As we say goodbye to 2012, now is the perfect time to celebrate our accomplishments and look ahead to the future. Much has happened this past year at Bastyr University to make it one of the most historic, memorable years ever. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
New Website: At the start of the year, we proudly unveiled our new website. As the virtual “window” to our University, we felt it was important our site reflected Bastyr’s true character. To that end we created a new color scheme, made the site simpler to navigate and included easy-to-find health tips and recipes. The end result is a sleek, user-friendly site that is more in line with how we want the world to see us.
Bastyr University California: This fall Bastyr University California opened its doors in San Diego to an inaugural class of future naturopathic doctors. The welcome we received as the only accredited school for naturopathic medicine in the state was extremely positive and we have already established relationships with some of the finest companies, institutions and organizations in Southern California. Additionally, we are proud to have opened a new teaching clinic to go along with the new campus, providing students a chance to gain real-world medical experience.
Dr. John Bastyr Centennial: 2012 was a yearlong celebration to honor our University’s namesake, Dr. John Bastyr. Each month brought a different event that focused on the man whom many consider the father of modern natural medicine. From recorded memories to an official government proclamation of “Dr. John Bastyr Day” to one final event scheduled for this month (described below) Dr. Bastyr will be remembered fondly and forever for his contributions to the profession.
Clinic Gets Top Honors: This year Seattle’s Bastyr Center for Natural Health (BCNH), the teaching clinic of the Kenmore campus, scored highly on a groundbreaking survey that charted patient satisfaction. Of the more than 150 Puget Sound clinics surveyed, we were honored that BCNH ranked in the top three in a number of categories including “getting timely care, appointments and information,” “how well providers communicate with patients” and “helpful, courteous staff.”
Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail: In 2012, our backyard became the only place on the entire West Coast with a Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail. The mile-long trail, located on our Kenmore campus, provides an educational resource for the community to learn about seed saving and cultivation of native plants, and preserve ethnobotanical knowledge of how we have used them in the past for food, crops and ceremonies. The next-closest Sacred Seeds Trail is located in Missouri.
John Bastyr Legacy Wall: Despite enough major milestones to last us for the year, there are still a few more events coming up this month. On the December 5, we will unveil the John Bastyr Legacy Wall, which will be located near our Chapel. The wall will be a timeline and tribute to the impact of a teacher, friend and healer who touched thousands of lives and will remain a permanent fixture on campus.
Holiday Concert: A few days later on December 7, my wife, Lorinda, and I would like to invite you to enjoy the sounds of the season with the inspirational regional choir Breath of Aire. The free public concert is our way of saying thank you to the local community for your continued support of the University.
It has been a truly wonderful 2012 and I am confident that while it has a lot to live up to, 2013 will be just as memorable. May you and yours be safe, happy and healthy this holiday season and in the new year.
In Health,
Bastyr University President
