> Holistic Healing > Naturopathy

There’s excitement in the air as you step through the solid wooden doors of Canada’s newest naturopathic college in New Westminster, BC. Or perhaps a better phrase to describe the feeling is "pioneer spirit." For after sitting in for a day, it’s obvious to me that the students and faculty at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine have struggled for the last three years to get where they are. And it’s equally obvious that the college is here to stay.

The Boucher Institute is housed in a red brick heritage building that suits the century-old history of naturopathic medicine. This fall day, I arrive in time to join the third-year students–the first class ever–in a planning meeting to discuss their student clinic, which opens next week to the general public for three days a week. (New patients welcome!)

But what is naturopathic medicine? Founded in North America by Dr. Benedict Lust in the early 20th century, it’s a system of health care that uses natural methods and substances–including herbs, clinical nutrition, homeopathic remedies, lifestyle counselling, physical treatments and Chinese medicine–to support and enhance the body’s innate self-healing powers. Naturopathic doctors consider physical, mental and emotional factors–a whole-body approach. Surgery and prescription drugs aren’t used because the goal is to treat the underlying cause of disease, not just cover symptoms.

Surveys show that both the demand for–and supply of–natural health-care practitioners are on the rise. There are about 800 naturopathic physicians in Canada, according to the Canadian Naturopathic Association. The discipline is regulated under provincial law in BC, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan, although licensed naturopaths do practise in other areas of the country (see resources below). Until recently, those wanting to pursue this career had to travel south to one of several American colleges, or back east to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, which is fully accredited and accepts between 100 and 150 applicants per year. Now there is another option.

The college that has evolved into the Boucher Institute opened its doors in January 2000. Named after Joe Boucher, an influential naturopathic physician in Canada, the school is a non-profit society run by a volunteer board of governors from various health and scientific disciplines. A current total of 43 students will attend more than 5,000 hours of classes, including 1,400 hours of clinic, by the time they graduate from the four-year program.

But to get to this point hasn’t been a cakewalk. In fact, the team involved with the initiative has overcome countless obstacles. A move last year to the current location. A change in ownership. Becoming a non-profit society. Attracting new students. Building a library. Finding equipment. The list goes on.

Dave Scotten, ND, has worked with the school for more than four years. He was an advisor before the school was even open and is now Dean of Education. With previous teaching experience at Bastyr University and Dominion Herbal College, Dr. Scotten’s current efforts include enhancing the Boucher Institute’s curriculum so that it’s "student-friendly, and yet provides what they’ll need [as naturopathic doctors]".

The teachers are the "major strength" at Boucher, according to Dr. Scotten. "It’s almost a mentorship program here", he says. "There is an incredible resource of doctors who are really good, really strong." Another bonus: even when the school reaches maximum capacity, the aim is to keep class sizes small: between 35 and 40 students, compared to other colleges, where class size can be upwards of 100 students. This encourages hands-on learning, as well as self-awareness and personal growth, both considered to be essential requirements for exceptional naturopathic physicians.

Not only do students benefit from the facility, but so does the public and the profession as a whole. "The profile [of naturopathic medicine] needs to be raised in the eyes of the general public", says Dr. Scotten. Now there’s another resource to help monitor the health-care industry, respond to public concerns, and support people in making informed health choices.

A graduate of the UBC School of Journalism, Michelle Hancock spends most of her time reading and writing. if these didn't keep her busy, she'd be very tempted to become a naturopathic physician. E-mail: michellehancock@shaw.ca

Source: alive #244, February 2003