As a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND), I attended a four-year professional-level medical program accredited by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. In order to obtain my license from the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, I had to pass a set of board examinations administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners.
Prior to naturopathic medical school I got a bachelors degree in psychology and completed pre-requisites for medical school including calculus, organic chemistry, physics, biology and chemistry.
During my first 2 years of naturopathic medical school, I completed coursework in basic sciences including biochemistry, human anatomy & physiology, histology, macro- and microbiology, clinical immunology, human pathology and pharmacology. At the end of my second year I had to pass basic science board examinations.
My 3rd and 4th years of study involved extensive clinical training under supervising physicians in primary care acute and chronic care clinical settings. I also shadowed physicians and specialists in the community to gain expertise in certain areas and round out my clinical training.
Throughout my course of study, I completed extensive coursework in the following modalities of treatment:
- Pharmacology
- Herbal / Botanical Medicine
- Clinical Nutrition
- Homeopathic Medicine
- Exercise physiology
- Counseling
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage
- Spinal Manipulation
- Physiotherapy
- Minor Surgery
- Intravenous Therapy (fluids, vitamins, and minerals)
Dr. Dana Waichunas 