I am pleased to share with you some of the many exciting things already coming to fruition at Bastyr University in 2010. 

Bastyr University and Seattle Midwifery School (SMS), including the Simkin School for Allied Birth Vocations, are pleased to announce the merger of our two organizations. The merger brings together two 30-year-old Seattle institutions that share complementary missions and a reputation for excellence in education. This joining of resources is a wonderful opportunity to advance our respective missions to continue educating future leaders in natural health sciences, midwifery and the childbirth professions. As a result of the merger, which has been approved by Bastyr University's regional accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Seattle Midwifery School will fully integrate into the University, creating the Department of Midwifery in the School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences.

Bastyr also continues to play a major role in shaping the model for 21st century health care through public education. On February 24, we hosted the first annual "Bastyr University Day" at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. The event, which aimed to raise awareness of the University's important role in educating our nation's future heath care leaders, was a huge success. The day included the presentation of resolutions honoring the University in the legislative chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate. We are grateful to Senator Paull Shin, PhD, and Representative Roger Goodman for leadership in sponsoring these important resolutions. We are also appreciative of  Mayor David Baker and other representatives from the City of Kenmore who attended in support and recognition of the University's achievements. We look forward to making "Bastyr University Day" an annual tradition celebrating the University's contributions locally and globally.

For many years, our community has expressed a strong interest in exploring the intersection of science, spirituality and medicine. So, we are also pleased to announce the inception of the Bastyr University Center for Spirituality, Science and Medicine. The Center represents our intention to create open dialogue surrounding these topics, and shed new light on important contemporary issues in health care. In April, the Center will present "Meditation and Medicine: Introduction to the Vital Role of Contemplative Disciplines in Mind-Body Medicine and the Healing Arts," an inspiring program exploring the vital role of meditation in medicine and the healing arts featuring internationally renowned mind-body experts Joel Levey, PhD, and Michelle Levey, MA.

The University is also pleased to unveil our new Center for Student Research, which is dedicated to fostering research opportunities for interested students and serves as the central access point for student involvement within the Bastyr University Research Institute. As a pioneer in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research, we are thrilled about the additional opportunities this new Center will present for our students to have hands-on involvement in research studies shaping the future of natural medicine.

Learning opportunities on our campus are becoming more abundant as we introduce a new academic degree program. Students will be able to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Human Biology program beginning in Fall 2010. The curriculum will connect concepts from physiology, anatomy, cell biology and genetics to allow students to achieve a unified understanding of the structure and function of the human body. This program will provide an excellent foundation in biological science and foster the development of critical thinking skills that are applicable to many careers in medicine and research.

Please check back for more exciting news and developments this spring!

In health,

Daniel K. Church, PhD
Bastyr University President