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Inside the Profession

CNME Reviews Accreditation Standards

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education has initiated a comprehensive review and revision of its accreditation standards and is asking for public and professional feedback on the existing standards.

CNME is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accrediting agency for four-year residential doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine in the U.S. and Canada.
This process is nothing new, as the USDE requires all recognized accrediting agencies to review their accreditation standards on a periodic basis. In a letter from President Marcia Prenguber, ND, and posted on its Web site, CNME said it was an important process "to make sure [CNME] standards are revised over time to reflect changes in the field of naturopathic medicine and evolving accreditation practices."
The CNME expects this process to take approximately two years and its provisional timeline is available on the organization's Web site. According to Prenguber, the review initiatives will focus primarily on a number of concerns already identified including placing additional emphasis on the founding principles of naturopathic medicine and the importance of reflecting these in program objectives, curriculum and clinical education; further incorporating outcomes assessment and competency-based education into the standards; and simplifying and clarifying certain standards. An excerpt of current stand-ards is available for review.
Currently, there are 11 standards that must be met for an educational program to gain accreditation. The CNME does ask that those making comments would identify the specific standard they are referring to. The 11 standards are: Standard on Mission and Objectives; Standard on Organization and Administration; Standard on Financial Resources; Standard on Faculty; Standard on Student Services; Standard on the Core Curriculum; Standard on Clinical Education; Standard on Continuing Education and Certificate Programs; Standard on Library and Information Resources; Standard on Research; and Standard on Physical Resources.
Comments must be submitted by June 15, 2006. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to standardsreview@cnme.org or by mail to Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, P.O. Box 178, Great Barrington, MA, 01230. There also is an electronic comment form available on the CNME Web site at www.cnme.org. Once all comments have been received and reviewed, the Council will circulate the draft document for further comment, review subsequent comments and then make final revisions.

Southwest Researchers Team With Douglas Labs

Researchers at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) are working with Douglas Laboratories to investigate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in joints where it promotes normal joint function. And although hyaluronic acid injections are common, some hyaluronic acid can be absorbed after oral ingestion. The study, to be led by SCNM Research Associate, Janice Highfield, ND, will test the safety and effectiveness of oral hyaluronic acid supplements.
With Vioxx and Bextra under fire, physicians and their patients are more frequently turning to natural alternatives for pain relief, and wonder about the efficacy of such treatments. Women and men ages 45 to 80 who have been clinically diagnosed with painful osteoarthritis and who are Arizona state residents may qualify to participate in this clinical trial. The four-week study will include free lab tests, office visits, physical examinations, and hyaluronic acid supplements.
Resource: "Douglas Laboratories to Collaborate With Southwest College on Complementary Medicine Research Study and Osteoarthritis." News release, March 27, 2006. www.scnm.edu/news.

American Botanical Council Names New Board Member

The American Botanical Council (ABC) has announced the appointment of Neil Bloomquist to the ABC Board of Trustees. For the past 12 years, Mr. Bloomquist has been chief executive officer and president of Spectrum Organic Products, Inc., and brings more than 30 years of experience in the natural products industry as a business owner and manager.
"I am honored to have been asked to join the ABC Board," said Bloomquist. "I firmly believe that the work of ABC has played an important role in helping grow the role of herbs in our society and also to help maintain the values that have been the driving force behind this movement. I look forward to helping ABC in moving its agenda into the future."
"We at ABC are honored and grateful for Neil's decision to join us in guiding ABC over the coming years," said ABC Founder and Executive Director, Mark Blumenthal. "Neil brings with him a wealth of experience in business management on the food side of the natural products and organic industries which will benefit ABC in many important ways."
Bloomquist's tenure went into effect at the March board meeting. The American Botanical Council was established in 1988 as a nonprofit, member-based international organization working to educate consumers, health care professionals, researchers, educators and the media on the safe and effective use of herbs and medicinal plant products. Located in Austin, Texas, ABC publishes HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal and The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs, a continuing education reference book. For more information about ABC, visit www.herbalgram.org.
Resource: News Release, "Neil Bloom-quist Joins ABC Board of Directors," April 25, 2006. www.herbalgram.org.