News
Midwives Alliance Conference - July 17 & 18
Posted 6/10/10
The WNPA is supporting the Midwives Alliance through exhibiting at the conference at UW-Madison on July 17 & 18, 2010. We intend to bridge connections between Wisconsin's Naturopathic Physicians and the Midwifery Community, dedicated to reducing disparity between birth outcomes in our state. We are honored to support the midwifery community and look forward to helping midwives make a difference in the health of children and mothers.
Dane County Farmers' Market
Posted 6/10/10
Representatives from the WNPA will be at the Dane County Farmers' Market on all Saturdays in July, August and September. Stop by, meet local Naturopathic Physicians, and learn more about what how the WNPA is advancing Naturopathic Medicine for Wisconsin.
DC-FLI
Posted 5/13/10
Naturopathic physicians Allison Becker, Ruddy and patient advocate John Bohman joined with 170 other doctors, students and supporters of naturopathic medicine from all over the country in Washington, D.C., May 2- 4 to lobby for the inclusion of naturopathic physicians in federal health care initiatives.
The event, organized by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), included two days of legislative training followed by a day on Capitol Hill. The Wisconsin delegation visited the offices of Senators Feingold and Kohl as well as those of Congressmembers Baldwin and Kind. The day culminated with a whole foods reception with over 500 Capitol Hill staff members and representatives in attendance.
Naturopathic Doctors are licensed as primary care physicians in many states in the Northeast and Western regions of the country. However the federal government fails to include them in programs providing direct care to underserved populations. “Our graduates are ready and willing to serve in these areas and will help fill the growing shortage of primary care practitioners, estimated to reach 45,000 by 2020,” said Karen Howard, executive director of the AANP. Graduates are currently not eligible for federal loan repayment programs, though their schools and degree, by Department of Education standards, are on par with those of an MD or DO.
Not only are naturopathic physicians being underutilized, but they would also bring valuable expertise in the area of wellness and prevention so desperately needed to stem the epidemic of diabetes, heart disease and obesity sweeping our nation. Naturopathic physicians use a multidimensional approach to encourage patients to improve their own wellness through lifestyle changes and the use of natural therapies that facilitate the inherent ability of the human body to maintain and restore optimal health. Naturopathic medicine is cost effective and focuses on correcting the root cause of illness.
Currently, naturopathic doctors are not licensed in state of Wisconsin which means that many natural health practitioners may be using this title that do not have a doctorate-level education including supervised clinical training. The Wisconsin Naturopathic Physicians Association (WNPA) has been working diligently for licensure so they may practice to the fullest scope of their training.
The public is entitled to full disclosure about the education and training of practitioners to whom they entrust their health. For more information about naturopathic medicine, accredited schools, and legislative issues, visit www.naturopathic.org.
Chronic Fatigue Study
Posted 11/11/08
Do you suffer from Unexplained Chronic Fatigue? WNPA physicians are seeking new patients to participate in a study on Alternative Treatment of Unexplained Chronic Fatigue. Please click here for more information on how you can participate in this important research.