After
finishing my Bachelor of Science (Biology) in 1993, I was receiving
massage treatment
at home in Nova Scotia. I was informing my therapist that I had just
completed the MCAT's and was applying to medical school, to which she
replied, "Why don't you become a Naturopathic Doctor?"
To
receive my doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine, I completed a rigorous
four-year post-graduate training program. The program involved medical
sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology,
histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology),
clinical medicine (gynecology, obstetrics,
pediatrics, pharmacology, minor surgery),
physical medicine (massage therapy),
naturopathic medicine (nutrition, homeopathic
medicine, Chinese medicine, acupuncture),
and 1300 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of licensed
Naturopathic Doctors.
Eight
years of post-graduate training later, I am now a licensed Naturopathic
Doctor. I realized the choice I would make was not just a vocation but
a new way of life. The philosophies of the field were of great appeal
to me: Do no harm; Nature has healing powers; Identify and treat the
cause; The physician is a teacher; Prevention is the best cure; and
Treat the whole person.