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CCNM update-Bernhardt

by | Jan 1, 2017

Post Categories: Cancer Treatment and Prevention | Integrative Medicine | Naturopathic Medicine

Update from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM)

By Bob Bernhardt, PhD

President and CEO

2016 was a very good year for the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Ontario, Canada) and for the practice of naturopathy in Canada. In April, CCNM’s Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (OICC) launched the new OICC Foundation at a gala breakfast hosted by the Ottawa Senators national hockey league team foundation. In May, CCNM received word of a major donation to support its establishment of an integrative cancer centre in Toronto. In July, the ND program was awarded the right to grant Doctor of Naturopathy degrees. In September, we launched our biggest curriculum consultation and revision ever. And in November, the OICC celebrated its fifth anniversary.

The right to grant a doctor degree had been sought for almost 15 years, and we were delighted that we were finally successful. The permission is granted by the Ontario Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development. The curriculum review and revision process will culminate in new and enhanced learning experiences for students and will launch in 2018 as CCNM celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The launch of the OICC Foundation was accompanied by the announcement of a $100,000 donation from the Ottawa Senators Foundation, as well as $900,000 from a private Canadian foundation. Both the gala breakfast and the celebration of the fifth anniversary drew on the stories of grateful patients. Hearing the impact that the OICC care has had on their lives brought tears to my eyes.

The donation to permit the establishment of a new integrative cancer centre in Toronto came from a grateful patient of an Ontario naturopathic doctor. It is clear that the integrative cancer care being provided is making a profound difference in the lives of patients, and they are responding with support to enable more individuals to access care of this nature.

Mahatma Gandhi noted that “The future depends on what you do today.” Last year in the CCNM update I referenced the comment from a CCNM board member that “The time is now!” Belief in these statements is driving CCNM’s actions. We have just launched our Turning Point campaign to garner the resources that we require to ensure that at this critical juncture for health care in North America, we are a strong voice for change. We know change is coming … CCNM is committed to help shape it.

Bob Bernhardt PhD

President and CEO

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Bob Bernhardt, PhD

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