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Not even the scattered heavy rain showers could stop the determined Doctors, Patients and Supporters of the Licensure effort of Naturopathic Medicine in the State of New York.
At 11:45am, August 23rd, a dozen supporters gathered at the Union Square Starbucks to reassess their agenda for their march scheduled for 12:00pm. The group arrived at Assemblymember Deborah Glick’s office a little after Noon ready with patient testimonials and naturopathic articles in hand to support naturopathic medicine as a viable alternative for healthcare.
Glick wasn’t present in the office at the time of their arrival; therefore Donielle Wilson, ND [President of New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP)] led the discussion with Matt Borden, Assembleymember Glick’s Chief of Staff, in response to Deborah Glick’s email correspondence to her constituents, placing the bill on hold yet again.
The group peacefully, one by one, expressed their opinions regarding the stalling of Bill A1370.
Patients shared about the progress they have seen while being treated by naturopathic care.
Concerned Naturopathic students expressed concerns about practicing their careers in New York State after graduating school.
“We believe the questions have been asked and the answers, answered.” stated Dr. Nenninger, N.M.D.
“I was most impressed and inspired by our patients who came out on a soggy day to speak courageously, elegantly, and from the heart.” stated Dr. Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc.
He also went on to say, “Ultimately, naturopathic medicine is about healing from within to live our best life. Our patients have shown us that naturopathy is already a powerful entity in New York State that is saving lives. In the words of Dr. John Bastyr, ‘the truth of our medicine will always win out.’”
“We’ve been working on this for 10 years,” says Dr. Donielle Wilson, president of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians. “We’ve had our own lobbyists in Albany, co-sponsors in the senate, and a lot of support, including the majority on the Higher Education Committee. What happens, though, is that the Medical Society comes in and scares everyone, bringing up things that aren’t even in the bill, because medical doctors don’t want any profession to do anything close to what they do. If the legislators would research it themselves, they would see that naturopathic doctors are a group of highly trained professionals and that the profession is well established nationally. There is a shortage of health care providers in New York, and over a hundred naturopaths are ready to provide that care.” Dr Wilson quoted in Chronogram Magazine.
According to Dr. Isadora Guggenheim, ND, MS, she was threatened with jail time, a $10,000 fine, suspension of her massage therapy license and two years probation.
Dr. Guggenheim’s message to all ND’s in New York: “Do everything that you can to achieve licensure. We will not tolerate false accusations, an environment of paranoia and discrimination.”
Chief of Staff Matt Borden listened patiently to every one of Glick’s constituents and assured the peaceful group that he would pass on all of the information he received from the Naturopaths to Assemblymember Glick as soon as possible.
Dr. Wilson thanked Mr. Borden for allowing their 30 minute meeting and the group proceeded out of the office back to their practices, studies and lives, in hopes of Assemblymember Glick overturning the decision to postpone signage of Bill A1370, turning this red light into a go!
For more information on naturopathic medicine, education, and licensing efforts please call the NYANP at 800-846-6778 or visit www.NYANP.org.
Photos & Story by Terry Beverly
Thank you to all of those who ralied on Monday. Its a shame that the state of New York is not looking out for the wellbeing of those who reside here. Someone is not doing their “homework” as they should. Just how bad is it in the states the do have Licensure? Or doesn’t that count as research. Better yet, hearing it from those in your own backyard should bring light to the subject. I hope that we can have a choice in the state of New York as far as choosing to see a Naturopathic Doctor. Its our body, our pain, our lives. Please don’t deny us in seeking aid from those we trust and believe in.
Mary Jo Gehm
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