Safiya McCarter, student
Candidate, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine ('10)

One reason I know I will succeed in my career is because of the community at Bastyr — it is very, very supportive. Before coming here, I called Bastyr all of the time with admissions and financial aid questions, and everyone was so great. When I enrolled here, people would often pull me over in the hallway and ask if I had everything I needed. Professors have been so available and caring. They encourage you to take care of yourself, and I take much better care of myself than I did two years ago when I arrived. Now I work in the Office of Admissions counseling prospective students, and I always share my own story about how great everyone has been here and how supported I have felt.

I am extremely interested in integrative medicine — health care that encompasses the full spectrum of natural and conventional medical treatments. As a student in Bastyr University's naturopathic medicine program, my goal is to become part of an integrative practice where I can practice alongside other conventional and complementary practitioners to serve all of patients' needs.

This model of care interests me because I believe there are places where naturopathic medicine is stronger for particular ailments, and all patients should have access to that. Similarly, there are areas where allopathic medicine is stronger — especially in acute situations. I think having all of that available in one setting is ideal for patients. If there are patients who have been going to a medical doctor (MD) for awhile and not getting results, I could introduce them to the benefits of naturopathic medicine or refer them to an acupuncturist.

Learn more about the naturopathic medicine program.

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