.

Goals she hopes to achieve as head of Bastyr University's naturopathic program include:

Creating multidisciplinary courses that teach students how to work with practitioners from different disciplines, even in such broadly diverse fields as urban planning, social work, public health and agriculture
Creating pathways for intensive training in varied areas, including primary care, nature cure, global health, rural medicine, women's health, environmental medicine and oncology
Involving students in innovative community service initiatives
Strengthening partnerships with the conventional medical community
Improving the practice-management curriculum in order to fully prepare students for the realities of running a business
Expanding the use of technology

Dr. Guiltinan will also remain active in the political arena. Her hope is to help Bastyr to more fully realize its mission to enhance the health and well-being of the human community. "Health care reform is on the horizon," she says. "While most of the discussion centers on the access and payment aspects of health care, there are some exciting conversations about how to change health care delivery to include more disease prevention, health promotion and wellness initiatives. Naturopathic physicians are well suited to provide these services, and I believe there will be many opportunities for NDs in the future as reform initiatives take root."

Interviewed Ocotber 2009