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Career

The most pervasive and silently accepted crisis in America today is the ill health of our people. More than any other health care profession, naturopathic doctors are uniquely trained and qualified to transform the health care system’s fundamental approach from a traditional disease-driven, treatment-oriented medical model, to one that deals with the real problem of improving people’s health

Academic and Institutional Leadership

Founding President, Bastyr University (1978–2000)

  • Co-founded Bastyr University, the first accredited, multidisciplinary university of natural medicine in the U.S.
  • Coined the term “science-based natural medicine.”
  • Led development of faculty, research centers, and public policy influence.

President Emeritus, Bastyr University (2000–Present)

  • Ongoing institutional leadership and advisory work.

Adjunct & Teaching Roles

  • Adjunct Professor, South Pacific College of Natural Therapies (New Zealand)
  • Part-time Faculty, Seattle Central Community College (Environmental Public Health)
  • Adjunct Faculty, Evergreen State College
  • Clinical teaching at Bastyr: Philosophy, Diagnosis, Environmental Health, Nutrition, Therapeutics

Educational Standards and Research Infrastructure

Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (1978–1998)

  • Co-founder and Chair
  • Wrote standards for naturopathic medical education
  • Achieved U.S. Department of Education recognition (1987)

Federation of Naturopathic Colleges (1978–1987)

  • Co-Founder, President

Research Advancements

  • Founded Bastyr University Research Institute
  • One of the first natural medicine research centers funded by NIH
  • Oversaw Human Subjects Review Committee (1980–1987)

Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX)

  • Helped develop national exam standard for naturopathic licensure

Clinical and Corporate Innovation

King County Natural Medicine Clinic (1996–1999)

  • Created the first fully integrated, publicly funded natural medicine clinic
  • Co-managed with Community Health Centers of King County
  • Over 5,000 patient visits in the first two years

Salugenecists, Inc. (2001–Present)

  • Founder and President
  • Corporate wellness and natural self-care systems

Government and Health Policy Advisory Roles

National / Federal

  • Commissioner, White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (2000–2002)
  • Member, Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (2002–2004)
  • Expert Consultant, U.S. Federal Trade Commission (1993–1994, 2002–2003)
  • Invited Participant, Josiah Macy Foundation Conference on Health Professional Education (2000)
  • Advisory Panel Member, U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment (Dietary Supplements)

Regional / International

  • Board Member, Seattle-King County Board of Health (1996–2002)
  • Testimony and advising in 20+ U.S. states, UK Parliament, Argentina, Japan, and Taiwan
  • Advisory roles with NIH, Microsoft, Blue Cross, University of California Davis (CAM asthma research)

Board and Advisory Leadership

  • Founding Board Member and Past Chair, Institute for Functional Medicine (2001–Present)

  • Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Bioclinic Naturals (2008–Present)

  • Juror, Rogers Prize for Integrative Medicine ($250K, 2012–Present)

  • Board roles: HerbalGram, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Integrative Health Symposium, Hecht Foundation

  • Past roles: Pure North Synergy, VeriaLiving, Alere Wellbeing, Shape, HealthWorld Online, Seattle Midwifery School

Editorial and Publishing Leadership

  • Editor-in-Chief: Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal (2002–Present)

  • Editorial/Board Roles: Alternative Therapies, Restorative Medicine, WebMD, Nutrition Science News, CAM for Practitioners (UK), Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, and others

  • Monthly and bimonthly columns in: Vitamin Retailer, Vegetarian Times, Veggie Life, Natural Health Magazine

Global Speaking and Teaching Engagements

  • Averages 30+ lectures/year globally for over 3 decades

  • Speaking countries include: U.S., Canada, UK, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Argentina, South Africa, China, Taiwan

  • Topics: Environmental toxins and chronic disease, detoxification, functional medicine, diagnostics, and global healt

Academic Background

  • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine (1975)

  • Bachelor of Science with Distinction, Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College (1969)

  • Certificate in Organizational and Group Leadership, Leadership Institute of Seattle (1993)

  • Pharmaceutical training (ND licensing), Washington State (1989)
  • Licensed Midwife, Washington State (1981–1989)

  • Basic Sciences Certificate, Nevada State Healing Arts Board (1974)

  • Research Technologist, University of Washington, Dept. of Rheumatology (1971–1975)

Awards and Recognition

  • Stanley Wallach Award, American College of Nutrition (2019)

  • Visionary Award, Academy of Integrative & Health Medicine (2018)

  • Linus Pauling Award, Institute for Functional Medicine (2004)

  • Clinician of the Year, Natural Products Association (2012)

  • Healthcare Crusader, National Nutritional Foods Association (2003)

  • Humanitarian of the Year, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (2000)

  • Top 20 National Intellectual Leaders from Seattle, Seattle Magazine (1996)

  • First recipient, Benedict Lust Award, AANP Convention (1996)

  • Naturopathic Physician of the Year, Northwest Naturopathic Physicians Convention (1981)

  • President’s Award, AANP Convention (1988)
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